Jason K

I’ve had this tsuba for a number of years. Obviously it is not a Kaneie as signed but I like it none the less. The carvings appear to be inlayed, is this indicative of Shoami over Ko-Nara? v/r, Jason

Wonderfull set of tsuba! Here is another one that I enjoy; However, I still can't get a decent pic even when using my friend's scanner. :? Jason K

Boris I really like the look of the iron in your second tsuba! Are you using a scanner or some sort of shadow box for these pictures? Jason K

It is hard for me to pick a favorite tsuba; however, this one has evoked a chuckle since I first saw it. The carved flower peddles are offset, from front to back, so that the transition carries over at the edge of the tsuba. Furthermore, the artist purposely carved the flower off-axis, it doesn't even line up with the nakago. Over its lifetime there were repeated attempts to “straighten out” the tsuba to get the axis lined up with a sword’s edge. I find it incredibly funny since the opposite side of the tsuba would then be off as well. Jason K

Myochin Munetane. Thank you Morita-san. I really don't have a head for names. I would also like to thank everyone for posting pics of their mokume tsuba. All of them are very nice indeed. In fact, I love the color of the patina! The pic I posted is washed out by the flash on my camera but the color isn't far from what is shown, a black/gray. However, the brown(er) color of the other tsuba is quite pleasing! Jason

I love this style of tsuba. This one I believe is Edo period Myochin. I foget his name but I want to say that he was the 29th of his line. Jason

As a novice, I would be hard pressed to identify a true 1st or 2nd generation Yamakichibei from a good Norisuke. The third generation, however, is easily identifiable by a cherry blossom stamp after his mei. Unfortunately, this Sakura Yamakichibei did not always stick to the traditional style of his school, finding a good example can be difficult. Not that it helps much, but I try to judge a tsuba based on its merits and not just the signature. Jason

I believe Skip Holbrook (pardon the miss-spelling) lives in Santa Fe; however, I do not know him well enough to offer an invite (maybe someone here might). While not Nihonto, there is a nifty art gallery offering Japanese pottery and such, Touching Stone Gallery. Give their website a look and see if you find anything interesting, it may be worth the stop. 539 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA Tel/Fax: (505) 988-8072 Safe travels, Jason

Hello all, I recently received this as a gift from my in-laws. The tsuba has almost a bead blasted texture to the patina and the brown rust appears to be quite thin. Is there anything I can do to tone down the red surface rust without damaging the rest of the patina? Please note that this photo does not come close to showing how bad the rust is. Jason

Pete, Thank you for the information. Jason

Hello all, I was re-reading the “Art and the Sword†Vol 3 and it sparked an interest in Sakura Yamakichibei. Other then the wakasashi tsuba posted here by Pcfarrar, I’m unable to find any examples on the net. I know the work of the first two Yamakichibei are highly collectable and expensive, is it the same for the third? Can someone point me in the right direction for more information on this tsuba maker (books, web)? Jason

Pete – Rich, Thank you for your insight on my tsuba. I will hold off on sending it in for shinsa as I don’t want to add to the investment un-necessarily. Thanks again, Jason P.S. How can i refine my pictures so the color comes out brown instead of this dead gray/black?

I have a sukashi tsuba in the shape of a wheel and I’m curious to see if it’s a Saotome/Myochin tsuba or something else. I have been told this was a common motif with the Yagyu but I don’t remember seeing any with raised rims. I have a chance to send it over to the NBTHK for shinsa but I don’t want to waste money on a pipe dream (Yagyu). Any comments would be appreciated. Jason