Justin Grant Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Another Newbie question. I have a tsuba, and it has what appear to be hearts in the corners. The tsuba I have is in my uneducated opinion, not old, but a somewhat modern version. My question is, I have looked at a lot of tsuba, and few have the hearts, is this a school of design, or does it signify something different? Photo of mine. Thanks, Justin Quote
Brian Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Do a Google search for "boar's eye" or inome. http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&sa ... =&aq=f&oq= Brian Quote
sanjuro Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Inome or the boar's eye, does not waver from its enemy once the boar has committed to the charge. Quote
paulb Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Here is another Boars eye example they occur quite often in many schools and traditions Quote
Stephen Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Here is another Boars eye example And Mickey Mouse!!! Quote
paulb Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Stephen, your not the first to see Mickey mouse in this piece (design not maker). Of course coming from the other side of the pond we tend not to recognise Disney so quickly :D I bought this tsuba many years ago, in fact it was the first ever thing I bought from AOI-Art. swpped it for something and then it has recently come back to me. Nothing special but it has something that appeals (I dont think it is the MM connection) cheers Paul Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 2, 2010 Author Report Posted March 2, 2010 Thanks for the education. I assume mine is a "modern" or Showa period piece? Quote
paulb Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Hi Justin, Although difficult to tell from the image provided, I think you are probably right and it is a late piece. Other fittings specialists on the board can confirm this with more authority than me. regards Paul Quote
John A Stuart Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Although I can't comment on the age of this tsuba, it is a suaka tachi type tsuba, and quite simple. You have a kabutogane also in tachi or handachi style with a replacement for the sarute. A pic of the whole koshirae would help. John Quote
sanjuro Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 I hate myself for being an opportunist, but if you develop an inclination to sell that tsuba I would appreciate a chance to acquire it. Now I'll probably get into trouble for suggesting such a thing in the middle of a discussion. Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 2, 2010 Author Report Posted March 2, 2010 Although I can't comment on the age of this tsuba, it is a suaka tachi type tsuba, and quite simple. You have a kabutogane also in tachi or handachi style with a replacement for the sarute. A pic of the whole koshirae would help. John The item is being shipped to me as we speak (type) and I will have detail pictures this week. This is the only other picture I have. Why put Tachi parts on it? All new to me, but I am the human sponge. Quote
Brian Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Justin, I'd like to see a pic of the nakago... Brian Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 2, 2010 Author Report Posted March 2, 2010 Justin,I'd like to see a pic of the nakago... Brian Hi Brian- I will get that tomorrow night, just checked the shipping, and it is slated for delivery tomorrow! I am told it is unsigned, 1700's era blade, faint light forging line is visable. To be honest, I am expecting the worst! Here are a few other non-discript photos. All I have not related to the tuska, tsuba, etc. Quote
Stephen Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 think were all hoping its not what we think it is. Quote
drbvac Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Did you spend a whole lot of money on it? Was it purchased from a known dealer or on e-bay? Stephen may have hinted at what could be not really great news when in hand. Quote
Gabriel L Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 And Mickey Mouse!!! What? Refers back to photo HAHAHAHA! Unfortunately I have my doubts re: Justin's sword... I'll reserve judgment for now though. Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 2, 2010 Author Report Posted March 2, 2010 Did you spend a whole lot of money on it? Was it purchased from a known dealer or on e-bay? Stephen may have hinted at what could be not really great news when in hand. I purchased it from an antiques dealer in San Franciso. I have two weeks to return it if it is not an old handmade blade. He stated his "Sword Expert" validates all of the swords that come through his shop as handmade and machine made. His "Expert" said it was made in the 1700's and redone inn the current era in the current mounts. If this happens to be a cheap knock-off (Chinese Made) or a machine made blade he will return my money. I have this in e-mail and in conversation. I paid under $800 for it, so I don't expect a national treasure, but a decent conversation piece. As my knowledge grows, I can aquire better versions. What do I need to look at to validate that it is not a knock-off or machine made? I am more interested in the blade and the mounts are secondary. Holding my breath.... Justin Quote
Stephen Posted March 2, 2010 Report Posted March 2, 2010 Justin inhale exhale, it wont change it, we will look at the pix you take, right now from the wrap it looks like a Chinese knock off. I hope I'm wrong, you have a return policy this is good. Quote
Lee Bray Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 I've always wondered at the artistic license needed to translate a boar's eye into the heart shaped hole we see on koshirae. Having seen many a boar's eye in person, they look nothing like a heart, they're just regular shaped eyes. The snout(nose), on the the other hand, looks remarkably similar. Quote
John A Stuart Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 Hi Lee, I have always likened it to the eye with the wedge taken out as in manga. Remember Astroboy? John Quote
Lee Bray Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 "Remember Astroboy?" No, but I'll do some searching and take a look. Thanks for your interpretation of inome. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 What do I need to look at to validate that it is not a knock-off or machine made? Books. You need to study before you buy swords, seriously. The sword looks very much like a Chinese piece made yesterday. The antique dealer in San Francisco with a validating expert sounds fishy also; beware. Buy books and study. Attend sword shows and study. Ask to see collections and study. Study first; then buy swords. Grey Quote
Jean Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 If you are interested in nihonto, never buy one before handling one hundred real ones Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 3, 2010 Author Report Posted March 3, 2010 I understand what you are saying. While I do not have the "experience" most of you have, I knew enough to stay away from e-bay, and other "auction" sites. I spoke to the owner of this company several times, and he assured me this was not a Chinese knock-off before I purchased it, and if it was discovered to be a fake or modern production item, unlike his "expert" assured him, I can return it. He has been in business for many, many years with a retail store. If I was close, I would have had it in had before purchase, however, this was not an option, he is on the left coast, and I am in Indiana. I also know for what I paid, I am not going to get a national treasure, but a decent sword. It will be here around 3pm my time, and I will post pictures of it tonight. I will look at the nakago, and other indicators listed on the top of this site to rule out the obvious indicators of a fake. I do appreciate the kind words, and support, I don't want to be one of the masses by purchasing junk sold as history. Like all newbie in a hobby, I have a lot of learning to do. No disrespect intended, you all are way ahead of me, but I will learn! Justin Grant http://www.stardustracing.com http://www.nitroallstars.com Quote
Jean Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 Justin, I have been collecting objects in different field for years. At the beginning, mistakes are unavoidable. Here in Nihonto you have the advantage of having found a forum which shall help you to avoid further ones and in this you are lucky. The only lessons you have just learnt is to never buy anything (furniture, silverware ...) from this antiques dealer not because he has sold you a junk but because he does not know his job Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 3, 2010 Author Report Posted March 3, 2010 Thanks Jean- Unfortunately, I found this site after I made my purchase. I will hope, actually, pray, this is not a knock-off, and that I dodged a bullet. However, I know I have an option to return it and start over. I will be sure to post pictures tonight! Jg Quote
Mark Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 Justin I live near Toledo Ohio, and there are other collectors in Indiana, also you are close to Chicago so you should plan to attend the show there. Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 3, 2010 Author Report Posted March 3, 2010 I took the tsuka off and took these photos of the nakago. The homon is faint, and straight as indicated earlier. What other pictures do we need? Mostly interested in knowing if this is a knock-off, stamped, etc. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted March 3, 2010 Report Posted March 3, 2010 Nakago looks real. How about a pic of the tsuka, tsuba,kissaki, and overall of the bare blade. Grey Quote
Justin Grant Posted March 3, 2010 Author Report Posted March 3, 2010 The blade photographs horribly .... Quote
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