New Member Seeking Advice

[Michael_JP]

Hello To All,

 

I came across this forum while doing some on-line research into starting a tsuba collection. The information available here and the variety of topics has been very helpful so far. Hopefully I can contribute at some point in the future.

 

Currently I live in Japan, Tokyo, originally from Australia. My interest in tsuba has developed after taking up Iaido 2 years ago.

 

While I still need to do a lot more research I have started to focus on Owari tsuba.

 

Plan is to work on a modest but collection over time, but with some reasonable quality pieces. I am prepared to spend up to US$1,000 on a single tsuba.

 

As a novice I would prefer to start by buying from reputable dealers directly rather than taking chances at antique markets or on-line. And plan to be wary of eBay etc. unless the seller is well trusted on this forum. Hopefully over time I can develop a better sense of the major schools etc. and be able to venture into buying at markets here in Japan etc.

 

On some forum topics here I have seen that Ginza Choshuya & Ginza Seikodo have been listed as reputable shops. Noticed some hesitation for Aoi Japan.

 

Would appreciate if anyone can let me know if the above is still correct, and recommend any other reputable antique dealers in Tokyo that deal in tsuba.

 

Thank you.

 

Regards,

Michael S.

[b.hennick]

Welcome to the forum. I would suggest that you get some book(s) on Owari tsuba. The two dealers that you mentioned have good reputations, fine merchandise but tend to be pricey. I have bought from Aoi Arts. You will find Owari tsuba in the sale/trade section of the forum. If you look through the sale section you will see some people who sell good tsuba at great prices. The books will help to determine what is considered good. Grey Doffin who is a member here is a great source for books. If you look at the link section the last name on the books tab is a link to Grey's web-site. (Grey is a friend.)

[Justin]

Michael, do yourself a favour and visit Ginza Choshuya when you get the time. The staff are very helpful and you can see some amazing things. They have another business called Finesword (http://www.finesword.co.jp). This has more affordable pieces but still good quality. Tsuruta san at Aoi Art is also great. His shop is small, but he has lots of items on his website (probably stored in a warehouse somewhere). In my opinion his fittings are a bit hit and miss. Recently he has been getting some nice kodogu. His shop is also very close to the NBTHK museum. For old iron such as Owari I would suggest Ginza Choshuya. Tell them what you're after and they will find it for you. Japan Sword and Ginza Seikodo are also good. Japan sword has a whole floor of fittings.

 

Barry's 100% right about getting books, however there is nothing like seeing top quality fittings and holding them in your hand.

 

Elliott Long's website is also good. He is collaborating with Robert Haynes and there are lots of great articles by Haynes/Toriguye. The URL is www.shibuiswords.com. There is some information about Owari there.

 

Good luck!

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Michael and welcome to the asylum

 

I'd do as Justin suggests. You're in the perfect place for a bit of refined eduction. Go and see what really good Owari guards are all about. Books are fine but in hand is where the real difference becomes evident. With all due respect to everyone else I'd go straight to Ginza Choshuya or Seikeido. You may find, that if you ask, staff will be happy to help you gain an appreciation of what better quality work looks like. Be warned though, you may need to up your budget if you start to fall for the really good stuff.

 

The two Sasano books on Sukashi tsuba are not a bad start in terms of learning about Owari and the other major pierced tsuba schools. In fact the later edition, the silver book, is possibly the best bet for you as a start. Great images and the text in intelligible. Not always a given in this field

 

The earlier edition is still pretty good too.

 

And go to the DTI and get tsuba indigestion.

 

Good luck

 

Ford

[Henry Wilson]

If I may be so bold.... I would go further and say for Sasano, the gold book for the text and the silver book for the pictures. I think the writing in the gold is very eloquent and a very concise and complete summary of iron tsuba. The pictures are good and adequate, but the later silver book seems to take advantage of camera technology or something like that.

 

Check the sales page here as well. Quite often nice sukashi sells for a good price.

[Michael_JP]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful & much appreciated.

 

A visit to Ginza Choshuya, Seikodo, Finesword & Aoi will be planned soon. Next week if possible.

 

I had come across www.shibuiswords.com, some very good information, glad to know it is considered as a good reference. The book references are also appreciated. Will look into getting these.

 

And thanks for the tip on the sales page of this board, will keep an eye on it.

 

Looking forward to visiting the various shops and seeing some pieces first hand. And starting the collection.

 

Regards,

Michael

[Henry Wilson]

Here is some browsing for Finesword

 

http://www.finesword.co.jp/sale/kodougu/kodogu_sogo.htm

[Ford Hallam]

Aoi-Art is probably a bit out of the way....for my old legs

[Stephen]

Aoi Art search for Owari,

http://www.aoijapan.com/?s=owari

 

under his Tsuba sale section he just about adds a new tsuba daily, if you do find your self there, id just ask for what your looking for, ive had great luck with lower prices as long is i didnt low ball Tsuruta san when dealing.

[Michael_JP]

Thanks for the additional information. I have a day off later next week and will be taking a look at a few of these places. Plan to start with Ginza Choshuya to get a first hand look and go from there.

[Henry Wilson]

The national museum in Ueno does a nice, but very small and select spread of swords and fittings. It is worth a visit to get a taste of what is regarded as top notch.

[Alan Morton]

Hi Michael,

the best book by a long shot on Owari tsuba I have found is Owari to Mikawa no Tanko , The tsuba Craftsmen from Owari and Mikawa Province

and Markus Sesko translation into English if you need it after living there. 

There is a group of us from Oz heading to Tokyo in November for the DTI we cold meet you there even if you don't drink.

Regards Alan

[Guido]

... we cold meet you there even if you don't drink.

 

[Michael_JP]

Hi Alan,

 

Alas my language skills are not as good as they should be. Will see if I can get hold of the English translation.

 

Would like to meet up in November. Please keep in touch. I enjoy a drink and would like to meet some established collectors & enthusiasts.

 

Regards,

Michael

[Michael_JP]

I was able to find the book `Tsuba Craftsmen from Owari and Mikawa Province` at Grey Doffin`s website with the translation.

 

Arrived yesterday so I have some reading ahead.

 

Thanks to Grey for his fast responses to my questions & getting me the book so quickly. It was a pleasure to deal with Grey.

 

Regards,

Michael