GoldenDrachen

I am sorry, didn't have time yesterday to digest all the information, have been behind the wheel for 6 hours, too tired. Now I am on the bus, going to my iaido session, have got about 1 hour on my hands. First and foremost, Thank you so much@Ford Hallam for your answer! I always appreciate and value your expertise! I have couple of questions regarding your advice I surely can get nagura stones and magnolia charcoal sticks, what grit of stones should I use? Something from 600/800 to 2000? Polishing part should not be a problem. But the I actually would like to try repatinate this tsuba I was hoping you could help me with that. Maybe recommend "cooking" recipe? I have on my hands copper pot solid without any soldering Also rokusho: Is this one suitable? I wanted to try to explore Japanese patinas anyway, so why not to start now? Hello @Bazza Great information there, I have to go through it couple of times more. To be honest I wasn't too excited about Mei from the start, just the fact that it is there and reads in certain way. I would take Ford's side on this matter Regards Vitaly

Hello everyone! Recently I have purchased this tsuba, as you can see in poor state, bought it specifically to try cleaning. Signed, I believe Ishiyama Mototada ( I might be wrong, so any correction is very welcome) Depicting Hotei Here is what I get after not too invasive cleaning I tried to preserve all signs of wear and mounting. What do you think? Regards, Vitaly

1,3 and 5 sold

Hello everyone! During the past month I have purchased various tsuba, different quality etc. I decided to keep some and sell some to invest into the future purchases Here what I have for sale now: Umetada Tadatsugu, signed. 76mm x 76mm, boxed - €120 Shoami Shigenobu, signed, 82mm x 85mm, boxed - €120 Aizu Shoami, mumei, 73mm x 70mm, boxed - €220 Echizen Kinai, signed, 72mm x 70mm boxed €180 Shoami, mumei 71mm x 71mm, no box - €100 Unknown sukashi, hard to read mei. no box - €120 Seiryuken Eiju, mumei, copper, no box - €150 Postage is extra, payment via PayPal or bank transfer. Collection is available. If you need more pictures or video PM me. No reasonable offer refused.

I totally can relate. Also I think that a chance of getting something reaaaaly cool from the mainstream auctions are extremely slim. Especially from well known sellers. However often they offer reasonably priced pieces with papers or one can get lucky if item set for an auction.

Hello gentlemen! I am finding a lot of joy in researching of any tsuba, I can get my hands on. Just bought this one and I hope correctly understood the motif. I think the craftsmanship on this one not bad at all, not the high end but not mediocre either. Not sure about Mei though. Picture of the tsuba: and what I think the motif is: . Will appreciate any input! Regards Vitaly

To be serious, I wasn't sure that this tsuba could be original Nobuie, to me execution is way tooooo clean, so I thought above pice might be a mid to late Edo period copy, but done by some good craftsman. Based on that assumption I placed my price tag on it. Bottom line I would not spend 500 on it. But then again, I have very little experience and often act on a hunch

I have to stop advertising the good stuff!😁

Thank you, Dale, so much! As always very extensive info! I was thinking myself that this one is late Edo, and I thought I could buy it for 150€ or so... However people in Japan decided otherwise. This tsuba was sold for more than €500!!! Lot number h1098668180

Hello gentlemen I came across of this one unfortunately these pictures are the best I can get My question here, is there any red flags? I like it but don't want to burn money on it Regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen I have for sale, not very common item: Full dress uniform belt for Kyu Gunto.. Good condition, red backing, which indicates rank from Major to Colonel. Any questions please ask Price: 150€ plus shipping US - 18€ EU - 12€ Payment PayPal.

I also have a theory on the motif here: Ode to the Red Cliff And here is the story behind it: could it be the case? Regards Vitaly

Thank you for the explanation and the link. ! Regards Vitaly

Thank you so much, David, for clarification. I was judging on its appearance, but then when I got understanding of the motif, it's become clear to me that usage of this particular motif would be possible only during Edo period. Although, perhaps you can explain to me how the "Ko" -prefix works with conjunction with the school name? If we say "Ko - Shoami" do we mean a specific school, or just period in the school timeline?

