Barrie B

Thanks gents.. I originally had a miss-matched Kozuka in there, and although it was Shakudo (with Nanako), it did not suit. This looks much more pleasing and completes the koshirae I think. Additionally, it recycles a Kozuka that may not have found a home..! Barrie.

Hi all, I have a Higo Koshirae that was missing the Kozuka, and although I tried to find a match, I could not, so I sought the assistance of a professional - Robert Soanes - to solve my problem. http://katchushi.com/restoration-2/kodogu.html I purchased an old Kozuka that the 'motif' or design had fallen off and I asked if he could save/ restore it to suit my Koshirae. I must say that I am very pleased with the service and the result. Not only did he make a new Shakudo Kamon to suit, he 'cleaned' the old Kozuka of the old 'glue' and made it look nearly new..! I cannot wipe the smile from my face..! I cannot recommend his (or any of the other contemporary restoration professionals) services enough. If any of you are thinking about having something made or restored, then I can only say that you should seek (and support) their very valuable services. If I were a younger man, I would apprentice myself to any one of them... Some photos of the finished Koshirae.. Barrie.

Interesting design… I often wish we could travel back in time to discover the true origin of the pairing of the Tomoe Mon (design) Tsuba with the Hosokawa Mons… Nice Tsuba.. Barrie.

Photo of Kojiri... Barrie

Hi all, I purchased this Koshirae recently and although it doesn't have the classic Nishigaki waves F/K, it is classic Higo with the Black Same, leather ito and rounded shibuichi kogiri.. This koshirae has that subdued and elegant 'tea taste' style about it that I really like. : The saya has provision for a Kozuka so although it is 102 cm Katana Koshirae, it think it may have more likely been a Bashin perhaps..? Any thoughts on this? Barrie.

Hi Mathew, Welcome. Tosho Tsuba. Some info can be found here… http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/oldiron.htm Barrie.

Veli, Looks brilliant..! I think you have done a wonderful job; well done. You should be very pleased with yourself. I was going to add some clapping hands (emotocon), but I don't know how to do that now.. Barrie.

I would say the presence of sekigani indicates that it was previously mounted and the fact that it only has a Kozuka-ana indicates that it was probably intended for a Wakizashi; I read somewhere that Wakizashi Koshirae should always have a Kozuka, but of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Additionally, as Jean stated, this size Tsuba could be (and were) fitted to a katana. Nice Tsuba BTW.. Barrie B.

This thread has been very good reading, but I want to make one point about new collectors.. we all have to think about how we got started.. For some, I'm sure the hobby was introduced by a friend, but for me it was self initiated; it was a gunto purchase from an antique dealer in 1992.. I knew nothing about Nihonto or Tosogu at that time (some would argue I still don't) and had no idea that I could actually collect and own these things. So after that first purchase, I started doing some research, bought a book (Military Swords of Japan by Fuller and Gregory) and finally met some collectors in Sydney.. This was pre internet, but I was hooked because I had an interest… Its that interest we need to generate in new collectors… It wasn't easy to see or buy swords back then BTW, so I probably bought high a few times, but that is supply and demand; I stuck at it... Barrie B.

Hi Jeffery, Clearly some 'low life' @#$% has swapped the original Tsuba out at some point.. Very disappointing.. A practice that I despise BTW.. and it is often not just the dealers that do it either.. Often though, the first thing to 'go' is the Kozuka, before a Wakizashi (Koshirae) is sold.. Good luck with your quest for re-patination, as I too think your Tsuba is worth saving.. Barrie B.

So does the Tsuba fit..? We digress from the original patination question.. Barrie B.

Hi Jeffery, Can we see photos of the Saya or Koshirae please? I am expecting to see a Saya with shallow sori, large Kurikata and a flattened or 'Satsuma Kaerizumo'. Additionally, Satsuma Tsuba usually had saya-dome-ana, although the sukashi on your Tsuba could have served this purpose. As Geraint stated, if the Tsuba is loose fitting etc, then it is highly likely that some $%#@& swapped the Tsuba out.. I believe the term used on this board previously is a Drop Tsuba. If however, the Tsuba fits well then it may be original - perhaps it was all that poor Samurai could afford at the time.. What is the quality of the rest of the Koshirae? Barrie B.

Hi all, I knew I had seen this image before.. Anyone that owns a copy of The Hartman Collection of Japanese Metalwork will find a facsimile of this illustration in the front and back covers… Barrie B.

You can lead a horse to water… Barrie.

