Steve Waszak

Offered here is a powerful signed Shinto wakizashi by Echizen ju Shimosaka. The blade is in excellent polish (keisho, I believe), and presents with many highlights. There are kirikomi in the mune in a few places, perhaps an indication that this sword saw some active combat. Measuring almost 55cm (21.5 inches) in length and 3cm wide at the machi, the blade is approximately 8mm thick at the munemachi. Two NBTHK papers accompany the sword, both affirming the mei as that of Echizen ju Shimosaka. One is an NBTHK Kicho Token paper, while the other is NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token. While the wakizashi comes in shirasaya, there is also a koshirae, complete with tsunagi. The habaki is silver or silver foil. Priced at SOLD, plus shipping.

Also agree with Curran and Okan. To me, it looks mostly like a late (modern?) work "inspired" by Owari sensibilities. The workmanship and finished look of the piece, though, do not conform to Owari sukashi, Kanayama, or Yagyu, in my opinion.

Hi Grev, Yes, my copy is signed. I did get the translation along with the original, but on the Itoh's website, they do make it pretty clear that the book is accompanied by an excellent translation, so, I'm not sure how this disconnect for you occurred. Sorry that happened. But get the translation: it's worth it.

Really appreciate (and try to share) your approach, Curran. Moving from great to sublime is hard, not only because great pieces are, well, great, but also because it takes so much focus, discipline, and patience. I believe it is worth it, though. In my experience, one great piece is worth ten good ones, and one magnificent masterwork is worth ten great pieces. Quality over quantity, when both cannot be had. Eagerly looking forward to what you'll acquire, Curran, and really pulling for you.

Very hard news. More hard news on top of so many recent and major losses in the community. I knew Richard, having seen him at San Francisco sword shows several times, and visiting him at his home in Portland, Oregon, where I saw the elaborateness of his photography set-up. Good guy. He will be greatly missed. RIP, Richard.

I have this book: HIGHLY recommended for anyone with an interest in the Nobuie smiths and the context out of which they arose. This is a lavishly done publication, highly readable, with beautiful black and while life-size images of the pieces illustrated. We desperately need more scholarship on this level in our field. Superb.

Looking forward to seeing your site grow, Curran. It also gives me a ready place to "visit" that superb Nidai Yamakichibei tsuba.

Email sent.

Tsuba are SOLD, pending funds.

These tsuba are the final four from my friend's collection I'll be posting here. I will offer these pieces through the weekend; after that, any that are unsold will be returned to my friend, so, if anything appeals to you, this weekend will be the time. Tsuba #1: This is a small (5.5 cm x 4.8 cm x 3mm) irregularly-shaped kinko tsuba with a pleasing motif of plovers over waves. I believe the material is yamagane, with gold accents applied to various degrees in the plovers. The rim is gently upturned here and there, suggesting of some Umetada and Kaneie rim treatments, though this piece is, of course not of those traditions. Seppazuri is strongly present on both sides of the tsuba. The sword guard presents with deep color and is in very good condition. $140.00 plus shipping. Tsuba #2: Here is another kinko tsuba, one whose material is a little challenging (for me) to identify with confidence. It seems like lower-quality shakudo, but very well may be of some other metal or alloy. As with the previous tsuba, this one features gold or gold-colored accents in the kiri mon motif elements. This piece also three very crisply-done kiku sukashi elements. The overall presentation of this tsuba, with its very small kogai-ana, suggests latest-Edo to me (seppazuri hints at this being a late-Edo work rather than 20th-century, but honestly, I think the tsuba does come across as being of such recent vintage. It measures 7.1 cm x 6.6 cm x 4mm. $75.00, plus shipping. Tsuba #3: This is a mokko kinko work that may date to pre-Edo, and is almost certainly no later than early-Edo. It features numerous inlaid brass dots, some of which are missing, together with subtly carved mon elements amidst a field of small circular spots. I believe the material is yamagane, plus the brass dots. It measures 6.7 cm x 6.1 cm x 3mm. $125.00, plus shipping. Finally, a tsuba I had offered some time ago, and am now re-offering at a significantly reduced rate. The form and motif elements of this piece usually result in an attribution to (ko-)katchushi, with the larger motif elements identified as stylized snowflakes. This tsuba features a strongly-hammered plate and a nakago-ana indicative of the guard being fitted to a fairly broad blade, measuring at 3.1 cm. The tsuba itself is a good size: 8.1 cm x 2.5mm. I would locate this sword guard in the early-Edo Period. $100.00, plus shipping. If a buyer would like all four tsuba, I would reduce the price from $440.00 to $300.00, plus shipping. I will leave this post up through the weekend, as I say, after which I will be returning any unsold pieces to the owner.

Superb. Thanks so much for sharing this. A real treat to see.

Tsuba #2 reduced to $125.00, plus shipping.

Price reduction to $1,150.00, plus shipping. Really fine iron in this tsuba.

That will be an absolute must-have publication.

Tsuba pair #2 is SOLD.