Wolfmanreid Posted December 7, 2020 Report Posted December 7, 2020 A great uncle of mine procured these during or shortly after WW2, although sadly I don’t know their provenance beyond that. Can anyone provide me any opinions of their quality, age, style and perhaps value? Forgive my ignorance I am only beginning my journey and education in Nihonto and their associated fittings and accoutrements. Thanks in advance. -Reid 1 Quote
Geraint Posted December 8, 2020 Report Posted December 8, 2020 Dear Reid. Well I like the kogai. A question on the tsuba: the style of the decorative foliage makes me wonder if this is a san mai awase tsuba, i.e. three layers. Have a look in the nakago anna and see if the outside layers are very thin on a thicker core. All the best. 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted December 8, 2020 Report Posted December 8, 2020 I think Geraint is correct about it being san-mai. Having enhanced the photo you can see the outer layer has worn through on the shishi's head, the photo's definition is not good enough to see the layers in the nakago-ana very well. Quote
Wolfmanreid Posted December 8, 2020 Author Report Posted December 8, 2020 So the body of tsuba itself is a solid piece of iron. The higher raised details such as the temple dogs and other animals appear to be another, softer metal (shakudo? bronze?) which were then gilded. Quote
MauroP Posted December 8, 2020 Report Posted December 8, 2020 Agree with Geraint, it's a sanmai awase tsuba, i.e. a mass-produced one, BUT it's an old one (pre-Edo, possibly) and should deserve a ko-kinko certification. BTW, the core layer should be copper, so non-magnetic (try it). Quote
Wolfmanreid Posted December 8, 2020 Author Report Posted December 8, 2020 Fascinating I will have to check when I get home. How should I go about getting papers for it? Submit it to shinsa the same way you would with a blade? Quote
MauroP Posted December 8, 2020 Report Posted December 8, 2020 Hi Reid, why you want a kanteisho for it? It will cost you quite a lot, with a comparatively little increase in market value of your tsuba. Of course if you want to enjoy the experience, go for it... Regards, Mauro 1 Quote
kissakai Posted December 9, 2020 Report Posted December 9, 2020 I think papers help to add credence to a signed tsuba and increases the value but it has too be worth the cost I submitted 5 tsuba a couple of years ago because they were NOT signed and had a couple of surprises but these were (in my opinion) good quality tsuba Quote
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