Grevedk

Evening Dee, First of all - thank you for posting your newest acquisitions. It’s always nice to follow other collectors taste and finds, as well as getting the opportunity to guess on maker, school, design and meaning. I have no idea who made this one. But as Justyn and Brian have stated - a heavy, solid and “a no nonsens” piece of work in its own measure and elegance. Personally I believe that some (if not most) tsuba served several functions, one of which included the function of balancing of the sword. Maybe not a critical function for a wealthy merchant in peacetime but a critical one for a warrior in times of war and unrest. Your tsuba radiate this feeling for me. Several famous sword smith's (e.g. Ikeda Kazuhide) also made tsuba with a similar look, texture and design as yours. So - authentic, made for a purpose (my assumption) and rather cool looking 😎👍 A good place to find information and to compare an acquisition: https://shibuiswords.com/tsuba.htm And - keep posting. All the best / Soeren

Wild and possibly very uneducated guess - Terukane. Happy Christmas to all. /Soeren

Evening Pierre, I believe it was @JakeNYC who had it on sale. Best regards Soren

A few “non native” plants and flowers currently living in Denmark 🌿🍀 /Soren

@k morita @Nobody, Thank you both for your time and effort - that is much appreciated. “Domo arigato” 😎👍 All the best Soren

Dear NMB translators, Once again I’m in need of your knowledge and expertise. I have just received the following pictures (mobile phone) from a friend who asked for help in regard to translating the Mei. I believe it’s in Caoshu or “grass script” which I’m completely unable to decipher. It also has a golden seal “Kinin” which I haven’t seen before. The Tsuba is an heirloom from his father, and has been in the family’s possession for at least 30-40 years. It looks to be either tanto (maybe even for a Yo-roi Doshi blade) or wakizashi size. Unfortunately I do not have the dimensions at the moment. If anyone has the ability to either decipher the Mei or the seal (or both) from the provided pictures, I would be grateful. /Soren

What a great idea to dedicate a place in which to view and admire some of his works. I believe quite a few members have his works in their collections. And - that might be a treat to see if it were to happen. There are many extremely learned and skilled people who over time has dedicated themselves to this art - but not many can match his skills, his willingness to share his knowledge and ability to qualify his feedback. I will truly miss that….

Evening all, Should anyone have an interest in knowing the end sale of those items as a reference. Described by the auction house as being from the Edo - Meiji period. Then the above mentioned items were all sold today, Monday 12th., at the Danish auction house Bruun-Rasmussen (part of Bonhams). Final price DKR 6000,- (around 850$) before fees and shipping expenses. Total will probably end around 1200$. /Soren

Evening Dale, A truly impressive work and retirement effort - and seen as a collective it could really be viewed as a true “World Heritage Tsuba Appendix” 👏🏻 Thank you 😎👍 All the best /Soren

Hi Manuel, Congratulations and well done. That is skill and sheer competence 😎👍 All the best /Soren

Hi Henry, IMHO - You have a seemingly nice sword, old Nakago and a blade that has seen several polish and with a Mei (name and date) that belongs to a smith of renown with a seemingly corresponding date - within his active period (year 1364 - if I’m reading Ray correct?) imported directly from Japan but without any “trusted” Origami. That could suggest something that is not in line. I think that only a Shinsa can give you any more clues or confirmation as to your questions. All the best. /Soren

Hi Jesse, I can personally relate to both yours and Steve’s sentiments. I also believe that regret and / or some anxiety in regard to care automatically will follow any respectful and serious collector of Nihonto (or any antique item - for that matter) who puts on the mantle of custodian. That speck by the way would only have turned into a problem if you haven’t looked or cared - which you did 😎👍And I would guess it’s already gone… All the best /Soren

Evening Sean, IMHO you have a beautiful blade by a well known smith set at a very fair price and shown in quality photos. If both of your swords had been on sale in Europe I would have considered to make you an offer - very probably for them both. Shipping to Denmark (customs and all) however is just not a viable option. You have so many nice swords available in the US while we in Europe lack that option due to severe restrictions on import from outside EU. Really hope this one finds a new home. All the best /Soren

