Tsubaology

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all, 

 

Just a bit of fun here. I came up with the term “Tsubaology”, the study of tsuba ! So hopefully one day there will be an “online” college course to get a degree in the subject. Hey, count me in !!! 

 

With respect, 

Dan 

[b.hennick]

Good name ology means study of.

[Dan tsuba]

And anyone receiving their degree (in the yet to be a college major) in “Tsubaology” would then be known as a “Tsubaologist” !! That sounds like a great title! 

 

With respect, 

Dan 

[Curran]

"Tsuba" can mean  [hand guard]  or [spit] depending upon the kanji used.

If not used in context, Japanese that hear you using the word tsuba probably think you mean [spit].

In that regards, a "tsubaologist", might mean an expert in the art or science of spitting.

 

So, with a snort and a hock of a loogie, bring on the tsubaologists.

Just be sure to avoid the line of fire.

 

 

[Dan tsuba]

Hey, even more fun! 

 

Thanks, Curran, for the Japanese definition of “tsuba” . That is funny! Although I think the English-speaking public will have no problem defining “Tsubaologist” 

 

Oh well, whatever!! Onward to new thoughts! 

 

So, with the new “badge system” on this forum I believe the “highest rank” is that of “Grand Master”? Maybe a higher rank than Grand Master can be that of “Tsubaologist”!!  That would be someone that holds a Doctorate degree in Tsubaology. 

 

But since no one can lay claim to that high level of education in the field of Tsubaology (since that college major hasn’t even been developed yet!) I guess the award of the “possible badge” of a Tsubaologist will have to wait!! I guess “Grand Master” will have to do for now! 

 

But wait, I have an even better idea! What if after “Grand Master” comes “Professor of Tsubaology” ?

 

Since one of the definitions of “Professor” is: “one that teaches or professes special knowledge of an art, sport, or occupation requiring skill”. (Definition found on the link below) - 

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/professor 

 

I think that would work and would be another level of “badge” to achieve. But now that I think about it “Professor of Tsubaology” could only be used on the “tosogu” forum of

NMB. 

 

So how about a level above “Grand Master” that is “Professor”? That can be used on all the forums of the NMB?? 

I like it!!!! 

 

With respect, 

Dan 

[b.hennick]

There is a PhD thesis on Nanban tsuba. So they're is a nanban tsubaologist

[Dan tsuba]

Thank you B. Hennick.  Yes "The Namban Group of Japanese Sword Guards:  A Reappraisal" by Dr. John Philip Lissenden.  A great read!  Unfortunately it is my understanding that Dr. Lissenden passed a few years ago.  If there is ever an award of "Tsubaologist" on the NMB, Dr. Lissenden should be awarded it posthumously.  May he rest in peace.

 

With respect,

Dan

[Curran]

2 hours ago, b.hennick said:

There is a PhD thesis on Nanban tsuba. So they're is a nanban tsubaologist

 

Dan is correct.

Dr. Lissenden passed. I enjoyed corresponding with him and that he had the heart to get his PhD so late in life.

Now that I am back at a university, I am considering the same.

 

Just to be clear: https://jitenon.com/word/13451

While I was half joking here, when conversing with someone in Japanese outside of this area: be careful.

 

[Dan tsuba]

Curran, thank you. I have read Dr. Lissenden’s thesis about 4 or 5 times. He was the first “tsubaologist”.  He was a brilliant individual (my opinion). Maybe the NMB should do something to honor his memory. I suddenly feel very somber. 

 

With respect, 

Dan 

[Curran]

2 hours ago, Dan tsuba said:

Curran, thank you. I have read Dr. Lissenden’s thesis about 4 or 5 times. He was the first “tsubaologist”.  He was a brilliant individual (my opinion). Maybe the NMB should do something to honor his memory. I suddenly feel very somber.

 

It happens.

If we poured a pint and raised a toast to every good NMB member we've lost here in the last 20 years, it would be a month long bender.

 

Just smile and remember them well.

They all gave us some enjoyment and some f@cking funny moments.

  --Save somberness for Monday.

 

[Dan tsuba]

Curran, well stated!  Reflect, remember, and move on!!

[Spartancrest]

I can attest to the incorrect interpretation of "tsuba" by the Japanese - I got some very strange looks from a few antique shop owners in Japan a few years back- I knew the word had several meanings including "brim" as in brim of a hat and as mentioned "Spit" or "Saliva" but I can always blame my Aussie accent for the "mistake" - "Have you any spit for sale?" would tend to raise a few eyebrows even here! 

[Curran]

10 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

I can attest to the incorrect interpretation of "tsuba" by the Japanese - I got some very strange looks from a few antique shop owners in Japan a few years back- I knew the word had several meanings including "brim" as in brim of a hat and as mentioned "Spit" or "Saliva" but I can always blame my Aussie accent for the "mistake" - "Have you any spit for sale?" would tend to raise a few eyebrows even here! 

 

Yes... I know those strange looks well.

I forget who it was that taught me that it can mean spit, but it was a Japanese woman who had asked me if I had any hobbies.

I guess I told her, "my favorite Japanese hobby is the [artistry] of spit". I remember a very perplexed look and wondering what part of the sentence I had butchered.

Probably a language teacher I had in NYC, who relayed this information to me as politely as possible in front of other students.

 

 

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all, 

More fun! 

 

So, somewhere along the line my original post became a “spitting” or “saliva” contest. I guess the Japanese can define “tsuba” as “spit” or “saliva”! 

So, is my tusba collection a collection of “spit”. Do I have several pieces of “spit” or “saliva” hanging on my walls? 

