Peter Bleed Posted June 9, 2012 Report Posted June 9, 2012 Dear Friends, When did Japanese kinko begin coating brass with "white" metal? I am looking at a tachi tsuba of brass with "silver" dai-seppa. These -below the grunge and tarnish - are high gloss, but they show a couple of abrasions that reveal a brass core? When did such plating begin? Thank you in advance! Peter Quote
docliss Posted June 10, 2012 Report Posted June 10, 2012 For what it's worth, electroplating of silver and gold in a cyanide solution was introduced in Europe ca 1839/40. When it was introduced into Japan I am afraid that I know not. John L. Quote
Peter Bleed Posted June 10, 2012 Author Report Posted June 10, 2012 John, Thanks for the comment. The sword I am looking at could be Meiji-era, but there are elements that make me want to believe that it could be late Edo. Is electro-plating the only/best way of creating a "silver" finish? Furthermore, the fittings of this tachi are also smooth, no nanako, no karakusa, not even ishimei. Where shiny kodogu "right" for tachi - - - before tourists were buying them in Yokohama? Since I am writing, let me also mention that my piece of Namban tsuba - with sincere expressions of gratitude to you - is due to appear in Man At Arms later this summer. Peter Quote
docliss Posted June 10, 2012 Report Posted June 10, 2012 Peter, sincerest congratulations on the forthcoming publication - I look forward to reading it. With thanks, John L. Quote
Alan Morton Posted June 11, 2012 Report Posted June 11, 2012 Hi all, It could be done with a silver and mercury amalgam . It is the ideal question for Ford to answer with any accuracy. Alan Quote
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