Antti

Thank you mr. Stiles and mr. Klein for you comments. Ive attached some descriptions from the book: Shinsa would just be a matter of interest. I adore the tsuba, no matter whoever really crafted it. To see a NBTHK attribution would be interesting, although what I would really love is to hear Ito Mitsuru's opinion. I am just concerned that it might receive Hozon to "Higo" paper that would be a complete waste of money. It was my first kinko piece and opens a completely new world for me. It wont be the last. I just realised that out of the 5 tsuba that I own, 2 are Akasaka and the rest are non-affiliated when it comes to schools, and every one of the three combines different schools when it comes to style.

Sebastien, nice tsuba, I like it a lot. The fukurin is very similar. Kohrin often made the fukurin with different rope designs. The grass theme corresponds with many of the published ones. However I am not skilled enough to say anything about the attribution. Some Kohrin work have received Tokobetsu Hozon papers so perhaps we should submit these to shinsa... One more by him. The center of the piece is raised the same way than in your piece:

Thank you gentlemen for your comments. Mr. Kleins attribution makes perfect sense, however, I have a reason to believe the tsuba was made a Kumamoto artist Tohi Kohrin, whose work had influence from Nishigaki and Hayashi, and probably studied under one or both. You cant this guy from the Haynes Index, but here are some published tsuba by him provided to me by another collector. Only around 20 of his works are known, with 7 of them being in the Kumamoto Museum. What do you think?

I am really liking this. Also loving the option to upload more than 5 pictures!

Greetings gents. Let me be the first to introduce a new tsuba to this new forum. I have applied a doctrine of only buying every five-six months or so, to get a chance to buy something nice with my small budget. This is also my first unpapered tsuba. Size: around 83mm x 78mm Material: Brass with inlays of gold, silver and the reflections made of shibuichi(?). The rim and the small trees made of shakudo. Theme: Moon reflections on rice fields - could be 8 fold paths of Buddha? Rope design fukurin. I found some other art with the theme as well. You are probably also familiar with the famous Nishigaki tsuba with the same theme. Markus has a nice blog entry here: http://markussesko.wordpress.com/2013/0 ... ackground/ As I said, the tsuba is unpapered. However I have a pretty good guess who made it. I would really like to hear your impressions and attributions. We can, I am sure, all agree that it is from Higo. But from whom?

Is it papered? NBTHK or NTHK?

Excellent Higo water dragon tsuba: http://www.nihonto.us/JINGO%20WATER%20D ... 0TSUBA.htm

Received mine this morning. Definitely worth the wait! Thanks Markus!

I dont think they are one and the same. The recession around the dogs eye, the shape of the man's nose, the shape of the top of the hat. Also on the other Kozuka the leash is attached to a ring where in the other it is tied with a knot.

I am loving this. Just like you, I have never really found Ko-Kinko to be 'my thing' but this right here is an exception. I love the color, and I probably like this more right now that I would have liked it the day it was crafted. However I have not felt that Ko-Kinko are in general, unappreciated here at all.

A more comprehensive list. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/reading.htm Tsuba: An Aesthetic Study and the Sasano book (if you like old iron) are great ways to start.

Thank you for this! Always looking for good Facebook-sites related to this hobby, if anyone has any other essential suggestions, please do let me know. Some of my favourites: https://www.facebook.com/marcuschambersmetalarts https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kodôgu-no-Sekai-小道具の世界/266005023454853 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tetsugen ... 6426147884 https://www.facebook.com/KevinAdamsFineMetalArts https://www.facebook.com/Nihonto.eu https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorenzo- ... 8096238840

Hi Don, The suggested books have been discussed countless times before. You'll find them by using the search function above. The basic advice is that read a lot before you buy and try to get a chance to handle excellent tsuba (note the plural - not 'tsubas' ). Also I would recommend going through the old topics in the forum, which I found very useful and using the Links-section on top to find helpful sites. I do not wish to comment on your first two tsuba. The one on the left gave me the first impression that it might have been in a fire once, but the more experienced guys will know more.

Beautiful video. It has the same calming effect as Katsuhira's Tiger did.

I got the Silver Sasano a while ago, and for a beginner I must say it has been the by far the best publication I have bought. Price can be a bit steep but the book is worth it if you like old iron. A must have.

Loving that tsuba mr. Schiller!

Ah, another Antti joins the party. Welcome! All you others too!

I think it is a very nice tsuba and you really did a good job. Strong, yet elegant, good condition. The spider is the cherry on top. Especially enjoyed your final photo. Very good start I think! I'm sure the more knowledgeable can help you with the questions you had.

Thought I remembered seeing a similar one: http://www.ricecracker.com/inventory/82 ... _kiku.html

I'm terrible with my hands. Could not craft a tsuba stand even if my life depended upon it. Therefore, no bells and whistles here.

I think I know the cannabis-culprit :lol: http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.c ... e-cannabis

Picture 7123, flange or some trick of light?

Haruaki Hogen? I mean tries to be Haruaki Hogen. (actual) http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/ ... e3b3ad2484

(Edit: I had not seen a signed tachi tsuba before, so my mistake. Deleted the photo to avoid confusion.)

Somewhat similar tsuba: http://www.ricecracker.com/japanese_swo ... hoami.html http://www.japanesesword.com/Images/Fit ... _tsuba.htm