Dan tsuba

O.K., I messed up !! Evidently I am not good with the metric system. So not 89 cm x 88 cm (that would be large !!), let's just say 3 1/2 inches !! Anyway, this gives me a chance to post more pictures. Thanks to all, Dan

Hello all, So I got this tsuba, it is not in very good shape but I find that it is very interesting. If anyone has any information on it I would greatly appreciate it. It is a very large tsuba at 89 cm x 88 cm and 180 grams. It has a crossed hawk feather kamon (Asano clan ?) that is continued on the reverse side. It also appears to be hammered in the Tsuchime-Ji style. Thanks you all so much for your assistance, Dan

SteveM, Thank you so much for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated. So I looked up some info here on the Message Board. It states that there was a Hamada Norimasu (1771-1852) who made sword fittings. Thanks again for your help - and if there is any more information on Norimasu that would be greatly appreciated also. Dan

Rokujuro, Thank you so much for your reply. I don't have the tsuba in my hands yet. It may very well be cast, and I think that it even could have been painted over some time ago. Will know more when I receive it. That is why I am interested in the translation of the Mei. Thanks again, Dan

Hello, and hope everyone is doing well during this Covid-19 thing. I would very much appreciate some help in translating this signature (and or date?). The best I can come up with is a signature of "Moritsugu". Any assistance would be greatly appreciated (I hope this is a good enough picture). Thank you very much, Dan

Thank you all very much for your kind words and assistance. Even with the collecting of inferior tsuba, it is quite the learning experience. And someone has to give those tsuba a good home !! Always with respect, Dan

O.K. I am a total idiot !! Have been collecting inferior tsuba for awhile now (that is all I can afford). I think I may have come across an actual Nanban tsuba. Have included pics. The Nanban is on the left hand side, a copper tsuba is on the right hand side. Disregard the copper tsuba. Any opinions ? Always, with respect, Dan

Hello all, And with all due respect. I am here on the forum again !! Excuse me for my "new be" youthful spirit. I have been taught. I know now that this is definitely not a nanban type tsuba (originally I thought it was because of the recurring wave pattern theme. I am still learning and it will take time. I have bought several reference books and am studying to gain enlightenment in the tsuba field. I know I can never "catch up" to the true professionals out there. I still find the collecting of tsuba a wonderful learning experience !! Now, many of you have stated that this is a "modern fake". I now realize that the design of this tsuba is not well executed and is "amateurish". What puzzles me is this. Two of the tsuba experts I know and have shown pictures of this tsuba to have stated that they have "learned something from this tsuba". They have never seen a saying that this tsuba has on it ever been displayed on a tsuba before. I know that this may be a Chinese fake. It was probably made about 100 years ago or less for the European market. But if it is a mass produced fake, can anyone out there show me an exact duplicate of this tsuba ? Not including Pinterest, a picture I posted of this tsuba already appears there. Go get em !! With all due respect, Dan

Hello all, I would really appreciate it if opinions were submitted from "experts" that have actually read the thesis by Dr. Lissenden. Otherwise the opinions submitted are just "uneducated opinions" as far as I am concerned. I know that this may be my last correspondence on this forum if "egos" get in the way. So be it. With all due respect, Dan

Hello all, This is not a doctoral thesis, but a thesis written by an individual that already has his Doctorate's degree and is going for another Master's degree. Wow, talk about an abundance of education !! If only I could have done something like that. Oh well, maybe in my next lifetime!! Has anybody else read this thesis ?? It is extremely interesting and enlightening in so many ways. Being new to this exciting hobby of tsuba collecting, it is a "great read". Anyway, at $80.00 to purchase a hard copy I think I will just spend the money on ink cartridges and print it out !! With all due respect, Dan

Thank you all so much for your continuing opinions and kind assistance. Like I stated previously, good thing I got the tsuba for about the price of a good haircut !! Also, I downloaded Dr. Lissenden's thesis on the internet at this website : http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4129/1/4129_1648.pdf Does anybody know where I can purchase a hard copy for an inexpensive price ? Keep those opinions coming in !! Much appreciated. With all due respect, Dan

Hello all, Would kindly appreciate your opinions on this tsuba (fortunately it was relatively inexpensive !) I have read the thesis "The Namban Group of Japanese Sword Guards: a Reappraisal" by Dr. John Philip Lissenden, and it was extremely helpful. I think it is a Namban tsuba (although it does not fit all the descriptors in the thesis). It is obviously cast (as many Namban tsuba where) It weighs in at a massive 220.4 grams (which is about 10 grams over the maximum weight of the tsuba listed in the thesis). I think it may be Bronze? It also has the classic Seigaiha Diaper design described in the thesis. I do not think that it has ever been mounted. The characters on the Ura have already been translated (thanks to the kind help of the people on the translation section of this forum). "It refers to an act of kindness or mercy that requires decisive, steady action". Their also seems to be a Mei on the Ura, can anyone recognize it or interpret it ? I have tried to include attachments that I hope are helpful. Thank you all so much for your kind assistance in this undertaking, With respect, Dan

