kuromido

Hi Jason, just an observation. While the mon are close they are not the same. The 9 circle mon is hosokawa, not sure who’s is 7. PeterD

Hi ford, can you provide a picture of a "negative die " used for the purpose you spoke of? Also what are the punchs raising the metal for? The flowers? If so do they also exist and correspond to the flowers on the kashira ? Any enlightenment would be appreciated . PeteD

I thought I would post these two side-by-side. Is this a good example of how different two mei can be of the same Smith or is it more likely that it was cut by someone else? Once again thanks, PeterD

A big thanks to Joe and Klauss for your lightning fast response. Cheers! Pete

Hi guys , I'm a little stumped with this one. Possibly etchizen? Also if anybody knows where I might find this smith, I would appreciate it . I have tried , oshigata, tokotaikan, gendai Meikan. Thanks , P

Hi guys. after looking at this tanto for only a moment in another thread my thoughts went to early western (not just the US ) firearme engraving. I suggest--- a little fearfully after reading the thread "Question About Matched (Theme) Koshirae Fittings" that this tanto may well have left the country "in the white" as gun engravers call a unfinished blank firearm as a gift or memento only to be engraved by a western engraver at a later date. I am not saying that this was the intent from the beginning but more likely a simple or plain koshirae that was embelished elsewhere. It is possible that it made many trips back and forth in the hands of an employee of the VOC. I would point to the engraving style of any of the early European or American gun-makers for examples. I don't however see it as "bogus " looking at the overall honest wear. Admittedly this is unsubstantiated fantasy, possible though. Just my two cents, PeterD

Hi klaus, thanks for the information. Maybe I shouldn't of said "nothing special " just not my cup of tea. Thank you again . cheers Pete

Thanks Joe! I found him. "Shinoda ujifusa" He is a chu saku ranked ww2 smith, making showato Nothing special. Thanks again, peterD

I'm wondering if I could get some help with this Mei. I believe it says Seki ju ujiyoshi Any help would be great, Thanks Peterd

James, Count me in as well

I would agree with Gunto on the F/K. Have seen many sets of these, Several on low end koshirae and all are identical with the exception of condition. peterD

Has anyone found a way to access all of your own past posts or threads? On the old site there was a Saved posts or Saved topics tab. As far as I can see there is no way of getting back to all of my threads or single posts. Nor is there a provision to save a thread you want to return to . Am I missing it somewhere? Can anyone help? PeterD

Hello all, IMHO the patina is fine on this late edo/meiji tsuba. It is most likely a solid silver tsuba of good quality. If anything the original owner felt the need to "rub it alittle" with a cloth removing some of the tarnish. The patina is exactly what I see on vintage silver every day. If you "repatina" it either "professionally" or with the other suggestion, you will recolor everything and loose the untarnished seppa dai that was created by the seppa stopping the air from oxidizing it. A valuable "tell" that will be lost forever. I would suggest enjoying a nice tsuba like this with eyes only. Brian, I hope this does not come off as snotty, Its just my 3 cents, Peter DH

Thank you Brian, I have been biting my nails reading this thread waiting for someone to tell bob the reality of this tanto. While it is a genuine Japanese piece , it is also at the very bottom of the quality ladder. I have seen so many near identical pieces that I can only arrive at the conclusion that these were likely for export...only. Without being disparaging, I would say that in time this purchase will feel very much like the Chinese blade to bob. Personally I would not throw anything above $100 at it and rather would spend that hundred on; "The connoisseurs book of Japanese swords" by nagayama and "The Japanese sword" by kanzan sato These purchases will withstand the test of time. Just my 2 Cents, PeterD

Hi Bob, I would put your first tsuba to Mito. I would like to hear from others on the board, Cheers, PeterD