Higo-san

I like Henry's idea. These could be Buddhist prayer beads on a string.

Hi Sergei, this could also be the lacing of an armor. I have seen an old Owari tsuba in Japan showing what looked like the outlines of many rice fields seen from above and was told that this was indeed meant as a reference to the shikoro of a helmet. Kind regards, Chris

The full Mei does most likely read "Yamashiro Kuni Fushimi" (山城国伏見) on the right side and "Kaneie" (金家) on the left. I agree with the Saga Kaneie attribution and with Brian's low C (sorry, Stephen...). Best, Chris

Very tempting.........!

I had the opportunity to visit Tom a couple of times. He is a true collector of iron tsuba and now wants to part with a couple of quality pieces from his collection - this is really nice stuff and I can recommend Tom as a very kind person. I cannot believe that some pieces have not already gone - some of my favorites can also be found here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21172-tsuba-christmas-sale-1-kyo-nishigaki-owari/. Good luck Tom - hope to visit you again soon, Chris

Number 7 and 8 are a bargain... Nice stuff, Tom!

Thank you, Stephen!

How much do you want for the Fuchi, Stephen?

Hi Joel, the Mei reads "Bushû jû Masanaga" (武州住正長); there is a similiar piece in the Boston MFA Collection (http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-cherry-blossoms-and-waves-11532). Best, Chris

Hi, The menuki represent three Tomoe mon and can be found commonly on (Buddhist) temples all over Japan. There also a couple of families who used the Tomoe mon. Your tsuba reminds me of Choshu, Bushu or Echizen craftsmanship; I would date it to middle until late Edo period. I agree with Rich regarding the plugging. This was a rather common practice which can be seen on many tsuba. Best, Chris

Hi Patrice, I am not 100% sure about the tanto but the koshirae is definitely not an old Japanese piece. And I am almost sure that the tanto is modern made, too. Best, Chris

Can't be as it rests at my home, Henk-Jan ! However, would be interesting if you could provide a link to that auction.

Thank you both - perhaps I have to accept that the Mei has become unreadable over time.

No reason to be sorry, Steve! Your help and second opinion is much appreciated! Thanks, Chris

Thanks, Steve. That is correct. And the Kanji above Fujiwara read 春田 (Haruta). The next Kanji could be Kazu/Masa or Toshi. The last Kanji is definitely Saku.

Christian, I have already made a similar request on the The Samurai Armour Forum by Dave Thatcher. There are many kind and helpful people there (as there are many kind and helpful people on this forum). However, a comprehensive list of katchushi by one specific school is not something that can easily be found. Therefore, I am trying to adress as many collectors as possible including the 1-2% and the exceptions you are referring to in your post, Christian, who read the "katchu" section of this forum. Concerning my request: The first Kanji could also be Kazu or Masa (和). I have tried to make a sketch of the second Kanji based on what is visible under different angles and light. Based on my sketch, Mitsu now seems rather unlikely (however, one can never be sure because it is difficult to differentiate between rust spots and tagane marks). If there was some kind of list, I could try and narrow down the many options. Kind regards, Chris

Dear all, does someone have a comprehensive list of Haruta katchushi? I am looking for a katchushi who signed "春田藤原 ?? 作" (Haruta Fujiwara ?? Saku); the smith's name is almost impossible to read: the first kanji could be 利 and the second Kanji could be 光. I have attached a picture of the helmet (does not make much sense to post more pictures of the mei as you will not be able to recognize anything...). Thanks a lot for your help, Chris

That is an interesting point, Dirk. Where did you get that info from? Fukushi Shigeo does not mention a connection between the Odawara Fukurin and Kagamishi tsuba in his Tosogu classroom nor does Itō Mitsuru in his three books. I have also not found any Kagamishi tsuba with a fukurin. It seems like the rim has something to do with a paper manufacturer connected to the name Odawara. But that is a different topic anyway.

And that is exactly what the term Shoami should not stand for, Henry. As Ko Shoami artists did not follow strict rules (like for example Owari artists did by sticking to symmetric designs), they played an important role in the development of later sukashi tsuba designs. Reducing the Shoami school to a mere grab bag group does not do them justice. Otherwise, I see your point concerning the Kacchushi elements, Henry. You may very well be right! The tsuba in question may be seen as a piece of art that has been created by taking elements of other groups (a mon sukashi technique originally developed by Tosho and Kacchushi artists and the Odawara fukurin element which was i.a. used by Hirata Hikozo but whose origins still lie in the dark) resulting in an individual style on its own. As such, I very much enjoyed looking at it, Michael. However, if the shinsa team really used the term as a grab bag, I find this kantei rather disappointing - they could have as well said "made by someone who made tsuba". Best, Chris

Tosho-like iron Tsuba + Shakudo Odawara Fukurin = Shoami? I am not saying that I disagree with the NBTHK but that is a quite strange kantei... Best, Chris

Everything SOLD - except for Kashira 002! Price drop to USD 30,00.

No. 002 and No. 003 are SOLD! Free shipping for tsuba No. 001 (the best tsuba in this Lot!!!) if sold today!

OK - Huge price drops to move these quickly: Tsuba 001: USD 590.00 (only small donation to NMB) Tsuba 002: USD 130.00 Tsuba 003: USD 140.00 Tsuba 004: ALREADY SOLD Best, Chris

Tsuba 004 ON HOLD

BUMP