Oshy

Thanks Jean, funny you bring that last one(Heianjo - hitsuana & leaf with zogan) up, it was the second cheapest of them all (due to a small crack). Definitely a unique motif, not sure why but wondering if the zogan was possibly added at a later date.

Thanks Michael! Sayagaki translation is in progress

Although the quality on most of these isnt amazing and a few are modern or not 100% done by hand, I know what I like and what drew me to each of these but curious if my tastes overlap at all with others. I would be interested in hearing which of these speak to other people. Which is your favorite?

Thanks for the kind words everyone! Dale, the second tsuba was actually my very first piece acquired here on the NMB for pennies. I too can only describe it as 'amida'.

2020 wasn't all that bad, as I review the 2 dozen tsubas acquired during the year i am feeling quite pleased. A side/budget project of mine as I reserve/spend the vast majority of the funds on blades... https://imgur.com/gallery/pe1Dfbe

Shared this on FB and forgot to post here before the busy weekend, my apologies, enjoy! Acquired this katana by Enomoto Sadayoshi(Mukansa) this past spring but has been in Japan until now for fresh shirasaya before having the honor to receive sayagaki by Tanobe. With a 74.2cm nagasa this blade was commissioned in 1986 for iaido master Sekiguchi to his exact specifications and was also a commemoration for ascending to 7th dan. Enomoto Sadayoshi (1908-2000) began his studies under Gassan Sadakatsu becoming one of the most prolific and active smiths of the century later receiving Mukansa. He worked in the styles of Soshu Den, Yamato Den and Gassan Den. Due to attachment limitations il attach a couple teasers, the rest can be found at the link below: https://imgur.com/gallery/YH8Pbls

He was selling a couple on FB which is where I did my communication with him but he also sells prints here: https://fineartamerica.com/art/allan+lee

Allan Lee does some nice ones too if your artistically handicapped like myself (sorry for the glare)

My experience a few months back went smoothly but probably because it was just a tanto. I similarly used "9706.00.00" and stated "Japanese antique over 100 years old".

I am told the above reads "Gyokushiken Yasunori" Couple more examples below: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-Japanese-samurai-sword-tsuba-470146792 https://fudo-myoo.com/en/tsuba/23-tsuba-with-kinko-琴高-and-his-giant-carp.html

Given the current state of things I assume this has been canceled for 2020 correct? Was there a 2019 show?

Only 1 left, those all sure went fast! Great offerings priced to move 👍

PM sent for #2

I like it regardless, very aesthetically pleasing

Wow great close up shot there! In general, the beauty of martensite doesn't seem to be emphasized enough, would love to see more examples if others can share and make this a show and tell thread. I dont seem to have many shots close up like that focusing on the martensite but here are a couple that I have readily available from my recent Ko-Uda acquisition. Mainly a fine stream of sand. Additional pics available here too: https://imgur.com/gallery/VLFNouU

A few mixed in with my collection, most of which is shown here: https://imgur.com/a/KfgmGY1

Its a soft wood, not sure what it is but nothing special. Allan Lee McKelvy is the artist and they are prints of his hand painted oshigata. I buy directly from him on FB but you can also purchase at Fine art America below. I custom order my frames from Art to Frames too. https://fineartamerica.com/shop/metal+prints/allan+lee https://www.arttoframe.com/?rmsrc=1&channel=google&effort=Brand&rmatt=tsid:1049903|cid:257969082|agid:19246359642|tid:aud-347227194905:kwd-12229092428|crid:288064910786|nw:g|rnd:3444125072397866871|dvc:c|adp:|mt:e|loc:9019609&gclid=CjwKCAjw19z6BRAYEiwAmo64LYlS5lBkjYoRivXW79LJJWamPXqX0ZVW8YYSrgIukW8GiAfQpZ7GexoCDIgQAvD_BwE

Enomoto was surely one of the most talented and prevalent smiths of the century, made some exquisite soshu examples of which I recently picked up a katana by him. Would love to add this as well but finances will not allow at this time. Best of luck Alex.

Yea this blade is shot, send it my way 😀

Those cases are beautiful Daniel, especially the ones with the 3 sides of glass. I have looked at them a few times but quite pricey. Perhaps in time I may pick up one of the cheaper ones.

This past month and a half has been hectic to say the least for my family as we found our dream home, sold our old place, worked through some renovations/upgrades and a lot of refurnishing all while work remained busy and daycare remained closed! We are not quite settled completely but getting close currently working on getting everything hung. Today im working on the office, see preliminary pictures below. Parts of the collection are out for work or stuck in transit, while others are hung else ware in the house, but I would love to see how everyone else displays their collections to get some ideas. Thanks!

Yes, no surprise here. Ray always go above and far beyond.

I think we all know NBTHK papers are still just opinions but if you can't trust their full panel of experts comprised of individuals each arguably more knowledgeable than any of us here, who else are you proposing to be more authoritative? You could argue Tanobe but he is still just one individual.

https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=Shimosaka&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=All&start_era=All&school_nid=All

Ah yes, I remember that being a good example, congrats!