Tsuba gardener

Good day Kantaro, Just read your post as l was going to message on a similar subject. I have experienced various problems from Customs, 2 which are current. But to reply to your post, antiques have exceptions, which means they are less stringent than for modern items. Items abroad are required to have commodity codes, and antiques have 2 depending on their approximate age, over 100 years or over 250 years (clarify with the requirements relating to the country you are importing from). Commodity codes are important as antiques attract a %5 tax compared to %20 for newer goods. The sender needs to include an invoice detailing what each individual item is made for, made of and approximate date with commodity codes and whether there is a requirement for additional certificates or restrictions. I believe many custom departments are inhouse within the relevant parcel courier and may not be aware of the regulations. So in my case l have had a DHL parcel containing kozuka from Denmark returned to Sender because it was deemed it required an over 21 signature. Noone contacted me before returning the parcel. I had to explain that they were handles only, no blades and l am (well over ) 21. A tsuba parcel I'm still waiting on from Australia apparently was sent without an invoice. Parcel Force required an invoice, description, dates and commodity codes. If the issue isn't fully rectified it will be returned within 28 days of Parcel Force receiving it. Another DHL delivery from a Swiss auction house was incorrectly charged at %20 VAT even with an invoice, made worst by DHL quoting it was an approximate charge. I am awaiting confirmation from either DHL or Customs. I have also had Customs queries regarding the value of orders, one from Denmark was sent back to seller who clarified the value, one from Japan was clarified before it could be sent back. I also had a tanto confiscated 7 years ago because Customs didn't know it was an antique. I got compensated for that one. I spoke to an understanding representative who told me that Customs has been taken over by private companies staffed by inexperienced people. Hopefully your issue will be sorted soon if it hasn't already. Neil Bolden

Hi Richard, I have a similar design to the rice ball/ headbang tsuba which l posted a while back. Your design is shown in Haynes catalogue number 19 and described as a Yagua design Robert was shown my tsuba and described it as ko-Shoami. A member here stated it could relate to Raijin the thunder God.

Thanks Bryce, thanks for your reply especially as you brought points up which have questioned my hypotheses that only the heads of the school used a kao rather than students.

Hi Bruce, thank you for your in-depth response. Neil

Thank you Rivkin, for the context. Reading your explanation made sense in the context of metalwork.

Hi Group, 1) l'm aware that mei could be faked on fittings but did the same occur with kao? 2) Why were kao added when a mei was present? 3) Was it only the master of the school that was authorised to use a kao? 4) Why wasn't kao used on schools such as Myochin, Kinai, Soten or Nobuie. Many thanks in advance.

Nice design , but Owari and Kanayama were 2 schools l know of (possibly others) that made Yagua designs. Yes the first generation Yagua did make their own but apparently there are few.

There are a few boxes that don't have a pillar. Instead there is a tsuba sized recess which the tsuba sits. You can make a similar version by removing the pillar and both pins then cut 4 pieces of balsa or stiff foam and shape each internal curve to match the tsuba but make the curve slightly larger to allow for the thickness of covering material. Glue with a suitable adhesive.Alternatively use 1 piece of balsa or stiff foam and make a hole slightly larger than the tsuba.

I agree with these very helpful tips. I would also add that it's important to research before buying. Good resources are museum sites in the internet , and Shibui swords. And also the specialist Facebook groups though personally l have dropped many of these as many have gone from information to selling. However The Kamon Samurai Crests group is a useful resource as are Jakushi Tsuba and Asian export sword guards and Namban Tsuba. Don't be afraid of Japanese language only books as Google translate is helpful. Other books would be any on Japanese legends Japanese design motifs (Mon/Kamon) A Japanese -English character dictionary Handbook for Tsuba. Collectors or Japanese sword guards art. ,of war by Gary Murtha Early articles for Tsuba study enlarged and additionall early articles Tsuba collecting for beginners The Birmingham museum and art gallery Tsuba collection V2 and also catalogue of Tsuba in the permanent collection of the Birmingham museum and art gallery. The index of Japanese sword fittings and associated artists by Robert Haynes A brief history of Japanese sword fittings artisans Lethal elegance Handbook of Japanese sword fitting terms by Markus Sesko Translation of Tosogu no kigen by Markus Seske There are others, but the ones listed are affordable

Excellent, thank you for your feedback.

Great, thank you. I will concentrate on the pictorial representation rather than the linguistic.

Thanks Jean, l hadn't considered that, but will now.