Deez77

My only rain dragon motif tsuba...not a common Echizen Kinai design. Damon

Let me know if the name of that book comes to mind. I wouldn't mind having a read.

Thanks for sharing, Dan. I have my own "routine" when unboxing a newly arrived tsuba. It goes something like this: I typically unwrap it, hold it with my middle finger and thumb to take a good close look at each side, then holding the seppa dai with my thumb and middle finger give it a hard thump with my other hand's middle finger, cup my hands behind it and have a deep smell, then rub it in my hands, and repeat above steps a few times. It's important for me to get "a feel" for the tsuba, its weight, the texture of the metal, its smell to try and appreciate all of its parts. While I often think about each piece's story, I can't say I've actually felt any vibes coming from any of them. I somehow envy that connection you have made with the pieces, good or bad. @Spartancrest, can you recall the dreams when you wake up? Are the nightmares anyhow related to samurai or old Japan? I mean, could they be a projection of a previous owner? Thanks again all for sharing with us. Damon

Gentlemen, In lieu of the internet not cooperating, I'm happy to offer up an exquisite example to illustrate the point. Damon

Lol...they sure did, Dale. Here's one from my collection to add to the list. Signed Echizen ju Kinai. Damon

That is an awesome motif Jimi-san. First time I've seen the nakago theme represented that way. I have a more common example. Damon

Love it, Dale, but definitely out of my price range. Here's an interesting kettle with a typical Kinai tsuba design incorporated. https://page.auction.../auction/b1105934652 Damon

😲 wowza!

Here is a somewhat similar example with some (what seen to me to be) very unusual signature markings. https://www.ebay.com...r=artemis&media=COPY

Someone from a tosogu FB group I'm a member of had suggested the following: "There is the Gohei at 9:00. And the hammers are also part of the ritual that make the creases nice and sharp. The “palanquin” is telling that this is actually depictin “Jijin Sai”. Possibly the whole tsuba relates to this ritual. The slanted boxes look like Saisen Bako." I was especially curious about the reference to "Jijin Sai", actually Jichin-sai, or groundbreaking ceremony. This is an example of what's available online, https://www.japanesewiki.com/Shinto/Jichin-sai (ground-breaking ceremony).html#:~:text=Jichin-sai (also pronounced ",Japanese as the Ujigami%2C the Maybe getting closer to deciphering it. Damon

Thanks a lot Dale, Grev, Matsunoki. I've definitely identified some of those lucky treasure items on the omote as seen below: 1. Kakuremino: invisibility cape/robe 2. Kakuregasa: invisibility hat 3. Hoju: treasure ball said to fulfill wishes 4. Hoyaku: granary/warehouse key 5. Choji: clove buds 6. jewels/coins from mhammer? 7. Uchide no kozuchi: magic hammer 8. Kinnou/Kinchaku: treasure pouch Although there's still a couple of the "lucky" items that I'm not sure about. Of course, there's also the other panels, and I'll continue trying to figure out what those are. Certainly a "good luck" theme for this one with a whole lot going on. And I've never seen anything close to this from this school of tsuba makers. Regards Damon

A more detailed bowl with tsuba design. https://page.auction.../auction/f1098421532 Damon

Kirin is one of my favorite Japanese beers, along with Yebisu. 🍻

A tsuba themed dish set. https://page.auction.../auction/e1104557759 And bottle opener. https://page.auction.../auction/u1104596532

Would you mind sharing a link to that one? I'd be interested to have a look. Regards Damon

I have two in my collection that I always considered atypical for the Kinai school (assuming the signatures are genuine), although occasionally I would see somewhat similar examples. They seem to fit with your example. Regards Damon

This ended up going for over 90,000 JPY (including tax). Nice little piece.

Here's an example signed Echizen ju Kinai saku. https://tsuba.jyuluc...EchizenProvince.html Regards, Damon

Thank you, George.

This is a buckle of some sort. Imagine having this sucker on a belt....killer! https://page.auction.../auction/d1103966747

Thank you Piers, the mei is a bit faint in areas. And thank you and Bruno both for the nice comments. The piece is a real pleasure in hand. Damon

Hello all, Would anyone be able to read/confirm the mei on this tsuba that I believe to be Echizen kuni no ju Myochin Katsu Haru saku? A quite large and heavy tsuba at 9cm X 9cm and 206g. Much appreciation for any help. Damon

😂 good one!

What a beautiful little shachi incense case. https://page.auction.../auction/f1103063495 Any takers? Damon

Very subtle. Of course, the omote is the showstopper. Really like the mixed metals and small glimpse of the moon behind the pine needles. Thanks for sharing.