KungFooey

Technically, 'tanto' simply refers to a blade less than one shaku while aikuchi is a koshirae style.

I think the mon is carved but, because the tang was shortened, its upper profile was changed and so cut off the side of the engraving. Dee

They had me by "the hammun". Collecting WW2-Era Japanese Samurai Swords - YouTube

Hi Steve, I stand corrected. 👍 I will definitely read more about the Goto school's history but I fear they will never be "my cup of tea", as the Brits say. I won't say more as I'm very wary of wandering 'off topic' again. Many thanks! Dee

That's a great lead to investigate, Dale - thank you so much! Dee

Awful to happen at any time but especially during this season. 😥 Please take care and I hope you get back to your keyboard soon. You definitely keep the board on its toes! Love Dee PS: are you sure it was a dog? The Wolf Man (1941) - Heaven Help You Scene (3/10) | Movieclips - YouTube

Thank you Soeren! Your comment echoes my own feelings on this tsuba perfectly. As stated in a different thread, I am not a fan of the Goto school; their exquisite workmanship is undeniable but they are not made for warriors - they are simply a gaudy display of wealth. Thank you also for the very interesting link! Love Dee

Thank you so much for all the comments so far, gentlemen - they are truly appreciated. I totally understand Stephen and Colin's views that it is a utilitarian - almost 'thuggish' looking - piece but I personally feel that the precise and delicate workmanship exhibited in the gilded umegane in the kogai hitsu ana and kozuka hitsu ana balances the practical 'brutality' of the design. Thank you all again for taking the time to look and comment! Dee PS: If anyone could hazard a guess as to possible school, that would be fantastic.

Strange you mention that Brian. Shown below was actually my first choice of tsuba from the same seller - until I saw the one I bought. Dee

My last request for assistance unfortunately turned into "a sad, boring pantomime" (to paraphrase two of the last comments) and it was entirely my own fault. I fell down a stupid rabbit hole of trading insults and petty mindedness. I wish to sincerely apologize for that and would like to begin afresh - if any members here are still willing to help me. The attached seller's pictures are of a tsuba I just won on Yahoo! Auctions which will first be sent to my brother stationed in Japan, as per my previous purchases. I was attracted to it because of its rather unusual design and large, solid dimensions; Length = 8.95cm Width = 9.0cm Thickness = 0.55cm Weight = 157.84 g. Any comments on this tsuba would be most gratefully received, whether they are critical of it or not. I will not respond to anything unrelated to the tsuba itself. This includes small talk, personal comments and even flattery. I will also ignore any icons after my responses. As Brian rightly says, "this is not a popularity contest". If I receive any abusive PMs (as has happened previously), I will disregard them and immediately block the person responsible. Thank you in advance for any constructive remarks about this tsuba's provenance or age. Dee

Hi Alex, I am very sorry if it came across as me being dismissive of your observations. It was not meant that way and I actually agree with what you say. I wouldn't recognize a koto tsuba if it hit me in the head. I've handled this thread very badly.

True.

Yes Jean, and I've seen topics unilaterally shut down and locked on that too. 🙄 I'm going to bed now - I have to be at the shooting range tomorrow morning.

Just lock the discussion then. I've learned everything I'm likely to about the tsuba anyway.

Better late than never, I guess. I work a crazy schedule in a very demanding job so I have a wide range of interests to relax with. I go to the gym five times a week and practice mixed martial arts. I'm also a gun enthusiast so you often find me down at the shooting range. I favor very powerful handguns and specific models are listed on my profile. My family is all military from way back and I have a younger brother currently stationed in Japan. I'm a mega history buff, often combining my love of ancient weapons with a study of the societies that produced them. I'm currently making lots of mistakes about tsuba. 😂 (But the guys here are teaching me a lot.) Reading literature has always meant a lot to me so I've now moved onto the Japanese classics such as The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon. I love animals and value all life. I suppose JD Vance would call me a single dog or cat lady - before I whupped his ass. Despite not liking him, I'm true red all the way but avoid talking politics whenever possible. Real glad to be on this forum - thanks for having me! Dee

Don't bother - I understand Egyptian hieroglyphs and Mayan as well.

Oh, Ma Kettle gets it just fine, Stephen. Apparently, you get a 'get out of jail free card' to be a never-ending pain in the butt if you're a paying Gold Member. All others had better beware.

Well, you are an old flatterer, aren't you? 😳

My Jules Verne is excellent Dale - Icelandic and runes were part of my childhood education. You were telling me "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Now try telling Dan that in Telly Tubby or whatever language he understands. Dee

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."

Hi Alex! So, it's like "take the word 'cabbage' then remove some letters, add some other letters, mix them all up - and you get 'aardvark'"? Those are some mighty big changes just to end up with a, frankly, poor copy of a Koto tsuba. Really appreciate your thoughts, nonetheless! Thanks! Dee

剣の衛兵のドワーフは、毛で覆われ、活力と古くなったコーンフレークがあふれ出す力強いお尻を持っています。 しかし、彼の吠える鶏は私が今まで見た中で最も素晴らしいものでした。❤️

I'll have to paint my nails first for you! 😉 PS: i'm not even wearing any make up in that photo (cause this is a serious forum) but I've been told I scrub up real nice.

Ich auch nicht, Peter. Du warst nett und ich habe es geschätzt! Dan ist ein Unruhestifter