Collecting Tsuba seems addictive? How many do you have? On how many years?

[Kantaro]

I am a newbie in Tsuba collecting and already have 7 Tsuba in 2 weeks so I was wondering how many members have who are collecting for years?

(I do understand it is about the quality and not the quantity and I do not want to end as Jan. (see Bruce))

Collecting Tsuba seems more addictive than for example collecting swords or knives?

Maybe because Tsuba are smaller and cheaper?

Do you agree that collecting Tsuba is addictive?

If so, do you have a system to counter this where you say for example  "I try to keep 50 Tsuba max from a specific school and if want one more I sell one so I always keep my 50 best ? Or do you keep everything you buy and are interested in everything?

I do understand you keep quiet if the wife reads along.

 

Happy with ALL comment.

 

Kind regards.

[Jake6500]

For me, I currently have 8 tsuba in total. It didn't take me long to get a taste of the mid to higher price range stuff.

 

*EDIT: Basically now that I have a bit more of a sense of quality, I have started aiming for quality. Otherwise I would have more tsuba than 8 by now. I have started to purchase more expensive items than when I started.

 

I also collect based on design themes. For example I have a collection of Noh theatre tsuba I'm building, a collection of Hollyhock leaf, a collection of Japanese gods, etc. Planning to start a Lion tsuba set also, though my attempt to kick start this backfired last night...*

 

I got my first tsuba only at the start of this year but my academic interest in Japanese history long pre-dates this and my interest in tsuba sort of came from there.

[Spartancrest]

Guilty of having around 300 - please make me stop!  

 

Not so many when you spread it over forty years! 

 

Nothing compared to some early collectors like A.H. Church 

[Jake6500]

4 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

Guilty of having around 300 - please make me stop!  

 

Not so many when you spread it over forty years! 

 

8x40=320

 

Sounds about right 

 

 

[Deez77]

I think collecting anything can be addictive...well in my experience at least. Availability and price certainly have an impact on the number of pieces I've collected to date. I personally prefer to focus on school(s) as a primary deciding factor...and on motif (within those schools) as a secondary factor when picking up (or passing on) pieces. That has kept me pretty motivated over the years. 

 

Regards

 

Damon

[Bugyotsuji]

Guilty on all charges, M'Lud....

 

About 20 years ago, someone gave me a box of around 20 starter tsuba, with a representative of this, that and the other thing. Having gone through various phases, adding anything that came along, and having owned perhaps 100~150 at one time or another, I may finally be reaching a garden paradise, with shishi running among the peonies, a place where certain tsuba which really appeal to me begin to shine out from the rest. I could gladly downsize now.

 

Has my tsuba eye been opened?

[Jake6500]

21 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Guilty on all charges, M'Lud....

 

About 20 years ago, someone gave me a box of around 20 starter tsuba, with a representative of this, that and the other thing. Having gone through various phases, adding anything that came along, and having owned perhaps 100~150 at one time or another, I may finally be reaching a garden paradise, with shishi running among the peonies, a place where certain tsuba which really appeal to me begin to shine out from the rest. I could gladly downsize now.

 

Has my tsuba eye been opened?

 

Don't say Shishi today, it makes me remember yesterday's auction 

 

I was gunna win a really nice tsuba and the seller killed the listing in the last minute lol

[Tohagi]

Hi,

 

That's a good question, I Nevers counted... that's probably a sign of guiltyness.

 

I probably have a dozen tsubas, but only a few papered and maybe only two high rank. 

 

...almost nothing compared to Spartancrest.

 

Best regards, 

 

Éric VD 

[Spartancrest]

28 minutes ago, Tohagi said:

...almost nothing compared to Spartancrest.

I am trying to taper off - trying to specialise only on Kawari-gata now - I can't go completely cold turkey! 

 

PS. A.H. Church was a liar, he had over 1,286 that he left to the Ashmolean Museum alone!

[Dan tsuba]

Hey Paris,

 

A great question!

 

I try to collect different motifs.  I only have 6 tsuba that are the same motif. 

 

2 are the same tsuba, and then I have 2 sets of daisho tsuba.

 

I have been collecting these small works of art now for about 5 years.

 

I think I have about 150 of them (only 2 of them papered, and I really lucked out on getting those!).

 

And for me tsuba collecting is kind of addicting!

 

My system for countering this addiction is to not spend more than I can afford for a tsuba that I want to purchase.  Usually if I keep looking, I will find the tsuba I want in my price range.

 

I also keep everything I buy and am interested in anything.

 

So much to learn, so little money, and not a lot of time left (I am well into my 70's - oh well!).

 

Onward to more tsuba adventures my friend!

[Okan]

Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem. 

