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Posting the tsuba here for reference. Ogasawara clan kamon. 69mm w x73mm high. Thanks for the information. Onward with researching, David.

Left side is a tad more rough than the right. Thanks again for moving this forward, David

I forgot that mei is read right to left. newb mistake. Have played around with more raking light and completely missed the Shu. Day off today , I'll see what can be pulled from the left side. Thanks again , David

Hoping the the more expert eyes can translate this signature . All I have been able to get is the Take in the upper right. Thanks in advance, David

Lets try this again. Tech is great when it works correctly. First 2 images are from Jimi-san at Tsubashi.com item AM-0197. Lone tsuba in in my possession. Has any one run across any other Shoami willow pattern that have this design element of the semi circular cuts along the edge ? Just curious if this element is common to a particular branch of the Shoami school ? Thanks David

Ignore this post lap top is having a melt down currently. David

Was wondering is any one has seen this particular design element on any other Shoami willow tsuba ? The first images are from Jimi-san at Tsubashi.com,lone tsuba is currently in my care. Kaneuji Daisho back labeled.psd Kaneuji Daisho front labeled.psd Shoami front.psd

Mine aren't as creative. Boxes came from Michael's craft store "studio decor art storage case 9x12", and just needed a bit of modification. Helps keep the dust off and the fronts are hinged for easy access. David

A few more for the pot.

Thank you very much. I have been wondering about that for quite some time. David

Was hoping some one would be able to translate the purple outer cover of this item and give me some idea as to what this item is. This was professionally translated a while back and they were not able to do the cover, so I ran the cover back through some filters to try and make the kanji stand out a bit more. Thanks in advance for any help.

Just received this one from AOI-ART. 78mm x80 mm x4mm

Thank you Colin

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203993495161?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dbcec042dea0d466cad7c556dcd59f2ba%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D195141548164%26itm%3D203993495161%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A490629bb-edca-11ec-b9da-9e38cf03614c|parentrq%3A6ecd59a51810acd824b0a7f8fff88a30|iid%3A1 Sorry about image size on original post, my computer skills are lacking to say the least. David

Currently on E**y. Does any one have an idea as to what folklore or mythology is being shown on this tsuba ? Thanks in advance for any info David

yes Dale I am now the current caretaker of this... The original listing photos were quite poor. Thank you all for providing these images and info. David

Thanks Jean, sometimes my brain slips out of gear. Tsuba looks "newer" than the ko-shoami time frame. The paper that came with it "A-1987 Iron, openwork of a noren, blowing in the wind. Circa 1700 $8.00 Duplicate in ROM" "A-1987" is the tag that is attached to the tsuba. As the tsuba was sold out of Wisconsin I am guessing ROM is the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Seller claims it came for a collector who was traveling into Japan in the 60's hence the $8.00. Thanks to both of you this is a good step on my educational journey.

Thanks Grev, I'm trying to get the upside down photo corrected with better lighting so the color is a bit closer to the actual tone. I can't begin to fathom the time and dedication hunched over a work bench to produce a detailed piece like this. Kudos to those who continue this line of work. Every time it goes under the scope I see more detail that I missed before . Thanks again for the info I'll look into this David

This one caught my eye on e**y back in February... It is 83 x 85 mm; 5mm thick at both rim and seppa dai ; rounded rim and chisel cut, tekkotsu not visible. The loop that has lost its patina sits above the main plate 1 mm. Any ideas on time period or school for this piece ? Now that I have "accumulated" a few pieces it is time to figure out what I have. Possibly Later Edo Ko-shaomi ? If you have seen the original listing the white crud in the corners was old dried wax.. Thank in advance for any information you may be able to provide. David sorry second image is upside down..

Unsigned papered Shoami done in 2006. Buy what you enjoy, enjoy what you buy. David

I have been using food grade mineral oil and the outer layer of bamboo, the inner core of the bamboo is too soft. I have found it takes me too long to hone a antler tine down fine enough to get into the tiny areas. David

I'm a little late on this post just adding this tsuba of mine for future reference.....The Herbert F. Johnson Museum at Cornell has one very similar.. David