Antti

Robert, Some basic information. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/Cleaning.htm

Hardcover version: http://www.lulu.com/shop/joseph-bott/th ... 79892.html I cannot stand softcovers for some reason, but the hardcover seems very good value as well, only 16 quid.

Ron, here is a genuine Omori Teruhide for you, for comparison: http://www.nihonto.com/5.10.12.html 21,000 USD.

Count me in for this one. E-mail sent!

Thanks for you input mr. Stiles. I do not know whether the NTHK was not sure whether my tsuba was done my Shodai Tadatoki or perhaps one of his students, but given the amount of points they gave and the rather specific time scale, it almost feels they went as far as they could, still being 100% sure of themselves, and left the generation attribution out. A reliable source said that it says in a Japanese text that this motif was only used by the first four generations. I do remember reading about your Hirado on another topic. Really liked that tsuba by the way.

Ah thank you mr. Stiles. The inability to read kanji is a problem for me. Thank goodness I am surrounded by people who do Before I acquired this, I learned from a reliable source that this would be the work of Shodai Tadatoki (4th master). If the papers say early mid-edo, or early 18th century, it would fit perfectly. As far as I know, he received the mastery from the 3rd master in 1707 and died in 1746 (H. 09165.0). I wonder why the NTHK did not just attribute to generation, as the Early Middle Edo is still a very specific attribution timewise. I asked for a generation just to see if people would come to the same conclusion independently, for confirmation and perhaps a learning experience.

Good idea mr. Stuart. I am convinced it is some kind of a tool. At first I thought the top of the motif was one of those sturdy handsaws: http://japantool-iida.com/saw/2008/05/m ... etail.html The bottom looks like perhaps a tool with handle... a spokeshave?

Thank you for your impressions! Ah yes, one more thing. Does anyone know what the design of the bottom is, below the seppa dai. I've seen a nidai example which was almost identical, but had a catfish on the bottom. I have no idea what this might be. A tool of some kind?

Greetings gents. It has taken me quite a while saving for a new tsuba and finally something new is in my hands. Again I am looking for comments, impressions and it would be interesting to see a more accurate attribution as well. The tsuba came from a forum member, but was not sold through the forum's "For Sale"-section. Without any further ado: 76 mm x 73mm x 5,5mm 1997 NTHK Kanteisho to Akasaka (76 points) Ex-Jim Gilbert, can be seen in http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/akasaka.htm Shakudo pillows on both hitsu ana Rather distinctive tekkotsu/fold lines in the mimi Again I apologize if the pictures are not as good as they might be.

Geraint, scroll down, at least I can see the larger images.

Chris, if you like this theme, and curves in general, here are two nice examples currently for sale: First, a superb, but extremely expensive Kamiyoshi: http://www.ginzaseikodo.com/rakujuE.html And something a lot less expensive: http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.c ... shigaki-i# Your tsuba however, looks like a cast copy.

This was probably a nice tsuba back in the day, but now... heavily rusted. If cleaned, I wonder what the condition of the thin sukashi would be under all that rust. The 2' O clock spoke of the flower looks very thin as it is. Here is the tsuba the right way around. For some reason I find it difficult to look at one without turning it over.

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.c ... 09-myochin This one?

Although that tsuba is to die for, I think Nathan might have had a smaller budget in mind, considering that this one costs almost 10 times more than the ones discussed here.

I liked it! Attractive tsuba and something you dont run into every day. Enjoy it!

No problems Dave. It happens.

Who is Atti or Anatti? -ANTTI :lol:

Thank you mr. Watson. It is funny that this tsuba seems to evoke a very broad range of impressions. I too like my women as I like my tsuba. Without makeup but preferrably with a nice patina.

Thank you Brian and George for your input. I am glad to see I'm not the only one who cannot find a way to appreciate this tsuba. Even if we are wrong, it is nice to be wrong in good company. It is sometimes said that Jazz can only be appreciated by people who play an instrument. I wonder if it is the same thing here.

Steve, Wise words indeed. I've been interested in iron tsuba for the last 2 years and bought my first tsuba over a year ago. It has become a big part of my life. Never before have I experienced so much passion for anything. It is certainly true that you learn new things, different styles and schools become appealing as you study them and the way your eye starts to notice new things when you look at pieces. Over time, I've learn to appreciate so many things. From the appealing simplicity of ko-Tosho, to the flowing themes of Akasaka to the feature-rich iron on Yamakichibei. I've learned so many things, and found that my taste is constantly, if incrementally, evolving. Even if I do not find certain schools interesting, I can somewhat grasp the appeal that people find in them. Namban for example, does not appeal to me at all, but when I see a good piece, I can understand why some people like them. To be truthful I've never had a Eureka-moment, it is all incremental and happens over time. I try to read as much as I can. I have, for example, read through the entire collection of topics in the Tosogu forum, so I am well aware of the awesome expertise this forum contains. I am also a big fan of mr. Hallam, who's work I admire greatly. I recently had the privilege to hold in my hand a... 'Ko-mr.Hallam', in the form of his old kinko Flamingo tsuba, in a collector's meeting a week back. However, amidst all the topics I've read, this is the first tsuba, that I cannot get my head around, on pretty much any level. Therefore, to take advantage of the expertise in this forum, I would like to hear opinions about this tsuba from other experienced collectors as well, and see their impressions. What you said about failure is true, but one must always understand why he failed to gain anything from it. And that is what I am trying to do here.

I must say I am still slightly baffled about this tsuba. This is one of those situations when you think you know a little bit about something, and realize you do not. I usually keep my mouth shut when it comes to quality, because I've thought it would be arrogant for a newbie to comment on these matters. And well, because I do not like being wrong, especially if everyone can see it happening. I made the exception this time, as I was pretty much sure I was right about this. Well, no problem, this is a great learning opportunity no less. I have spent about an hour during the last day just looking at it, and trying to absorb something, but my efforts are in vain. Usually I tend to understand why someone appreciates something, even if I do not. This usually applies to everything (except NASCAR). Even if something does not appeal to me, I can at least understand what the appeal is. Some of my friends like muscle cars, I do not, but I do understand the appeal. But I simply won't seem to be able to appreciate this tsuba. My newcomer-impression is still the same as my first impression, and this is dangerous, because as a man collecting on a very small budget, I am always hunting for bargains, and if this tsuba would have been for sale for 10€, I would have ignored it without a second look, and well... still would.

Should have stayed quiet

The 'same' tsuba? Umm, can you link that for us?

Steve, Here, let me help you: I wont comment on the age, but the carvings on that tsuba look terrible. I dont know much about tool use when it comes to making tsuba, but I get the impression that the maker had his chisels stolen, and was using a fairly large axe to do the job. But then again, what do I know. By the way, you can edit your old posts, if you want to correct mistakes, like wrong links etc.

Are you telling me you haven't been Touched by His Noodly Appendage?