Thank you so much, George! All I found so far is: These treasures are part of Takaramono, collection of objects carried on the Takarabune by seven Lucky gods. I recon the particular set depicted on my tsuba are "lucky charms" serving to bring it's owner luck in battle. Anyway, I had about 2 hours of very interesting reading on that subject. Found this list in Hokusai's Manga During that I have learned that there are more similar pattern concepts ( zukushi - "full of.".), that also found in Tsuba motifs: gakki-zukushi - set of musical instruments kai-zukushi - collection of shells Edit: And I think the proper name for heart shaped sukashi is inome Regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen Today got this one from the auction ( pictures from the seller description) I would be delighted, if someone could help me with more understanding of the following 1. To me it looks like early Shoami work, would it be correct to call it Ko Shoami? 2. Some of the elements of the motif are unclear to me. So I can recognise hats ( Kasa?), Sukashi on the top in the shape of aoi leaves, I think. What are those sacks? And gohst like figure on the side? Tsuba is large: 9.5 cm. Thank you all in advance Regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen! Today I have visited a bargain corner. Got 2 tsuba for ...not much. 1. Umetada Tadatsugu with Mei and, I suppose a family kamon. Did some research, including this forum. Based on acquired knowledge, I am practically 100% positive. Needs a bit of cleaning of course, but nothing major 2. The second one is more interesting, in my opinion and I would be grateful if we can discuss it ( if there is something to discuss) Despite the condition, I really like the carving. ( Hotei with children) Mei says: Ishiyama Mototada Tried to research this artist, not much information, but pieces I have seen look very similar in terms of craftsmanship. I wonder what is the metal here? Thank you In advance! Regards Vitaly

Interesting... First thing: thank you all for the input! My foremost concern here was an attempt to date the piece. When I was doing so, I found that old post , which Dale has mentioned above. Reading gave me the understanding that my tsuba can not be purely Katchushi one, nor the Umetada type, but something "in-between". I thought: early Edo. Then the motif: I was confused by missing centers, and, as I am practically sure now, mistakingly identified them as snowflakes. But my recently purchased book Kodōgu Gadai Jiten, suggest that Sekkabun ( I hope I got it right) usually hexagonal. 5 petals pointing at the flower origin of the sukashi. So I would go along with "Sakura blossom" ...but why no center then? Could it be a kamon?

Hello everyone Got this one today. I hate those sneaky sellers who cancel auction if not happy with the price. I was so close to get for a fraction of the cost...but seconds till the end auction was cancelled and 10min later tsuba was relisted, for a fixed price ( lucky enough price tag wasn't too hefty) Anyway bought this For the sake of gaining experience, I will try to attribute it I am thinking this is armourer tsuba, Edo period. Motif, in my opinion, is snowflakes. Looking forward to your comments Thank you all in advance! Regards Vitaly

@GRC, @rematron, @Larason2, @Spartancrest, @Bugyotsuji, @Geraint Thank you so much for your comments and answers! I really appreciate it! Although this tsuba is damaged and has some imperfection, she does appeal to me. It feels very good in my hands. (someone, in the past, tried to save it, I guess I should too) Perhaps not so perfect for display, but definitely will get practical use. Kind regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen, Forgive me my stubbornness, but before I will make a final decision on this one, I would like to get more options on this tsuba. I have posted it before here At that time there were no much comments on it , just explanation on the motif. On the Facebook I have received suggestion that this tsuba is modern copy. My concern: why would one fit silver fukurin onto a copy? Are there obvious signs of this one being cast? If this a cast copy why there are no more similar ones on the market? I just really would like to get more options before it goes on iaito. Thank you in advance Vitaly

Thank you, Michael! I was actually wandering if there is the book abou this particular school. Already found few of them auctioned in Japan. Regards Vitaly

Thank you so much for your time! I was very close to give up. But! Little research helped. First thing I have learned that , above signature was specific to Ito family based in Musashi province. Based on that information it was very easy to locate chapter about Ito family. Since I am big fan of their work, I would like to dig deeper. So now I have this book with list of masters and other useful information and another book with samples of signatures for this school. Regards Vitaly

Here it is. I hope it will help.

Hello gentlemen! I am seeking help with this book please I need to locate the part about Bushu craftsmen. Could someone point me in right direction? I hope manage from there Thank you in advance! Regards Vitaly