Dan tsuba

Thank you Lingonberry for your kind reply. I really enjoy getting on the "E" site and searching around. I learn a lot about identifying tsuba and I think I am getting better at spotting a "Chinese" reproductions from an original !! Actually I am into tsuba as an offshoot from studying karate and other martial arts for about 34 years (started when I was 35 years young !!) I enjoy the possibility that the items that I purchase (and I will never spend over $130.00 for a tsuba - I can buy a new tsuba for one of my Iaito from a very reputable Iaito merchant in Japan- the same one I have bought my Iaito from - and yes, I used to compete in Iaido - for anywhere from $65.00 to $130.00). So for that reason $130.00 is my limit (I know, may not make any sense to you !!). Also, I am not in the collecting of tsuba to make a profit. I am in it for the beauty of the piece, whether authentic (or hopefully not !!) reproduction. Thank you for your time and patience, With all due respect, Dan

Thank you for your kind reply. Much appreciated!! Dan

Thank you so much for your consideration and response to my post. Much appreciated !! Dan

Hello again all, I received another tsuba today from Japan. I am a new collector, and am thrilled by the beauty of the tsuba. On the advice of the other responses to my first post I ordered Title: Japanese sword-mounts in the collections of Field Museum 1923 Author: Helen Cowen Gunsaulus (wow !! Those books can be expensive !! I searched around and ordered a reprint of of this book, actually something I can afford !!). Anyway, I bought this "moon in the clouds" tsuba on a "E" site for about $80.00 (about the same price I paid for the other tsuba I originally inquired about on this forum). My question remains the same, "authentic" or "reproduction" (either way, it is beautiful and will be treasured in my new collection). Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kind consideration and patience. Dan

Thank you all for your consideration of the piece, your reply's, and suggestions. Much appreciated !! Dan

Hello all, I am a beginning collector of tsuba. I posted my "new member introduction" on 2/11/19. I would very much like your opinion on this tsuba. I bought it on one of the "E" sites. Only paid around $80.00 for it so I thought it would be a "reproduction" or "replica". I think the artwork is beautiful. When it arrived, I looked at it and saw the fine detailing. Then I thought, "could this be authentic" ? It is a small tsuba (as shown in the pictures with the tape measure). Could you please help me to ascertain if it is "authentic". If so the maker, school, and the age of the tsuba. I hope the pictures I took are O.K.. If not, please advise and I will take some more pictures. Thank you all so much for your time and consideration. Dan

Hello all, My name is Dan and I now live in Arizona. I have been involved in Karate for over 34 years (not very long -since I started training at 35 years of age) and have participated in International and National karate competitions in kumite, kata, and iaido. Of course I have a small collection of reproduction iaito, and katana. I have just very recently started to collect tsuba. I find them artistically fascinating. They are small pieces of beautiful Japanese artwork. Whether they are reproductions or originals (and I am still learning how to discern the difference-great fun getting on the internet and researching all the history and origins of tsuba), I find them extremely pleasing in their artistry. I cannot afford large sums of money, so I have bought some which I could afford (always with an eye towards the artistry of the piece). I was wondering, though, if I have a question about if a low cost tsuba is actually an original (I can always "hope" !!), can I post it here with pictures and the members of the forum can help me out with identifying it ?? Thank you so much, and a great pleasure meeting all of you !! Dan