Brandon, I know nothing of this artist or his work; however, of Jinpo (H 02047.0) Haynes states ..On his own work his nanako was done by Sano Heinai H 00974, and there is a certain uneveness about it. His work is not common.. so take from this what you will, but unlikely it would be gimei, although you never know.. I had a look in the Kinko Meikan (1993 edition) pp162 and in Makus Sesko's Signatures of Japanese Sword Fitting Artists pp96 and although there are some minor inconsistencies, I am not brave enough to call it either way here. The tsuba looks OK to me - from the photos you have provided - although the nanako doesn't look that good, so maybe the Tsuba is what it claims to be, if Haynes is correct.. All Tsuba look better in the hand. Is your purchase dependent on this Tsuba? Barrie B.

Zhang, You usually do not see 'extra' seppa on Koshirae other than Tachi and Gunto (although there are always exceptions to the rule). I would perhaps purchase some 'key fret' Seppa (http://www.Japanese-swords.com/pages/seppa.htm) as they are usually thicker than regular Seppa and will look better than a stack of Seppa.. A fine example are shown on this Katana.. http://www.ricecracker.com/inventory/74 ... ho_mon.htm I have also seen a piece of metal added to the base of the Fuchi (or sometimes inside it, like a sleeve) to 'thicken' or raise the Fuchi to close the gap. Its hard to explain, but perhaps one of the members here has an example (photo) they could share. Good luck, whatever you decide. Barrie B.

Markus, Received my book today thank you. Much appreciated. Excellent publication with some very fine Tsuba… Barrie. Perth, Western Australia.

Mimi is the rim (or edge if you like) of the Tsuba; 'Fukurin' is the correct term for a cover added to the rim. They are usually made of soft metal, but I have seen iron. When the rim is raised, it is called a Dote Mimi.. Hope this helps - http://www.shibuiswords.com/glossary1.htm Barrie B.

John, Much appreciated mate.. Looking forward to the catch up. Baz.

Kevin. Markus Sesko's Signatures of Japanese Sword Fittings Artists and Robert E. Haynes' Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists is a good way to start. Both books are reasonably inexpensive, are readily available and are in English; you will use them all the time. The Haynes references are extremely useful.. I have a copy of Kinko Meikan (with the translation available from NCJSC), but I was told it was superseded in 1993 because it was published with some Gimei pieces in it. I guess if you have a copy, then it is still an Ok reference for researching your fittings, but both books are hard to get now. Barrie.

Randy, Don't forget Grey Doffin. I buy a lot of my reference books from Grey (http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Books). If you want something out of print, he will add you to the waiting list, and when one is available, he contacts you.. Barrie.

Randy, I have been doing some research recently into Hyotan (Gourd) Mon with little luck, (and the pairing of Mons as well) ..so if you do manage to research this field (Mon or Kamon) extensively, then we will probably all benefit. Some photos attached as to why I was trying to research the Hyotan Mon. Barrie. P.S. The book: Mon - The Japanese family Crest by Hawley and Chappelear, is an excellent resourse for who used what Mon, although it does not mention the Hyotan Mon..

Randy, You could try 'The World of Family Crests in Japan' ISBN978-4-7816-0052-9 C0039 (if you can get a copy). Printed by Eastpress.co.jp in 2008. Barrie.

Tom, Wow..! Very many thanks. Its such a nice box, seems like a real pity that it was separated from the 'said' contents… maybe they were used for a koshirae.. who knows? Thanks to Guido and Chris as well.. I (we all, I am sure) really appreciate everyones assistance here. Barrie.

Hi, Iimura san speaks english well.. He only sells new boxes - as far as I know - and then has them fitted out.. I am guessing he gets them wholesale from where everyone else (in Japan) buys them. I have plenty of tosogu boxes that I have accumulated over the years, but he makes a living from selling them, so I always buy new before getting things fitted. Every now and then, I buy stuff that is not boxed (eBay etc) so I always have boxes for them.. LOL. As Alan stated, you could ask Mr Micheal Cummins. He is a nice guy, quite talented and may attempt; or if he cannot do it himself, he may know someone able to repair it for you as he lives in Japan? I would have thought if you just want a box repaired though, perhaps a local cabinet maker or handy carpenter could assist, rather than sending all the way back to Japan.. I'm guessing your old box is quite dark now as well, so the new Hinoki will not match.. If your Tsuba is worth it, you might want to consider a new high end box (with mulberry edge) and custom base.. up to you. Barrie,