Chriso

I must admit that I don't have a very good track record when it comes to my selection of Tsuba, anyway, I was given the attached piece a number of years ago where I relegated it to the bottom draw of my collection of "Things". Before i send it on its way I would like to show it on the forum and ask for any comment. One of the things that i was not impressed with was the permanently fixed Habaki, and the fact that I was originally told that the tsuba was bronze? Chris O

Hi all, I posted this Tsuba a couple of years back asking for comment but at that stage, little detail could be gained, I hope I don't upset too many by posting it again in the hope that someone may now be in a position to help me out. The material is copper of course and the marks at the Seppa Dai, which is flat, suggest to me that it has been mounted at some stage, no other info i'm afraid. Cheers and thanks Chriso

G'day Alan, it's been a while mate. Would love to catch up if you could drop me your details. Lib and I are considering Japan next year. Best Chris O Sorry bout the chatter guys

Ah, coffee stand it is, thanks Ford. I can always guarantee that the forum will set me straight. Many thanks to all Chris

Both lovely pieces, thank you Antti. I'll post a couple of decent pics when the piece arrives, I'm hoping it may be a bit better than the ones posted. Regards and best Chris o

Ok OK point noted, price was $64 US, at that price i can always use it as a door stop, however, I did take a fancy to the curves. Chris o

I just purchased a sukashie Tsuba which I think may be a reasonable purchase. I would appreciate any comment + or _ and any details if possible. Sorry about the pics Chris O

Thanks for your input David, appreciate it mate. Marivszk, please don't change the way you comment, i appreciate your frankness, you have not offended me in any way. One of the things that I appreciate from this board is honest and frank appraisal. Thanks to all......but I'll still use it as a door stop Regards and thanks Chris o

No surprises from this end. Thanks very much for your comment Marivszk, I will keep using it as a door stop. Regards Chris o

I would appreciate any thoughts on this Tsuba, both good and bad. I picked it up quite a few years back, on line and when it arrived i had second thoughts. The information that i have amassed so far is below. Kutsuwashi-Tsuba, with NTBK Certificate !! [sansui Landscape Middle part of the Edo period (1603 - 1868) Length = 9.2 cm Width = 9.2 cm Thickness = 0.75 cm Nakago Hole = 3.0 x 0.7 cm Weight = 340 g Material = Iron Box = Wooden Box Certificate = Yes, Issued by NTBK on Sep 2 of 2008 This is super large tsuba. Very powerful and so heavy. It is slightly rusty. The color of this tsuba is tasteful as it is forged very well. Sansui landscape view is expressed in high-relief carving and the Zogan inlay with silver and brass. A certificate (Kanteisho) issued by Nihon Toso Bugu Kenkyukai on Sep 2 of 2008 is attached. According to the certificate, this tsuba is made by Kutsuwashi (Curb craftsman). They flourished in Yamashiro, Settsu and Kawachi Provinces. Most of all Kutsuwashi-Tsuba have no patterns or compositions. This tsuba has a composition (Landscape View). So, this is very rare one. It was made at the middle part of the Edo period. Regards and best Chris O

Many thanks for the info Thomas, A bit overwhelming at this stage. I'll go through it and see if i can absorb it. Regards Chris O

Many thanks for your replies, and an apology to Geraint. I've inadvertently posted the info regarding the Toshizane Sword in the General Nihonto, old timers problems. Chris O

