I have been a long time fan and practitioner of martial arts and recently got into studying and collecting tsuba. I have a couple antiques and my most recent seems pretty unique. It has a square kogai hitsu. I have never seen this before and cant find any information on it. Any help from the experts would be appreciated. 

Thank you,

Jt

Anyone know how it is done safely?

I'd been thinking about buying an iron tsuba with some very ugly plugs (probably early 20th century add ons to make it attractive to westerners).

It is a kodai tsuba, from late in the school. Ie. Not worth really sending off to an expert.

Any advice or instructions? 

Had a pleasant surprise to see my Tsuba there!

thanks

Up for a challenge?

Does anyone want to hazard a guess as to the attributions for each of these three tsuba?

They each got a specific attribution from different sources (and one of the members here is the source for one of them), but I'm curious to see what you might suggest for each. This isn't an attempt to pass judgement on anyone's "knowledge", it's an attempt to open a discussion and have some fun with it.

Feel free to hazard a guess on any or all of them #1,2,3.

If you actually have the two set encyclopedia from Kanzan, that would be great, but It may have been published elsewhere as well.

It's in his Owari section.

A paper could easily be written just on the place in Japanese culture that tsuba take outside the role of the sword.

Some items I turned up just today:

Tabletop cabinet

Tsuba censer cover

Koro or incense burner 

Amalgam of tosogu parts as decoration

I recently acquired a small iron mokkō-gata tsuba and noticed an unusual feature: the kozuka-hitsu-ana on the omote side is not the typical oval opening but appears unusually open and almost merges with the outline of the guard.

Some details:

• iron mokkō-gata tsuba
• motif appears to show a bird with autumn vegetation (possibly maple leaves and berries)
• traces of gold inlay remain
• dimensions approx. 57 × 44 mm
• thickness approx. 2.5 mm
• weight approx. 41 g

My main question concerns the large, open kozuka-hitsu-ana. It seems much more open than what I usually see and visually becomes part of the design rather than a clearly separated aperture.

I would be very interested in your thoughts:

1. Is this type of very open or integrated kozuka-hitsu-ana known on certain tsuba?
2. Could this indicate a specific school or regional tradition (for example Mito, Nara, or a provincial Shoami workshop)?
3. Is there any functional explanation, perhaps related to a particular mounting style (e.g. horizontal carrying of a tantō)?
4. Are there documented examples in the literature (e.g. Haynes Index, Wakayama, or Token Bijutsu) showing similar pieces?

Many thanks for any insight or comparable examples!

You see some tsuba with very good carving and a price that doesn't seem to match, anyone else notice?.

May be many other reasons why someone thinks a certain type of tsuba is underrated.

Interested to see what others think before i mention my ideas.

Might give me more perspective as not really a serious tsuba collector. Over a period of time, one can build an opinion, though that opinion may be limited.

What do you think of this little one, is it consistent of Tanaka school, and the Kakihan on the ura?

Thank you in advance

Kind Regards

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/226875719520    or   https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/226875705267   

Or https://jp.mercari.com/item/m23105341320  

USD$

$23.90    Seems a large price difference?  Well factor in the shipping cost for in excess of 1.5 kg of iron!

What both sites fail to reveal is the size of this "Edo Period Antique" (Age: 1800-1849) - around 30cm or just under a foot in height, the fact that it is a wall hanging "object" is not mentioned and no view of the ura is shown either - and why don't they know which way up a tsuba should be seen? Still they did go to the trouble of removing all the factory applied patina to reveal the "silver" colour! [Oh and that is the strangest "Crane" I have ever seen!] 

I got this Tsuba in a trade with Goran Glucina about 10 years ago at the San Francisco Token Kai, and I was thinking about selling it then.   I've since decided to keep it.

A year or two after getting this Tsuba I was looking through books on Tsuba at another San Francisco Token Kai, and found what I believe was the same Tsuba pictured in a book, but because I was thinking about selling the Tsuba I decided not to buy the book.  I think the book was over $100.00 USD.

At the same show I saw a copy of my Tsuba, but it wasn't as well carved as mine.  I should have taken photos of both the book and copy of my Tsuba!

Anyway, I've bought almost a dozen Tsuba books in the hopes of find my Tsuba pictured in one of them to no avail, so it was suggested I post a picture of the Tsuba, and ask members if they could please check their books to see if my Tsuba is pictured in it?

As a guide my Tsuba is NOT in the following books, TSUBA-TAIKAN Japanese Sword Guards Sword 1935, Tsuba Kanshoki  by Torigoe Ichitaro 1975, Japanese Sword Guard Cultural History of Tsuba Book 1969 Jiichiro Hattori, Early Japanese Sword Guards Sukashi Tsuba by Sasano, Japanese Sword Guards Masterpieces from the Sasano Collection, Tsuba Kanshoki by Torigoye, 1975, Tsubas in Southern California Hardcover, Hawley, 1973, Nihon to Koza Vol. VI  Kodogu Part 1 by Harry Afu and Tsuba by Kokubo Kenichi and Monichiro Kamiya 1963.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!!!

PS. I showed my Tsuba to Robert Haynes, and he told me he thinks it's from the Northern Shoami school.

