Newb needs advice

[lizard260]

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]

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!!

[Thierry BERNARD]

Hi

 

imho a little expensive for this size and quality!!

 

here a best tsuba than the second one by the same artist http://www.espace4.com/fr/collections/a ... s-les-airs

[Geraint]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Ian]

Seems as if it had been on before

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AAA-Rarity-Anti ... 7675.l2557

[Brian]

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

[Lee Bray]

http://www.aoijapan.com/fittings/tsuba

 

A good selection of reasonably priced and genuine tsuba.

Shop owner speaks good English and is a pleasure to deal with.

[Thierry BERNARD]

Hi

 

the one from espace4 was buy 800Euros at this auction http://www.ader-paris.fr/flash/index.js ... =97&lng=fr

I think they sell it for the double now!! :D

[lizard260]

  Brian said:

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!

[Pete Klein]

I do not see either of those tsuba to be worth over $300. Why not try a dealer with a return policy?

There are many listed under the links section above.

[Ken-Hawaii]

  Quote

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

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning all

 

Ken suggested a Zunari Kabuto:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zunari-Kabuto-h ... 51b0cf0e69

 

However there are quite a few issues with it (Please note the red composite epoxy like filler) I am concerned that some of the remaining red Lacquer will be lost.

 

Perhaps Ian B or Dave T can add some input.

 

 

Cheers

[lizard260]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I checked out the sites shared by Geraint and Lee Bray and ended up purchasing a tsuba from Lee Bray's suggested etailer. I hope he likes it.

[John A Stuart]

Well, Mrs. Paul, you didn't monkey around. I think you got an interesting tsuba for hubby. John

[Soshin]

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.

[Pete Klein]

I had thought of suggesting something piscine in nature but well done just the same...

[Lee Bray]

Happy to have helped. Hope he likes it.