Bob M.

The iron is smooth , but not so smoothed by any coating as to make the engraved 'rays' undetectable to touch . However , in photographing the interior surfaces of the sekigane , there is a difference in colour between them and the colour on the surface of the piece . Also , and I had never seen this before, the photograph shows clear evidence of a two plate construction. This of course , has implications for the mimi and it's fitting or carving or both. I guess that having a rim made from another piece of metal would explain the colour difference... Thanks for making me look a little closer ! Any comments as to the fit of the parts would be much appreciated. Hope you can see the detail from the attached picture.

Re Item No. 20 Hi Barry - I have just had another close look at it , no coatings apparent...

Re item 19 - Thank you Koichi-san for your reply. Do you or anyone else think that these signatures might mean the tsuba is dai saku ?

From the ridiculus to the sublime , to coin a phrase - Item No. 20 Iron Mokkogata Tsuba 8.58cm x 8.28cm x 0.39cm ( 0.55cm over rim ) Shakudo plugs , sunburst pattern engraving. Fantastic patina with an oily lustre , deep chocolate brown on the field of the tsuba with the rim showing an almost charcoal grey. Much better in the hand than photographed. NBTHK papered to Myochin . Age unknown , but I would guestimate this to mid 18th cent. - please let me have your thoughts...

Hi Craig , Mount this on your sword , leave it for a few days and then decide. The problem is that sometimes you see too much , the previous modifications for other blades , scratches , loss of patina , etc etc. Once mounted , a lot of this will be concealed and the tsuba will look a lot calmer and less ' busy '. I have always believed that a piece that looks better in the hand than in a photo is the right way to go and , if it enhances the blade and / or its other mountings then great ! Regards

Thanks to everyone for looking / contributing - Supposedly inspired by Shinsui Ito , this Tsuba shows a scene from a bath house. A translation of the inscription would be most welcome... Certainly a striking piece of work , although maybe not worth waiting for. And so , for the ' reveal ' -

Hi Steve , Many Thanks for your input. I think the reference to Ito Shinsui as an inspiration makes sense. The tsuba will be revealed later today in the thread ' A series of fittings ' in the Tosogu section. Best Regards

No. 19 - A modern ( less than 100 years old ) tsuba 9.0cm x 8.5cm x 0.5cm . Copper with gold and silver inlays. Closest I could come up with , in keeping with the time of year. I have asked for an interpretation of the ' judgement ' from the very talented members in the translation section of the board , but please feel free to pass your own verdict. The rear of the tsuba is also shown - a little earlier than I would normally post - to give whoever is interested a bit of time to come up with what might be on the front . All will be revealed late tomorrow ( Thursday ) . Please do not worry , due gravity and seriousness will apply again from item 20...

Hi George , Thanks for your input - is there a reference in Haynes to a Sueshiro Magoyuki by any chance ? The ' made by the last of the family ' bit came from the description of the piece in the Naunton Collection book , but as you say , the ' leaving this for future generations ' interpretation is much more fitting . Best Regards

Hi , Could anybody please attempt a quick translation of the attached ? It is supposed to be by Kanzan , and will form part of the next item in my ongoing Tosogu thread . Sorry to be in a rush , time has , yet again , caught me out... Thanks !

No. 18 Iron Sukashi Tsuba depicting a rain dragon 7.66cm x 7.46cm x 0.57cm . Early ? 19th cent. Purchased at auction some 9 years ago . Ex. Clarence McKenzie Lewis Jr. collection Ex. Naunton Collection Plate XXXVII - No 902 Okamoto work Signed ( indistinctly ) Sueshiro Magoyuki . Also - Matsudai Ni Koreo Kosu which I believe translates as ' made by the last of the family ' I cannot find any reference to this artist in Sesko's Geneologies , is there an entry in Haynes ? Possibly a commision piece as the signature is on the rear. If last of family , presumably last of school ? A powerfully carved rain dragon amongst clouds , with unusual treatment of the scales running down the backbone , most clearly seen on the omote. Nice Iron in good order.

No.17 - Tsuba in sentoku and copper with gold , silver and shakudo highlights , beaded shakudo rim. 7.0cm x 6.4cm x 0.4cm. Possibly Nara school late18th/early 19th cent. An unusual combination of metals , acquired eight years ago at auction. Simple , nicely executed design , reminding me of scroll / screen paintings.

