Interested in collecting Tsuba or Fuchikasira -- Where to Begin?

[Baryonyx]

Hello,

 

I was recommended to join this forum. So, I am interested in collecting either Tsuba or Fuchi Kasira (or both) but have no idea where to start?

 

It has always appealed to me since I visited the Samurai museum in Tokyo a few years ago and I saw some there. I love the designs. But, cost stopped me from collecting--I also collect dinosaur fossils and, until recently didn't have the funds to do two seperate collections. But now I do, so I am considering collecting Tsuba or Fuchi Kasira.

 

I don't have much knowledge about Japanese history--and I think collecting and learning as I collect would be a great way to go about it. More interesting than just reading a book.

 

But--where to start?

 

Does anyone have any good guides/online sources for 

 

1 - identifying different sorts

2 - Telling antique ones from modern reproductions

3 - Avoiding fakes

4 - Telling which are good quality/bad quality

5 - Trustworthy places to buy

6 - To get a guide price on value

 

 

Any books or websites--I know I can google, but, as a newcomer--I'd have no idea if the online source is actually good or not. It's like when I started collecting dinosaur teeth, the best info about what to look for, identifying them, telling takes etc came from actual collectors on forums. 

 

 

Thanks very much!

[Geraint]

DearJack.

 

Welcome to NMB.  I am sure many people will offer suggestions but just for starters here are a couple.  First off, information, https://www.shibuiswords.com/  Lots of good stuff here but as you will quickly see there are few if any rules in play and it is hard to understand just who made a tsuba without a lot of practice.  Of course signed ones help and there are many for sale which have papers which attribute them to a school or indeed a maker.

 

If you go to the Nihonto Info tab at the top of the page and then to Links you wil find a ready stock of usefull resources.  Check out the For Sale section here and have a look at a couple of websites such as, https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Tsuba-&-Kodogu and http://www.nihonto.us/  As I said, many more to choose from in the links.

 

Enjoy the journey!

 

All the best.

 

Geraint

[1kinko]

Go to a national Japanese sword show and talk to the sellers and buyers. Bring an Optivisor or loop and study carefully. Read the tosogu section here at NMB. Learn about the Japanese alloys.  Seeing in person and handling is very important.

[Brian]

Good place to buy from is right here on the NMB. Fakes etc will quickly get called out.
Just some good examples of nice stuff at decent prices from just one seller:
https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/41409-good-quality-fittings-for-sale

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/41563-some-fuchikashira-for-sale

 

Also many of the dealers such as those on our dealer section. Check out Grey Doffin and others.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Welcome aboard, Jack. I suggest browsing to https://www.lulu.com/shop/greville-cooke/the-birmingham-museum-art-gallery-tsuba-collection-v2/ebook/product-1vjjygq9.html?page=1&pageSize=4 & buying a good reference book. This one was written by a fellow NMB member, & I'm sure that Grev can answer questions.

 

For fuchi & kashira, you can start at https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/13286-the-fuchikashira-orphanage/. Not everyone is selling their orphans, but you can always ask.

[Marius]

Hello Jack,

 

Before you start collecting (I don't mean buying the odd tsuba or other kodogu by this) you might want to acquire some books first. My top three recommendations:

Tsuba - An Aesthetic Study. By Torigoye Kazutaro and Robert Haynes - that is a good primer

Early Japanese Sword Guards: Sukashi Tsuba. By Masayuki Sasano. An old review here: http://gomabashi.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-book-will-change-way-you-think.html?view=classic)

Tsuba Kanshoki by Torigoye Kazutaro - this is a fantastic reference book. 

 

Admittedly, the second book might push you into a certain, restrained, type of aesthetics, but it is one of the best tsuba books ever published.

 

There are also websites packed with informatio. My top three picks:

https://www.shibuiswords.com

https://tsubakansho.com

https://kodogunosekai.wordpress.com

 

Good luck!  

