Winchester

Hi Dan, Hope this helps and my experience may be of interest. I went to the Chicago show a few months after I started collecting and my interest in nihonto. Being so new, I was just polite and honest that I was a total newbie and here to learn; what advice may “you” have or share? In this way, folks knew I had limited knowledge but an open mind to learn and study and my experience was overwhelmingly positive. I learned more at the show in a few days talking with people then a week of independent study, easily.

I found Stephen's original pictures from when he sold it to me--hopefully, it is OK if I post these photos, buddy? If not, please let me know. I just cant take photos at all; it looks like I took them with a cheeseburger...... so let's try it again!

Thank you for the update, Sam. I, too, was a bit concerned/worried and hopeful everything was OK. Good time of year for the peace and tranquility of a garden.

PM sent with questions. Thank you in advance.

Thank you for sharing; this is an absolute pleasure.

Here's a photo with different lighting, which may help. If it is junk or decent quality, it doesn't matter to me. I simply like it and would like to be objective and learn more. Thank you for any feedback you may share.

I recently saw this and had some questions for the group. Is this a higher quality Kozuka in your opinion? Gold? Old? General thoughts? Thank you in advance.

Try to keep positive my friend, lonely planet. Luxury goods and collectibles are soft right now; however, this doesn’t mean anything long term (either way). Economy can change quickly. Chin up, and when things are depressed…that’s when you BUY!!!!!!!

https://babel.hathit...=uiug.30112105828336 Found this nice write up, while trying to find a past auction. Hope and trust it is of interest.

Thank you, Peter. Very much appreciated!

Hi Dale, Thanks for your post, appreciate it and good ideas to consider. Yes, I have quite a few of his stands; highly recommend them.

Hope all is well wherever this note finds you. I feel very lucky to have purchased this a year or so ago from Stephen. I really like it and the design and would like to get a little push in the right direction on how to properly study copper tsuba, et cetera. May you briefly share the history? Are there books I can order online that are specific to copper? What differentiates good to great in the carving? Are there makers that mastered this media? Just some general questions to maybe give an idea —and hopefully it helps others too with similar questions. i got side tracked on other tosugu stuff and forgot to circle back to learn more about copper fittings. Thanks for any feedback and please share yours!!!! Respectfully, Brian

Thank you, Tim. I appreciate the further context.

I wish to be respectful with a brief comment as this is a sale. These items in my opinion will sell no issues. In the USA, right now a lot of people have to pay taxes or complete them. While things are a bit slower for collecting across categories; timing from now until mid April is our tax season. Just a statement of fact; nothing more. Hope this helps provide context as to a potential “why”.

Thanks, Franco! That makes a lot of sense. Appreciate it!

Hi Peter, Thank you for your note. I am just waking up and will update later today with more information. Thank you

Thank you, Peter. Truly a pleasure to view and study; thank you for the links.

Greetings, Hope all is well wherever this message finds you. This was an impulse buy and curiosity about six months ago and I’m asking for assistance in further directing me or general thoughts. These menuki are gold, but very, very thin……almost to the extent it is just gold foil and then they have a sap or pine it smells like supporting the shape. note on the one Shishi, it’s foot got twisted but shows just how thin the gold foil is. Question: why is this? Was this indicative of early gold menuki? Photos don’t capture well, but they are somewhat detailed. General thoughts? Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in responding. Brian

Sending PM. Thank you

First, thank you kindly for sharing; it is a neat tsuba. Whereas I am not an expert commentator, just a student of early iron tsuba, my opinion is that this is not muromachi and likely early to mid Edo. My reasoning is design, geometry, and overall aesthetic. Just an opinion

Looks like Kanayama and it's really nice. If you bought that randomly off of eBay, you certainly have a good eye. Cool.

This is an example I ran across the other day. Not sure if this is what you’re referring to but hope it helps.

Thunder...Thunder...Thunder Cats...Whoa!!! LOL Haven't thought about that cartoon since I was a kid Tcat, thanks for the memory. If it would be of interest and relative to your original post, I have seen F/K in this style with 'only the vine(s)' present. If this is of value or interest, please let me know and I'll dig some examples up within the next 24 hours. My guess is you're looking for examples with more robust design/details; that is, including the other elements shown initially?

Hope all is well wherever this message finds you. Thank you in advance for asking for help on this one, I have tried to figure it out for a while and just haven't had luck. What does the paper say? At first glance, I think nanban, then arabesque pattern, but with koi fish...I just don't really know. Has a lovely patina and this is the paper that came with it. Thanks, again and I will make a donation to the forum for the help.

Sounds like a great buy--sometimes, it's all due to timing. Of course, the other end of the spectrum is overpaying...don't drink and bid, friends.