Dr Fox Posted March 6, 2014 Report Posted March 6, 2014 Hi all Someone I know who haunts out of the way auctions, has approached me for an opinion on 4 tsuba's he bid for, and bought! I have warned him he has made 2 mistakes. 1. Bidding on items for which he has no knowledge. 2. Asking me for an appraisal, when I know as much as he does . 1. 7.2x7.5x.4cm 2. 8.3x8.5x.4cm 3. 7.5x7.7x.4cm 4. 7.8x7.8x.5cm from us both thanks. Quote
kaigunair Posted March 6, 2014 Report Posted March 6, 2014 FWIW, since no one else has responded, all three look legit to me. not modern day repros. nakago ana punches seem real, iron too. not quality work, but not fake. I believe the eggplant and mice are good fortune symbols (could be raddish/daikon, maybe a new years theme?). Other two themes may be ginko leaves + dew drops (like musashino plains grass and dew drops), and ginko leaves/ferns/bamboo. some condition problems, but since its iron, some bone work and care could bring back a nicer patina. no idea about prices, but hopefully your friend got them cheap. look at me, talking about iron tsuba... Quote
Peter Bleed Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 In the old days, when you went to a gun show you always carried a "drop tsuba" that you could use to replace a nice guard you might find on a plane-jane blade. Buy it here, replace the guard, sell it there. . . . Number 1 is a "drop tsuba". Number 3 is Kinai. The other two may be drop tsubas too. Peter Quote
Dr Fox Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Posted March 7, 2014 Junichi and Peter Thanks for your response. Not having bought these as a job lot, but as separate bids with no competition. Each Tsuba owes him £80.00 at x4 = £320.00. Now not being a tsuba expert, I feel he has caught a cold, and his recoup on the kinai in its present state, will earn him what? A nice guy, but now stands up as knowing what is real, and what is not. And this is from seeing some real items I have here, his shopping and then bringing to me to authenticate, will I fear become a little tiresome. But I can't seem to get through, just how specialised a subject he is stumbling around in. So in plain terms was this expedition a non calculated loss? Quote
RobertM Posted March 7, 2014 Report Posted March 7, 2014 Hi, just my opinion but he could probably get around the £100 mark each for the first 3 on ebay. Quote
Dr Fox Posted March 8, 2014 Author Report Posted March 8, 2014 I will pass that on Robert cheers. Wish I had your confidence there is a worthwhile resale here, but thats just me doubting thomas Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.