roger dundas

Thank you Brian and Stephen. This is probably the most problematic Tsuba I have and would welcome some more thoughts on it. Should I post more Pictures does anyone think or just let it slide into obscurity ? Thanks, Roger D.

Pics of the 2 tsuba meant to be posted yesterday. The spoked tsuba is 67 x 63 x 4mm. There was a similar but slightly larger example sold earlier this year (or late last year) by Gary Murtha I think. The tsuba with tendrils, leafs (should that be leaves?)and flowers is 68 x 60 x 5mm. Does anyone think the brass colors of the vines differ from that of the leafs and flowers ? I can't decide myself and would like know what you think. I would welcome comments also as to the relevance of a tsuba's size to collectors if any member would care to comment. Personally I particularly like these two pieces and the fact that they would be mounted on smaller swords is of no issue with me but should I think differently ? A further observation is the amount of work the craftsmen have gone to- the floral inlay for one and the cutting of the spoke apertures as well as the inlay on the other. I think Ford Hallam remarked that (jewellers type ?) piercing saws didn't get to Japan before the end of the 1800s which I presume post dates this work ? So how did the Tsuba smith cut out the spokes ? Trusting you are all OK with my questions and thank you. Roger D

I have run into a problem because I thought we could have posted some shots of the two tsuba mentioned above. Will sleep on it (10p.m here) and try again tomorrow. Not sure my old heart can take the rebuffs- just joking of course ( I hope). Roger D.

Many thanks for your responses. The following pics were meant to accompany the above this a.m when we posted but time ran out. For mine ,these two are really most appealing. Neither is big- the spoked example measures 67 x 63 x 4mm. It is almost identical to one sold either early this year or late last year on e-bay which was a bit bigger at 72mm.Both have 64 spoke apertures (I should have bid on it but didn't). I would think made by the same craftsman ? The second with twining vines, foliage and flowers is 68 x 60 x 5mm. With both tsuba the engraved, brass inlay goes over and onto the rim. I would very much welcome your opinions here- These are both tsuba for smaller swords than katana size which is O.K in my mind but wonder what the consensus is regarding size- if there is any general agreement ? The other thing with the second tsuba is I can't decide if the brass used for the vine differs from that of the foliage and flowers (colourwise) ? Looking forward to any responses.

It seems that many of these pieces manage to lose a bit of inlay over the years- this example has done better than many. I enjoy the fine, accurate inlay- swastika pattern is it. It doesn't go over onto the rim. 8 x7.5 x 5mm

Thank you Beraint and Ford for taking the time to respond. I included 2 close up shots without explanation but it was to show the extra work some craftsmen go to such as the engraved curved lines around the central hole. In reality these lines are quite fine and accurately done. I wondered if such extra embellishment was part of the original mon or added by the craftsman just because he liked the extra effect ? Something like you get with the fine line brass inlay that instead of finishing at the rim edge- is mimi the term ?- goes over and onto the edge. Quite a bit more effort from the times that predated power tools. Much to be admired in the way a craftsman will produce a work to impress others but more particularly in the way a top craftsman will want to satisfy his own standards and values. It's part of what gets us collectors in I think. Hope you didn't mind my rave. Roger Dundas

Once again I would like to say thanks for all the comments re my tsuba, particularky Ford wh gave the opinion of the probable/possible artisan -maker Tsuchiya Yasuchika 1. Much obliged to you all who then went on to have some fun and debate about dragon toes. Roger Dundas

Thank you three for your posts- No one to date has offered any clue to a period of possible manufacture- possibly it's not that straight forward Johnnyi although I would have thought the later periods to have been sorted ? As for the comment about the peonie being a symbol for bravery on the battlefield and for good fortune in life- this is an appealing thing to read because I had wondered if a flower might not have seemed an effeminate thing for a samurai to wear- glad to be told such is not the case so thank you John Stuart in the Arctic zone of Canada where you possibly don't see a lot of flowers ? Roger Dundas ,

Further to the above tsuba, I'm very sorry for the state of untidiness which is easily seen in the pics but not evident to my eyes when held in my hand. Not wanting to dodge responsibility but my eyes (and in fact much of the rest of me) don't function that well anymore. Roger D.

Showing wear and tear of the years, mon inlays appear similar work to those inlays used in tsuba posted by Benjamin,(NMB) September 10, 2019 ex Paris flea market- a fine example. Also similar to Heianjo tsuba in Ashmolean museum bequeathed by Sir Arthur H Church in 1915- EAX 10168 (Oxford University). Plate showing pronounced delamination in hitsu ana area. 8 x 76 x 4mm Roger Dundas

Am I adrift in my judgement or not (?) but in the NMB post " Show Us Your High Class Tosogu ", page 1 , 14th post down by 'Oleg' or GrozaB, dated January 24, 2016 there is a tsuba with similarities to the above. Oleg's tsuba includes 2 shishi figures but the peonies and particularly the foliage are very similar. I suppose one might say-'so what' but that fact interested me. Roger Dundas

Described as- KOSHI SUKASHI UME KARAKUSA ZU decoration, JISUKASHI . GIN ANDSHINCHU ZOGAN technique. I think I got that correct. 74 x73 x 3.6mm One question I have is about the 2 missing silver flower petals on the omote face. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether this might have been done so as make it match the 3 silver petals on the ura face. Is that a ridiculous concept or is it possible but who would know ? Their removal is quite complete. Another question is regarding a period of manufacture please ? Thanks in anticipation. Roger Dundas

Firstly- are the NMB members comfortable with me posting requests for opinions as I've been doing ? That is - too frequently ? The question for this one is the approx. date- is it c1850s ? An iron plate with overlaid ,silvered peonie rose (silvered copper possibly?). A butterfly on the ura face- is that how it is described. 84 x 79 x 4.7 mm Good condition. Has been mounted. I quite like it. Roger dundas

Thanks for your comment John- it wasn't what I expected but for all that, exactly what was wanted- such as an opinion about the piece's true merit in the grand scheme of things. Nothing more than an imposter ? Regards, Roger.

