raven2

Rich, I really like all three of your tsuba. All the designs are very appealing. How long have you had them?

Just a quick bump to see if anyone has any other comments or ideas. Thanks.

The pictures are so fuzzy that you really cannot tell what shape the blade is in and at that price, probably not a good gamble.

Hi Keith, I saw that too and was initially tempted especially at the price. After looking at it for a little bit, I got the same type of feeling as you did. I just felt it was nothing special and the design just didn't do anything for me.

Congratulations Kevin, It is a beautiful blade.

The general rule on the board is that we do not comment or give appraisals on active auctions. I will only say that you might want to look at the other pieces this seller has for sale.

I would be interested in hearing and seeing how the show went too.

I think it is a great piece. Does anyone know what school and age it is?

Very nice Jean. Higo? Akasaka?

bump

Very interesting Akasaka, Martin and Ed, I really like the last shakudo :D

Guido, I also agree, I love that tsuba.

Well Brian, if you love iron and carving I think you will like my newest (and favorite) piece. A thick and heavy plate with deep carving. Btw I REALLY like the wave Kinai.

Indeed it is Jean, I really like the tsubas also. Very nice.

No Brian, you are not wrong. I don't like the tsuba much either. The only reason I mentioned the monkeys is because there was discussion of what type of monkey (or ape) was on the tsuba.

Therefore, not your cat. :D

Thanks Bob, I look forward to seeing the pix. One of the reasons I like it so much is that I haven't seen anything like it.

Below are pix of my newest acquisition which arrived today. I have actually been looking at this piece for over two years and saw it again at the Tampa show. After trying to be good, I finally gave in and called the seller last week. I love the piece, especially the carving. My feeling is that it is early to mid edo. Possibly Choshu, but the problem is I really have no idea of the school or date. It is a very thick and heavy plate for its size. Dimentions are 7.1 x 6.7 cm. Mimi is .7 cm, seppa dai .75 cm. Any help or enlightenment is greatly appreciated.

Chris, The monkeys are snow monkeys or more appropriately Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). They range throughout most of the main islands except for Hokkaido.

Here is my favorite pair of menuki:

My favorite is also my first blade. It is a blade papered to Yokoyama Kosuke Daijo Fujiwara Sukesada. I followed the advice of the board and got a wakazashi in excellent condition and new polish. I have never regretted it even though it is Shinto and a wakazashi. Certainly not the most expensive blade but still a keeper in my eyes.

In response to Robert's suggestion, I am opening this thread. Please show us your favorite fittings here. Will post some more when I get better pictures.

Beautiful piece.

Geez Paul, it seems to me you are following the idea of always buying the best you can afford and improving your collection. Just because a piece isn't expensive or "important" doesn't meen it isn't good. That wak looks great. It's kamakura and in great condition and as you said "beautifully polished and is in healthy condition" and "probably amongst the 3 or 4 best examples of forging I have ever seen". I have always been of the opinion that you buy what you like and appeals to you. If you do, you are going to keep it. If you buy it just because it is important or expensive or the best piece you can afford, you may keep it but you won't necessarily be happy with it.

Hi Trevor, Welcome to the board. If you go up to the top of the page and click on links it will bring you to the home page. At the top of that page you will see commercial links 1,2 and 3. Click on those and you will see plenty of dealers.