Ed

Sorry, Forgot to add the link. It states he is going to add photos but it has gone to to 14K without. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270190828899&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

Hi all, I had a minute of free time and while cruising e-bay spotted this sword. Have any of you been watching this ? Seiho is undoubtedly an excellent gendai smith, and the seller while I do not know personally, is reportedly a straight up guy. Neither point having anything to do with my curiosity. I am simply surprised that it has received bids up to $14K with no photos provided, other than one of a gunto koshirae, and some info on the smith. Any comments or thoughts ?

Hi Roland, That is the correct address. It is possible that your message was in the spam folder along with a lot of junk and I accidently overlooked it prior to emptying the folder. Please send another test e-mail in order that I can get you into my accepted list.

Hi guys, Had a minute to look at the board and noticed this post. Thanks everyone for your support on my behalf. Roland, I am sorry to say that I never received your message. Even checked my spam folder to no avail. I have been a little slow to respond lately, but I never ignore my e-mails. If it is any consolation, there were 3-4 guys in line for the Kagenori. Again, my apologies.

A great read, it is an action packed samurai movie set in modern Japan. I recommend it highly. Stephen made a point to make it realistic and not another "Kill Bill" type of movie. He bought several swords from me while doing the research for the 47th Samurai and sent me a signed copy prior to its release. I was quite happy when he told me: "Your swords were the best, by the way, of the several sites I bought from, in terms of beauty and value." He is is also author of "Point of impact" which was made into the movie "Shooter" with Mark Wahlberg (not the fittings dealer). The main character "Bob Lee Swagger" is featured in both books. Again I think you guys will like it.

Congratulations. What great news, I know you are relieved. That kind of stress must be overwhelming. Best of luck on your recovery, and please keep us updated. I know people say all the time that no one cares, but that is not true, I care. God Bless.

John, Wow, nice tsuba. I really like the top one depicting the sages in Bamboo. Thanks for sharing. Ps: If you want to sell it write me. :D

Mokume tsuba made from Nanban Tettsu or foreign steel. http://yakiba.com/tsuba_nanbantetsu.htm

Hi Guys, Thanks again for the comments regarding this tsuba and the quality of the photos. I have been working hard at improving the photo quality, now if I could devise a plan to eliminate that damned dust. I was fairly certain it was inlay prior to having a closer look. Then once the macro shots were examined I felt there was no doubt. However, bowing to those senior to myself in their studies of tsuba, I keep an open mind in order to facillitate my appetition for knowledge. Curran, So with it being inlay, what are your thoughts. I am surprised there have been no comments from the other two board authorities, Rich T., and Pete K. Paul, Yes, the petal of the blossom is engraved into the seppa-dai. I added two more close-ups of that area if you want a better look at it. I don't know the original intention of the maker or owner but at some point it was mounted. You can see the outline where the seppa was in the two new photos. Thanks again for the info. Nigel, I am pretty sure it was mounted at some point(see above comment to paul). Whether or not that was the intention of the maker is speculation. Martin, I feel sure it is later work, but I personally can not guess much more than that. That is why I requested more info from my seniors. As far as selling, sorry, not this one. That is unless anyone knows how to get in touch with the two bidders/buyer from the recent Christies sale who bid $75k on that one tsuba. John, Again, I do not know specifically, but I am pretty sure it will receive a good attribution. If you look closely you will see there are some very minor patination problems. I am having it restored to it's full potential, then it will be off to shinsa in December. Once in I will update everyone. Again, any and all comments are welcome and appreciated.