Never know what you are going to learn on this thread - autoeroticism replaced by raileroticism. Thanks George , don't want to go too deeply into this and where it leads - could have too many implications when sword handling and cleaning...

Thanks to all for the info. - No 15 is now conclusively Kyo Shoami ! Hi John, in regard to my remarks on iron 'bones' , I view these pieces as being analagous to 1st and 2nd qualities in china/porcelain . Whilst , as you can see, having some items displaying 'bones', or other problems, in the collection is not a problem to me , my objection relates to the selling of these pieces as having extra desirable attributes. Furthermore the use of ' wabisabi' is mainly a cynical marketing exercise by dealers , with profit the only motive. I guess what I am saying is , try and fight back against the bull... However - this is only my opinion , I do not claim to speak with any authority on the subject , but neither will I bow down to those who only have a monetary interest and self promote themselves as experts. In regard to my getting involved with collecting sword fittings , it developed at the same time as collecting swords ( which had followed on from metalwork - cloisonne , bronzes etc ) . Some years ago , I sold off most of the blades and concentrated on the freer artistic forms as expressed in fittings , my current position being shown in this thread. Thanks for your contribution !

No 16 - Fuchi Kashira with lots of wild water , deep undercuts , silver and gold highlights etc Signed Teruhide - Opinions ?

No.15 - Iron tsuba with gold / copper / silver inlays & highlights - mumei. 7.92cm x 7.85cm x 0.42cm ( 0.50cm over rim ) No idea as to school / period. Have seen the odd example of this design for sale elsewhere so maybe pattern book or a particular school 'signature' piece.

No.14 - Iron Sukashi attributed as Owari. Mumei , probably mid edo period 8.75cm x 8.51cm x 0.49cm , but over rim , 0.55cm Simple design of vertical stripes gives an strong , almost brutal impression. Acquired 15 years ago, direct from Japan. Iron bones appear on edge - I never really think of bones as a desirable feature these days , surely they are just visible evidence of poorly worked iron ? Or is this another manifestation of selling indifferent workmanship as something special - a bit like Wabi Sabi ? Please let me have your thoughts....

Hi Greg, Thanks for joining the thread. The Hallam tsuba was made around 2010 , if memory serves. Few more of his pieces to come... Regards

No. 13 - Kinko Tsuba in shibuichi with highlights in silver , gold, shakudo ,copper etc 6.4cm x 5.3cm x 0.4cm Woodman sitting , gazing at the moon as clouds move in front of it , with a bird of prey ? flying overhead. Very fine detail - under magnification even his toenails are visible ! The composition possibly inspired by a silk brush painting ? Not submitted to shinsa , could this be Mito ?

No. 12b - another large iron tsuba 9.7cm x 9.7cm x 0.55cm from the same auction lot as No. 12a . Again , no real idea of origin or age, but could this be trying to be Kacchushi or perhaps more likely Kowari or Ko-Tosho ?

No .12a - Large mokko iron tsuba , thin plate , brass inlay with some losses . As this tsuba appears to have been mounted at some time , I guess some loss was inevitable. I have no info. on age or origin , any ideas? Size 10.1cm x 9.9cm x 0.3cm.

Thanks to every one who has helped with this - I have to ask , I have a few more pieces which could do with your expertise. When the time comes to post them ,would you be O.K. to help out again ? Regards

For anyone who is interested , the Tsuchiya kozuka , posted a few items ago ,has been posted also on the Translation Assistance area of the Board. Thread titled Kozuka Calligraphy. A translation of the calligraphy has been given by Morita-san ... Many Thanks to all who have helped/contributed to this !

No. 11 - Mokko Tsuba in style of Sugiura Joi ? Copper with shakudo and gold inlays / highlights. Subject of Bishamonten and Oni . Signed Mitsumura ? in plaque 6.95 x 6.43 x 0.39cm One of these pieces that looks far better in the hand... Thickness reduces to approx. 0.22 cm at edge , fine surface texture all over background , both sides. Much detail difficult to see without magnification. Bought this off ebay 16 years ago before it got flooded with fakes.

Have done . Thanks, Barry.