Lorenzo

Sort of O.T.. the second time today, sorry Brian. Isn't the only requisite apart quality that the makers is deceased? If so, modern pieces can get Hozon.

Hence the question Thank you Henry for putting (again..) your tsuba into the line. I am really getting crazy after those two holes

Thank you Ian So, as for now, we have two known uses; one is for the sanmai construction and one is for using the tsuba as a decoration on western furnitures. Regarding the second hypothesis I am now thinking; what is the probability that a tsuba drilled to be used as a decoration goes back to Japan to be papered and then bought by another westerner? I have seen two tsuba like this on the NMB, if Bernard confirms he bought his own tsuba from Japan. Not saying it is impossible but I find it not plausible... so I suspect there might be another case. I've heard that this two holes might be used to keep seppa in place but I'm not convinced by that, I see no reason to do so :? Best, Lorenzo

bwahaha Ian I'm not sure if you are joking or if you are serious, in both cases I had a good laugh I might explore the idea myself, but I not providing matter of discussion to my wife any more ...then, if this is the real reason my laughing goes a bit silent but one never knows I've seen the Victorian cutlery using kozuka so...

Jason, surely not an authentic piece, but going deeper: Do you notice that by the picture it looks sort of "tapered" in all directions? On the same picture, but other side of the object, same effect. One should now think the piece is tapered on both side and the angled surfaces meet in the middle, but I see no deepness on the pictures provided. On both, the object seems put directly on the wood. To me, surely not a tsuba, and probably not the same object on the two pictures.

Thank you Bernard to let me use your tsuba pictures to ask this question. What is the exact and known purpose of the two holes drilled on this seppadai? It's not the first time I've seen it, Henry's ko-kagamishi papered tsuba has the same, but unplugged. Any idea? Thank you in advance. Lorenzo

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but if Bernard gives me the permission, can I use his picture for opening a new one asking about that two holes? end of the off-topic

Thank you Henry, but I am not sure my work will be in display For sure Ford's will be and that will pay the cost of the ticket It could be a nice chance to see some beautiful crafted object and swords. I wish I could be there. Lorenzo

Piers, the best in all this is she doesn't look at what you write on the internet, you are a lucky man my friend :D

We have discuss this sword before on this forum.

:? I keep my initial position; the cut marks as a result of a fight is too unlikely. The perfect parallelism between them is a further proof. I came to think about ara-tameshi instead. I won't discuss on the purpose of that, but the tsuba might have been inserted in a wood slot to keep it steady and then struck with some sort of blade or many blades, to test the swords or to test the tsuba (sort of bullet tested armours)... however I fear that a full force ara-tameshi could break the tsuba mimi instead of living that shallow mark :| Very odd

As the community started well, it now has it's own website address here: http://www.token-tosogu.com Delete the previous one and use this :D

Piers, I think that 20 strikes on a tsuba during only one fight is very unlikely. It reminds me this. I am waiting to see the pictures to clear it out :D

And if I can dare to ask... Would you please show more pictures of it...

Sorry I should have made clear that I was only saying the colour reminded me soapstone and not that I was saying it wasn't metal. I say it now, this tsuba is truly wonderful, certainly for my tastes the best nanban tsuba I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing it and sorry for the bad impression I might have gave you. Best, Lorenzo

Ian, the first of the pair look like it's made in soapstone

Ura Gyaku

Hirado Kunishige for the first; I own a fuchi kashira set of the man (likely nidai) in the same style of this tsuba.

And the relative tsuba, the one with rustic style and punched marks is a Yamashiro Tenpo; see here I wholeheartedly agree with Reinhard.. beautiful soft metal tsuba, please have great care of it.

Thank you Piers

Dear members, I am proud to announce that the new forum for the Italian community of Japanese sword studious is up and running here. I guess the interest on this new Italian forum for international users would probably be less than zero, however if you come across using google for images or anything else and you wish to know more please do not hesitate to ask, the membership is free and non Italian members are most welcome. For the Italian members of this board: Ci vediamo li, mandatemi una email per l'accesso. Le istruzioni si trovano sul forum. Ciao! Thank you very much. Best, Lorenzo

I think I miss somewhere the announcement; is this the English version of the Encyclopaedia ? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Genealogies-Jap ... 3842359543

Am I the only one that sees the original nakago ana plugged with iron and angled 90° to the new rectangular cut? :? This tsuba seppa dai has been heavily modified in my opinion. Lorenzo

I don't know the name of that particular pattern, but indeed the first tsuba design represent a sashiko (Japanese pattern) google sashiko images and you will find one equal soon.