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kuromido

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Everything posted by kuromido

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. A big thanks to Joe and Klauss for your lightning fast response. Cheers! Pete
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Thanks Joe! I found him. "Shinoda ujifusa" He is a chu saku ranked ww2 smith, making showato Nothing special. Thanks again, peterD
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Hi Bob, I would put your first tsuba to Mito. I would like to hear from others on the board, Cheers, PeterD
  15. Hello Don, It seems you pick up quickly so this might not be much help. I Have found the book "Japanese art signatures" by Self to be a very helpful addition in reading kanji. The book gives a very easy overview of the topic and lists by radical in the front of the book and stroke count in the back. This info is readily available online but in the field the book is fast and does not need the internet. It can be found online easily. I am not sure what the groups consensus is on this book but I like it Good luck with your studies, PeterD
  16. Hello all, Is it just me or are we missing a teachable moment for our group as a whole? There are so many obvious problems with this tsuba that I think a few words are worthwhile. My 2 cents on it come from a metalsmiths point of view. This a critique ONLY and in no way a shot at chriso. To a degree, an understanding of metelworking can be a valuable addition to the appreciation of these fine art objects. So here I go, First , when you look at this piece there is a lack of concern for symmetry, balance, flow, something only seen done with intent in Japanese metalwork. ( that's the critique part) second , the nakagoana is misshapen , rounded at the edges where it meets the plates surface and shows no difference in surface finish in the seppa dai area. All are warning signs of a modern, cast replica piece. Third is the hitsu-ana. They are of different size and oddly shaped ( a great reason to study books pictures and respected websites.) They are are also sharp on the interior (Very detrimental to the fittings designed to pass threw them) Lastly the sukashi is riddled with casting fins or flashing and has a VERY cast surface finish. Again, something that points to a modern cast piece. I know that this is all really obvious to many of us but we all started somewhere. Thought I would try to pull the beginners into the boat. Ill shut up now, Cheers, PeterD
  17. I think the first kanji is "Kane" looking at pics 4&5 PeterD
  18. Hello everyone, I Thank you all for your input. George, I purchased this recently at an antique show. The gentleman I got it from stated that it was an ex-museum piece from Argentina as well as the comments on the ducks staying together for life. Cheers to All, Pete
  19. Wow! A huge Thank you marcus and ludolf for your help! I had some hope for the mei but not so much for the haiku. Not sure I will ever get to the level to be able to read sosho Marcus , can I ask you if the haiku has any relevance to the subject. It was suggested that it had something to do with the ducks staying together for life? I would love to hear any thoughts on the piece as a whole. Thank you both again, Sincerely, Peter
  20. Hello all, I am totally out of luck with this kozuka. The closest I can come is #,#,#, FU sane-zane, KO + Kao FUKO? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would love to know the poem as well but any help would be great. A few hairs closer to the inevitable Cheers, peter
  21. Peter, I have to agree with Brian that your post, photo and deph of info are amazing. Thanks! Cheers, PeterD
  22. Thanks piers and chris. I have fujishiros koto and the mei is not even close. I do not have the other books. Can either of you post or pm me a scan of what you have? Any thoughts on gen or gimei? Thanks again, PeterD
  23. Thank you piers! I would have SOL without your nudge. I see it as Kanabo Hyoenojo Masatsugu. From what I can find there were three smiths by this name. Does anybody have an oshigata comparable to this? There is very little on the net and I am trying To nail down the Smith. Thanks again Piers for your help. PeterD
  24. Hello all, well this one's got me stumped. The only kanji I can make out is fujiwara masa ( I think) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, peterD
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