Steves87

Thanks Piers, great link there. I guess that confirms that it has nothing to do with the slot shown in the above Tsuba!

I just had this pop up on the instagram feed. I have no idea how this works, but the first idea that came to mind was some sort of slot through the Tsuba for a Tsuka mounted trigger. Then I remembered this thread, so I thought I'd pop the pic on here to see if any one knew if the slots would be able to accommodate a trigger?

There are some interesting research papers on the resurgence of hard copy text vs electronic text out there on the scholarly databases. It seems that the initial rise of electronic texts has flattened and there is now an equally steady consumption rate between hard copy and electronic media. Both Dale and Brian made good points there, I prefer hard copies for long stints, .pdf for a quick reference, and I cannot stand the current navigation on most museum websites (specifically the MET, they had a good system and then they "modernised" it)

Thank you for posting this, Luca. I am in much the same mind as you when it comes to a guard I own with many similar features. I hope you do not mind me posting the pictures, I hope it can further the discussion.

A great thought there Dale, very plausible. Also, adding a sequence to a process can lead to efficiency, in this case they were so efficient, that it looks like a couple thousand got made!

Good point Dan, perhaps the ones which have a mei (some don't), are the ones where the decoration has fallen off? maybe I should change it to 40 - 60?

Well, it could go either way in my opinion. I would vote for unfinished - 60 to 40. Why? Because of the lack of nunome, and ten zogan. That stuff doesn't just "fall off" unless it has had time induced impact forces, or, rust from below lifting it. I have seen Kinko guards of this same theme with the faces missing, but ten zogan still embedded

And here is an example of the typical incomplete horsey guard: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285145304043?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=2UubEKaEQJa&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=OjC70kueRUa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Hi Dan, I must assume that one of those opinions you refer to in the other thread, are mine. I just want to go on record saying I don't necessarily think that particular guard was cast (with post added embellishments), but I do agree that it is possible, and that it definitely did happen. I think that we would see a lot more of that exact design if it were cast, just like the grazing horse theme I mentioned, those horse guards are all basically identical.

hi Colin, Jean could very well be correct, there are quite a few Soten/Hikone Tsuba that were done this way. Quite often one will pop up for auction that is just the base casting - no added inlay/zogan, they are mostly complete, just missing the alternate metal faces. A typical example of this is the soten grazing horse theme. I have personal doubts that the mei on these guards were cast in, but that is not for today. I have one a guard with a theme that I believe is similar to your example. Although I have no confirmation, I believe it could depict poet Li Bai, who derived inspiration while sighting a waterfall.

There is a guard in Grev's Birmingham I believe is also related to these devil guards

Good thread, I've never considered a cat theme for Tsuba. Not quite as rare as fire themed Tsuba though!

That looks like Paul Southren from SBG

And this one too

Ooh! I have one to share that I really like

yep, since the first day I started collecting Roger. In some cases, you can literally buy a "sub-par" Tsuba which comes with a free box, for less than you can buy an empty box!! And I must admit, I have done this in the past. Generally speaking about boxes, Japanese Kiri boxes are top quality, even the lesser ones are still above average. When you add in cushioning, there is a warranted reason for the (reasonable) cost. I am a bit of a self-confessed box enthusiast; I collect, refurbish and sell carved wooden boxes/chests and I have seen so much differing quality and construction over the years.

Barry, was the coincidental placement of the two Tsuba (onto the table), synchronous? then that would cover both cases!

yep, that was the one, no problems, I misunderstood!

you are lucky you got it, I was going to bid on that the week before (something else came up), then I was going to bid and I saw there was another bid already, so I left it. congratulations! a nice cheap pick-up

yep, that is a good practice to get into. Not sure how critical it is for iron guards, but any of the softer metals/alloys, it is important. Just in the last couple of weeks while searching, enough cases have appeared to know that it is a problem.

There are a few leather ones out there, but this one is by far, the best of them. Most of comparable age are in very bad condition, and none are of a quality that can compete with this one.

The other issue for collectors is exchange rate. A 75usd Tsuba is actually about 130aud for me after paypal adds their cut and that's not including local taxes and the post covid shipping rates of 35-75aud on top. Bidding against someone who's primary currency is USD is almost impossible these days. The cheap bargains are a life saver

Dale, I think that seller's tape measure is older than a lot of the Tsuba we see on this forum

Reverse side

As promised and with a massive thank you to Dale (would not have happened without him) here are the two! I think they are a perfect difference in overall size?