 

For serious collectors, a collection should evolve with personal taste, which requires knowledge to develop. That’s why the first piece of advice you’ll hear is to invest in books. This principle applies to various fields, whether it’s swords, ukiyo-e, ceramics, or others.

 

Some collectors might purchase ten tsuba for $1,000, while others might choose to buy only one for the same amount or even much much more. It all comes down to personal taste, as long as you understand what you’re buying and why. Self-education is very important to distinguish between a $1,000 tsuba and a $100 one. 

 

There are also individuals who don’t feel a need to collect items but instead focus on research and knowledge. For example, Markus Sesko(who is a very big deal) owns only one tsuba, which was gifted to him.

 

Hope this helps! I wrote this with "swords" in mind, but the same principles apply to tsuba collecting as well.

 

 

[GeorgeLuucas]

I think anything you truly enjoy has the potential to become addictive. Whether that be collecting tsuba or even something less tangible like studying Japanese art. 
 

I don’t think I have an addiction, but my wife might say otherwise - as I pace back and forth between my computer and my books with much of my free time .

 

Like mentioned above, IMO, the key is not hoarding, keeping things in perspective, and trying to improve my knowledge and collection. Collect pieces, don’t collaborate items. 
 

Anyway, I only have 3 or 4 Tsuba I ended up with over the last 5ish years of collecting. I enjoy them, but I’m trying to focus on blades instead.  
 

Cheers,

-Sam 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

On the other hand, you could spend all your spare cash on cigarettes and alcohol, and/or on soft drugs. 

 

End up with... a colorful character perhaps, with strong views on the world, but a decrepit body.

 

Now, which would a wife prefer?

[GeorgeLuucas]

"Honey, it's really up to you. Japanese art, or a deadbeat husband."

Just kidding of course,
My wife is very supportive... patient..

-Sam

[Toryu2020]

Took me many years but I found a sword that checked off many boxes for me, so now while I enjoy looking at swords I no longer have the compulsion to buy. Tsuba are another thing, I would say yes they are addictive, especially since I started to focus on sword-maker tsuba, my tsuba drawer is now full and I am not sure how many I have.

 

The idea of my wife reading this forum is hilarious to me, she would rather have her eyes put out I think than read about sword collecting...

 

-t

[kissakai]

I have bought 499 over the last 12 years

Sold some and I'm just starting to cull the collection

 

[ZH1980]

I’ve been collecting for almost two years and just bought my 50th tsuba! I’m still missing some key schools/groups, but love the hunt. 
 

-Zac

[Dan tsuba]

Zachary,

 

Well stated my friend!

 

I love the hunt also  (for tsuba within my price range)!  It is exciting and a big part of my enjoyment of tsuba collecting!

 

Onward, to the hunt for more tsuba!

[GeorgeLuucas]

1 hour ago, kissakai said:

I have bought 499 over the last 12 years

Sold some and I'm just starting to cull the collection

 

Culling the collection to spend big on #500?

My OCD would not allow my collection to remain at 499 for very long 

[kissakai]

Exactly my thoughts

A NMB member will be sending me some images when he gets the time

 

[Dan tsuba]

Hello all,

 

Okan stated-

 

“Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem.”

 

So, let’s see.  In my opinion Okan may be alluding to the fact that Zachary (50 tsuba), Piers (100 to 150 tsuba at one time or another), me (with 150 tsuba), Dale (with 300 tsuba), and Sam (499 tsuba) are not true collectors because we are just “hoarders” and just buy tsuba to boost our self-esteem.

 

What am I missing? 

 

Not wanting this great thread to get locked by Brian (as many of my contributions to other threads have made them to get locked).

 

But how come nobody has responded to Okan and his opinion?

 

Or I may just be overthinking this!  Let Okan say what he wants, ignore it, and move on!

 

That is also a valid option!

 

Oh well, I just bought another tsuba within my price range on the internet!

 

Hurrah!

 

 

[Kantaro]

I wonder if A.H. Church was lying to his wife?

[GeorgeLuucas]

Dan, 

 

Okan’s comment got many likes, a thanks, and your confused react. Many of us showed our support of his statements with our ‘reacts’. Personally I didn’t think his statement warranted a reply, because his comment was concise and well thought out. 

 

I think we’re all just expressing our interpretation of the question. And sharing our own personal “rules” for our own collections. Nobody is passing judgments on other peoples collections here. How could we? We can’t see them .

 

I don’t presume anyone here is hoarding tsuba. I was just expressing what I personally want to avoid - during my individual collecting journey. 

 

Cheers,

-Sam 

[Dan tsuba]

Thank you Sam for your thoughts.

 

Your reply was well thought out (although I still think Okan was alluding to the fact of collecting too many tsuba, and of those that do being "hoarders" and only doing it to boost their self-esteem).

