Deez77

Not related to this Kaneie at all, but sharing a piece from my collection with the same story (motif)...by Echizen Daijo Nagatsune Minamoto. Damon

Welcome back, Dale. 👋

I always felt this shibuichi Kinai tsuba I have was related to a gear of some sort. It certainly has an industrial, mechanical look to it. Damon

Very interesting discussion. If only these tosogu could talk, the stories they might tell. 😁 I have this piece which was struck with something very hard. I guess it's plausible that's it's a sword strike. Edited just to specify I'm not referring to the unique rendering of the pine cone, but to the indention on the edge near it. Damon

I'm really pleased with this little tanto-sized tsuba. The workmanship is really quite nice, and the pictures I had access to did not do it justice. As promised, better quality images attached for your viewing pleasure. Thank you again for those who provided help with the motif. Damon

Somehow came across this post, Dale. Didn't realize you were looking... 😁 Damon

Thanks Jake. I know the feeling. I'll post some better quality images of the piece once I've got it in hand. Thanks to all who contributed! 🙇 Damon

Wow! That was quick. I appreciate it, Matsunoki. Happy new year all! Damon

Hi everyone. This is a tsuba I bought not too long ago. Could anyone provide insight into the motif? It looks to me like a warrior carrying something on his back (religious statue?) has put down his naginata and stopped to tie his shoe on a bridge. 😆 I could be waaay off. I'm sure it's related to a traditional story, right? Thanks a lot for your help. Damon

Thanks for starting this thread Dee. I really like your piece and it does remind me of the leaves of a daikon (radish). I have a couple of odd balls when in comes to plugs, too. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Damon

Incense burner with tsuba design: https://page.auction.../auction/g1158457297 Damon

A simple piece from my collection, but my favorite as it was my first. Owned by my grandfather, it was mounted on an officer's sword taken back to the USA after WW2. Damon

Message sent...thank you. Damon

Hello all, For reference as part of the discussion, here's a Buddhist wheel design I have, and a gear which I guess some think may be related to Christian iconography. Regards Damon

Hello all, If you have a copy of this book and are looking to sell it, please get in touch with me. Regards, Damon

Two nice looking inro in a lot of three with tsuba/tosogu motif in Bonham's. https://www.bonhams....1912-19th-century-3/ Damon

Hi Dan. I don't have any pieces with traditional fans, but have this one which had a number of panels like the one you shared. Damon

Is there a particular source for that material that you can share, Piers, or do you mean just available on the internet in general? Damon

Thank you everyone. That's the term I was looking for, Matsukawa-bishi. And thank you Dale for the many examples you attached. Damon

Hi all, Could someone with more knowledge of tsuba motifs clarify what this Kinai tsuba motif is called. I've encountered "triple diamond" and I believe "pine bark". I thought it might be a mon, but couldn't find one like it so I'm guessing that's not right. Also, would you say those are birds or geese near where the ana would be? And are the arrows up, down, left and right just a product of the rest of the design, or could they represent something else? This is a nice katana size piece with a nicely looking and feeling patina. Appreciate all of your insights. Damon

I think collecting anything can be addictive...well in my experience at least. Availability and price certainly have an impact on the number of pieces I've collected to date. I personally prefer to focus on school(s) as a primary deciding factor...and on motif (within those schools) as a secondary factor when picking up (or passing on) pieces. That has kept me pretty motivated over the years. Regards Damon

Lukas, I was looking at that tsuba as well. As others have already said, it appears legit and a nice representative one for the school at that. While the abalone shell motif is common for Kinai, it's not always easy to find good examples of that particular design. With some consistent rubbing, I imagine it would clean up nicely. Full disclosure, I collect this school and have also been watching it...may put in a bid. Example of a small tsuba I have of abalone attached for reference. Damon

Fwiw, I always use "iron decoration (no battery)" when having tsuba mailed. Damon

Oh yes, Piers. I've got a few with that motif. Thank you for your help. Google lens was useless for that one. Damon

Hello fellow collectors and enthusiasts, I was recently getting rid of a couple of old tsuba boxes. I pulled out the bottom piece beforehand...just in case...and found a tissue-like paper in one with the following message written in it. Could anyone translate that for me? I appreciate your help. Damon