Cool tread…and idea Brian 👍 This one resides in Denmark and was acquired from Japan. Nice Mei - which probably and unfortunately also is Gemei 🤓 /Soren

Hi Michael, From a similar and near identical tsuba description made by: Samurai Museum / Japan: “Title: Heianjo-style, Inome Sukashi Description Iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes Inome Sukashi pattern is engraved with openwork. Inome means boar’s eye, and Sukashi means openwork in Japanese. Inome pattern has been being used since ancient times, and it looks similar to heart mark. People believed that the Inome design works as an amulet that protects them from evil spirits or fire and brings good luck. This pattern is often found in traditional Japanese architectures such as shrines or temples. And it is used in Gegyo (decoration under the roof, where the roof is joined) or metal fittings for hiding timber joints. Karakusa Mon (arabesque pattern) is inlaid with brass. Ivy has vitality, and it thrives strongly; therefore, this plant pattern represents prosperity and longevity. Heianjo-style was established in Yamashiro (Kyoto Pref.). It is mainly made of iron with brass inlay. Its design was simply family crest or arabesque patterns in the beginning. However, after that, they made different shapes of Tsuba and started using gold, silver, or copper for inlaying”. (Quote: Samurai Museum) All the best. /Soren

Company Grade tassel with original box arrived today without any problems. Beautiful, intricate weaving and pristine condition - thank you 🤗 /Soren

Evening Henry, Welcome to the NMB forum, and thank you for a very different and tricky question. I am by no means an expert on this specific question, so I will present my own observation. There are many different uses for the Sageo cord (e.g. fastener to the Obi, tying up sleeves or a prisoner) and many different types of knots. The one you refer to as “ display style” for a Katana may be either the Chu Musubi (Butterfly knot), the Daimyo Musubi (used in the Edo period) or the Ronin Musubi. All of these knots are intricate in a way that you could say both “presents” and “honor” the sword and the Koshira. But - I believe you already know that. Your question is tricky because there are probably so many different variables in which knot a Samurai might chose in regard to his clan affiliation, school of training, personal inclination, time period, type of sword, type of Sageo and so forth. And - I don’t think we have that much valid information on this particular subject in regard to historical writings, prints, paintings or photographs. I might however be surprised 🤓 All the best, and keep asking 👍 /Soren

Hi Mark, I am still a very recent collector in the Nihonto field and as such to be considered a “rookie” in the true sense of the word. But - when we are talking about Nihonto as a field of study you probably will be a “rookie” for many years to come because of the sheer amount of knowledge there is to be gained. It never really ends. The sword that you are looking at is from my perspective a good fit in regard to price (600.000,- JPY < 4500$) versus papers, attribution and the sword by itself. I believe it would be a good first investment. But - as Piers noted - it’s probably also going to be the first of several swords (as you will be hooked). I only wanted one sword to begin with - today I find my self in possession of several blades (katana, wakizashi and tanto) 😜 Looking forward to see your first choice 😎👍 All the best. /Soren

Hi Matthew, @Ontario_Archaeology I still available then I would like to chip in for the Company Grade Tassel? All the best /Soren

Evening Marco, @mareo1912 I will take no 1 and 2 if still available? And - should your listing perhaps be under the “Sale or trade” section? All the best /Soren

Probably a few thousand times 😜 Congratulations to Australia are in order by the way. It’s not every day that a beautiful Tasmanian lady ( Mary) becomes Queen of Denmark. But today the Kingdom of Denmark gets both a new King and a new Queen by proclamation 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🎈 I know - Sorry Simon /Soren

Evening all, I think Dale @Spartancrest my have a point 😜👍 Apologies for a slightly twisted picture, but this Tsuba has a similar yasurime with a plausible interpretation “wood panel”. /Soren

Sesko Swordsmiths have changed hands and allegiance - they will be studied. Super items, cared for and well kept . Very safe shipment. Thank you Jussi 🤗 /Soren

Hi Jeremy, Suggestion: don’t involve or ask your wife - just do it /Soren

Good afternoon Jussi, PM for Markus Sesko - “Sword smiths of Japan” if still available? All the best. Soren