Cost and Availability of Tsuba boxes.

[roger dundas]

Trusting this is the place to once more bring up the topic of the cost or availability of tsuba boxes.

 

Has anyone else noticed the wide variation in asking prices for these boxes and to my mind, some are very expensive.

Depending on how many in the lot- just one, five or ten, prices vary from US$69.30 plus shipping of US$25 for just one, another was US$111.11 plus US$20 for shipping, reducing to US$105.55 each for two, US$104.44 for three plus shipping.

Another, a lot of ten was US$190 in total plus shipping US$78.50 or $19 each plus $7.85 each for shipping which is only US$26.85 each.   Another lot of ten was US$228, shipping free which means $22.80 total cost each. Ten sold recently for US$209 plus $86.36 shipping; a total of US$29.54 each. Pillows are included with all of the boxes I believe.

Now that is how I read it. But the other big factor is the conversion rate from U.S dollars to our or your local currancy.

It makes these boxes very expensive here at this time.

Roger j

[Steves87]

yep, since the first day I started collecting Roger.

In some cases, you can literally buy a "sub-par" Tsuba which comes with a free box, for less than you can buy an empty box!! And I must admit, I have done this in the past. 

Generally speaking about boxes, Japanese Kiri boxes are top quality, even the lesser ones are still above average. When you add in cushioning, there is a warranted reason for the (reasonable) cost.

I am a bit of a self-confessed box enthusiast; I collect, refurbish and sell carved wooden boxes/chests and I have seen so much differing quality and construction over the years.

[Spartancrest]

https://www.jauce.com/auction/p1074950270  A nice storage box set that would hold ten guards - but no cushions. 

 

https://www.jauce.com/user/qqs499aqk?search=tsuba+box  a heap of boxes here some with, some without cushions and boxes for other fittings - they seem to be around $12 - $25 + shipping

 

Roger do you live in an area that has a "Mens Shed"? There are a lot down here in Tassie and they can make just about anything in wood - just an idea.

[vajo]

 

[JohnTo]

I started putting my loose tsuba in cd jewel cases, making tailored linings.  Cheap, about £1 each.  Got a lot of stick from some nmb members when I posted how to do it.  Have been using Kiri boxes for my most treasured tsuba, but expensive.  Buying in bulk (10) Japan was cheaper, but incurred import taxes, so price went up to £23 each.  Got some secondhand ones from a nice dealer in the us and have great fun making new liners, without sharp nails to fix the posts.  Getting rather slick at making them with tailored linings to fit individual tsuba.  My advice, buy some cheap secondhand ones on Jauce (haven’t tried the site myself) and refit the inserts. Relaxing on a cold winter’s day.

regards, john

 

 

[roger dundas]

I noticed last night on e-bay, 5 box lots of tsuba boxes at a lower cost than before if anyone is interested.

Because my brain is old and doesn't always retain details I can't remember or tell you exactly what the prices were. Sorry about that.

Later- just looked again : 5 boxes with cushions US$110. , free shipping. 

e-bay # 195294535328.

Roger j

[reinhard]

Prices for kiribako vary strongly, because their quality varies strongly.

You get what you pay for..

It doesn't make sense to order a high-end, custom-made kiribako for a mediocre tsuba.

Average workmanship will do.

If you want to store a genuine Kano Natsuo tsuba you should go for the best there is, and you will find it only at high costs.

 

reinhard

[roger dundas]

Makes very good sense Reinhard.

Roger j

[raaay]

Hi Roger ,  a few  years since I bought some , just got a friend to bring some back from his Japan trip , all with extra cushion/pillows  and they were all under £8 each, all from Namikawa Heibei .

[YOJIMBO]

I don't have a single box.  I sold them all.  I find it unnecessary.