GoldenDrachen

Hi @MauroP thank you for the comment! I really hope that key word in here, is "most" Dale! @Spartancrest Thanks a lot. As always very elaborate comments and useful information. Hi Piers! @Bugyotsuji I have seen this word in conjunction with above design description. Now I know its meaning. Thank you!

Hello gentlemen I have been looking at this design for a while now. Like it very much. Especially ones with signatures and seal. Unfortunately all tsuba that I have seen so far for sale were in poor condition. I came across if this one, but as we can see mumei. Would this one be from the same workshop ( or factory )? Regards Vitaly

Had a chance to double check it. Looks like just an artefact on the photo.

Thank you, Dale. Yes looks similar to mine. I also tried to look something up, but found nothing, apart from the examples already present in this topic. Unfortunately papers issued to mine tsuba do not contain any attribution. I guess it will remain mystery for now...and we shall call it Myōchin/Saotome.

I have discovered that the best results you will get when pictures of practically any tsuba made on the dark background (dark cloth, black panel etc.) If you need white background, then you will require extra light sources. Like softboxes. (I have 3 for this purpose) or reflectors. Natural lighting (overcast) is the best. Place your tsuba on the dark background, bring it close to the window, even a window sill will do. Light should fall under some angle. If you have too much of the sun, the picture will be too contrasty, and you can use a piece of white light paper or fabric to disperse sun rays. Then just make a picture. I have Photoshop on my smartphone, but I use it mostly for cropping and resizing images to match forum upload requirements. Regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen A while ago I posted 3 tsuba Back then I Used pictures from auction description. This morning tsuba have reached me and I think I really need to post better pics and probably it will bring more clarity on these. 1. @ROKUJURO suggested it is original Myochin tsuba with later decoration. I made few better shots. 2 and 3. First they are not magnetic and have very pleasant dark brown patina. Size is 75 X 72mm both. Nothing is looking like flaking or such. Mimi is definitely hammered. Also there is a remnants of the Mei on the Seppa dai. I would greatly appreciate if we could get back to this in either confirm previous suggestions or bring in something new. Thank you in advance Regards Vitaly

I also like all these "monkey business" tsuba, very much! Description under The monochrome one: "The Monkey as an art critic." I think that motif has very deep meaning. I recall one satiric epigram by Russian fabulist Krilov. https://ruverses.com/ivan-krylov/monkey-and-the-glasses/3723/ But I don't know if in Japanese culture, image of the monkey has different meanings.

Thank you so much, Steve! Regards Vitaly

Apart from the design, colour was the second thing that I liked in this tsuba. There's no way, I will play with this one ...

Thank you all, gentlemen for very informative comments! It really helps to improve my understanding of the subject. So, to summarise: First tsuba, with Kanji motif, either Shoami or has Shoami influence. The second one, is definitely katchushi, more likely Myochin. Motif is, I guess, waves, cherry blossom and chrysanthemum. Regards Vitaly

Hello gentlemen I am seeking for help in translation of the following document. Thank you in advance Regards Vitaly

Hi Jean Thank you! I always value your opinion! Could you elaborate on that kanj? Possible meaning?

Hello everyone Start of the month and I have my tsuba allowance spent. I hope I didn't waste it. As always, I will be grateful for any input regarding design, schools, motif etc 1. Really would like to understand the motif on this one ( hieroglyph?) 2. I just couldn't resist on this one Thank you in advance Regards Vitaly

Right.. No consensus on this motif then... Perhaps every viewer will interpret this in own way. Still, nice piece though. Thank you, folks, all for the input! Regards Vitaly

I like this. Sounds very good

8 X 8.3cm, not so small, I guess. As per condition it is hard to tell what it may need. May be just a little bit of gentle cleaning and conservation wax. We will see when it arrives. Regards Vitaly

Hello everyone I never realised that something like this will appeal to me. However I bought this one Didn't look at Mei first. Only afterwards found in description that it says "Shigenobu Shoami." Is that so? Would it be then early Edo period? These pics from seller description* (* Btw I noticed that the way you photograph the tsuba is extremely important. All items I have acquired in reality looked much better than in seller's description)

Hello everyone For sale set of fittings for Shin Gunto Everything is on the photo Asking €60 Shipping is extra UK Royal mail 1st class £5 EU Registered €8 Rest of the world €12

Hello everyone I have for sale tsuba and 2 seppa in good shape. Asking €50 Post is extra UK Royal mail 1st class - £5 EU Registered post €9 Rest of the world €12

Thank you! The Other things I have used: I made small horsehair brush. Used it with a compound called "Pre Lim" by Renaissance. Then I heat up the metal ( with hot air gun, at 300° C) and applied micro Crystalline wax by the same company . I will experiment with other known me solutions (i.e tannic acid etc ) along with different self made tools.

Hi Grey Thank you for your comment. I totally understand your point and actually was thinking about that myself. ( This is why I stopped at this stage and didn't go any further)

Hello everyone Some time ago I have bought practically trashed koshirae ( ) It has arrived, and I wanted to try cleaning some bits. Started with fuchi, kashira and menuki This is what I had: Very quick cleaning gave me these results I need now a microscope and more tools. Does anyone know how to fix black (well, not exactly black, more like very very deep brown, chocolate like colour) on them? I reckon, that the whole piece was initially treated with some traditional patina solution, and "golden" details were burnished at later stage... Edges and some raised pars lost it before I touched it. Would love to hear any suggestions and comments Regards Vitaly

@Spartancrest Hi Dale Thank you for the link! Loads of interesting tsuba there! Believe it or not , they have another one of mine! This is one from the museum: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O466270/tsuba/

Hi Luca Please forgive me my ignorance. To me this information is something very important. Is this a personal observation or info like this could be found in the books? Which books? I just would like to get more educated in similar nuances. TIA Vitaly

Hi Dale This is excerpt from museum description, about the one they have Mine is 7.6cm which is 3.1" Not even remotely I can assume that the one I have is the bigger brother if the tsuba from Oxford. But that would've been very interesting indeed!