Deez77

Hello all. In case you might be interested in a tsuba encrusted zippo, there are three currently on offer here: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q1094664043 https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1094666253 https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/v1094677511 Damon

There have been a few inro previously posted in this thread, but not this beautiful Zeshin piece from Sotheby's 1998 Greenfield catalog. Enjoy! Damon

I found this piece quite humorous (and disturbing at the same time). It's not something I would associate with someone of the samurai class wearing on their sword... but who am I to judge. It's late Edo period. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25728 Damon

Thanks a lot for that, Steve. The tag definitely was not related to the item I purchased. Interesting nonetheless. Regards Damon

Hi all. I just received a couple of tsuba bought from Japan. Customs had opened the package to inspect one of the tsuba boxes and put things back in a bit of a haphazard way (which is annoying). Anyway, there was an old item tag with description and price "hidden" under a part of the box. I'm wondering if anyone could translate the description for me. I'd certainly appreciate it. Many thanks. Damon

Hi Vital here's a similar theme kanji piece, but also with a monkey. 😁 Damon

This piece was listed as Omori western style dog...perhaps related? Damon

This is great. Thank you to all who have shared their input and these wonderful resources. I'll definitely look into picking up a few as references. Damon

And a third picture that wouldn't fit in my original post

Hi all, Some may have realized from my previous posts that my main interest is with the Echizen Kinai school. I'm always trying to learn more and to review/examine as many pieces as possible, so whenever I come across examples online I find interesting or unusual, I'll screenshot them for later reference. Now, I've come across a few examples of pieces that deviate from the 'typical' signature variations found on Kinai tsuba, and really wanted to ask for your help and insights with a) translating the mei, and b) providing any input on the significance (if any) of them. I am always very grateful to those who are generous with their time and knowledge. Damon

Thanks for sharing, Bruno. Was there a description available for that piece? Damon S.

Thanks for the lead, Piers. 🙏

Very cool image, Piers. Thank you for sharing. Do you think that Mon would still apply to my tsuba motif regardless of the difference in orientation (vertical vs horizontal)? Damon S.

Hello all, I'm curious if anyone can shed light on: 1) what this theme is (I searched family Mon but couldn't find the same). 2) what the large cutout on the kozuka hitsu-ana side would be used for (if other than a kozuka). I've seen gunto with a locking mechanism, but I'm not sure if that is what this is. Many thanks Damon S.

I believe the bottom example hasn't been shown here yet. Accompanied by a short Google translated write-up on the topic. Damon S.

That you all for the help. I really appreciate it. Damon

Hello all, I would greatly appreciate any assistance in translating the description/attribution and date sections of the attached paper. Thank you very much. Damon S.

Hi friends, Additional pictures of one of the examples I posted in this thread previously. Seems pretty minimalist, but the shachi head appears so well done to me. Not a typical Kinai style (based on all the reference material I've seen), assuming signature is authentic. Damon

Very cool input and leads from everyone. Thank you all. After checking those and the other responses, comb(s), cross section of melon, representation of solar eclipse seen in Japan in 1500's, gear, and Jesuit symbol are all mentioned...as is "crossover" piece, although I'm not entirely sure what that means tbh. The Jesuit symbol was apparently a 32-point one, which some of the examples linked above had. I just counted mine and interestingly enough, 4/5 sections have 19 "spokes" while the one at the 7-8 o'clock position has 18. Strange! 🤔 I wonder what the significance of that is. Damon

Hi all, Does anyone have a clue about the motif of this Kinai tsuba I have? I assumed gear of some sort, but that was just a guess. I've seen some described as sun rays, but those have a clearly less symmetrical design than mine. Many thanks for any inputor insights. Damon

Thanks a lot Steve and K. Morita. Pretty cool to know that someone so prominent judged the tsuba as one of the best (presumably of the school). Perhaps I should send to shinsa to see if it will attain Tokubetsu Hozon. Damon S.

Awesome! Thank you Mauro.

Thank you so much Piers. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. You mentioned "Kanzan" in your response. Excuse my ignorance, but is that the name of the person who wrote this out and signed with hanko? If so, is there a full name for my own reference? Many thanks. Damon

Hello all, I've got a beautiful four chrysanthemum Kinai tsuba papered NBTHK Hozon with quite a bit of writing on the box (outside and inside). Would someone be able to provide a translation and possibly any thoughts on the significance? Thank you in advance, and happy holidays to all. Damon

Sincere thanks to you all for giving me some specific terms to search for when looking for similarly style tsuba. Given that at least two of the three samples I shared are from the Echizen Kinai school, do you think the inlays were added later, and perhaps in a different region? Or could that be original to the work? Damon