Everyone, Thanks for the kind words regarding this tsuba. I am glad you liked it. If you would like to see the other side and some close ups, follow the link provided below. Curran, Sorry I couldn't reply sooner, we were having server issues last evening and I could not log on. Your question regarding inlay or paint had me scrambling about, as I had assumed it was inlay merely due to the quality of the work. I took several macro shots of the inlay, where clearly seen are gaps between the shakudo and the gold. My conclusion(for what it is worth) is that it is inlay. Please take a look and see what you think, correct me if I am wrong. http://yakiba.com/tsuba_sakura.htm

..a newly acquired tsuba. Just curious as to what you guys think about this tsuba in regards to it's school or maker. I have had several different thoughts on it, but am leaning towards Kaga Goto, but I could be way off. That about taps my limitations, so I would be interested in what anyone else may have to say. The tsuba is shakudo and depicts sakura blossoms folded over the mimi on to a background of nanako.

But it ain't priceless, as we shall see in a few days. I have no problem with the tsuba itself, didn't even bother to look at it that close. It was the wording I found humorously oxymoronic. A priceless tsuba on e-bay. :lol:

... Owari tsuba on e-bay. http://cgi.ebay.com/9118-JP-SAMURAI-SWORD-NBTHK-priceless-precious-Tsuba_W0QQitemZ260164431174QQihZ016QQcategoryZ73466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Peter, As far as I know they all do, but if in doubt you should confirm with Merlin prior to ordering.

I am not sure about the newer releases but most of the old classics can be purchased through Merlins web site "SamuraiDVD". http://www.samuraidvd.com/

Curran, Yes, I am sure. See the following link to the "auction results" page , scroll down to lot 353. There it is in B/W, $91,000 (Total including fees). I knew it was nothing more than bidding frenzy, my gut told me so. However, as I am nowhere as experienced as you and Pete, I wanted to stay open minded, in hopes for an educational experience. Thanks Pete, very eloquently stated. :lol: I agree. http://www.christies.com/auction/results/results_lotlist.asp?saleno=NYC1876&page=3 In regards to the Koshirae (#327). It as well is one of those which go unexplained. I suppose it is simply that no one wants to spend that much on a Higo koshirae. There is another Juyo Higo Koshirae on one of the commercial sites at around the same price. It has been up a few weeks and has not sold either. While you and I may appreciate the subtle beauty of such a koshirae, much as did the Samurai, the buying masses seem to want flash for the cash. Many of todays new "collectors" are buyers, not collectors. (see above tsuba discussion).

Brian, I don't have the catalog or I would scan a photo of the tsuba. If someone else has the catalog it was lot #353. If there is an explanation Pete, or Curran will educate us.

These were full screens. Sorry I forgot to include the estimate in my original post, this was an example of items selling well below the estimate. These were exquisite works of art by the famous Maruyama Okyo which were estimated at $300-400K. They have been exhibited around the world, and published in multiple books. Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795) Cranes Each signed and dated An'ei kinoe-uma moshu (seventh month, 1774) sha Okyo, each sealed Okyo no in Pair of six-panel screens; ink, color and gold leaf on paper 61 5/8 x 137¼in. (156.5 x 349.6cm.) (2) Provenance Konoe Family Duke Konoe Fumimaro (1891-1945), Tokyo Baron Mitsui Takaharu (1900-1983), Tokyo

