Alex A

Kind of getting the impression some generalizations appearing. My thoughts, just because Shinto period arrives and its more peaceful doesn't mean smiths went out of their way to make crappy unreliable swords. Any Samurai would want a good sword, they were expensive when new.

Thats a great tsuba, for me, one that did not need any extra decoration. Sometimes less is more.

Brian, i was just reading that bold claim that they have handled more antique Japanese swords than any other antique dealer in the world and was thinking it was a bold claim At first, couldn't get my head around what they were actually selling, thought it may have been a print as there is no image of the weapon. I kind of gave up reading it, why cant they just stick to the typical stuff like smith, dimensions and a BIT of background like every other Japanese sword dealer does, without all the other stuff. I guess it works for them.

Just having a beer and got a link to this through email. Sounds interesting but for some reason im getting lost reading through it. Sure someone here will fathom it out, cheers. 2nd one down. https://thelanesarmoury.co.uk/shop.php Price on request, must be special.

I would hang on to that and if they dont want it then im positive many others will, me included Post a pic of the koshirae when you get time. Cheers

I like it Piers, its the kind i would look for. Regarding any that are a bit hit and miss, always of the impression they could be student swords that were signed by the main man, dai saku mei. Who knows, without having been there at the time. Just speculating and not looked into it.

Started getting into Sukekane blades quite a few years ago now and from time to time would look them over on sites. Now i cant say ive had 100,s in hand, just seen a few over the years. Years ago i could never work out why he was rated Chu-jo, think maybe i started a thread on it some years ago. Over the years though i kind of came to my own conclusion, whether right or wrong. The jigane was always the same tight ko-itame on the examples i came across, i guess many would describe it as uninteresting, especially when compared to many other blades, Koto or whatever. Though that for me was not the reason. From memory, he worked mainly in Suguha which he did well and the flamboyant Yokoyama Choji style which everyone knows. Now the reason ive come to think he was rated Chu-jo is consistency (again whether right or wrong). Its interesting that Sukenaga got a mention above, higher rated smith and often his choji is consistent and many times to my eyes, perfect. There was a wak on the Bill Brannow site but now it seems the site is down. It was a dedicated shrine sword with inscription, wish i could do a link as for me it was the perfect example of Yokoyama Choji. Anyways, regarding Sukekane. His best work goes for relatively high prices and you know why when you see it, consistently good. Often though, you see blades with a Choji hamon that is nowhere near that of Sukenaga. Sometimes, i believe they were created this way but other times i believe they were just not the best, as in how the choji hamon appears. Being brief, parts of it appear missing, often one side far better than the other side etc etc. Sometimes when the polish is not great, hard to tell. Anyways, just thoughts.

Looks like a good one, Piers.

Or Sukekane.

$20 on the George Trotter book.

Hi Mick, only just seen your last reply. It was very nice to meet you and no doubt we could have talked for hours about swords and bikes. Pity i couldn't have done that trip on the bike as some beautiful scenery around your way. Regarding the repair to the saya skin, im one of those that likes to leave things alone unless something is missing or absolutely falling apart. I never used to have this kind of acceptance, think maybe its come from seeing too many dodgy re-wrapped tsuka over the years etc. To me, I guess its just part of its history and never really give it a second glance. Out of interest and may assist with my opinion, was looking at an old flintlock pistol the other day from the Napoleonic era, regimentally marked. There was a repair to the front of the stock under the ramrod, a brass plate. It was an ugly but common repair back in the day. Years ago i would have hated how it looks, now i wouldn't bat an eyelid, actually quite like it. Just a part of its history. Anyways, as said, we all look at such issues differently. I guess with you being an artist and probably having a bit more knack on how to maybe improve it then that would explain your view.. I did improve a gun stock a few years ago but that was within my knowledge and was kind of a preventative measure to stop a crack getting bigger. Guess it all depends. Cheers, great meeting and talking with you and glad its gone to a good home.

I understand your opinion, Calabrese. Many people cant appreciate tsuba such as Tosho or Katchushi and many other tsuba from the Muromachi thrown in for good measure. Over the years it feels like the same bunch of collectors own these type of tsuba at various times and they all travel in the same circles between them, me included. Right or wrongly, that's another opinion ive formed. They have to be appreciated in a different way and not everyone is on board with the notion.

Will get to the point, Bushu tsuba. Over the years you can form opinions for one reason or another, i don't know why, it just happens. I seemed to have develop a dislike of Bushu tsuba, maybe its the Gold decoration you find on some of them, maybe its the style with the outer ring and carving within. I dont know, even got this idea whether right or not that generally, they are not that desireable. Some are mediocre with regards carving, some are finely carved and there is a lot in the middle. Anyways, recently i started to take a closer look, especially the carving and have to say it seems i have unfairly judged them as a whole. Bought a few over the last year at very reasonable prices, similar design but one is better carved than the other. Have to say, im by no means qualified to have an in-depth opinion on these tsuba, never had 100s in hand and have only ever seen them online. An example of a good one in case some folks are wondering what im going on about. Bushu Tsuba - Tosogu - Nihonto Message Board To me, they really do nature like no other tsuba and in future will try and keep an open mind before forming opinions. Be interesting to see what others think, regarding any tsuba. Though it seems everyone is content with their views.

Agree Dale, it seems collectors tend to avoid or look past them. Shame really, as sometimes it gives people the opportunity to pick up good quality at a lower price. Snapped a few up over the years that seemed to have sat around in the sales section, didn't pay much and wont expect much when i eventually sell. One in particular, small copper Kiku tsuba that would look wonderful mounted on a tanto. Beautiful old dark patina, really like it. I guess beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. Also, i guess ones perspective changes as time moves on.

My curiosity is due to observing tsuba for sale and what appears to be a lower than expected price?, maybe that's a particular school or tsuba of a certain era or whatever. You see some tsuba with very good carving and a price that doesn't seem to match, anyone else notice?. May be many other reasons why someone thinks a certain type of tsuba is underrated. Interested to see what others think before i mention my ideas. Might give me more perspective as not really a serious tsuba collector. Over a period of time, one can build an opinion, though that opinion may be limited.