Hi Geraint and all. As promised, a bit of info on my Toshizane katana that i acquired a number of years back. The sword has been polished and re-mounted, I can provide additional picks if you wish. I had some discussion with members of the board back in Mar 09 as to the text on the papers that came with the piece and it was suggested that I get off my #&$# and work it out, which in time I did. Thanks guys your not too subtle suggestion started me off on a great learning journey. The info regarding the Smith, that i have been provided with follows and I would be grateful for any comments or additional info from members. Hawleys 35 points Ref TOS354 Connoisseur’s Book P295 – Minryusho Toshizane (From the previous minder) Now I'm working on your research and starting to feel a little coy that I sold that blade! One thing you should know is that he was the teacher of both Kiyomaro and Masao, you should know these guys right? A Kiyomaro sword sword a few years ago for $2million. INABA TOSHIZANE The Meikan states that he worked from around Bunsei 1804 to 1818 in Inaba. He is called Hanabe Gihachiro. Signatures include “Minryushi Toshizane”, “Toshizane” “Inaba kuni Hamabe Minryushi Toshizane” “Inshu Tottori ju Fujiwara Toshizane” , “Toshikuni” , known also to use a Kiku on his mei. First known as Toshikuni, Toshizane was a student of Jukaku Toshinori who was also master to Kiyomaro and Masao. Fujishiro ranks him at Josaku , Hawleys ranks him at 35 points. His style of hamon is uniform ko-gonome ha , “Mt Fuji” stlye and uniform suguha. His jihada is a tight and clear ko-itame rivaling the best of hizento. Two reference examples of his swords are available from the Christies catalougues from the sale of the Dr Walter Compton collection. Toshizane died 15th November 1846 As for the smith: KIYOMARO and SANEO were trained by Kawamura TOSHITAKA of Hamabe school. A native of Inaba province, he later moved to Shinano province and worked there for the Ueda family. Your sword is signed: TOSHIZANE. He was also a master of Hamabe school, but remained in Inaba province and took the name Minryushi. He was not connected to Yamaura-school as far as I know. Always suggested that it is this TOSHIZANE meant here. Regards and best Chris O

Guys, thanks very much for your input. Geraint, I'll takse some pickies of the sword for you in the next couple of days and post them in the Nihonto section. Is anyone prepared to attempt a school or time on the tsuba? Regards and thanks Chris o

Hi all, It's been a while since i posted but I have been sitting on the side trying to learn from the wealth of experience on this forum, enough of that. I'm looking for information, thoughts on the Tsuba below. I acquired the piece attached to a nice little Katana by a ShinShinto smith by the name of Inaba Toshizane. I am hoping that the piece is authentic, and not just an after thought. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Regards and best Chriso

Hi all, I'm also unable to attend this year and would be very grateful if someone from the Canberra area was in a position to submit on my behalf. Regards and best Chriso

Hi all, although I did post this pic some time ago, it may be interesting to include it with this thread. The sword is WW11 vintage by Fujiwara Kaneshige and is marked with the Showa stamp, but also includes a hot stamp that I'm lead to believe denotes that the sword was made using the Kobuse method of construction. I would be interested in opinions as to wether this would pass shinsa????? Regards Chris O

Just to add a couple of pretty pics. I've taken a bit of a fancy to Nanban fittings thanks to DOCLISS and his publication. Attached are a couple of rescued pics from two sets that have come up on ebay over the past few months. The first set with Kozuka fetched $800 ish US, and I think the second set went for about $300 odd. Chris O

Best wishes to all for a prosperus and peaceful 2010, now let me go back to bed to recover from last night..... Chris O Canberra the nations capital

Thanks for the confirmation Piers. I won't be religating it to the bottom draw now. Cheers and thanks Chris O

M12, Many thanks, the item may be a bit more interesting than I thought. Ford, If it does indeed turn out to be the long lost tsuba of Momotaro's sword, I'll split the proceeds with you. Thanks guys Chris O

I was recently given this little item that came from a deceased estate, thought you might like to have a look at it. Size is about 20mm, made from solid silver including the ring at the top and the fitting on the back, no other markings apart from those on the face. Any thoughts????? Regards and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year..Chris O

Hi guys, Thanks for the continuing comments I really do appreciate your efforts. Marivsz T K. If you could possibly see your way clear to posting a scan on the similar themed fittings, I would be very appreciative. Mark, yeh I tend to agree thet the paper shims inside the fuchi are a bit of a give away, and i was making a judgement based on the pristine condition of the fittings. If they have been previously mounted, I would love to see the sword that they were fitted to. Marcus, I come with hat in hand. I should know better, and yes i do have a pair of gloves that I could have used, but I guess to the detrement of the items, I just love the feel of the raw item, you can almost feel the artisan at work. Please keep posting, I'm loving the comments both fore and against. Regards Chris O

Guys, I'm very greatful for your replies and as i said to the museum curator, the answer is out there and If anyone can shed light on the background of these items it will be the brains trust who once again have come to the fore. Stephen I agree with you 100% regarding housing these items in a museum. With a bit of fore thought they could have been donated to me....... only kidding. Once again many thanks to all Chris O

Last but not least the Fuchi. Once again any details including translation of the text would be appreciated. Regards Chris O