Not a lot that I know- metal is shibuichi possibly. Carefully shaped figures- faces and hands. Good condition. 72 x 63 x 3.5 mm

Once again thank you for your comments. Ken , I am absolutely hopeless re getting and posting the pics- but do I need to tell you that ? But I can type with a couple of fingers, my wife does the pics and the posting of same. I can post the typed stuff. I have maybe 6 or 7 tsuba still you might like to see ,nothing to thrill but hopefully to interest. As to where these tsuba stand as examples per se I welcome Chris' and all remarks. Again thanks, Roger

Sorry about the picture sequence- we just can't seem to get it in the right order. Our directions go unheeded. We (my wife and I) won't be sending multiples again.Talk about the blind leading/misleading the blind- quite a joke in truth. Roger d.

Following on the conversation re the iron tsuba with an overlaid water dragon carving here are 3 others also with what might be overlay of different themes and metals- and are the iron figures in high relief also shaped separately and attached by welding? They look as if they have been but I just haven't any experience about this technique. 1. Zhang Guolao- one of eight Taoist immortals (the vendor told me back in 2011)…...67 x 64 x4 mm but only 2.4mm at edge. 2 Shiba Onko- Chinese Statesman of Tsung dynasty(11th century). As a boy he saved a young friend from drowning by smashing the porcelain jar his friend had fallen into, letting the water out.(again the vendor told me)...67 x 62 x 4 mm. 3Frog and parasol- a theme used to farewell travelling friends etc and as a good luck wish (the vendor etc.)..86 x 79 x 4 mm Roger Dundas

I would like to thank you all for your considerations and replies- some information at last. Thanks again, Roger

Looking forward to any and all comments re this tsuba. To me the carving, casting and attachment of the figure is excellent but the overall effewct is somewhat spoiled by the ugly hitsu ana excavations- does this matter ? 74 x 71 x 4 cm ( after all these years I still find metrics a bit confusing after being raised on feet and inches )

This tsuba was described when purchased as "ISHIKAWA MASATERU" polished copper with an engraved dragon. My query to the forum is on the burnishing or discolouration which is heavier on one side than the other. Is the finish original or partially lost over time? Any information on the maker would be most welcome. Size 77 x 71 x 5mm Many thanks Roger Dundas, Victoria

I'm not sure of the relevance of the following but in the mid 1800s and earlier the Afghan Pathans used a gun called by them-a jezail which was up until then a better and more accurate weapon over a distance than the flintlocks used by the British and Indian armies. But after the mid 1800s with the dramatic improvement in western firearms which both the British soon followed by the Pathans obtained, the jezail became obsolete. Now what I am getting at is that these plain, unadorned but highly effective weapons began to be embellished( but not visually improved ) with brass overlay decoration, attached with tacks . Quite spoiled to my eyes. These were subsequently sold to tourists. It was the urge to decorate a onetime weapon of war that I thought was comparable. Roger Dundas

This is a first for me and 'm feeling a little wary- but what an outstanding discussion and what's more for Tsuba collectors, what a revelation. I suppose it's because heianjo tsuba appeal to me the most. Roger Dundas

Thank you all for your welcome and I probably overdid my contribution. Ken I hope I haven't misrepresented my small collection which has only about 30 pieces- I never intended to collect tsubas but just thought I would get a few representative examples but how on earth can one do that- the range is endless. Maybe about 20 might be of interest- I have gone through a lot of your NMB posts and have seen some mouth watering pieces . I don't have anything like that, instead they are a group that I can enjoy and admire the artists work -that's the nice thing about these works of sometime genius. BaZZa has seen them and didn't tell me to put them in the rubbish. One more thing. I won't ever get to meet any of you men but I enjoy your banter, your commentary and advice and the way you deal with grumpy contributers. It might be an age thing, but good manners are a delightful thing to see. And I've been not the best behaved in earlier days. That's about it from me except for the postings. Roger D

First of all- am I onboard (?)and if so here is a little about me. By the way I have a few tsubas that I would welcome clarification about but am yet to post (hopefully soon). First of all I'm getting on a bit, nudging 80 (in 6 weeks), am not very adept with the computer else I would have done this a while ago. Have collected guns and swords for many years, was attracted to Japanese swords because as an Australian we happened to be allied to the nation most responsible for the defeat of Japan( the U.S.A and thank God for that fact) , so instead of having Japanese swords in our country being worn by a conquering host, we had them here as trophies of war and plenty of them at that. That said, I found the identification of what constituted a worthwhile blade eluded me- still does to large degree so I continued collecting in another direction. But tsubas, that is another matter. Even though having only a shallow knowledge of the history of makers and schools I can buy what I like and enjoy the design, the metals and the often enough, brilliant skills of the maker. And they're sometimes quite cheap to buy.Bought the first one in 2011. One more thing which may not be relevant but talking about the Japanese war, my mother had 3 brothers who all served with one shot down and kille, my father and 2 of his 3 brothers seved, the one who didn't had a small engineering business. Me- I haven't served. Roger Dundas Western Victoria, Australia