Aloof Pegasus

Not strictly sword related but any help with this would be much appreciated. I think the second word is kitaeagetaru- hammer; the last- kanji-ta-no-something-na-ri. The signature first name seems like Ubuya-something-ta- ???? As you can all see not much progress. Many thanks to anyone kind enough to take this on.

Here's a kanmuri otoshi shinto wakizashi with a 33 cms nagasa. Papered to Inshu Kanesaki Inaba/Tottori 1H 17th c.

Hi Mariusz Yes I agree, and I've bought one too. The price was very reasonable and am now feeling keen to see it in hand. In the meantime have found one here which is more of a starter piece but Muromachi, and small, heavy, with a sweet clear note when struck- whatever that means. It's being mounted with mixed metal f/k and menuki wild boar theme. Here's a pic of the starter piece and I'll post Craig's-now-mine tsuba when it gets here volcano permitting. Philip

I've become very fond of yamagane tsuba recently too. Don't feel too bad after all it will repatinate,ne. Philip

Hi Piers Thanks for the eye candy. Good piccies. I like the bashin and that tsuba too- from what is visible it looks very suitable. Is it iron? Good choice of sageo colour, if that's a tanto sageo then it really is a small sword, isn't it. Btw when you first posted this topic I hadn't had much chance to trawl the local markets here. Now having done so I realize what a good spot that tanto was! Philip

Hi Piers This was such a popular project I'm sure a lot of us would like to see the final result, I know I would. If it's not too much trouble, that is. Philip

Mariusz Your friend's article was really interesting and the pix were great. Philip

Hi Mariusz What about a little tansu? Philip

Hi Jason Sakura Zipang is not a bad seller but you probably noticed his area seems to be mainly tea things. I think he picks up sword related stuff from time to time as do most other antique dealers here without knowing much about it. However his descriptions are always minimal which is a point in his favour. He is easy to deal with btw. He just sold an Owari tsuba like a beautiful one Markus has for sale here on the board with snow flake/matsukawabishi. Of course the condition of Markus' tsuba is far superior and he guarantees it so a vast diff (edit just checked and it's papered). The S-Z one went for US$ 150 and it looked fairly ok to my uneducated eye. As Mariusz said in relation to another tsuba discussion recently many sellers are just processing them without paying any attention to what they are selling, strictly cash and wrap. Have you found his beginner's tsuba blog yet? It's very helpful for those of us at the bottom of the learning curve. Philip

Piers Thanks for that explanation and sorry about your afternoon's toil. If it's any consolation after reading your post I' ve decided to pick up a pair of waragi and give them a try. As I already wander the streets in tabi and tengu geta reckon my rep can't get much worse. Philip

Piers Apologies if I caused offense by calling attention to your tabi. I actually wear them all the time so was intrigued to spot yours in the pic. Would waraji with wool or cotton tabi socks be more correct? Have you tried waraji? I've been told that these days the Japanese will only wear waraji or tabi when taking part in a festival, particularly if helping carry something heavy. Unless carpenters of builders. Philip

Piers Really great pics. (Workman tabi?) Philip

Hi Steve Tokugawa Art is a small but well stocked shop and the owner whose name has slipped my mind, is very eager to show you everything. The Tokugawa Museum is near the shop, and Nagoya Castle is also well worth a visit. However Nagoya itself is just more urban sprawl and it may not be on your intinerary. Philip

I dunno about JAC, sorry. I suppose were you to win I cud phone the shop and tell em not to ship it to JAC (if I m understanding how it works). Fedexing a chest of drawers seems a bit extreme to me. Philip

Hi Dirk I don t have time to handle the shipping but I can certainly phone the seller and ask if they would be willing to do the necessary if that helps. Is it the kotokyoto 34 one. Philip

Hi Mariusz Just what I was looking for. Rgds Philip

Hi Jean Have these 4 all got some major problem? Asking because they all look so nice. Should we give an attribution or for example has one been repatinated, another is modern? Thanks Philip

Thanks a lot Mikolaj for this lesson. Do you have any other tsuba which would be suitable? Or anybody else care to post a problem tsuba? Philip

Hi Mikolaj Not at all sure but don't really see any diff between the rust colour in the green box and outside it so... have to say imho, not firescale. Philip

Thanks to both posters for the example of firescale. Maybe a bit later someone who's got one could post it in this beginners kantai and then we can see if we have learnt from what we've been shown. Philip

Justin Speaking as a beginner much like yourself I would suggest checking all the links on this site and having a look at the ito colours on those swords. The idea that belt colours in the martial arts might be a distant echo of an ito grading system sidetracked your thread, sorry for that. Philip

Mariusz I want to retract my original post. I thought that the lip on the upper/lower section of the mimi meant it had been reduced in size since the lip did not circle the mimi. Was there a fukurin that came off? (my new guess) Philip

The only thing I can spot on this one is the possibility of it having been reduced in size. Philip

Hi Ford Is there any chance that you could post pics of 4 different tsuba- one with firescale and let us try to determine which one has this problem? Philip

Thanks Mariusz for kindly posting your 2 interesting tsuba and the great pictures. I wonder if anybody else has got a tsuba which would help us identify another fault to watch out for? Philip