The Story Of Nanban Tsuba

[Randy McCall]

Not sure what this is about, but Peter Dekker just promoted this through various social media;  some members may be interested.  I know he's been posting on antique Chinese sword guards quite a bit recently.

 

 For those who might not know, Peter is a dealer in and restorer of antique South-east Asian weapons and armour, specializing in Chinese weapons.
 

Teaser page (just the image below is posted here, along with a "coming soon" note) :  http://mandarinmansion.com/nanban-tsuba

 

Teaser image

[kissakai]

Is this just a blank page that will be available in the future?

[Randy McCall]

Is this just a blank page that will be available in the future?

 

Yes.  That's what I meant by "teaser page".  According to Peter, something will be announced there shortly. 

[vajo]

Is it correct Nanban or Namban?

南蛮貿易時代 namban bōeki jidai

[John A Stuart]

Nan or Na (On), but, Nam (Nam like in the nanori Minami, Nami, from Minami (Kun) seems common. John

[christianmalterre]

so what is the "topic" of this advertisement here ? - as i do read this rather "as a question", so far ? ( am i wrong?)

 

Peter is well known...and i personally do honour him and his work he did, plus his writings he did publish in past very high!

 

i do not understand your´s question here...

 

Christian

 
 

[Randy McCall]

It appears Peter is cooperating with James McElhinney ( a gentleman I'm not familiar with, but who is described on his web site as "a visual artist, author, oral history specialist, lecturer and educator" ) on this project. 

Presently Peter is being tight-lipped about details... I'm not sure if it's going to be a book announcement, or if they're cooperating on sales of namban tsuba.  At this point it's a wait-and-see proposition.

 

[Jean]

I think our late member Docliss (John L.) wrote something about it.

https://www.amazon.com/Namban-Group-Japanese-Sword-Guards/dp/1554043654

[Brian]

It sounds very much like an upcoming book..and I appreciate the head's up. If so, would be very, very worthwhile.
 

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

I know he's been posting on antique Chinese sword guards quite a bit recently.

Randy, I'd be very grateful if you can address me to these posts.  I'm interested in very ancient chinese sword guards

[Randy McCall]

Randy, I'd be very grateful if you can address me to these posts.  I'm interested in very ancient chinese sword guards

 

Carlo, I'm more than happy to keep you updated with the latest announcements, as I receive them.

[Randy McCall]

Ah, it's a sales page... on the page now is some background history and tsuba for sale, with a little promo for James McElhinney's upcoming book .  Bold is mine:

"I became interested in the subject some years ago when I found out some of these guards aren't just Chinese in style but also of Chinese manufacture, often with some adjustments to accommodate their use on Japanese swords. A fruitful exchange of ideas followed when I met James McElhinney through his Nanban Tsuba facebook page. He showed me many pieces that are probably not even Chinese, but probably from elsewhere in Asia and made a point they were the product of cultural exchange through maritime trade in Asia. He is currently working on a book on this very subject.
 

I'm now helping James to sell some of his tsuba on consignment. Below the offerings, together with some of my own items. Under the offerings on this page is some additional backgrounds that I hope help illustrate how these are not so much part of Japanese sword culture, but part of a larger cultural exchange over Asian sea routes."

[NLPathfinder]

I can confirm that research has been ongoing for several years, and that a book on the subject of Nanban tsuba is being prepared. A number of articles on the subject have appeared in the newsletter of the Japanese Sword Society of the United States. Peter Dekker has been a most invaluable and esteemed collaborator in connecting pan-Asian arms-making with so-called Nanban tsuba. "Nanban" and "Namban" are the same term, romanized slightly differently. My research looks into the conduct of the VOC and how these sword-guards were used within the context of maritime trade and Asian Export luxury trade-goods. More I cannot share at this time. I am happy to invite you to enjoy regular posts on this Facebook page:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Asian-Export-sword-guards-and-Nanban-tsuba-564035753684007/

 

As for my credential, they are easily searched online. In the 1980s I was a founder of the Philadelphia Area Token Kai and founding editor of the JSSUS journal Art and The Sword. Currently I am a member of the New York Armor and Arms Club, JSSUS, the Company of Military Historians, and a supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Arms and Armor Department. Respectfully,

 

James Lancel McElhinney

[Brian]

Thanks James. Looking forward to the book. Please keep us updated, you will find many customers for it here.