proper decorum for handling tsuba?

[kaigunair]

This has been covered in many nihonto books regarding how to properly handle a Japanese blade.

 

Question: are there similar rules and guidelines for tosogu and/or tsuba? Perhaps there are difference when handling iron tsuba vs kinko tsuba?

 

I had brought in a fairly nice tsuba to share at my local club. I was shocked to see members handling it with their bare hands, even rubbing their fingers over the designs, not to mention speaking over the tsuba; done even by members that others said were knowledgeable about tsuba (though club is heavily into iron). Maybe this is ok for iron tsuba? I didn't want to say anything since it was only my second time attending and first since joining, but when I got home, I wiped it down with alcohol and did a dry wipe with tissue. I keep thinking I need to clean it again, to make sure the copper ishiguro surface didn't pick up anything nor the bori designs . I'm thinking about bringing latex gloves or buying extra pairs of white gloves to bring. The proper method for handling and observing blades is taught, and new guests are told not to touch any of the blades brought unless they know how to properly handle. I was surprised the same care wasn't afforded my poor tsuba .

 

Is there a kantai handling guide for tsuba online? I would like to participate in the club by bringing items, and I'm thinking of at least saying for my item, to put on the gloves or don't handle.

 

I will be bringing in a more pedestrian kozuka this week...

[Markus]

I don´t know of any online tsuba handling guide but you pointed out the major points:

Kinko works ALWAYS with gloves and iron tsuba without, unless the owner wishes that

they are handled with gloves.

 

In addition, when tsuba are presented on a padded plate and when they are allowed to

be touched, they should not be lifted up too high, i.e. that you can check them from a standing

position. Just lift them a bit from the padded plate so that there is less chance to drop them.

[Soshin]

Hi Junichi,

 

Good question I generally handle all of my iron tsuba with cotton gloves or a white cotton rag. I think this is specificly important with the iron tsuba with soft metal inlay work. For soft metal tsuba and other tosogu I would also use gloves. About two years ago I handled a real iron Nobuie tsuba and I had gloves on the whole time. Getting other people to do this with our collection might be difficult in a club setting. You did what I would recommend and that is clean it right after the club meeting.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Brian]

From my experience, as per Markus, kinko tsuba with gloves and iron ones without. Kinko loses patina and iron gains.

Learned something new about the height when examining..makes sense.

Talking over tsuba..I guess I am lax there. Higher end I wouldn't talk at all, but average stuff you should at least turn your face away when speaking to prevent accidents.

 

Brian

[kaigunair]

Thanks all. Don't have any pads for any of my tsuba or tsuba boxes yet, but will look to pick some up.

 

Glad to know that if I say something at the next meeting, it won't be just me making something up out of thin air...

[Henry Wilson]

I agree with Markus and Brian above. The problem with gloves is that it is easy to drop things. I only wear them when handling soft metal fittings and lacquered things like koshirae.

[kaigunair]

good point henry. any reason why latex/non-latex rubber gloves shouldn't be used to handle kinko? thinking about bringing a box of those marked with initials or something for people to use to handle items. cheaper than cotton gloves.

 

I've also seen white cotton gloves with yellow latex dots on the finger tips at the local $1 Japanese store. just checking to see if the non slid latex/rubber is safe for kinko...

[Ted Tenold]

Gloves are a good thing to carry with you at a show as a measure of preparedness, but even if you do, first asking the owner what they'd prefer is the best approach. They may actually have their own gloves or cloth that they'd like you to use. The height concern has been mentioned already and with gloves yes, slipping is a possibility. However it's key to remember to examine and handle with *both* hands at all times and not just one. With really high end stuff I typically stay as low to the table as possible or rest my hands on the table top or case while looking because it's not all that unusual to get bumped unexpectedly in a crowded aisle.

 

Another thing I'll mention is that on occasion I see folks with big rings or lots of big rings. It only take a brief and somewhat unseen contact with a ring shank to scratch or damage a rim or surface design. You probably won't notice until they're long gone. So if you have stuff on your own table, have your own gloves to offer them before handling.

 

Microdear cloths are also as good for fittings as they are for swords.

 

I think latex and gardening gloves are unnecessary and perhaps a bit overkill. Cotton works fine. Look to the owner for answers. They'll appreciate your concern in doing it they way they want. Bottom line, use common sense and courtesy. If it's in your hands, it's your responsibility.

 

Junichi, my suggestion is that if you offer things for general display at a club or event, then clearly discuss your preferences regarding handling with the host/lecturer in advance so that they can inform the staff and attendees and monitor them appropriately. Offering anything from a collection for all to share and learn from is a noble and generous thing, but your preferences should be respected. If there is some kind of transgression during the event, it's best to casually and quietly inform either the host or perhaps one of the supervising staff of your wishes again with as little disruption of the event as possible. Sometimes eyes are focused another direction or the host is caught up in the lecture material, or there's so many pieces that it can be difficult to remember which were okay to handle and which were not. The host can then reiterate your wishes to the attendees with candor and maintain a nice study environment for everyone.

[kaigunair]

Thanks Ted. Very good points for me to remember when I attend the August show.