Spartancrest

I am not so fast thinking it is modern or waxed, I recently bough a small sized guard that at first sight looked too glossy [overexposed lighting in the photo] the secondary image was 'normal'. After I received it, under heaps of grime and flaked rust I discovered it was in fact 'glossy' and not waxed. I believe it is a yakite finish. It has been mounted at least once [see top of nakago-ana second image] I have seen many modern fakes and I don't think this is one. If you believe your example is waxed - boil in water for a few minutes, won't hurt the piece as long as you dry it properly. Testing is always better than guessing.

A few from way back: And a book I doubt most people would have heard of? [It seems if you don't keep your eye on them tsuba will get up to some strange things!] Tsuba coat hooks

Andrey Thank you for the information I will add that to my data base. Wow I would even wear those [I might have to cut some holes in my shirt sleeves first- when did cufflinks go out of fashion?] They are a nice little object on their own. I found these sites for 'modern' tsuba cufflinks https://www.modernsamuraistyle.com/ and the ever present ebay https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=324670356953&_ssn=goyokiki-Japan&_osacat=0&_odkw=tsuba&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=tsuba+cufflinks&_sacat=0

Andrey I have two or three like that, different patterns. I wonder if yours is powder coated? At least one of mine is, which would point to very modern manufacture. Barry that is a nifty little item, I see Jean Collin made something similar but I like the folding aspect of yours. I have an image of another strange use for a tsuba shaped object.

Being a tsuba nerd I have 'accumulated' a variety of tsuba related 'stuff' that are not actually tsuba. Included in the pile I have some tsuba pins or badges, these are related to Kendo clubs or tournament medals. I was wondering what other collectors might have come across. The image is of some tsuba based badges I have found over time. [most are not mine]

I am glad I posted this on Tosogu - the sword collectors are a tough audience!

Just stumbled on this site https://www.reddit.com/r/powerwashingporn/comments/o1g7fu/i_clean_antique_weapons_and_recently_finished/ And would like to complement the restoration cleaning of what most people would consider a garbage bin worthy piece. Are there any award ceremonies for heroic action in the face of overwhelming rust?

John I think it is in pretty good condition for what 400 or 500 years? I think the nibbled edges and the minimal ten-zogan loss, as well as possible late replacement of same make it a historic piece. There is a little, off-line inlay, but it was made for war at a time of war so there may have been time constraints.

I recently saw a set of fittings with instructions on the order of how they should be assembled written on them in Japanese. Ikea labels A,B,C, etc. would help? [Ikea - sounds vaguely Japanese!]

For altered [destroyed?] pieces some of these are asking pretty high prices! https://www.rubylane.com/item/413041-KCHAx20638/Japanese-Oval-Panel-Shakudo-Bracelet https://gem.app/product/shakudo-necklace-Japanese-shakudo-pendant https://www.abrandtandson.com/products/1-victorian-large-silver-mixed-metals-shakudo-dragon-ring Almost enough of these to make a complete sub-set of collectables

I just bought some 70s bling myself - not as nice as those! A silly nasu tsuba tie bar. - and I don't wear ties!

Thanks George, Osho must have had a similarly slow postal system as we are stuck with! Any idea what year this story dates from? I have heard of mail being sent by balloon but not by umbrella. [at least it would be kept dry!]

Back in 2017 I bought a rabbit tsuba plaque just for fun. I discovered yesterday, through chance that it was one of a set probably made in the 1970s. I was wondering what the kanji in the corner says ? I presume the theme is one of the animals of the Asian Zodiac. Anyone know the significance of the wall hanger? The 'tsuba' is made of bisque pottery with the decoration 'painted' on. For those interested there are two, part sets listed on Etsy. [removed from their display boards] I say part sets as there should be twelve in total. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1076239617/Japanese-pottery-samurai-sword-parts and https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/1076239513/Japanese-pottery-samurai-sword-parts No sympathy please, they are just a novelty. Just for fun what do you think of this tanto guard? UFO or lost Umbrella These are not the only 'pottery' examples, a porcelain paperweight from a sale also back in 2017

Gwyn one of your images shows two seppa on the one side of the tsuba - it shouldn't logically misalign the tsuka [the thickness overall is the same ] but have you tried all configurations? Thinner/thicker seppa?

Could it be a Daisho set that have been split?

Bruno it is the same guard as second from the right top row 23/2/21 starting from a cheaper 36,250 yen - compared to the 45,000 BIN. Must be hard to sell at that price?

Good idea Darrel - but that is doubling up at this stage Anyway one of my pet peeves is electronic books, I am old enough to remember writing on a blackboard and a time you had to carry your knowledge in your head rather than your pocket. With an e-book I wouldn't have anything to read by the firelight when the power goes off.

With that new information - I am confused by the attribution on the papers as "Nara" ? From Sesko's genealogy Mitsumasa was from the Edo line of smiths - or am I reading the lineage wrong?

Pietro thank you very much for that. I have a few of Marcus's books. [I must add that some of Marcus's books are printed in a very small font, which I find annoying and unnecessary. Not a criticism of the material just the format.] When I did a search on the signature, google always opted back to Goto Mitsumasa which it obviously is not, google can be a good tool but like all tools it can be faulty and unreliable.

I just came across an auction of a tanto sized tsuba of two long tailed roosters that matches one that I have owned for two years. Could I trouble someone to give a translation of some papers on the auction example? Also I would like if possible a confirmation on the mei of my piece as being by "Mitsumasa" a nineteenth century artist? https://zenmarket.jp/auction.aspx?itemCode=x1005989020 or https://www.jauce.com/auction/x1005989020 I must add my example has been cleaned and has a 'glossier' patina to it than the original auction image pictured.

Hi Collin that last guard you show, I have eleven image examples of that design. Four are described as Kinai, with one as Shoami. The rest including one missing it's rim from the Metropolitan Museum are not attributed. Did you happen to buy that guard from Thierry de MAIGRET Auctions? One of my images from there is identical to yours.

Hi Bjorn - How about a big bum bunny! Topical, seems big bums are in - though not with me https://www.jauce.com/auction/l1005568800

I would say it is a big improvement on the first guard, Kenjo [presentation] tsuba would have been my first guess from the amount of Gold overlay - but it is obvious that it has been mounted. The images are not very clear but looks like nunome score marks on the plate, it is a technique that can have very beautiful detailed results but is perhaps the worst at retention, if actually used. Very thin overlay that is basically just hanging on and easy to peel off. Shakudo fukurin?

Pieces ready for the skip - now ready to grace the best of collections. Very well done.

Jean Can I get the job cleaning up under the conveyor belts.