Help/opinions on F/K

[Stever]

Hi folks,

 

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm having a hard enough time with sword kantei practice that the prospect of figuring out the seemingly myriad world of tosogu is overwhelming to say the least.

 

This leads me to my query. I have a fairly nice-looking tsuka as part of an otherwise undistinguished koshirae (blade's not much to speak of, either) that I'm interested in finding out more about, if possible. To this end, here are a whole load of pictures in the hopes that someone might be able to tell me something (anything!) about the pieces (fuchi/kashira in particular). Materials used, possible school/maker, and age estimates would be hugely appreciated.

 

Thanks,

steve r

 

p.s. apologies for the poor focus on some images, my hands shake too much; I must invest in a tripod some day!

[Stever]

continued...

[Stever]

Darn it! Thought I'd sized them so they'd fit. Sorry 'bout that...

 

Haha! Fixed it!

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hi folks,

 

I'm hoping someone can help me.

 

.......in the hopes that someone might be able to tell me something (anything!) about the pieces (fuchi/kashira in particular). Materials used..... .

 

Thanks,

steve r

 

 

The article linked below is a place to begin, and should give you a pretty good idea about materials used.

 

http://www.nihon-kogeikai.com/TEBIKI-E/4.html

 

 

Franco

[Stever]

Thanks, very interesting info on that site, but not *quite* what I'm looking for. I hoping someone can give me info about these pieces specifically. For instance, what's the quality like (decent, or do they totally suck?), what do they depict, are they likely originals or copies, are they shakudo-based, or something else, what school might they come from? Any such info would be hugely appreciated.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Steve, The type of fittings you have there are a very common type that you see quite often on lower quality koshirae. They are shakudo, though the copper looking sheen is showing through the patina. These are the type of fittings I would expect to find low ranking samurai using in the Bakumatsu period. They are pretty generic. When you look at the figures, even though wear is evident, the cruditie of the features shows the quality. I notice that your kashira has been wrapped into the tsuka without shitodome. Just your average set, nothing special but not bad so they don't suck at all. John

[Bungo]

this is detail.................

 

http://www.esnips.com/doc/ca386f80-c1e4 ... ai-fuchi-2

 

milt the ronin

[Stever]

Great. Thanks, John, for the info and Milt, the example, exactly what I was looking for. That example is fantastic, Milt! I guess I need to look around your esnips a little more.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Milt, That's a keeper. Got the kashira for it? John

[Bungo]

Hi Milt, That's a keeper. Got the kashira for it? John

 

I bought the " set " from Walberg........... but I don't think it's the " mate ", very close but not original set.

 

http://www.esnips.com/doc/f0f191f1-e4e8 ... ai-kashira

 

milt the ronin

[John A Stuart]

Hi Milt, The use of metals seems to be a little different, but the quality is on par. Marky Mark has some nice stuff available sometimes. I would have went for that set if it was within my means. Good'un. John

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hi Milt, That's a keeper. Got the kashira for it? John

 

I bought the " set " from Walberg........... but I don't think it's the " mate ", very close but not original set.

 

http://www.esnips.com/doc/f0f191f1-e4e8 ... ai-kashira

 

milt the ronin

 

Hey Milt,

 

kashira is very interesting work, you have to get after Mark to find the mate

 

Franco