raven2

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I also was there and unfortunately it had a number of problems. It was very slow and I think this comes from the fact that the entry charge was $20 a day for Fri and Sat and $15 for Sun or $45 for a three day pass, if they bothered to tell you about that. So it cost $80 for my wife and me to go Fri and Sat. We didn't go Sun to save the money. People don't come in the door when it is too expensive. My wife heard a group talking to each other be turned off by the prices. The auction problem was that the reserves were so high (basically going towards retail). Add to that a 17% buyers fee and nobody really wanted to get into it because there were really no bargins. People go to auctions for bargins. Also there were no catalogs except a few that were there for the staff so it was impossible to really remember what the lots looked like. Holding a tsuba up for people to see across a room really isn't effective. I did get a nice tsuba at a good price but that was at the tables, not at the auction. Too bad because I had some high hopes that this would be a good year.

Hi Ken, I really like it, but I also think the kogai-ana was added afterwards and it is not a good job. Too bad because it really is very nice piece and I understand why you like it so much.

I would agree with mid edo and also think they look pretty tired.

Just one more comment here. In any transaction like this even the most reputable sellers will have a return policy that usually states the buyer has a certain amount of time to return a piece that they do not like. The amount of time usually varies but 3-5 days is common. Even the most reasonable person could not expect a year. As you said yourself, Mark, Caveat Emptor. That does not just apply to "dishonest" seller but also refers to the responsibility of the buyer to make sure they get what they think they are getting at the time of the transaction.

Gimei or not, I think it is a very nice piece, David.

Yep, about as fake as they come. I really hate seeing things like this. So sloppy and poorly made.

I agree with Owari.

The nakago also looks strange to me.

I would agree with Henry. My first thought was Heianjo.

Welcome, Melissa :D

Hi Tobias, Certainly looks OK to me. I would say early to mid Edo. Also it is not acceptable to alter the tsuba (esp by hammering it or enlarging the nakago ana). You should find one with a nakago ana that fits your blade.

I think I have to agree with you Keith. I got my first two blades from very reputable dealers (Andy Quirt and Bob Benson). The first was from Andy at the Chicago show a few years ago. I got to see a lot blades there and was very pleased with the information and assistance I got from Andy. I got the blade from Bob online and it was exactly as described (except better in hand than the pictures). A number of emails went back and forth with my questions and his answers, all of which were exact and truthful. I am still very happy with both blades.

Very nice!

Very interesting and Dave I really like that tsuba.

David, I like your tsuba very much also. Hope you got a good deal on it.

Thanks, I like both of them very much. The color is actually better on both of the tsubas, esp the Kaneiye. The metal on both of them is very nice with nice bones on both of them. The next show will be in Chicago the last weekend of April. Here is the web address with the info: http://web.mac.com/mporpora/show/Welcome.html. The San Francisco show will be the first weekend of August. the web address for info is: http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm.

Hi Dimitri You say that the tsuba has a sekigane. I don't see it. Did you remove it?

I talked with the seller at the show because I thought the piece was interesting. Obviously in the condition it is in, it is very hard to say yes or no as to whether it was authenic. I leave that up to more knowledgable people than myself. The seller told me the exact same thing that he has listed on the website. I had no reason to not believe him. I do think it is interesting that he is asking $8500 for it when he quoted me $10000 at the show.

Pictures below of my 2 newest tsuba that I picked up at the Tampa show: #1 - A nice early Saotome from the Skip Holbrook collection that I got from Grey. A very nice piece. Skip's tag reads: Katchushi, Early Saotome, Amida and oar, 16th cent. #2 - A tsuba signed "Kaneiye Fushimi" from the Momoyama period. The attribution was made by Robert Haynes. The tsuba has a great chocolate color and a beautiful buttery patina. The tsuba has a pastoral scene although it is a little hard to see.

I would be glad to, but I didn't take any pictures

Yep, that was the same with me. Two tsubas, two boxes, two bags and two vases for my wife was what I got away with. The show was quite good. Will post pictures when I get home.

The first day of the show seemed to go pretty well. A fair amount of traffic and some nice pieces being offered. Looking forward to today.

Very nice find and great buy. I am also of the opinion that it is early Saotome, but I think the pattern may be mushrooms.

Here is a third vote for gimei.