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Hi Jack, welcome to the “club”

In addition to the excellent advise above I would suggest giving yourself time to figure out exactly what your preferences are. The subject of tsuba is wide ranging…..do you like iron tsuba, just sukashi tsuba or maybe soft/mixed metal tsuba. Flashy and magnificent Meiji period art tsuba……it goes on……

Likewise fuchi/kashira.

Once you know what really appeals….and you will find out in time…….you can concentrate on your chosen subject.

Buy things you really like and you’ll have a massively enjoyable time.

Enjoy.

Colin.

[Mark S.]

I have found the following site to be a nice resource:

 

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10338

 

[Grey Doffin]

I agree that Tsuba Kanshoki is a good reference but, unless you can read Japanese, make sure you get the edition from 1975 with English. Here it is on my site:

https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b823-tsuba-kanshoki-torigoye-1975

There is an earlier edition but it is Japanese only.

I can recommend also the current 2 volumes and one day 5 volumes of Tosogu Classroom from NBTHK/AB and JSS/US via Markus Sesko

Best advice I can give is not to hurry. There will always be good tsuba & fuchi kashira available. The more you know when you buy the happier you'll be with what you get.

Grey

[Baryonyx]

Hi,

 

Sorry for the late replies everyone. I have been away for the past week or so. I appreciate all those who took the time to help. I will definitely check out some of the recommended books and sources.

 

On 9/16/2022 at 12:58 AM, Matsunoki said:

In addition to the excellent advise above I would suggest giving yourself time to figure out exactly what your preferences are. The subject of tsuba is wide ranging…..do you like iron tsuba, just sukashi tsuba or maybe soft/mixed metal tsuba. Flashy and magnificent Meiji period art tsuba……it goes on……

 

I do not have a preference. For me, it is more an interest of the designs, then the historical period (I do not like modern). But interesting designs are what appeals to me--and then, studying and finding out the history and meaning behind each of the designs which I think would be very fun. Whether it is iron or mixed metal--for me it doesn't matter, as long as the design is appealing to me. 

 

I like the sound of what you mention Meiji period art tsuba. That sounds right up my alley.

 

On 9/15/2022 at 1:15 AM, 1kinko said:

Go to a national Japanese sword show and talk to the sellers and buyers. Bring an Optivisor or loop and study carefully. Read the tosogu section here at NMB. Learn about the Japanese alloys.  Seeing in person and handling is very important.

 

Thanks. I definitely will if one ever comes to Taiwan. I would expect so, there is quite an interest in Japanese culture here. 

 

 

 

 

 

It definitely seems like there is a lot to take in and some great sources to read and find out more. 

 

Thanks for the help--and sorry for delayed reply!

[Matsunoki]

42 minutes ago, Baryonyx said:

 

I like the sound of what you mention Meiji period art tsuba. That sounds right up my alley.

Have a look at this website and search for “tsuba”. There are several very flashy mixed metal pieces…..

most of which I owned a while ago! He is an excellent dealer. Also has some very impressive Ken which are more art than sword.

https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/

[Curran]

Start with several books.

See the list Marius gave,

-->   or a more economical start would be the Translation of TOrigoye by Bob Haynes. It is printed n sold by the Northern Carifornia Sword Club and incredible bang for the buck.  Text heavy and light on pictures, but you will use it for years.

 

Also,  Markus Sesko's translations of TOSOGU CLASSROOM  #1   and   #2.     Worth every penny to me.

 

 

[Baryonyx]

Apparently there is a shop here which a friend says may have a Tsuba reference book (I am in Taipei), so I will visit in the weekend. In the meantime, I have been reading up on some of the links and websites.

 

And I have a question about the design/structure. So, I see some Tsuba have a three holes -- a nakago-hitsu, Kougai-Hitsu and a Kozuka-Hitsu, but some only have two. Is that a design choice by the maker, or is it an indication of age at all--like, tsuba's from a certain period not having a kougai-hitsu?

 

 

Thanks