Dan tsuba

Robert, I think that I have said this before in another thread (but can’t remember which thread!). I have experienced a few of my tsuba actually communicating with me. That is all I will say for now. I know, weird but true!

First to Scogg, Hi Sam (Scogg) I get what you are saying. I also never considered myself a tsuba snob when it comes to this stuff, but maybe I am! Now to Luca (zanilu). You only answered the first line of my post. How about answering the rest of it?

Luca, You are joking, right? I am not "offense and slandering". You want to see put downs, belittling, berating, and ridiculing, then read some of the threads that I have contributed to (or started) and learn what others have said to me! Where were you when other members tried to intimidate, ridicule, berate, and belittle me! I don't remember you saying anything in my defense! My opinion.

Jean, First off, what is with the black presentation of your post? Is that meant to impress me? Well, it didn't work! Next, you have gone off the rails, missed the point, are trying a diversion, and now you are just rambling. You are a tsuba snob. My opinion.

What is wrong with you guys? So, all I stated was “all I would have done is clean it with gun bore cleaner, dipped it in mineral spirits, dryed it off, put a nail in the wall, hung it up and called it good to add to my collection and enjoy!” And I also stated “No way is cleaning a rusted tsuba with gun bore cleaner and then putting it in mineral spirits and wipe it down is going to destroy a 400 year old tsuba! And it will easily survive for another hundred years!” Then I get these responses from various members- “In the first place, preservation has nothing to do with the value of an object. Any antique iron TSUBA will turn into oxide earlier or later, but with a proper protection treatment (which can mean rust-removal and new patination) and good care (e.g. not hanging it on a nail wall...), it can survive more centuries. But that has to do with some understanding of the processes and the necessary responsibility.” “Tsuba are art objects and old artifact that deserve to be treated accordingly. Restoration shall be done properly with proper techniques and tools. Dealing with hundreds of years old artifacts put us in the position not of owner but of keeper. We have the responsibility of taking care of objects that will outlive us to pass them down to future generation.” Also, in that reply was included my statement of “All I need from my tsuba is to survive longer than me. If I have another 15 years left, I would consider myself really lucky” The reply continues “This sentence of yours, Dan, shows that you have completely misunderstood the heart of this hobby! I suggest you to read this thread:” Are these responses from members that make money from restoring tsuba? All I do is clean off my tsuba with a soft toothbrush dipped in gun bore cleaner. Then I take another soft toothbrush dipped in mineral spirits and clean it again. Then I wipe it down and call it good to go. How those tsuba snobs’ statements shown above feel that I am destroying a tsuba is ridiculous! No where in my statement am I saying to polish a tsuba or to take sandpaper to it or to do anything invasive to the piece that may ruin it. You guys are overreacting! Why are you doing that? Are you trying to protect your restoration business? My opinion!

Wow Jean, my opinion you are a tsuba snob. You stated- "but with a proper protection treatment (which can mean rust-removal and new patination) and good care (e.g. not hanging it on a nail....), it can survive more centuries. But that has to do with some understanding of the processes and responsibility." So you think I have no "understanding of the processes and responsibility." You think that me hanging my tsuba on a steel nail on my walls for my enjoyment is not responsible. Come on tsuba snob. Tsuba were mounted on steel tangs of swords, hanging them on my walls with a little steel nail is not going to damage them! Like I said before, you are a tsuba snob! All I need from my tsuba is to survive longer than me. If I have another 15 years left, I would consider myself really lucky. What happens to my tsuba after I pass will not be my problem, it would be up to my heirs to figure that out. You do what you want to with your tsuba, and I will do what I want to with my tsuba to enjoy them while I am stilll around. End of story! My opinion.

Yes Derek, I will have to agree with you on that one. But if I could afford to spend $5,000 to $10,000 U.S. on a tsuba and then another maybe $500 to have it repaired and papered, I wouldn't be able to enjoy it! After spending that much money on a tsuba I would have to place it in my bank safety deposit box! There are those that collect tsuba for enjoyment (like me - and I don't usually spend over $150 U.S. for a tsuba) and then their are those that collect tsuba to sell them and make a profit. Oh well, to each their own.

Hi Derek. You stated- "A great recipe for destroying a 400-year-old precious object. Hope it ended up in the hands of a serious collector who will respect it, have it professionally cleaned and repatinated in the traditional way, and allow it to survive another hundred years." No way is cleaning a rusted tsuba with gun bore cleaner and then putting it in mineral spirits and wipe it down is going to destroy a 400 year old tsuba! And it will easily survive for another hundred years! Now if you want to spend maybe another (I don't know) about $200 to $400 (?) dollars to make an old rusted tsuba in perfect condition again (because that is what a "serioius collector" would do-your statement), well that is up to you or whoever that serious collector is! And don't try to allude to the fact that I don't respect my pieces just because I don't spend hundreds of dollars having them professionally cleaned and repatinated. Who do you think you are?

And there is the difference between collectors! That is my kind of tsuba, old and rusted! If I could have purchased it for under $150 U.S. all I would have done is clean it with gun bore cleaner, dipped it in mineral spirits, dryed it off, put a nail in the wall, hung it up and called it good to add to my collection and enjoy! But that is just me!

I agree with Kanenaga when he stated- "It's not clear to me that these chiselings alter the dimensions of the nakago opening itself." The only thing that alters the dimensions of the nakago-ana is the added sekigane (my opinion). Now, I don't know what that means. But it is interesting.

Anyway, Here is my latest purchase on eBay. It was being sold in the U.S. So, with taxes and shipping it cost me $132.00 U.S. If you know what to look for, I think deals can still be had on eBay. 67mm x 65mm x4mm.

My friend Will, You are not ignorant! We all learn. I hope you have fun with your hobby! Onward!

Hey Will! Your tsuba looks like an authentic (at least) Edo period tsuba. But knowing how the guys on this forum are, some will tell you that you displayed your tsuba the wrong way. Doesn't make any difference to me, but other members will bash you for it! My opinion!

Hi Jinsoo! I really like your tsuba! I don't think it is Namban. No Seigaiha Diaper pattern on the seppa-dai or anywhere else. But then, not all Namban tsuba had that pattern somewhere on the tsuba. It also seems to be very thick for a Namban type tsuba. I mean really, what do I know? Not much! I am just guessing!

Hi Hector, If you download this file (written by a member of this great forum) it may assist you. You have to be signed on to the forum to view it.