Spartancrest

Thanks Glen - The book is also available in hardcover but as yet I have not found it listed. Anyone interested could give me a PM. Please shop around, there are some expensive sites and why should you pay more than necessary? Feel free to ask me if there are cheaper options.

Tembo temper tantrum I don't believe it was a Japanese idea to 'recycle' tsuba this way. The 'Edwardians' had some bad ideas. From: 'Japanese Art Metal-work, The Tsuba.' pub. 1904 "To the repousse metal-worker we might point out that some of these sword-guards, with hardly any alteration, would serve admirably as lock-plates for drawers or cabinets".

I don't mind the two large 'replicas' they are well done and if you can't afford the real thing, they are good talking pieces. Now this one I have seen copied and copied over and over till it gets so bad you can't make out what it started out as - I think it could be Japanese stealing back the design from Paul Chen [Hanwei] who had a collection of famous identities made as guards - they were copied almost immediately by other Chinese factories and I think ironically very well by the Japanese. The "original" Hanwei had a distinctive rim that no one else has been able to replicate correctly. Amazing !! Even modern designs are being faked, nothing is safe !!

Are you referring to this book? https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b422-Japanese-sword-fittings-rb-caldwell-collection or - https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/c106-masterpieces-randolph-b-caldwell-collection He had other books published, one on tsuba and another on swords. The books seem to be few and far between as far as availability.

Good for you Chris - maybe we are archaeological collectors? Even worn out pieces can be worthwhile they tell a story and at least you can figure out what happens if you neglect maintenance! I think you are on to something with the cotton towel, guards do come up better after a good going over with cotton. Anyone know if cotton was a fabric available in Edo times? I find silk does not give as good results. John J. - I am not sure I will have a few decades - let alone trousers - would continence pants work? Heck just buying it could be a symptom of dementia setting in! But I would rather buy a rust bucket than a shiny new fake.

I just bought this ugly duckling that needs probably more than a good clean up. It is very far gone but even the infirm need a home! What caught my eye was several Chinese fakes of very similar design that were selling for more than what I paid. https://www.jauce.com/auction/r306153157 https://www.jauce.com/auction/v663567475 The intriguing thing is the number of copies of genuine guards, how do they copy them without the original piece? Copy and replicate the image or is it more "here, make something close that will fool the novice"?

Rich S. - Even harder to get, because they aren't mine! But I do like what I see.

I recognize one of those extra large guards as a copy of a Ko-Katchushi from Sasano's collection [boar's] A nice dragon on ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/small-Tsuba-guard-openwork-Samurai-dragon-chase-ball-brass-Sword-fitting-katana-/174847788879 And a not so nice dragon also on ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/265238098355?hash=item3dc16c31b3:g:xR0AAOSwe1NgxIQv I have to say I am struggling to see any of those guards as genuine - Is the first one pictured in enamel? If so it is unusual but very blurry work.

John c. At least you can rule out any casting possibilities with your 'twins'? I would like to know if a lack of size difference rules out a daisho? Are there any hard and fast rules involved? These two pieces turned up from the same seller within a week of each other, the size difference is minimal [if in fact the dimensions given are correct?] The image with the matting background shows a more marked size difference. Same pattern and some of the same tool marks, perhaps a gap in time of manufacture?

An even cheaper priced book seller, with the Cleveland collection. https://www.discoverbooks.com/Tsuba-in-the-Cleveland-Museum-of-Art-D-R-Raisbeck-p/1006769781.htm also Abe-books https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results&kn=Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art&sts=t

Just released a new book on the "Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art" The book is 344 pages with 310 guards in total, with a few comparison examples found in other museum or private collections. So far available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. [I have to say I am not impressed with Amazon's price] Let me say thank you to a number of NMB members who were of great assistance with information. https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=ISBN%3A+9781006769788&ref=nb_sb_noss https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tsuba-in-the-cleveland-museum-of-art-d-r-raisbeck/1139857558?ean=9781006769788

I am sorry I can't give an opinion on whether the tsuba are Ko -Nara but I have dredged up two additional images - one a very close match to yours and an older grainy image close to the other example. Perhaps the images may be of some use.

Bob try this link and attachment https://www.jauce.com/auction/e443156025 This tray is in coloured iron and was made by one of the 'nambu-tekki' companies.

Robert there is another interpretation of rats and rice : "Prosperity implied by absence" "Since ancient times there has been a belief that a house with rats must be wealthy. After all only the wealthy had excess food that the rats could eat. The very poor peasants had no excess food and hence no rats! It developed that the theme of rats (or mice) rummaging through the rice sacks meant prosperity even though no obvious display of wealth was portrayed." As you have said the guard must have started out as Tachi otherwise the design makes no sense with the mouse hanging upside down relative to the blade edge, correct me if I am wrong but tachi koshirae did not incorporate kozuka or kogai so the hitsu-ana must have been added at a later date to fit a Katana. Is this similar to the winnowing basket ornament your mother had? [this one is mine I purchased recently from Japan]

Regards no.72 has anyone noticed the starving condition of these animals - is this deliberate? Perhaps showing that in order for the farmers prosperity something has to suffer?

Yes aggressive miniature versions of Bull ants [40mm] - sting like a wasp and they keep stinging. Caused at least four deaths between 1980 - 2000. Big mandibles but the stinger is in the tail, Jack Jumper size: 12 to 14 mm (0.47 to 0.55 in) They can jump 10cm repeatedly when defending themselves. Ants and more ants - https://www.jauce.com/auction/g535098108

Can you believe it John, there are people who have never seen a Cyberman? What next, are Daleks just figments of our imagination ? -- I don't think so! EXTERMINATE EXTERMINATE

Here in Tassie we have just set up a new Basketball team called the Jack-Jumpers [based on our rather nasty ant species] Imagine my surprise at this tsuba ! https://www.jauce.com/auction/w482203685 similar or what? [it was either the Jack-Jumper logo or Cyberman!]

And another https://www.jauce.com/auction/x786125475

Hi Yas don't give up - [ Who would I talk to! ] We would all rush out and buy junk like this - https://www.jauce.com/auction/b563922550 just because it has a Ghost and a skull on it!

I think this is the quality to make into a belt buckle! https://www.jauce.com/auction/o485879879

Wow that is beautiful!

I think it is made by the same people who make these modern 'replicas' https://www.jauce.com/user/dj2hmyuc you will notice the similarity of the raised rims. These are regularly released in various patterns harking back to very early designs.

You might find that the 'black' rust will protect the blade from destructive 'red' rust - that's one reason most tsuba are the colour they are. A black blade is better than no blade.