Dan tsuba

Sam I agree, let's not derail this thread. So, what is your opinion on the tsuba? Cast iron or hand forged? My opinion it is cast iron. But then again, what the heck do I know (not very much and nothing for sure!). Onward!

Thanks Sam. What you say may be true. I have one question. Are you a tsuba dealer?

So, opinions are that the tsuba shown by Kurikata may be cast iron. As member Jussi Ekholm stated “The 癸巳 is year in the 60 year Zodiac cycle. As we had good posts on tsuba age and dates, I think these might be plausible ones. 1593, 1653, 1713, 1773. 十月 would be 10th month.” So, are you telling me this is a cast iron tsuba possibly made in the Edo period or before? No, no way! That goes against everything that anybody knows about tsuba! Or I can refer you to my "Tsuba casting molds?" thread. Onward!

Cast iron or not cast iron. Keep on guessing. Even the so called "experts" (Grand Masters) can't seem to figure it out! Who will ever invent a cheap non-invasive metallurgical test to determine and discern cast iron from hand forged iron? Wait, that has already been discussed before on another thread!. Let's not go there (again!)! My personal opinion is that this tsuba is cast iron. But then again, what the heck do I know! Let me see how many downvotes this post will get me! Ha, ha, ha, ha, etc! Onward! . .

Yeah! Don't get me started! Sand cast, cast iron. Probably made last week! But it does show how well intricate casting can be done (and could have been done in the Edo period?). My opinion!

Just guessing here about the square. On the internet it states- “What does a square mean in Japanese culture? Shikaku means “square” in Japanese. To us, it's a word full of meaning and symbolism. It represents harmony, stability, balance, and structure, some of the main traits of Japanese culture and cuisine.Sep 5, 2022” The square is also found in Zen, refer to the below link- https://www.greenshinto.com/2016/01/31/zen-and-shinto-4-square-triangle-circle/ A zen picture is shown below-

Hello Simon, Welcome to this great forum. I don’t know much about anything, but I would say your tsuba is cast iron and made fairly recently. There are many good threads on this forum which discuss how to tell a real authentic Edo period tsuba from a fairly newly made fake or reproduction tsuba. I hope you didn’t pay too much for that tsuba. Before you purchase another tsuba, maybe you can post a picture of it on this forum and ask some of the world’s leading experts on tsuba (my opinion) for their thoughts and opinions of the piece. Onward!

Hokke, Well stated. I get it. But I still have hope for my friend. I pray for his health.

My good friend Dale, Obviously, you had many members deeply worried about you. One of your good friends even had a welfare status check done on you. I am surprised that you haven’t gone to a neighbor’s house to use their internet or to a public library to use their internet to let everyone know that you are O.K. after the welfare check. Perhaps you thought it was to intrusive? I miss you, my friend. I hope that you resolve the technical issues with your crappy internet stuff soon. This forum needs you Spartancrest! Helll, I also need you my friend! Onward!

Please my friends, I am super concerned. Although my gut tells me that something unforutnate has occurred. Althiough I pray that he is well. May God answer my prayers for my friend and his well being.

This forum means nothing to me anymore without Spartancrest. His vast knowledge, kindness, and humor is sorely missed. His expertise would certainly shed tons of information on any thread. Where is my friend?

Forum members, and others. I noticed this thread has garnered a lot of views (and therefore interest) within the last couple of days. Thank you all for your interest in this thread. I am still trying to find research on this subject, and will post it if it is relevant. On a side note, I am wondering where my friend Spartancrest is? I pray that he is well. Onward to more research!

Thanks, Peter and Mal, for the great assistance! Yes (Peter) it is a dragon tsuba that I purchased for about 150 U.S. (pictures attached). It looks like it is hand forged (although there are a lot of cast copies out there!). Your translation directed me to another thread on this forum which discusses the tsuba and the school- https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46711-a-tsuba-with-ryu-design-kinai-school-signed-edo-period-for-your-comment-and-appreciation/ And Mal attached a download with a whole bunch of great information! Thanks guys!

I would like assistance in translating this mei. I have included a couple of pictures of the seppa-dai with the mei to maybe assist in helping to figure it out. Thanks!

Some past sanmai tsuba threads on NMB- https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/11578-kinko-san-mai-tsuba/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/29248-stampedcastchiseled-tsuba/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/39026-edo-sanmai-tsuba-and-fittings/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/48173-show-me-your-sanmai-tsuba/ These threads show many sanmai type tsuba and have a lot of good information.