Matsunoki

The only shape nanako I’ve ever seen are round…..owned many examples, looked at hundreds in sales, ….tsuba, fuchi kashira, kogai, kozuka etc etc As Ray says, wear on the patina and even more so actual wear to the surface metal can create different illusions. Can anyone show us anything other than round? (Talking true punched nanako, not indented punching)

Blimey Michael, that’s going to get peoples’ attention! We aren’t heading towards another “green paper” crisis are we? My knowledge of Shinsa procedures is minimal as I am not a “papers man” but I have heard whispers about a drop in the expertise of panel members etc…….

I guess you are not referring to swords for sale on this forum?…..because a price is always required here. So, the reasons for “price on request” are various, as follows… 1. It’s vastly overpriced but the dealer doesn’t want everyone to know he is overpricing things 2. The dealer wants to get you to contact him so he can give you a load of b.s**t 3. The dealer wants to figure out who you are, what you can afford qnd why you are interested so that he can then give you the highest price that he thinks matches your budget 4. The dealer thinks he is more important than he really is 5. The dealer does not to reveal the price in case the person he bought it off finds out 6. Or finally he really is a top end dealer who has wonderful things but simply does not wish to reveal the price to everyone and simply wants to talk only to knowledgeable customers who can probably afford it. There are probably a few more that I’ve forgotten 🙂

Re your original tsuba….I’d bet it’s all the same material with the plate having been treated with some type of colouration….possibly black/dark wax to make it look older. Re the new tsuba…..looks brand new. What’s it made from?

Please do not be misled by the above comment re perfection and cleanliness. Many superb tsuba are perfectly clean and in pristine condition so cleanliness and perfection is absolutely no guide to authenticity. The tsuba you show does not look perfect nor clean and is, as Dale says above, an obvious fake. To see what I mean have a look at the tsuba in this upcoming sale. https://www.bonhams....ion-of-Japanese-art/ You will see multiple mixed metal tsuba of seriously fine quality in fantastic condition (sadly all lumped together in multiples) but pay no attention to the estimates. They will make huge money. It is perfectly possible to buy genuine tsuba without spending a lot if that is the gift you wish to give. But know what you are buying…..you were very wise to post it here. Don’t hesitate to do so again.

Well, to my eyes it looks a 20thC cast tsuba with maybe some hand finishing. Made to look flashy but lacking in quality. I really cannot see it being Edo hand carved. I’d vote Showa. Just an opinion, might be wrong.

That’s a new one!🙂

Is this myoga (ginger?) or wasabi. The root section looks like wasabi. Or are they the same thing?

If you like big flash superb metalwork plus a few lovely aikuchi etc…. https://www.bonhams....ion-of-Japanese-art/

I’d go bear for the first one.

Time for a tiger ….

Ain’t that the truth?

To go with Piers’ stinging menuki….

To go with Piers’ snappy menuki…

Just had another Quick Look, could be bundles of Yuzuriha leaves…..a sacred Shinto plant that does yield globular flowers (or maybe it’s fruit)

Geese imo…..but ones with long necks🙂🙂

Probably Meiji?

Big Bakumatsu piece…school of Konkan

Hi Rob, imo they are tied bundle of some type of foliage with perhaps one flower showing. They look like long thin leaves and in one image you can clearly see some sort of binding strap holding them together. Wonder if they represent some type of Shinto offering? Dunno, but my money is on plant.

Fish and Kingfisher….

Go on then Piers…..you have the honour as it was your idea🙂

Rats have scaly tails, mice have hairy tails. As Jean says, these are all rats.

With apologies to all interested parties, many thanks for your interest but this amazing gun has just found a new owner.

I’d happily own them🙂🙂

For the use of vine leaves by Komai that is Meiji…..