Iron Bones...

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

Here is a composite of three different photos I taken of a tsuba in my collection. I invested in a completely new digital camera, lens, tripod, and head to take the photos. The design of this Yamakichibei tsuba is of a dragonfly kachimushi (勝虫) made in part by the kozuka-hitsu ana facing a pine tree done in Ko-sukashi (小透). The surface has nice hammer marks Tsuchime Ji (槌目地). The patina sabi (寂) is also very dark brown-black indicative of Edo period Yamakichibei gimei (偽銘) copy from Owari Province. Granular iron bones tekkotsu (鉄骨) are present all along the rim and in some places on the surface of the tsuba itself. The measurements are 7.0 cm X 6.5 cm and 3.0 mm at the rim but thinner at the seppa-dai. Comments and questions are welcome about the photos or the tsuba. :D

 

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Henry Wilson]

Hi David

 

They are nice pictures. The effort you are making is paying off. Well done!! :D

 

Here is a gimei Yamakichibei.

http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/BM%20Y ... 0Tsuba.htm

 

What makes you think your tsuba is gimei? I would say it is koba saku(工場作).

[raven2]

Gimei or not, I think it is a very nice piece, David.

[Soshin]

Hi Henry W. and Fred D.,

 

I purchased it over a year ago from a dealer who is also my broker to submit things to the NBTHK. I didn't pay much for it at all sigificately less then the gimei example sitied by Henry. When I use the term "gimei" I should have used quotes. As you are correct Herny only in the eyes of the NTHK and NBTHK is it considered a gimei. In historical reality it was likely a early Edo Period Yamakichibei school work. Thanks again for the comments and discussion.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

I resized this image as well of this other Yamakichibei tsuba I have with wonderful iron bones. This tsuba unlike the last one was never submitted by the NBTHK for shinsa. Enjoy... :D

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Rich T]

As you are correct Herny only in the eyes of the NTHK and NBTHK is it considered a gimei.

Yours truly,

David Stiles

 

Heaven forbid David the NBTHK or either of the NTHK's would know what they are doing............. why do you bother with shinsa ?

 

And I am having a hard time seeing the Wonderful bones you have indicated. It looks to my eye like a rust pitted mimi.

 

Rich

[kusunokimasahige]

Quick question : Why is it called bones ? I dont see any resemblance with bone material...

 

 

KM

[Soshin]

Hi Rich,

 

I don't see any more rust or rust pits then what would be normal for a tsuba of its age. I submit things for the same reason everyone else does to get an educated opinion. About 99% of the time I agree with the NBTHK and NTHK. To be hosted I am never going own a real Shodai, Nidai, or Sandai Yamakichibei tsuba. This and the other tauba is about as good as it will get for me period.

 

Answer to KM question. "Iron bones" is the literal translation of the Japanese term tekkotsu. If I remember correctly.

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles

[Rich T]

you could do what most of us financially challenge people do. Sell most or all of them (keep your very best favorites) and buy one good tsuba. Then start all over again.

[Guido]

you could do what most of us financially challenge people do. Sell most or all of them (keep your very best favorites) and buy one good tsuba. Then start all over again.

[b.hennick]

That worked for me with swords. Someday I will prune the tsuba collection down and buy one or two very good ones. When I think about how much i have spent over the years on tsuba I could have had a couple of really good ones. (Don't worry Ford I count yours among the keepers ).

[paulb]

worked for me too. I now have probably the smallest collection of swords in Europe but wouldnt go back to what I had before!

[Soshin]

Hi Everyone,

 

I agree it often a good idea to do this once you have your sites set on a specific high end tsuba you want to add to your collection that is for sale. Here is a Saotome tsuba I can across that I really like: http://www.silk-road.us/saotome1.html. I might sell part of my collection to help fund its purchase. In regards of the two Yamakichibei copies or school work (depending on your view) I posted on the NMB about I will keep them as they are some of the best copies I have seen. Keeping in mind that antique copies of Yamakichibei tsuba are not that uncommon.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David Stiles