Spartancrest

Björn I just came upon this old Christies auction from 2017. Not a lot of information on it sorry. You might notice the surface texture is very similar to one of yours [sorry the image was as good as I could get] https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/art-Japan-online/collection-twenty-four-tsuba-48/40285

Thanks Glen. I was just about to add this image and information from a Christies Auction back in 2015 - There is a statement about the nakago-ana not 'nagagohitsu' as they call it, being a hidden Christian cross. I have seen these on many namban including the one I just received, but I think that it being a hidden cross is a stretch too far - way too far!!

It has been a while in getting to me [understatement] but the rusty namban and 'friends' arrived today - I couldn't stand the condition it was in so I spent several hours cleaning boiling and scrubbing the rust and filth off. Some obvious corrosion loss and a few of the undercut tendrils were long gone but I am happier with its appearance so far - it still needs a lot of work.

Yes Jean I got what you were saying - it still gives me a kick every time an ad says 'found in an old trunk' in Japanese - but google translates it as 'found in an old elephant'

Mauro, I wish I had found your link from 2014 it would have saved me gathering all my images, thanks for linking that in.

Second can also be called Mino-Goto style. [Mino Goto means in the style of Goto]. A lot were basically shiremono [off the shelf] mass produced in various levels of quality. They appear in various patterns - yours is the treasure ship, there are half a dozen at least standard patterns. They often share 'ready made' tagane-ato [punch marks around the nakago-ana] you might notice that no metal is actually moved into the hole and they are usually intended to suggest the tsuba has been mounted, which is not always the case.

Jean it is an obvious Google translate error, it should read "invisible inlay" not transparent!

Hi Dave, I think that is exactly why Aus/post allow it, it makes them money [though with this $16 'special' not much money = $3 profit]

I just ordered some Christmas stamps tonight, they might get a few heads shaking. Here in OZ we can have our own stamp designs made for everyday postage or for special events like a wedding etc. This year Australia Post has allowed even Christmas postage stamps to be made by the general public. https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/mystamps-mystamps-m and from what I see there is no restriction on overseas orders either [I have no idea if you can use the stamps if sent from overseas however?] So some members might like to have their favourite Tosogu item 'immortalized' as a sheet of postage stamps. Last year I had a different design made see this link:

Bjorn this one was passed in at auction within minutes of the one you posted above. https://www.jauce.com/auction/b533425068 it looks a lot more worn and much of the inlay is missing - a popular pattern indeed. Not in the same league as your piece though.

The design looks to be popular in more than one style. I found this Heianjo up for auction https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1011548147 The embellishments are totally different but the design is very close. Björn, did you get your first piece through Bonhams auctions? https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26087/lot/1145/?category=list Bonhams image. Omote side only.

Stephen talk about Haori ripper, I saw this 'trying' to be sold and there is one much like it still listed. [frustrating when you can't track it down again] Who are they kidding? And what to do with your old circular saw blades!

I just found this "menuki" listed for auction that strongly reminded me of the negative silhouette Bamen style horse tsuba that turn up from time to time. https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1018588943 I am not sure if in fact it started out as a menuki it may have been a tobacco pouch ornament. There is an old thread from 2015 for those interested. I can't remember seeing a 'hollow horse' menuki before.

Well Brian - you are not the first to come up with the idea. [good Photoshop work by the way] It seems Anime and role play is taking up the idea!

TOO RIGHT! [also in my watch list, in this case extremely unlikely to win list as well] it is a beautiful example. I love the three overlapping layers - how is the seppa-dai attached, a groove cut all the way around and the riveted portion inset? Fantastic skill.

Why is everyone interested in what's in my 'watchlist'! Oh well I can 'wave' good bye to that one! Stephen I can see a pattern forming here! Kimono no, Haori yes? [from the time line, I saw it listed half an hour earlier than you - I have email witnesses ] Brian I don't think customs would allow that one into Australia, is it something that you could get sent to South Africa? Chris is right it would do more damage to the owner. Probably a prison sentence here! [and to think we used to make our own throwing stars as kids watching 'Shintaro' 1962 + repeats, It was a huge success here, did anyone else see it as a kid?] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Samurai_(TV_series)

A nerikawa is listed here for auction - https://www.jauce.com/auction/m397466150 You might note the de-laminating layers and it looks to have been lacquered on the edges, so may not have had a fukurin. I don't know why one of the hitsu is only partly cut through?

I can't help with the school or maker but here is a Utsushi (写). No udenuki-ana.

Dirk you must be correct - yet another with .top domain. https://www.sonry.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41_72&products_id=22456 This one is being funny with it's company name I wonder if it's not an acronym for "Undoubtedly Fake Organizations, Asia"

Greg, he is no angel - you might be able to make out his gang affiliation teardrop tattoos on his lower eyelids - I think he is a 'cartel canine'. American Staffy - oh no they have longer legs and can reach the higher shelves!

He must have misunderstood 'Tekkotsu' Iron bones? Or just wanted to hang out with his friends?

I did read somewhere that many tsuba were tested by pounding in a mortar and pestle to ascertain which smith made the strongest guards - My new Bulldog puppy has been taking lessons! [Only replica guards were hurt in the 'Testing' - but I am not anxious to let him near the rest of the collection!]

Two more to add. Klefisch Auction house archive.

Yet another site to be wary of https://www.spectical.top/index.php?main_page=index just check these pages https://www.spectical.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_242&products_id=23490 https://www.spectical.top/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_242&products_id=29921 Free shipping on non existing goods! What a bargain-

https://www.jauce.com/auction/v1012097670 Johan you are correct the Tachi was still worn at the imperial court right up till the Meiji period as 'formal' attire. Do you only have the one O-seppa? normally one either side of the tsuba. With most other tsuba you would display in the position of the first image you posted but being Tachi they were worn 'upside down' as in the last image. From what little I know the leather used was either horse hide or buffalo and most often in up to six layers glued together with the grain being alternately placed. Many had a thin metal plate within the layers for strength and usually had a fukurin securing the outside edges. Unfortunately leather does not last very well over time and very few intact pieces remain. Example of delaminating leather tsuba http://i.imgur.com/BVqw9DD.jpg I see partial remains of a fukurin on your piece and some gilding to the leather still remains on one face, but time is not kind to the leather. There is another discussion on Nerikawa tsuba here: