Akitombo

I get the same David

Thank you David, It is strange, but I had this design in the back of my mind as Kyo-sukashi. Thought it was a little too fine for Shoami. But we live and learn, that is the joy of this site. David

Hope these help... David

Hi all, Would this tsuba slot into Owari or Kyu-Sukashi? 2.39 x 2.52 inch dia. o.165 inch thick David

Denis Not just swords, I have had problems with a Tanegashima, which the UK side said was a firearm????? It took a while to point out that it would only kill a person if you clubbed them to death with it. The people making the call on these items have no idea and do not really care, you can not post it out and can not buy it in. I think that now is the time to move to France, good wine, great food , crap driving skills but at least you can buy and sell swords. David N.

Come on David, my turkey sandwich is getting cold......................... David.N

Ken, When you talk about thickness of the plate, I agree that one could indeed have a thin tsuba each time. We have to bear in mind that whilst these items were on the sword to protect the hands from either a strike or a slip onto the blade and balance too, but................ The tsuba artist also took over and to let his imagination create the works of art we see on this board, then he would need a varied base on which to work. Budo and art go hand in hand. We can see this more after the 1600's, when the large scale battles stopped and decoration became much more important than the functional side of the weapon. Happy New Year David.N

Can I also add a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year where ever you are And if your going to the British Museum in 2014, check out their Samurai ducks.......... David.N

Brian It is 1.5 inches long. Would like to swap, perhaps a tsuba book???? Best to post you item first, good to have it in hand first, before you swap for that Yagyu tsuba in the drawer :D :lol: David

Great idea, Here are a couple. Merry Christmas David.N

Hi, Alan is a great dealer, you will not end up with rubbish David.N

Here is the other side David.N

Hi Chistian, I do not know if this helps, but this tsuba is from the Shibuiswords site. Ex.Skip Holbrook collection. Iron plate tsuba with large sukashi design of namako (sea cucumber). Silver inlay of ebi (lobster), a symbol of celebration and emblematic of honorable old age. The brass inlay in the six-o-clock position on reverse is representing a chapter in 'The Tales of Genji'. All inlay intact. Signed on reverse 'Echizen (no) Kuni Akao Jinsuke Saku'. H 02055.0 Early Edo ca. 1650 David.N

Cheers guys, That was very interesting, needs more time working on it. Of course, my tsuba could just be the result of a late night and too much sake! David.N

Hi Brian, I was sure these were debased or variant characters. Only going by the three or four which I have pinned down, perhaps that was more my interpretation. O well, move onto another puzzle then. David

Hi, I put this in the fittings section and to no response. Could I please have some help on reading this Tosho script. Regards David.N

Hi, No, not cast. David

Hi, I need some help with a small, 2.616 inches Dia, tsuba. It is iron, with Sosho script or debased Kaisho on both sides. Having looked through Japanese Art Signatures, Self and Hirose, I have nailed down three of them? Is it a poem, saying?? Also, school and age. As always, Thank you in advance. David.N

Grev I too, will lend any help you need. If the museum wants to gain from this, an exhibition running with your work would be a good way forward. The catalogue was one of my first books on tsuba, looking through it, one could only imagine the tsuba described. To see them in their full glory, well that would be great. Good luck David.N

Hi, Here is the full picture. It depicts Minamoto Yoshiie when he see's the birds flying and know's the enemy is there. Sorry about the glass reflection. David .N

Hi, I have a picture of Samurai and need the artist. Can any body help please. David N.

Hi, Hope this may be of help. From the 1902 copy of Hara's "Die Meister" Page 30 Regards David N.

Thank you As always, this site saves the day David N

Hi, I have two missing parts to the jigsaw. Seki No Ju ? Wara Yoshi ? Saku Any help please David N.

Hi, Well, I have already been refused shipping of a sword to the USA, for Parcelforce David