Jump to content

Newb needs advice

lizard260
 Share

Recommended Posts

lizard260 Newbie

lizard260

Posted
Posted

Hello Learned Gentleman (and Ladies?),

I am brand new here and planning to buy an iron tsuba as an anniversary gift for my husband. I have zero knowledge in this arena so I tracked down a board where I could ask about some I was considering on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181197592197?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290963405772?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I would greatly appreciate anyone who would care to comment or provide advice. I don't want to buy a piece of crap for him. I can only go on aesthetics without your help. Thanks so much.

E. Paul

Stephen Grand Master

Stephen

Posted
Posted

l lean to the second one, just my taste, it does have active rust that needs to be stopped. I wish i could tell you more, alas im not a tsuba guy, others will fallow. Nice wife!!

Geraint Grand Master

Geraint

Posted
Posted

Ah, he is a fortunate man!

 

Both tsuba are Japanese which is a start as so much of what you see is reproduction, to be kind. I note a dragon theme, is that important? For what it's worth I like the second rather more though it needs some TLC. I note that the seller only ships to the USA. You might also have a look at this site, http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/ or indeed this one, http://www.ricecracker.com/

 

May I congratulate you on your anniversary.

 

Best wishes.

lizard260 Newbie

lizard260

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you Stephen, Thierry, and Geraint.

Thierry, I thought that might be the case. What would you suggest would be a reasonable offer? Thanks again!

 

Edited to add: I am not specifically hunting for dragon tsuba. I just happened to like those two the best of what I saw on offer on ebay (that I could afford) currently.

Jean

Jean

Posted
Posted

Thierry,

 

We must be able to compare the prices of the e-bay tsuba and the one of Espace quatre.

 

Espace 4 never advertises their selling prices, they are well known to be very expensive.

Marius Grand Master

Marius

Posted
Posted

I would say that these tsuba are pretty average, but their prices are not. I can't give you a price, but I would not pay more than $300. But that is just my opinion, I am not interested in them anyway - as said, they are bland.

 

A word of advice: stop rummaging through eBay, as you are going to find either trash/fakes or at best average/below average stuff at inflated prices.

 

You will see good offers on this board (you may want to start browsing the sales ads here) and from reputable dealers.

Brian

Brian

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I think it would help if we knew the level of your husband's interest. Is he just a casual enthusiast, or a seasoned collector? Does he already collect tsuba, and if so..is most of his collection iron or soft metal..and if iron, does he like cut-out tsuba or solid?

Once we can gauge his level and interests, maybe we can guide you towards a suitable purchase. Those 2 will give an estimate of your budged I assume. (They won't load for me though)

 

Brian

Brian

Brian

Posted
Posted

Nice one inspector Ian :lol:

Yes..under $500....a fair deal. But flipped at $1200..maybe not so much.

In the $1000 range, I expect there are a number of decent deals out there.

 

Brian

lizard260 Newbie

lizard260

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Hi,

I think it would help if we knew the level of your husband's interest. Is he just a casual enthusiast, or a seasoned collector? Does he already collect tsuba, and if so..is most of his collection iron or soft metal..and if iron, does he like cut-out tsuba or solid?

Once we can gauge his level and interests, maybe we can guide you towards a suitable purchase. Those 2 will give an estimate of your budged I assume. (They won't load for me though)

 

Brian

 

Hi Brian,

He is a Japanophile and studies samurai battlefield arts.

He does not collect tsuba. It just happens to be our iron anniversary and he doesn't play golf so this is my clever idea.

So I want iron and he prefers cut-out tsuba. He may fit it to a sword and actually use it.

Thanks for the guidance!

Ken-Hawaii Grand Master

Ken-Hawaii

Posted
Posted
He is a Japanophile and studies samurai battlefield arts.

 

By this, I assume he trains in some form of iaido, right? It's unlikely that he will mount a valuable tsuba on his iaito, & even less likely if he's using a shinken for training.

 

Have you considered something like a jutte (http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Vintage-Ja ... 2ec8d69de3) or (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage-Ori ... 2a2b1a8783) instead of a tsuba?

 

Or how about a kabuto that was almost definitely worn in battle (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zunari-Kabuto-h ... 51b0cf0e69)?

 

Ken

Soshin Grand Master

Soshin

Posted
Posted

Hi Mrs. Paul,

 

I love the thousand money design made popluar by many fine artist from Hizen Province. If you look closely you can see them doing the hear no, see no, say no evil design. :)

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one, unless your post is really relevant and adds to the topic..

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...