For those of you who didn't see or participate in the sale. Selling and prices seemed to be mixed. Woodblocks, screens, various art work sold well with many lots selling under the estimates. One lot, a beautiful pair of six panel screens portraying groups of cranes sold for $95K. Swords and fittings were mixed as well. Many swords did not sell, mostly the mid to high end items. The majority on lower end items sold at mostly reasonable prices. There were a couple of the higher end swords sold, but others did not. The Tokubetsu Juyo Bitchu Katana Nanbokucho period, attributed to the Aoe school sold but for the low end of the estimate at a mere 100K. The Juyo Bizen Tachi in Ito-Maki Tachi Mounts Kamakura period, signed Kunimune with and estimated price of $100-120K, went unsold. The high bid on it only reaching $75K. The only sword which sold at well over the estimated price was a Juyo Hizen Katana in Koshirae, signed Hizen ju Harima (no) kami Fujiwara Tadakuni (Shodai). The estimate was $50-60K and it sold at $75K Neither of the Kiyomaro's sold. The one with the hagire did receive bids up to $32K, but failed to reach the low estimate of $35K. Tsuba prices went anywhere from fair to incredibly freaking nuts!! Several so-so tsuba with estimates at $800-$2k sold for $5K (??). The highest price for a tsuba was seen on a tokubetsu papered, Edo period (19th century), signed Yoshu Matsuyama ju Ochi Michitsura with an estimate of $2.5-3K. This tsuba sold for $75K, add the seller's fees of 25% and that totals $91,000!!! Now I am no tsuba expert, so I would like to know, is this some spectacular maker that I have never heard of ?? Granted it was a nice tsuba, but jeez! I suppose each to his own, but I think it became a bidding contest between two guys who both had deep pockets. Mano a Mano. Again, if one of you tsuba pro's can enlighten me, please do. Personally, I was waiting on the last tsuba offered and expected it to go for much higher. Had I known what I would get it for, I would have bid on several others. I was happy to get it and a mitokorimono for prices which I can live with even after adding the sellers fees. :D Sooo, did any of you guys score the piece of your dreams ?? (Quiet Milt, I am referring to the auction). If so, lets hear about it.

I think Barry is reffering to the Akihide tsuba on Andy's site. Akahide was a gendai sword smith who died in 1954.

I would say you got a good deal. That books sells for approx. $500 - $600.

Try my friend, Patrick Hastings at Tagane Arts (link below). He makes Tsuba and fittings in a tradititonal manner. He does use chemicals for patination, but so does everyone else including the Japanese (horse piss and daikon is a chemical solution). He does really nice work and can do custom orders. He will get back to you, though he may be slow to answer as he and his wife just had a new baby. Tell him I sent you. http://www.taganearts.com/Fittings/FittingsideMenu.htm

Good advise by Curran and Rich. While to my semi-trained eye these shout FAKES, I can see how many buyers could be fooled. Sadly when I look at e-bay I think many are already being fooled daily. Many of the ones seen there appear to be nothing more than late period tsuba made for the tourist trade (shirimono). This does not mean to say that there is anything wrong with modern made tsuba, if fact there are some exquisite works out there, and quite pricey as well. In fact I am looking for Gendai Tsuba by "Toshiyuki Tomoaka". If by chance one of you run across works by him, please let me know.

Hi guys, Glad to know you enjoyed the pics. You should all save your money and plan to come next year. Brian, sorry I didn't realize you had asked a question. SF and Florida are pretty close in size, with SF inching ahead maybe slightly. BTW: The Florida Token Kai is in Febuary. Regards, Ed

Andreas, It is evident to me as well that you do not want to put it into Gunto mounts. Yet it sounds as though you are trying to justify the Gunto mounts to offset the cost of a koshirae. There have been many older swords placed into gunto mounts and many gendaito placed into more traditional mounts. Over the years many gendai have been remounted for Iai. Maybe you should either slow down and save your money for the koshirae. Or consider a more cost effective way. I question some of the cost of your restoration. restauration of tsuba, tsuba fitting with copper for nakago, restauaration of fushi, kashira, menuki and kurikataBuy fittings which need no restoration, I have remounted several swords and never had to restore menuki, f/k, tsuba. If the tsuba you choose doesn't fit well replace the sekigane yourself. it is easy on iron tsuba, copper is soft and works easily, it is attached with jewelers solder. Simple. Use horn for the kojiri, koiguchi and kurigata. The most difficult parts are making the saya and tsuka. Think about have the saya made and finish it yourself. If not you can have one made with cashew lacquer and horn fittings, in basic black for approx. $450 A new tsuka core with new same and new wrap (using your fittings) should run you approx., $350 - $400. The rest depends on how much you spend on fittings. Bottom line, mount it in whatever style makes you happy.