Thank you so much Steve for your help. There are a couple of things that puzzle me that perhaps you can help me with. I know I am fairly new to this complicated and fascinating hobby of tsuba collecting. My first question is (1) is it possible that authentic tsuba made out of copper could have actually been cast in the past ? Number (2) this tsuba weighs in at a massive 220.4 grams - that seems more than the piece of a weight of copper at a 3 inch diameter and a little less than 1/4 inch thick. My thought is that there must be some alloy added to increase the weight. If this was a non-authentic cast piece, why add the extra weight ? So being also fairly new to this fantastic forum, how would I contact the "metallurgy guys" ? Thank you so much for your assistance, With respect, Dan

Hello all, So I received the tsuba today. Please see attached pictures. It is massive, weighing in at 220.4 grams !! First, could someone translate the Mei (if that what it is) that is on the Ura of the tsuba with the other characters (that thanks to the kind assistance of Steve on this forum have already been translated). Also, I may have got "bit" on this one (oh well, I am new at this and having a lot of fun doing research !). I noticed in the Hitsu ana that the tsuba appears to be cast. Although I am not certain that being cast in copper would indicate that it is a fake. As always, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and consideration, With respect, Dan

Thank you so much Steve for your kind patience and assistance in this inquiry. Also thanks for the helpful link to explain the meaning of the kanji. I think this is a unique tsuba that will be a valued addition to my growing collection. And yes, I think it is to cool !! When I receive the tsuba, I will try to post better pictures for your further opinions. With respect, Dan

Hello all (especially to Steve who has been so helpful), Here is a picture of a picture, until I receive the tsuba. Hope this helps with the possible translation of the seal script. Thanks for your assistance, With respect, Dan

Thanks once again Steve, The symbols are arranged equally spaced around the Ura (back of the tsuba-I hope I got that right !!). This is very exciting! I can't wait to post pictures when it is received. Hope you will still be interested and give me your much valued opinion when pictures are posted. With all due respect, Dan

Steve, thank you so much for your reply and assistance on the seal scrolls- I would like to think that with all 4 of the characters together it would say something like "With the Buddha, your heart (mind, spirit), and your hand, you will defeat the devil". Would that be to cool ! Your thoughts, opinions? What a spiritual saying to put on a tsuba ! I will send pictures of the tsuba as soon as it is received. With all due respect, Dan

Thank you so much for your reply Steve, I will post pictures of the tsuba when I receive it (probably by Tuesday). You gave me advice on 3 of the 4 symbols. Any idea what that last symbol may be (the smaller looking seal scroll in the pictures). When I look at the pictures of the tsuba on Ebay, there is (as you have said) something that looks like it may be a signature of the artist. Will post pictures as soon as the tsuba arrives. Thank you for your quick and kind reply, With respect, Dan

Hello all, I am a new collector of tsuba. I recently purchased a tsuba on Ebay. I have not received it yet. It states that it is made out of copper. It has a nice design with a crane and what appears to be waves on the Omote. However on the Ura it has some symbols. Took me an entire day of research to find out they were "seal script". It was great fun. Included is a picture of the symbols on the tsuba (as well as I could research them). Although I could find the symbols, I could not find out what they translate to (maybe they translate to "I should have saved my money" !! -just having a little fun !). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated !! Thank you all for your kind assistance, With respect, Dan

Hello all ! Thank you so much for the replies on the fan tsuba in my last post. Any info on this tsuba would be greatly appreciated !! With respect, Dan

Thank you Mauro for your kind and knowledgeable assessment of the "fan" tsuba. Any opinions on the copper tsuba ? I think that it is hand made, very late Edo period (but then I am a "beginner" in collection of tsuba - so I may be completely wrong !). With respect, Dan

Thank you so much Stephen for your input. Much appreciated !! With respect, Dan

Hello all !! Well, this old man is at it again!! Could not resist buying some more artistic tsuba on one of the "E" sites. The first one is copper (paid around $70.00). The design (can you advise me what the correct term for a design on a tsuba is) goes from the omote continues on the mimi and goes around to the ura. The nanako also is continued on the mimi. I do not think that they can accomplish this with casting (but then again, what do I know !). The second tsuba has gumbai fan designs (about $85.00). I found something similar to this while doing research on the web. It stated that it is from the Heianjo school (although their tsuba was in "perfect condition") with brass inlay and fine sukashi in the form of fans (please forgive me if I got any of the terms incorrect, this is my first time trying to use "tsuba" terminology). As always, any thoughts or opinions as to authenticity would be greatly appreciated. With all do respect, and thank you all very much, Dan