CurtisR

Dear Mr. Hallam, I apologize for my late reply...thank you very much for your suggestions - I actually had GREAT results with just a bit of oil...many thanks! Soon I'll have the tsuka back with new wrap (done by an acquaintance of yours in Kashiwa-shi) and it will look amazing. As I said, the idea isn't to "restore" but to preserve :-). I love following your work as well, and perhaps one day (if it does well at Shinsa), I will ask you to make tsuba! IF you ever have time...but patience rules out all LOL. Sincerely, Curtis Richter

Thank you Peter - I also read on the Denver Art Museum's page about care of lacquer. I'm guessing perhaps those above (venerable, to say the least) mean that a 'novice' should not play with.... I will also consult my friend, a saya-shi, and then go with one of the two :-) Many thanks and good luck to all in the future! Curtis R.

Sorry Mr. Hennick, once more, I am mistaken..it IS being made in horn... :-). Just as koiguchi. Curtis R.

Greetings All! I have a saya (pictures are of it and pattern, in urushi) that is very "dull" due to both age, I believe. It contained a koto blade - iron fittings. I've washed with light soap & water but I'd like it to be a bit less "weathered"...not high-glss of course, but perhaps to seal and protect urushi still there and give a little 'luster' (yes, THAT would be the term). Suggestions please? (ps - new kurigata is being made from ox-bone now...it came without) Sincerely, Curtis R.

Just wanted to give an extra thank you the Mr. Sheehan after re-reading his wise words. I'm familiar with "leagal-ees" and your points ware dead-on and would have at least kept this gentleman from complaining or claiming that I was to "bring him an offer" before sale (which was not the case as I've said). I don't often sell things on consignment, but for the future I'll have a document describing he terms and other main points of possible dispute. Fortunately I'm pretty well versed in the court process (yet made the mistake of "going on friendship") and informed him that he's more han welcome to sue in small-claims, and that I'd be countering for Trebble Damages . This guy's a snake (and has probably used this tactic before), as is his 'compatriot' who - sadly - owns about 50 decent to VG Nihonto. After this little advenure (in which he sided with the snake-charmer ...get it? carpet? Snake? lol ), the owner of the swords can die with them and it will matter not a bit to me. I was within inches of offering a Naval Gunto for him (guy #2) (Meiji and nice), but he just couldn't manage to find time for me to pick it up, photograph it and measure it. Once again....should have had tthat document at the ready!! I chalk it p to a good lesson learned, and am comfortably back in the arena with great folks like those here who have honor. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you (I hope) in Tampa early next year!!! Best and warm regards, Curtis R.

Mr. Sheehan and Dennis - I have very thick "chin-skin" !! I can not thank you all enough for your wisdom...and I will follow it! Yes, it's a very different world from the other things I've taken on in the past (firearms mostly). What bugs me still is that I stood there with him (surrounded by Persian carpets he could not sell, BTW) and TOLD him they were poor quality and that they would not sell for high prices, if at all. Perhaps (no insult intended!!) those from the Mid-East don't speak the same 'language' we do here or as they do in Japan. He said "I don't care...just sell them all". THEN tells me "You were supposed to bring me an offer!" I've completely cut off communication with him, as well as another acquaintance who wished to sell (as in "me: "Are you telling me that yes, yes this sword IS for sale?" him""Yes, it is for sale") a nice Meiji Gunto, yet somehow could not find time for me to measure it. In short, a total clown-show. In my future I will deal only with those "in the know"...and in WRITING! I can not thank ALL of you who've responded enough for your wisdom --- my primary concern is MY reputation in this wonderful, intricate and honorable field as I get older. I hear-by promise to use your wisdom well, and if there appears to be "ass-clownishness" (I made that up...spiffy, eh?) then I'm OUT! Many, many thanks for letting my soul rest in all of this! :thumbsup: Respectfully, Curtis (Curt) Richter

Gentlemen All (And Grey, have no worries - it's the thought that counts and always good to hear from you!!), Thank you so much for your kind replies and yes, I should have walked away. He was an acquaintance I'd known for a couple of years...obviously not well enough! Denis, that bit of levity made my day!! Yes, I felt I did o.k. and of course never miss-represented them to any buyer either. Some folks like this type of thing but I've learned (by lurking here lol) from the best...not my cup of tea. I've learned a number of things from this little "adventure" - perhaps that in itself is worth the price of the aggravations. I can not thank you all enough for the vindication and advice for "next time"!!! I'm planning on being in Florida in 2016, and if any of you will be there I will gladly buy the :beer: !! Oh by the way (opening my overcoat)...anyone wanna buy a tsuba? Only driven to church & back by a little old lady from Iowa . Many, many thanks!! Curtis R. Lakewood, CO USA

Hello Mr. Doffin! Curtis R.

Pete and Antii, thank you very much for the kudos - I NEVER try to 'rip off' anyone...I tried to sell them for a value that was fair, and that's it. I felt badly when he told me I'd essentially given them away but from the studies and examples I've followed here as people and true experts have posted opinions, I knew they were of - well let's say 'lesser' desirability' and did the best I could for a gentleman I had no ill will against. It is a very good lesson for me to get these things in writing before agreeing to such a venture in the future. I'm an honest guy and felt terrible that I'd perhaps miss-judged (although from my studies I was pretty sure) and I thank you both for the help!! :beer: to you both, and if anyone else has a thought - even to the contrary - please hit me with it :) . Domo arigato and Kampai!! Curtis R. Lakewood, CO

Continued:

Hello all, I recently experienced a dispute with a gentleman over the sale of his tsuba "collection" - he states he paid over $2500.00 for the group. I told him he'd overpaid by quite a lot...he then told me to market them for me, and that he didn't care how much, but just wanted them sold. After several months of shopping them around, I've been able to sell all but one for a total of $550.00 and from having them in-hand, felt I'd done o.k. for him in the sales. I informed him today of the total value (one is still in-progress) they'd sold for, and he told me I'd "ripped him off". I acted as his agent, with no stipulation as to a price on his part and of course liked him so wanted to get the best value I could. I know there are many collectors here who know the markets far better than I, and just want opinions from anyone willing to give one on 1) the quality of the pieces and 2) what the YOU might consider paying for the collection. BTW, 2 if not 3 are Gendai as you will see, and one is a piece of a Gunto tsuba. His normal business is as a dealer in Oriental rugs ---- if I've made a mistake I'm happy to own it, but I'd just like a bit of "piece of mind" that I'd done o.k. (if in fact that's the case). Thank you all, in advance. Curtis R.

No worries Joe - it actually helps me confirm that I'm getting it right!! :beer: Curtis R.

Thank you Joe! I was doing the translation in pieces but it's fun to go "backward" and look them up so I can recognize (as with dates!). Kanji are elusive critters . OH - and for Stephen C, sorry if I made you relapse LOL...it's talcum powder though, so......... Curtis R.

Sorry all - here is the image of the (7 character) mei ~~ CurtisR.

Thanks Joe - it now makes sense that it'd be 1942, and at least I had the numbers correct . I believe you nailed it as being seki (see the other side attached here). It's on a very pretty Naval Gunto that I am pretty sure will be offered up next week. Interestingly, and perhaps others can comment on the extent of my next statement, but I learned that many FEMALES are not taught to read kanji, as it is a "male" form of writing...I was a bit shocked by this, but it seems to be although I know there are probably many ladies out there who can read kanji still. Just a tidbit I hadn't heard before. AND I don't mean to sound as though I know this as fact - was just told by a friend, and confirmed by a second who live in Japan. Anyway, thank you and now I have a "starting point" for any I run across in the future. Just when I think I'm learning...well, I'll keep trying :beer: . Cheers! Curtis R.

Hello All, I was sent this photo of nakago - the owner put talcum on it to bring it out, so that explains the powder. Anyway, I've tried to translate the mei, which I KNOW is a date, but it isn't making sense to me. I asked a friends wife - who is Japanese - and she gets roughly the same thing: "2000, six hundred and 2" in year "Kigen" (of the Christian calendar) Also, the kanji for kigen seems poorly done. Am I reading this wrong, or are my suspicions of gimei probably correct? Thanks! Curtis R.

Arnold, for MY part I plan to discontinue the use of it...I own an Akihiro blade ( or am it's custodian for now, is a better term ) - and no not the one mentioned by the OP - not in 'great' polish but I'd hate to damage it over time. Also for my second blade that's headed for shinsa, well, I'm just not going to risk it any longer. The microfiber, alcohol and choji work fine. Hope all are well and this has been a great topic for me to sneak in some 'learnin'. Curtis

Thank you Barry! That makes perfect sense and no, it wasn't the 'long road'...it gives me hope that one day I'll be able to point out those little subtleties as well...I learn more each day, and it seems that I'm learning more of the things NOT to do; invaluable since those lessons are usually learned the hard way! Just another reason why I love this forum! Cheers to all, and have a great weekend~~ Curtis R. (chucking the uchiko ball over my shoulder )

One more short question on this topic please? I can completely see the argument for newly, well-polished blades being kept from an obvious abrasive substance (even a light one), and that the use of uchiko on out-of-polish blades can bring out the hamon and hada over time, but it must be done carefully. MY dilemma is this: I have a blade which I believe will do well (I hope) at Shinsa - it has a decent enough polish to submit, although still retains a few small, shallow "pock marks" (not flaws) which would polish out if the cost of a professional polish would be beneficial to the sword's value after shinsa. Having taken the long way around (sorry), I ask "Do I use it lightly before shinsa to help the properties stand out better?" Thanks in advance, and my apologies for the Curtis R.

Hello All ~ I've run into a group of tsuba (I'll probably be listing them in the "For Sale" forum soon) but this one has me a bit baffled on it's theme. I'm guessing either Millet or perhaps Hopps? I thought perhaps rice before harvest as well....any thoughts would be very appreciated . Cheers and hope all are well ~~ Curtis R.

**Bruno-san** (apologies!) Curtis R.

Ah thanks to you all! And for Bruna-san, the photo now hangs over my computer in my office!! Domo Arigato~~~ Curtis R

Good morning all, I have recently acquired this tsuba from a friend here (he has only tsuba that I'm aware of - no blades unless he's being coy) and I KNOW I have seen this topic discussed before here but I believe I'm not putting in the right info to the search engine to get the history.... I'm specifically speaking of the two holes lined with (?) sliver. I actually like it and may buy for myself if the price is right, just because it's a but unusual. Would one of your (or more) be so kind as to remind me of their "official name", purpose and approximate period(s) used - or any of those? He would ultimately like to sell it (and others) but I don't want to use terms like "It's got HOLES in it" . Many thanks and I'll be writing down any answers and then do more searching. Sincerely, Curtis

Thanks you Geraint! I've been to that site before but obviously missed this page...very cool! Curtis R.

Thanks Lance - very interesting! And I wonder, once the uchigatana became the "weapon of the day", it the owner would have a new tsuba made when going o-suriage. I can see your point of it being a "hand-stop for tachi on horseback, especially since the wearer would be doing several things at once....and even the foot-soldier, really. I hope more will chime in also, as it's something that just occurred to me as I was looking at different designs and photos. Thanks Sir Curtis R.