Here is something interesting to show you. A set of f/k awarded to Kamiya Dōichi, by Lord Chimura Nakashige(千村仲展) in 1868.

Who was Kamiya Dōichi:

Kamiya Dōichi(神谷道一) Known by the courtesy name Shikan and the art name Kansai. He was a Karō (Chief Retainer) of the Chimura family(Hatamoto), Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province], during the Restoration. During the Hokueutsu War (part of the Boshin War), he was dispatched as the Commander of the Second Unit. After the Restoration, he became a Negi (senior priest) at the Minami-gu National Shrine. Subsequently, he entered service in Gifu Prefecture, where he was tasked with the editing of historical records. In 1879, he became the first District Governor of Kani, and later served as the District Governor for Ena, Ono, Mashita, and Yoshiki. He resigned from office in 1885 and authored works such as the "Sekigahara Senki" (Chronicle of the Battle of Sekigahara).

Translations made by Gemini so I'm expecting some errors, but you'll get the idea.

Award for the Echigo Military Campaign. Plum Blossom Fuchi-Kashira. One Set.

Meiji 1, Year of the Earth Dragon [1868], November 15th. From the village of Kukuri in Tōnō [Eastern Mino Province]. Humbly received from Lord Chimura Nakashige. [Signed] Kamiya Dōichi.

At the time of the Meiji Restoration, the Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province] joined the Imperial Army and dispatched troops to Echigo. My ancestor, Kamiya Dōichi, served as a military inspector and fought bravely. Upon his victorious return, the Lord of the Domain, Chimura Nakashige, rewarded his distinguished service by granting him this.

From there, it was passed down to my late father, Yoshimichi. The writing remaining on the lid of this case was brushed by the old master Kansai Dōichi. Having escaped the war damages of the 20th year of Showa (1945), it still exists today. It should be deeply revered.

Recorded by his grandson, Yasuhiko.

Enjoy! 

I really like the design of the tsuba but I have trouble to identify a school. For me there are no recognizable typical features to determine a school. Diameter 70mm, thickness 3mm. Don't know if it is possible to determine. 

Hope you guys can help me.

regards, Ed

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWfMwIpGO3G/?img_index=1

from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2359109/pdf/bmj00573-0034.pdf

any thoughts appreciated

mark

I like the history inherent in this piece, the hitsu was cut after it was made, then that hole was filled possibly with a smaller hole or as a solid and then re-cut even later.

Only to be filled once again. The difference in metal colours certainly suggest there was a big time difference between each alteration. The fukurin? At what time was it added? Intriguing to me.

PS. I am not sure the kanji in the thread title are correct - still can't trust google trans! 

The one I have in my collection is a fairly common design on tsuba.

However, my tsuba has 16 petals that make up the kiku.

I have read that the 16 petal kiku is the symbol of the Imperial family of Japan and

“Only the Imperial family is allowed to use the 16-petal chrysanthemum crest on it tea cups, towels and other items.”

https://factsanddeta.../sub111/item586.html

Also,” Earlier in Japanese history, when Emperor Go-Daigo, who tried to break the power of the shogunate in 1333, was exiled, he adopted the seventeen-petalled chrysanthemum in order to differentiate himself from the Northern Court's Emperor Kōgon, who kept the imperial 16-petalled mon.“

https://en.wikipedia...perial_Seal_of_Japan

I am wondering if the 16 petal kiku tsuba I have was used by a member, retainer, or someone associated with the Imperial family?

I am thinking that if the 16 petal kiku tsuba was used by anyone else other than with someone associated with the Imperial family, than it would be a taboo thing to do and there probably would be some kind of penalty (especially in the old days of Japan)?

Anyway, just another interesting thought!

With respect,

Dan

The hornet or wasp is nicely inlaid in shakudo and gilt. 
H8.7cm W8.0cm T4mm

This tsuba left home a few years ago as part of a deal to acquire a nice sword but it recently had the opportunity to return home again …..and here it is……just for interest.
To me it’s an appealing subject artistically rendered and decent quality workmanship. What are your opinions? 
The thin iron plate has a slight ishime texture and an even dark brown patina.  
I believe the old Japanese label says something like “old pine tree wasps”…..anyone confirm?

H8.5cm W8.1cm T3.5mm at the slightly raised rim.

Its a bit of an eyesore but sentimental.

I have recently got the itch to look for a new tanto or wakazashi.

But I decided it would be better to instead upgrade / improve the current state of my 1st tanto.

The Saya definitely isn't made for the blade, the Tsuka fits surprisingly well but the ito is frayed.

Should I replace the koshirae completely?

Buy new fuchi/koshira and learn to re wrap ito? 

What do you think? Any help, tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

I’d like to share two more tsuba, one of which recently came into my hands: a Norisuke and a Chōshū Sadaie piece. As always, any thoughts or observations are very welcome.

I would like to share three tsuba that recently joined my collection: an Umetada tsuba with karakusa design (perhaps Momoyama?), a Kaga piece, and a Momoyama Heianjo. Each has a different taste and gives a slightly different feeling. Any thoughts or observations are very welcome.