Steves87

A great first bunch of Tsuba. The Jakushi dragon is quite a good example to what I have seen out there before. That particular design is common enough you will see a few a year, most with slight differences and most will be "Katana sized". If you come across a smaller waki or tanto size, get it, they are a lot more rare and I can only recall seeing two (my own being one of them). As I mentioned to Dale, I resigned from my work in December and I had a bunch of Utsushi photos on my work computer. In lazy fashion (or not enough time fashion) I never properly catalogued them and it seems I missed transfering a folder on my work computer (which I definitely will not be going back to)

I always thought mine was a scroll, but a rolled mat makes so much more sense. I hope someone can chime in with a good meaning to the theme

Good point! I wonder then if this is the birth of a Nagamaki?

Very interesting subject. I hope you do not mind my personal observations: When beginning out at a mixed style Kenjutsu school, our first jump into full contact sparring was Kote cuts. Katana vs Katana (obviously not steel construction I should add). What I found as we progressed to higher forms of sparring is that, as a beginner, the quickest way to win a fight against a slightly more experienced swordsperson was to cut the wrists in one quick mini strike. Often a small movement makes your opponent react and people generally assume a full cut will be the first strike. The strike had to be accurately positioned and angled as the Tsuba did occasionally get in the way and block the strike. The plastic rubber Tsuba do not last long with these hits, especially from a top down strike. And as for Naginata? Did the poles ever snap or get cut through from a block? is there any records of this? A cut poled Naginata makes a good sword in my opinion and if it already has a Tsuba? Great!

I believe this may be covered in one of Gary Murtha's books. I have not read through his books in years, but it may be something relating to marriage or bloodlines between families? I quite like the guard in anycase and the multiple Mon make for a somewhat rare piece too

Yes, The Beatles merch is still for sale, although I don't know if it is a lesser quantity than before. Is Mr Murtha a member here? I have only conversed with him via ebay messenger, but he seems like a good guy. Good job on finding the book Dale!

For a bit of an update, it seems like the "published" GDME Gary Murtha Tsuba have either sold out or have been taken off the market? edit: as with the majority of his books

The Tsuba has a Soten/Hikone style to it, from what I can see

I can confirm it's a similar situation in the other direction too (US to AUS)

Arrived today, my God, I feel like buying another sword just so I have a reason to purchase more... they are that good!! Agree with Greg, Tomoko deserves to do well from this. High quality, professional, maximum heart and soul.

Thanks for the update on the new fabric Greg, just ordered a Shinai (wanted pockets) navy blue waves, can't wait!

We are all newbies again! welcome everybody!!

No, same as Ian 😀

I personally would have the geese facing the Tsuka

He will state if it is in his book in the product description, most are in a book, but there are a few that are not

Generally I say everything is relative when it comes to money and the value of something. However, for us Aussies and Canadians, the US dollar value skews things. At a US dollar price, I'd say they are a bargain, at our dollar worth? Just reasonably priced. But to bring this thread back, I really like the different metals used in the inlays (I count three?), also the fact their position alternates between faces. I am generally a huge fan of inlay on the mimi. Wonderful guard, Congratulations on a great addition

Very Nice Roger, I was saying to Dale (Spartancrest) the other day, that I am surprised Gary Murtha's guards which he has advertised are still available. They are good interesting examples, priced reasonably and are "published". That's a bit of a triple whammy. With some foresight, his guards could be well sort after in the not too distant future edit: and for the record, I have just secured one that I have been very interested in for a long time

Got mine already too, Dale has done an excellent job with this. The added info is great and the little sketches here and there are relevant and a very nice touch also.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30028 Accession number 36.129.17. Also, Page 55 and 56 Dale's second book

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25714 MET accession number 91.1.795. Pages 51 and 52 of Dale's first Domain book. I don't have the other examples number on hand, I will find it when possible. And here is one of my own examples, this is the one that is as close to your own.

Li bai and Du Fu, similar to the Ukiyo-e painting (Tosogu is always looking the other way to the woodblock though from what i've seen). I can point you to other example if interested, but there is two examples in the MET collection, Dale Raisbeck's Public Domain books have both of these within.

I love it Grev, well done. I'm very passionate about up cycling, I have have literally hundreds of examples I've done, although I don't have pictures of many on hand (two pictured below though), I have done at least 5 other storage boxes for Tsuba sized collections. I don't want to deviate this thread from your excellent drawer, but one of the last up cycles I've done has been for my wife. I won a 1910 Australian Wertheim piano, but full restoration was prohibitively expensive, so instead of re-selling for parts or scrap, I decided to retro fit a new casio s150 digital Piano into it. Up cycling an old piano to a newer old piano??

excellent Grev, very good job! I am also another fan of up cycling. I did my own version with an old cutlery canteen I won at auction very very cheap. I removed all the old linings and re-installed some new velour replacements, created some timber partitions and then sewed up some little fabric baggies (light blue shown under the guards). the front was "decorated" with a few metal Tsuba looking things too. admittedly the Tsuba are on display most of the time, but it has been great for moving the collection or safe housing when needed. not as nice as your own, but it does the job cheers

There is an excellent book coming out very soon on this collection, I suggest not frustrating yourself with the website and to purchase the book :-)

I have this Sakura themed guard in similar fashion with the water carvings in the seppa dai area. The centres are ten zogan. There is a similar version in one of Gary Murtha's books too