Kevin Adams

Here's mine. I unfortunately didn't have time to set up and shoot photos with more than my phone before it had to go to FedEx, but I think these get the point across.

Cheers guys! I'll upload a couple of photos of my piece when I get back to my home computer. Michael - as I understand it, the "invitation" entries are people that (to my knowledge) are affiliated with the NBSK and making pieces for display only, not judgement. The "judge" entries are the same, just made by individuals that are judging the competition. I suspect this may be to flesh out the number of pieces for the exhibition, since this organization is still building their base of members and contributors.

Ah, I suspected it was "Somin"...at least someone signing AS Somin.. Thanks for the verification guys!

Morning folks - I'd appreciate some help translating this mei. Thanks!

ON HOLD.

Moving day is rapidly approaching, and I still have this piece available in the store. Help me lighten the truckload this weekend! Reduced to $800 USD + shipping and PP fees if applicable.

This piece is still available.

Stephen, you sneaky so-and-so. I didn't realize you had posted this until I received a couple of PM notifications via email. Thank you very much for the kind words, everyone. I'm very happy about the result, and gratified that an original design of non-Japanese fauna was recognized in this way. Interesting side note - on the results document from the NBSK website, my tsuba has been described thusly: "Tetsuji Mukudori Tonbo no zu tsuba"...I wonder how the blackbird became a starling! Ted, you're actually not far off the mark. I've been trying to write a post in my blog about the thought processes that went into this piece, but there's so many that it's been difficult to keep them organized. But one of those is indeed the connectivity between the human experience and its reflection in art - I've been thinking a lot lately about how to put more of "myself" into my work. I DO love studying the Japanese imagery and technique in painting and metalwork, but I've lately acknowledged a bit of a disconnect when I go to make something. By tapping into subject matter that I'm familiar with, and relying on what I've learned of technique and aesthetic to influence what I'm doing, I'm HOPING that the result will be something more...intuitive? You see why I'm having a bit of trouble writing this all down? To this end, I have a few other pieces in various stages of design that are from the same inspiration as this piece - those heady days of childhood wonder hanging with cool uncles beside rural riverbanks. Thanks!

This piece is still for sale! I'm a little surprised no one has snatched this up yet, maybe it's a little too abstract? This is, in my opinion, the very essence of later Akasaka work - abstract, delicate and flowing designs on a thick, sturdy plate. This piece also shows a possible stylistic connection with Owari tsuba design, a topic that's been discussed here in the past - there's a piece in the Sasano gold book that is very similar (I also want to make that one, if I can find a suitable piece of iron). You need this, it feels great in hand and the antique wrought iron is lovely. I've started making preparations for the new studio space, selling these pieces would go a long way towards smoothing that transition. Thanks! $850USD + shipping and PayPal fees.

Cheers Grev.

Weekend sale! $850USD plus shipping and Paypal fees.

Tweaked the price on this one, I felt it was a bit too high...

Evening all! I've just finished up a small series of tsuba as a way to dive back into the work after my return to Canada from England (more about this in my blog this evening). This is a piece I’ve wanted to make for some time now, and have been waiting for just the right piece of material to do it with. I recently got access to some antique wrought iron and the means to have it worked, so decided that there was no better time than the present. The piece is a study of a well-known Akasaka tsuba by the 7th master Tadatoki. 81mm x 84mm x 5mm. Antique wrought iron plate with copper sekigane, comes with a custom-fitted kiribako. $950USD plus shipping and PayPal fees, if applicable. Thanks for looking!

Still a few available - here's an updated list with adjusted pricing. 1. Legend in Japanese Art (with index, former library book) / Joly - $80 9. Kinko Meikan (1974)(with English translation, no slipcover) / Masumoto, Kokubo - $150 11. Japanese Art and Handicraft (Red Cross Catalog) / Joly - $80 15. 100 Tsuba and Sword Accessories / Kazuo Iida, Michiko Hiruta - $50 19. Signatures of Japanese Sword Fittings Artists / Sesko - $80 20. The Makagawa Collection of Sword Fittings and Inro with Equestrian Theme - $40 23. Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art: Part IV - $25

Hi Jason, replied to your PM. Reasonable offers considered for multiple items!