Eric H

Well, I can only shed may head about all the spreaded rubbish in this thread. The primary question of this tread...with a few words and using common sense and with the insights of recognized experts (Japanese), a couple of words were enough to answer the question. It has been done...obviously without a visible effect. Wild theories, unproven facts and assumptions, partly contradictory by the same commentator, and hairsplitting statements were expressed. Please stay on the ground and accept what a Tsuba is...nothing else but a piece of metal designed since olden times as a protection for the sword wearers hand...and that the owner of the sword had free choice about the type of Tsuba he prefered to be mounted on his sword...surely based on his combat experience. Any discussion on „real“ and „unreal“ Tsuba as well as on „real“ and „unreal“ swords... and so on... are incomprehensible, nebulous and show a tube-kind of view. However, who wants to further exhaust the theme is free to do it. Just my opinion Eric

Primary function... the Tsuba is used to prevent the hand from slipping onto the blade during fight. This may be well suited by any kind of Tsuba: iron, plain or sukashi, soft metal, regardless ot its adornment, ivory with shibayama inlay or even lacquered leather. Secondary of course it‘s logically a protection for the hand against sword blows...however Uesugi Kenshin prefered a mounting without Tsuba. Have a look at the Momoyama Owari iron sukashi tsuba for sale here...this type of Tsuba has been classified as too unserviceable to withstand a sword blow...in another thread...but it is based on the "primary function". An iron Tsuba with sword cuts in the mimi. Conclusion: purpose and functionality of a Tsuba is self-explaining and any type of Tsuba, regardless of how old it is, if it has been once mounted on a sword or not, or if it has been created solely for artistic reasons...they have to be considered as genuine Tsuba, ready for immediate mounting on a Koshirae...except a Shibayama Tsuba.. Eric

There are two nagasa: 17.2 cm and 13.2 cm...which is correct? Kaga Kiyomitsu viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12391 kaiken - mamori gatana - yomeiri tanto viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6453 Eric

AOI ART AUCTION https://www.aoi-art.com/auction/en/auct ... 1213703271 a very attractive Yoroi doshi Tanto by Suishinshi Masatsugu with a very interesting hamon in Aikuchi Toppei-koshirae. Nagasa 21.8 cm - Kasane 0.72 cm Eric

Classification of Nihonto by length was established in Edo period: Tanto - to be shorter than 1 shaku (30.3 cm) Wakizashi - to be from 1 shaku to 1 shaku 9 sun 9 bu (60.30 cm) ko-wakizashi- to be from 1 shaku up to 1 shaku 4 sun 9 bu (45.15 cm) chu-wakizashi - to be from 1 shaku 5 sun to 1 shaku 7 sun 9 bu (54.24 cm) o-wakizashi - to be from 1 shaku 8 sun up to 1 shaku 9 sun 9 bu (60.30 cm) However I have seen swords with length 60.5 cm classified as Wakizashi. Katana - to be 2 shaku (60.6 cm) and longer The Gokaden method of kantei was devised by Hon‘ami Koson and his teacher Hon‘ami Ringa between the end of the Meiji period and the beginning of the Taisho period. Later Koson popularized the system by publishing it and introducing it at sword meetings all over Japan. Eric

Jean‘s comment goes to the point. Functionality and robustness are the decisive factors and this is given by the overall structure of the blade. I have never read about a moroha tanto defined as an armour piercer. I‘d like to felicitate Jean to his (60's) anniversary sometime this month. Happy Birthday, Jean!... :D Eric

This is a inexhaustible issue...have a look back :lol: Contemporary tsuba...can they be valid? viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6606 Modern Swords and Fittings viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6197&p=48080#p48080 Eric

An interesting Chisa-Katana or O-Wakizashi with the so called Kashu-nakago probably by Hinin or Kojiki Kiyomitsu (beggar Kiyomitsu). It is said that Kaga Clan‘s Kiyomitsu signed swords are rare to find. Kaga swords had a reputation of excellent cutting blades. next: nakago Harima Daijo Fujiwara Kiyomitsu nicknamed Juni Gatsu Kiyomitsu. Eric

The trap has been sprung Eric

I think this is a very good proposal for all members of NMB with interest in the subject. Jean, we will see Eric

Barry, Thank you for the information. Eric

Althouth this is something fundamental, namely what distinguishes a „good“ from a „negligible“ sword... as I have expected, no one on the board cares about the result of such excercise... I‘m not a member of the JSSUS and therefore I would appreciate it very much if you could share it...if possible :D Thank you in advance Eric

As far as I know a lost Juyo origami can be replaced on request with a Juyo Shitei Shomeisho paper... but this is not possible for lesser level papers. Eric

comment: the freedom of the artist :D Eric

Even if the "stripes" on the habaki were correctly interpreted, the sword stands in no relationship to the following unbelievable, horrible, but true strory. The Hyakunin-giri-Kyoso: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contest_to ... ng_a_sword Noda Tsuyoshi‘s sword was mumei Mukai Toshiaki‘s sword was a Kanemoto Magoroku. Eric

Your findings do not require a correction, they are convincing. Nothing beats a lifetime of experience... Eric

A prime example of a detailed explanation on this fine Tsuba...expert opinion ! Is it possible to see a pic of the Origami ? Thanks for sharing Eric

All photos are from my internet library, I have posted them just with the purpose you can use them in your article as top- grade references. Eric

That the nakago has been treated with an acid is an assumption...based on the fact that the nakago surface shows a faint relief of the masame structure of the blade...no yasurime are detectable. Polishers used, not always, to mark their work with „nagashi“ lines, under the habaki and on the kissaki-mune...a track to the individual polisher is not given. Eric

It looks like a butchers knife (in Switzerland) that has been used and sharpened numerous times. Sorry, it is not worth to be discussed...but I leave it open to others who think differently on this subject. Eric

Finally some dragon menuki Eric

The Japanese dragon has only three claws, whereas the chinese common dragon has four claws, and the five claws dragon is representative for the Chinese imperial family. A variety of dragons Eric

The signatures match very well...so I would say it's shoshin mei. Eric

Ideally a sword should be preserved with its original koshirae...but if the tsukaito is heavily cracked a tasteful refurbishment is advisable. However when it comes to koshirae of historical importance, than condition and appearance are neglected because of its testimony of past times. In any case personal preferences are the decisive factor. In dealing with swords there is no compromise, only a blade in proper polish gives satisfaction, whereas with koshirae it is a bit different. Newly wrapped tsuka are often seen in company with exquisite fittings and look fine and harmonious with the koshirae. To bind a tsuka properly is an art itself and competitions with ranking list are performed at NBTHK. Pic...a candidate for a Tsukamaki-shi ? No... ... it‘s an Uchigatana koshirae with black lacquered saya, designated Juyo Toso. Eric

It is most likely on a blade by one of the Yasutsugu mon. ...and the detail of a finely carved Mizu-Ryu on a Tanto by Shodai Yasutsugu. Eric