Altering Nakago Ana

[goose710]

Gentlemen

thought's on altering nakago ana to mount an old tsuba onto

one's Iai-to?

Let's say not an National treasure but possibly like the few attached

This is merely a question, I do not intend to mount any of these.

Thank you

Charles L.

[ROKUJURO]

....thoughts on altering nakago ana to mount an old tsuba onto one's Iai-to?......

Charles,

 

in my view there is nothing wrong with it as long as the adaptation is made carefully and in a professional way and does not damage the TSUBA in any way. I would not consider such an altering except for a high-end IAITO. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

If it isn't a Nihonto I see zero issues as long as the Tsuba is not messed around with.

[Ray Singer]

If you are referring to taking an ubu tsuba such as the examples above and refiling it to fit your iaito, I would expect some loss of value. The first two do not appear to have ever been fitted with sekigane, so if the tsuba you are considering is similar then you would be filing the nakago-ana of the tsuba directly rather than adjusting an existing sekigane to fit your sword.

[Geraint]

Dear Charles.

 

I would think it a crying shame to start mucking about with that copper daisho.  There are many fairly low end but none the less attractive tsuba that already have sekigane which would be quite easy to fit, either by filing the existing sekigane or fitting new ones, I would perhaps include your first tsuba in this category.  The inevitable wear and tear on an Iaito tsuba would have fewer consequences for iron.

 

All the best.

[Ted Tenold]

It will depend on what is necessary to fit it, and how it is done.  

 

If the nakago is smaller than the tsubas nakago ana, "peening" the ana shut against the nakago is one technique, as is adding filler material such as sekigane.  Both of these significantly alter the extant form of the tsuba.  Sometimes sekigane can be fitted in such a way as they can be removed later without much disturbance of the original material, but some marring/scratching might be expected after removal.

 

If the nakago is larger than the tsubas nakago ana, then the nakago ana will need to be enlarged to accomodate a fit.  This can alter the original form modestly or massively depending on the size of the nakago of course.  However it also removes the original patina inside the nakago ana of the tsuba, so there will be conspicuous evidence of alteration.

 

The larger question is this;  How will the use of a tsuba on an iato alter its condition?  Friction, sweat, contact, environmental changes, personal body chemistry, all can have a very detrimental effect on fittings.