And the award for fugliest tsuba is.......

[KungFooey]

.... this little fella.

 

Must have made some samurai look really kickass back in the day. 

[moriarty]

Looking at the state of preservation, I think such samurai didn't wear if for too long 🤣

[ROKUJURO]

No, it was certainly never close to a SAMURAI!

 

If you could touch it, it might probably still be warm from the press....

[Dan tsuba]

This is a modern copy (made last week-or yesterday?) of probably an original that must be in a museum somewhere?

 

I wonder if Spartancrest can help out with his vast knowledge and expertise of museum pieces?

[GeorgeLuucas]

It almost looks designed to sit perfectly on that plastic display stand 

[vajo]

[Kurikata]

https://collections....-toes-nara-masayoshi

[Spartancrest]

Chris has the image of this one https://www.bonhams....5-1868-19th-century/

 

https://www.bonhams....7-1878-19th-century/

 

https://www.fromjapa...o/input/x1120193756/   [copy]

 

https://www.city.ner.../nerima_0421_all.pdf

 

 

Special exhibition of collection items
Sword fittings - Nakayama Collection - Exhibition
Date: April 28th (Sat) - June 3rd (Sun)  2012
Venue: 2nd floor special exhibition room, free admission

A collection of about 120 sword fittings with diverse designs, including Edo-period tsuba such as the ogre-shaped tsuba (photo), which Nakayama Akira, a resident of the ward, has collected over the years.

 

 

[Andi B.]

[Spartancrest]

https://clip.cafe/th...s-getting-better-no/

 

I actually thought I had the ugliest tsuba - but I will happily settle for second place. 

[KungFooey]

Oh my word! 
I honestly thought it came direct from "Mr Chang's Workshop of Bronze Abominations"!

I had no idea it was actually based on Japanese originals - my world is falling around my ears. 😩😩😩

 

Dee

[Spartancrest]

Side by side, close-ish? Raised seppa-dai and cast in mei on the fake [why bother?]

[off topic but the 'original' has tiger skin pants - very fetching ]

[vajo]

Dale that was the tsuba of Thierry Bernard in that thread. The picture of my posting was from the auction house Zacke. The bonhams picture is maybe the same tsuba but the coloring of the picture is total different. 

[Stephen]

Dee I see your fugi and raise you even fugier

[Spartancrest]

https://www.houdini.se/?h=17291019  I am a little confused by the company selling this one 

5 left22,500 yen

(697 points back!)

  Five left? This is a very rare design iron tsuba with a demon-shaped cloth inlay. Iron tsuba? 

[RichardP]

I think Pietro’s entry is the one to beat:

 

[KungFooey]

On 12/20/2024 at 3:51 PM, Stephen said:

Dee I see your fugi and raise you even fugier

You've outfuglied me completely!!! 🤣

[KungFooey]

OK, now I've got to get real serious and bring back my ace in the hole - the 'JB Weld enhanced tsuba'!!!

 

Dee

[ROKUJURO]

Typical ÔMORI style! It could be restored easily if you have a belt grinder! It is only brazed-on copper, I think!