New Birthday Tsuba!

[Soshin]

I just wanted to share this quick photo of a new tsuba I picked up for my birthday. I haven't had a chance to photograph it and this photo was taken by the previous owner. 

The iron feels very nice in hand and design motif a classic one with an interesting variation.  I will take some of my own photos later. Feel free to discuss it politely.

 

 

 

   

[hobnails]

Nice ! Happy birthday 🥳 

[Soshin]

I was taking some better photos of the tsuba this afternoon during today's minivacation, before I was pulled away from the photo editing due to a home emergency. Don't worry, I didn't lose a fish, but sadly I no longer have a home aquarium. 

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

David,

sorry for your aquarium!

Did you try to make TSUBA photos with a dark background? Usually this enhances the contrast.

[Soshin]

Thanks Jean C.

 

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Did you try to make TSUBA photos with a dark background?

 

Yes, I have done this before for some tsuba, but for this one I decided to use a plain white background as the patina of the iron is dark and rich in color. Here is an example I did that was once in my collection. 

 

 

 

 

[Iaido dude]

Hi David. What kind of lighting did you use? I see that you are using a screen, but I can't see where the lighting source is. I've always wanted to do this kind of photography rather than what I am doing in natural sunlight (we get so much of it here in Florida).

[Soshin]

8 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

What kind of lighting did you use?

 

@Iaido dude for sword fittings I am using an array of three compact fluorescent lights with a white screen filter made by interfit. I have two of these light setups, one in a landscape and the other in a portrait format. Here is a photo of my birthday tsuba. I was terribly busy with the cleanup and water damage remediation in my basement from the aquarium leak. I was luckily it did not result in a fish death.  All fish have been rehoused. 

 

  

 

For swords I use a different setup using a single fluorescent tube light. It does a wonderful job most of the time on the shorter swords, but if the sword is too long it has its limitations.

[Iaido dude]

How would you approach the attribution of this tsuba with a variation of three paulownia leaves?

[Soshin]

On 7/27/2024 at 1:17 PM, Iaido dude said:

How would you approach the attribution of this tsuba with a variation of three paulownia leaves?

 

Yes, the design of the tsuba is an extremely popular three paulownia leaves. I purchased this tsuba from a hardcore Higo tsuba collector to round out and complete my Higo Tsuba section of my Tosogu collection. He was thinking that it is the work of the fifth generation Hayashi master, but I don't have enough knowledge and experience to make that specific of an attribution. On my website (www.tsubaotaku.com) I am going to label it as "Hayashi Ippa Tsuba (林一派鐔)". I hope you find this additional information helpful for your study.   　       

[Iaido dude]

It is a very attractive guard. Kebori is deep and even. Composition that incorporates the leaves organically into the rim and seppa-dai is aesthetically pleasing. Congratulations, David, and happy birthday. 

[Soshin]

Just wanted to let everyone know. That I added more photos of the Hayashi Ippa Tsuba (林一派鐔) tsuba to the homepage of my website here: Tsuba Otaku | Reflections of a Not So Empty Mind and enjoy. 

[Iaido dude]

Thanks, David. I have enjoyed your website immensely. Let me know if you are ever interested in letting go of any of your lovely Kanayama, Owari, Hoan, Nobuie, or Yamakichibei tsuba. 

 

I have begun Japanese lessons on Duolingo. It is a really effective method. Of course I'm also driving my family crazy, but in truth they also learn along with me.

[Soshin]

10 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

Let me know if you are ever interested in letting go of any of your lovely Kanayama, Owari, Hoan, Nobuie, or Yamakichibei tsuba.

 

If I did that, I wouldn't have a collection...  

But I have committed to purchasing a new tsuba from a long-time member of the New York Token Kai. Therefore, I will contact you via private message once I get some tsuba back from Japan that are getting custom boxes made after passing NBTHK shinsa.

 

10 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

I have begun Japanese lessons on Duolingo. It is a really effective method. Of course I'm also driving my family crazy, but in truth they also learn along with me.

 

I fully recommend Duolingo for regular Japanese study. I would recommend talking to real people in Japanese that understand Japanese as supplemental practice. I talk sometime with my next-door neighbor who is Chinese from Taiwan, and he enjoys it in addition to my wife who is Japanese. I have been using it for a little less than a year and on a 285-day streak. My username is @DavidStile4 anyone on NMB feel free to add me as a friend on the app so we can encourage each other.         

[Iaido dude]

No worries. I can't afford to acquire more than one tsuba at a time, but like you I only add excellent and high end pieces to my collection.

 

I have been using studying Japanese on Duolingo every day for about a week. I aspire to have your study streak!

 

Would you kindly take a look at the Kanzan sensei hakogoki for translation help? It's supposed to have come with a tsuba attributed to (den) Kanayama by NTBHK, but I don't recognize the kanji for Kanayama in the calligraphy. It's possible that it is on the lid (this is a tsuba that I am considering). The rim appears rounded (maybe round-cornered square) and the size is 73.4 x 72.4, which makes me think it is more likely Kyo-Sukashi

--something that may have come up in shinsa. I wonder if the hakogaki provides a clue, although I suspect is says something about rice cakes as a motif.

 

[Soshin]

9 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

No worries. I can't afford to acquire more than one tsuba at a time, but like you I only add excellent and high end pieces to my collection.

@Iaido dude That is a smart way to go. Try to slowly collect nice quality pieces that interest you in diverse ways such as artistically and historically.  

 

 

I don't see any Kanji about Kanayama (金山) or Kyō-Sukashi (京透). There might not be any attribution on this box as to the group that made this tsuba. I can read some characters off-hand not referring to any references on the far left as you face the box. Some of the other characters towards the middle a clear photo might help, but others are likely better than me at this.  

Maru-gata (丸形), Tetsu-ji (鉄地), ??

 

Mumei (無銘)

[Iaido dude]

Thanks, David. I suspect that the cover has the attribution written on it. I'm going to pass on this one, as a spectacular and powerful Ohno (my first) that was just offered to me is now in the process of being purchased from Choshuyo. It is a Karuma motif identical to the one on your website, but a bit earlier and easily mistaken for a thickish Kanayama. Probably late Momoyama based on features including abundant tekkotsu and a very rustic appearance. The Karuma itself is sunken by 3 mm from the 7 mm rim, which is quite dramatic. Ohno are massive in that way in their appearance.