Naturally a single word can have different meanings in varying countries. Several examples can be found on the below listed link-  

 

https://bookstr.com/article/10-words-that-mean-very-different-things-in-other-countries/ 

 

I specifically like that in the U.S. "kiss” means to press lips together. But in Sweden it means “to pee”!! 

Now the definition of “tsuba” (in the English language) is found at the below link (one of several listed on “Google search”)- 

 

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/tsuba 

 

So, although there are those people that may have issues with my terms of “Tsubaology” or “Tsubaologist” imagine the problems if you go to Sweden and tell someone you have affection for "where can we kiss”!! 

There will always be words that have different meanings in different countries. But I think there needs to be some logical perspective out there on my new “tsuba” type terms (and I don't mean "spit" or "saliva"!!).

 

Anyway, just a bit of fun! 

With respect, 

Dan 

 

 

[Baka Gaijin]

 

[Dan tsuba]

Malcolm, well done!  Very funny!  "You get an 'ology' and your a scientist".  I am still laughing!

 

With respect,

Dan

[John A Stuart]

-ology from the Greek logos or Latin logia, knowledge of... However, you can't use another language to form a new word. The Latin for sword guard is gladium custodiam, so a study of sword guards would be something like 'custodiology'. Better, eh? John

[Dan tsuba]

John, 

 

Thank you so much for your research and knowledge about "However, you can’t use another language to form a new word". And also the about “The Latin for sword guard is gladium custodiam, so a study of sword guards would be something like 'custodiology' “.  My thought is that maybe it should be “gladium custodiamology”.??  Hey, I think that either of these is a great “new term”! 

 

However, my research suggests that “sword hilt” in latin is “capulo gladius” (I don’t know if that is correct, or if your research is the correct translation).  

 

Whatever! “custodiology” “gladium custodiamology” or maybe “capulo gladiusology”.  I like them all!  So, there you have it, a new term that will be used from now on!! Maybe we can ask forum members which term they would prefer?? Just kidding!! And having some more fun!  

 

Again, thanks for having some fun with this along with me and other members!  Much appreciated!

 

With respect, 

Dan 

[Spartancrest]

I have one problem with this - "However, you can’t use another language to form a new word". Then we can't use Latin or Greek - they are other languages, are they not? Someone will need to go back and work out the "rules" again because as with most of English, the rules don't make sense!  Some words are a blend of both Greek and Latin! Try some Anglo-Saxon or Celtic?  Trouble is they did not have "removable sword guards"  - or as we like to call them "tsuba" So any 'ology' would have to have the word "tsuba" or else it is a study of fixed guards.  - It gets technical doesn't it. 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

I guess if you arrived in some English-speaking company and told people you were interested in studying ‘guards’, you might have to explain a little further.

 

Doing a search in Japanese works better if you start with 刀 Katana, then the computer knows which world you inhabit.

 

The University of Japanese Weapons

Faculty of Katana

Dept. of Tsuba

Freshfolks Courses offered:
•Iron Tsuba 101

•Sukashi Tsuba 101

•Soft Metal Tsuba 101

 

[Spartancrest]

Ph.D. in Kawari-gata? 

[Brian]

The language can be frustrating.
As someone who knows almost no Japanese, I was constantly frustrated by arriving at antiques shops, and asking for "tsuba" or "fuchi" or "kashira" or "tosogu"
I soon came to understand that alone, without context, they have no idea what I am asking for.
If I said "katana no tsuba" then there was a flash of light in the eyes.
Perhaps our Japanese speakers can give some advice here.

[ROKUJURO]

I think (and I hope) Dan is not too serious about playing with new terms in a very specialized field of Japanese culture.

 

As in all similar fields of culture, technique or arts and crafts, you have to learn the existing vocabulary. 'Inventing' new terms would lead to a break with the basis, that is, in a dialogue about TSUBA no Japanese expert would understand what this crazy GAIJIN is saying.

Only really new technical inventions need new terminology, e.g. when the railway was new, or computer and space technology came up. But talking about 1.000 years of Japanese swords culture cannot be transferred into our Western ways of naming things, I believe.  

[Spartancrest]

Dan has used the word "fun" four times - I think he means it as just that! 

Still no one has come up with a word specifically for studying just "Tsuba" - not the all inclusive "Tosogu". This could also be extended to the exclusive study of Fuchi, Kashira, Kogai and every other minutiae of the Japanese sword. Is it the Wests fault the Japanese terms are so broad? Like as has been said, they have had over a thousand years to come up with the terminology - where is it?

 

This really is fun!  

[Spartancrest]

This years Tsubaology "Graduate" class - of one?

PS. That is a life size tsuba by the way!

[Bugyotsuji]

鍔学　鍔の研究

Tsuba-gaku, Tsuba no Kenkyū.

鍔　鐔
 

Dale, what are the dimensions? 

[Spartancrest]

Piers that is a very personal question! 

 

 The "Wall hanger" is  H. 28.5 cm x W. 25.5 cm and heavy cast iron - It was very cheap to buy but it was expensive to ship!

[Dan tsuba]

Thank you, Piers, for your translation of "Tsubaology"!

 

Although, since I am not familiar with the Japanese language is "Tsuba-gaku, Tsuba no Kenkyū." one term or is it an "either or" type choice??

 

Thanks again!

 

With respect,

Dan

[Spartancrest]

Piers, there is an "Extra Large" tsuba wall hanger here - https://www.jauce.com/auction/k1071260053  But I must say at a really inflated price, the one I bought was 1,000 yen [  https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1036014452  ] and another I have was all of 50 cents! Usually they sell for very little money because they are pure decoration and weigh a lot!  This one sold last year it had some colour highlights. - https://www.jauce.com/auction/1002761518 - as I said not much money.

 

 

 

[Steves87]

Dale, I think that seller's tape measure is older than a lot of the Tsuba we see on this forum