 

But those are just my thoughts, and I could be wrong!

 

Oh well, no worries my friend!

 

The collecting journey continues!

 

Like I said before, I just bought another nice tsbua on the internet to add to my collection.  That will make about 151 tsuba in my collection!

 

Anyway-

 

Thank you and, 

 

With respect,

Dan

 

 

 

 

[Jake6500]

2 hours ago, Dan tsuba said:

Hello all,

 

Okan stated-

 

“Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem.”

 

So, let’s see.  In my opinion Okan may be alluding to the fact that Zachary (50 tsuba), Piers (100 to 150 tsuba at one time or another), me (with 150 tsuba), Dale (with 300 tsuba), and Sam (499 tsuba) are not true collectors because we are just “hoarders” and just buy tsuba to boost our self-esteem.

 

What am I missing? 

 

Not wanting this great thread to get locked by Brian (as many of my contributions to other threads have made them to get locked).

 

But how come nobody has responded to Okan and his opinion?

 

Or I may just be overthinking this!  Let Okan say what he wants, ignore it, and move on!

 

That is also a valid option!

 

Oh well, I just bought another tsuba within my price range on the internet!

 

Hurrah!

 

 

 

I didn't take it that way Dan. I think what Okan was saying is simply that collectors learn about what they buy and know what they have. This is different than buying for the sake of buying, without the impetus to learn about tsuba.

 

If you have that desire to learn for a sustained and extended period and to know what you have, you are a collector not a hoarder regardless if your collection amounts to 1 or 1000.

 

Additionally I think part of his point is that the quality that defines a collector IS the extent of that knowledge, hence the reference to a collector with a collection of 1.

[Dan tsuba]

Thanks Jake!

 

Well we alll have our own opinions.

 

I just don't see Okan's statement in that way.

 

"Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem. "

 

Oh well, no big deal!

 

I still bought my about 151st tsuba on the internet,

Hurrah,

 

With respect,

Dan

 

[Jake6500]

3 minutes ago, Dan tsuba said:

Thanks Jake!

 

Well we alll have our own opinions.

 

I just don't see Okan's statement in that way.

 

"Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem. "

 

Oh well, no big deal!

 

I still bought my about 151st tsuba on the internet,

Hurrah,

 

With respect,

Dan

 

 

I took this to mean "knowledge makes the collector not volume" as opposed to the interpretation of "don't have a budget". I can kind of see why you've taken it the other way but I really don't think that was the intention.

[Dereks]

3 hours ago, Dan tsuba said:

Hello all,

 

Okan stated-

 

“Shopping can become an addiction, but collecting itself is not. For the true collector, a collection serves as a form of self-expression. Hoarders, on the other hand, often feel a compulsive need to acquire as many items as possible within their budget to boost their self-esteem.”

 

So, let’s see.  In my opinion Okan may be alluding to the fact that Zachary (50 tsuba), Piers (100 to 150 tsuba at one time or another), me (with 150 tsuba), Dale (with 300 tsuba), and Sam (499 tsuba) are not true collectors because we are just “hoarders” and just buy tsuba to boost our self-esteem.

 

What am I missing? 

 

Not wanting this great thread to get locked by Brian (as many of my contributions to other threads have made them to get locked).

 

But how come nobody has responded to Okan and his opinion?

 

Or I may just be overthinking this!  Let Okan say what he wants, ignore it, and move on!

 

That is also a valid option!

 

Oh well, I just bought another tsuba within my price range on the internet!

 

Hurrah!

 

 

 

Dan,

 

Did you read his thoughts closely? He explains the difference between collecting and hoarding, advises a beginner to learn first and develop his taste before building a collection, and warns against buying everything in sight. He doesn’t label someone with 1,000 tsuba as a hoarder. (Don’t get me wrong, but could it be that it bothers you maybe because you see yourself that way?)

 

He is also a genuinely nice person, with a very nice collection, and patiently helps beginners like me. Sorry to say but no one will ignore his thoughts just because you said so. 

[Dan tsuba]

Oh well my friends,

 

Let's not go there!

 

I don't want Brian to lock this great thread!

 

I am backing out of this discussion!

 

But like I said, I am happy to have purchased my 151st tsuba!

 

It should be delivered from Japan in about 2 weeks!

 

Hurrah!

[Bugyotsuji]

I didn’t react because there is an element of truth in it. I am probably not yet a pure collector, as there is also a hoarder aspect to my collecting, although the ‘to boost self-esteem’ comment did cause me to do a little double-take!

 

If I find something nice I like to post it, and of course I’m happy to get positive reactions. Naturally I also give plenty of upvotes to things others post if they please me.

 

I suppose Gollum is the consummate hoarder… “My precioussss!”