Matsunoki

I do believe so but this seller is usually trustworthy….I’m not accusing him of anything but yes Justin, you’ve got a point there, well spotted. But could be that the nakago ana has simply been enlarged…..it does look that way especially at the mune end.

A papered example!!! https://www.ebay.com/itm/276913371769?itmmeta=01JPHAMPW3RX3QWHTF3649PFKY&hash=item407952ba79:g:IJYAAOSwb1FnxAju

Just to illustrate why I tried to explain re Nagoya mono……..Someone is going to get caught. It is not shakudo, it is in terrible condition and it was not good to start with!! https://www.ebay.com/itm/276913371769?itmmeta=01JPHAMPW3RX3QWHTF3649PFKY&hash=item407952ba79:g:IJYAAOSwb1FnxAju

Piers, I hope I’m wrong as well. I just said what I saw without thinking. Feel a bit rotten now. Sorry.

…..in fact looking at the scroll I think you can see two pins that have been used to crudely attach it?

Maybe not often but I’ve seen a few. It’s a quick way to add visual impact without all the trouble of inlaying. Sometimes you find Kamon added this way or menuki adapted and added using this quick cheap method. The method was widely used during Meiji on metalwork, often it’s difficult to actually spot if it is done well but the quality of the “add on” can give a clue.

Piers, do you think that it is a tsuba that has had its shape severely altered?…..ie maybe it was larger, possibly square?

The figure does not look inlaid. It looks “stuck on” or sometimes referred to as onlaid often done with one or two short metal pins with a pitch like filler. Personally I think the figure has been added later to what was a plain iron tsuba.

Hmmmm. Don’t buy from him again! Glad you can get your money back.

As said above…..modern cast item. Whoever sold you this as 18thC clearly either hasn’t got a clue or is deliberately mis-describing things……in my opinion.

Can’t find anything similar on eBay which is a good sign! Usually if fake they crop up multiple times.

Tricky but I’d go Japanese.

Methinks we were vistited by a returning cuckoo

It’s old(ish) and genuine but not great quality. Subject is Kanzan and Jittoku. Google will tell you all about them. Can’t really tell but the white and green could just paint that someone has embellished them with?

Haven’t read it all but this topic has many promising links in it re Kabutowari

Difficult to tell exactly what has been done from these images or what the underlying work depicts but, iron fittings can be found lacquered for two fairly common reasons (and probably a few less common) 1. to prevent rusting or disguise rusting (many samurai were very impoverished) 2. to tone them down to a more shakudo type of finish perhaps to apparently match an odd shakudo fuchi. I have also seen hastily assembled “Satsuma Rebellion” swords with lacquered fittings including tsuba.

From these images it looks like a plastic/resin fake. The quality is nowhere near Japanese workmanship. Sorry! I doubt better images will improve its chances.

Can we please see the underside?

Imo…..Most likely an Ox given that they are a zodiac animal and often encountered in many Japanese art genres including sword fittings. Looks like it might have been given a “paint/lacquer coat” to imitate Shakudo and gold. Bit carelessly done when you look around the edges.

Hi Brian, genuinely honoured that you would even consider me for such a role having only been on here a short time. Trouble is I would not describe myself as being very moderate, I’d probably end up recommending myself to be banned. I would prefer to stick to participation and leave moderation to impartial level headed folk. Always happy to help in any informal way. Best. Colin…and of course good luck on the health front.

Well, I cannot recall having Ford restore an iron tsuba for me. Everything of mine that he was kind enough to deploy his magicians skills on was mixed metal and mostly works of art. I am aware of another genius restorer in the UK but financially…..forget it!!!!, and he wouldn’t take it onanyway. Sorry can’t be of much help.

My Kinnoto….(since sold) and my bronze of Sakamoto Ryoma. Apologies for further topic drift,

You really are sad Jacques. A scientist with intelligence playing silly semantics when you would be better to leave it alone. Arguing about one word and ignoring the actual issue under debate. Oh well if it makes you happy……yes you are right.

Hi Eric, not sure in what context you use the phrase “patriotic swords” in Japan. You mention Kinnoto…..I believe that word is usually applied to a particular style of sword that was allegedly worn by supporters of the Emperor preceding and during the Meiji restoration. They are very long, very straight and with an exaggerated long nakago. I would not think the Japanese would react unfavourably if it was that type of sword you were referring to. On the other hand if you were hinting at WW2 material with patriotic nakago inscriptions then that could well cause a reaction. Many Japanese want to let sleeping dogs lie as far as WW2 is concerned. Just some thoughts.

For our insulting keyboard warrior @Jacques who cannot see that this sugata clearly appears to be suriage nor is he able to see it clearly appears to be deformed with a downward stoop in the monouchi. You just keep digging mate.