Old Tsuka, Conservation Or Restoration

[Alex A]

Recently acquired a sword, the seller suggested I get the Tsuka restored as there were a few issues, a very small piece of ito missing, some chipped samegawa. I'm very reluctant to mess with it, whilst is a bit tatty in places, its part of its history, the last Edo Koshirae that was made for it. On the whole though, its still holding up a fight and as some life left in it. I don't plan on picking the sword up with the tsuka, so it will last, just take the tsuka off carefully whilst its still in the saya.

 

Whilst I don't mind new tsuka when necessary, I prefer antique

 

The only small issue I have is the small 5mm piece of ito missing. Thoughts on this for an idea.....

 

Find some ito to match (5mm), cut a piece (accurately with a sharp knife)to match were the ito is missing and glue it in place. Whilst its sounds a bit daft, in reality it will look better, less noticeable.

 

Thoughts please.

 

 

[Stephen]

sounds like a plan PMing you

[b.hennick]

I would Advil David McDonald who is on this group for his opinion. I would have him do the work as he could match the color and age.

[Alex A]

Cheers Barry appreciated, be good to hear an expert opinion, I might just get back to you for his details.

 

Got a few good recommendations now.

 

Cheers guys.

[Grey Doffin]

I agree totally with Barry; David is the obvious choice for this.  You should be able to find him in the links above.

Grey

[Dave R]

 I think this is the one where you put the blade in a Shirasaya, and have a Tsunagi in the Koshirae, and display the one one above the other.

[Greg F]

I also prefer antique tsuka. This one looks good. I think Barry and Grey have the answer. All the best.

 

Greg

[Toryu2020]

If it is clearly period, then I would not monkey with the tsukaito.

complete unadulterated koshirae are becoming rare, best to preserve even the mid to lower level works.

-t

[Alex A]

Hi Thomas, I totally agree. My attitudes changed, years ago I would have probably wanted to fully restore the tsuka but I suppose that's what new folk to the hobby do, monkey about (as you say) with stuff that should well be left alone. Ive added a few pics of the koshirae, the saya is in really good condition, the fuchi kashirae are matching and pretty decent. The menuki look like old yamegane, moon and sun. There is also a kozuka, fits well, not a work of art and I don't know when that might have come into the equation, but all in all decent antique koshirae and worth preserving, has a nice antique feel to it.

 

As for the missing ito next to the kashira, I'm unsure why this would have happened, most of the ware seems lower down the tsuka. I was at an arms fair last year and noticed a sword with the kashira hanging off. I had to rush off but noticed this sword on the way way out. Automatically thought shinshinto, a long sword with very long tsuka. The tsuka was really well done, had a nice antique look, pity about the kashira and a pity I never got a chance to have a look at the sword, kick myself over that. I'm sure someone once mentioned why tsuka loose the kashira, I cannot remember.

 

The good news is one of the expert guys got back to me last night. He told me the tsuka was in good antique condition, should be preserved and as long as I don't handle it then it should last, I suppose that's were Daves idea might come into play, but a bit skint so that goes on the back burner for a while. He said he can repair the faults and make it visually better, so Ive sent him some clearer pics to look at and il get a price. I wont be handling the sword with the tsuka from now on.

 

Cheers gents, appreciate your comments

[Greg F]

Hi Alex, the koshirae has a nice look to it.

 

Greg

[Jean]

At 98%, tsuka ito is considered by NBTHK as expendable. Even on papered Koshirae, after papering, you can changed the frayed tsuka ito

[Alex A]

Fair enough Jean, but once messed with they loose that certain antique feel. Recently bought the Tokyo uchigatana book (cheers Jussi for the recommendation, 3 available in the entire world!), turned me into a conservation campaigner . A few pics from this excellent book, the black and white photo shows a koshirae on its last legs, but worthy of a place in the Museum, not something I could take on though.

 

Imagine any of these with new ito....

[Jean]

Alex,

 

In your opinion how old are they?

 

IMO, and I share it , old tsuka ito if in perfect state of conservation mean that they were not heavily used/handled so the historical value for a weapon is ....

 

Now when you know the climate in Japan, they can rotten easily...

 

Changing tsuka ito is part of restoration. Not changing it when needed, always IMO, is equal has not having a blade polish because rust/scratches are part of history...

[Guido]

At 98%, tsuka ito is considered by NBTHK as expendable.

 

That's new to me, and actually contradicts the info I have (not withstanding the fact that some people indeed have the ito changed after papering, althoug I consider that cheating; but why would they do that, if the koshirae would pass shinsa with new ito anyhow?).

[Alex A]

Jean, you catch me at a bad time, just off for a beer

 

but I see what your getting at, very rougly, late Muromachi swords, are you saying they have had new ito at one time or another?

 

Yes, that is the case, but old now

[Jean]

Sorry Guido, I got the info from Robert H. and I am not surprised. My Ryokai koshirae is papered and the tsuka ito is certainly not the main reason for passing shinsa.

 

I am sure Japanese dealers will not waste time changing ito before submitting to shinsa.

[Guido]

Well, I've been told directly at the NBTHK that new tsuka-ito is a huge minus when it comes to papering, but things might have changed (especially since 2014). May I ask when your koshirae with new ito was papered?

[Ed]

I have been reading this and guess I will throw my 2¢ in.   In my opinion, I would leave it be if not literally falling off the tsuka.  I understand that there are instances where you have no choice but to replace it, but this one doesn't appear to be that bad yet.  

 

Perhaps place a drop of glue under the loose end of ito.  This would keep it from getting worse and prevent it from snagging on things. This would retain the original integrity of the tsuka as well as the sword overall.

[Jean]

Heisei 16, December 22nd

[Grey Doffin]

I wasn't suggesting that this be sent to David for new tsuka-ito.  My thought was that he could patch in the small missing piece, which would improve appearance and help to stabilize the original ito so more doesn't come undone.

Grey

[Guido]

Heisei 16, December 22nd

 

That's quite surprising, considering who the main koshirae judge was back then (but maybe he was on sick leave during that shinsa ).

 

One of the reasons given to me why new tsukamaki is undesirable for papering is the difficulty to determine if not only the ito, but also the kashira and menuki - and even the same - were changed as well, which would mean in effect risking that a newly assembled tsuka might get papered. Makes sense to me, and explains why the ito is occasionally changed after the details are documented in the papers, and a photo is taken (and not the busy schedule of the dealers ).

 

I guess the NBTHK didn't have those reservations in your case. Out of curiosity, do you have a pic of the tsuka you'd like to share?