kissakai

Dale. I still like yours

Hi Dale I think most of us would like to find a box like yours. Very nice. This is mine: It needs a a bit of a polish but I like the grain as it looks like a pebble that has been thrown into a pool

I saw an utsushi example and asked him to copy the format and adding his forging name Punches are a good start but there is another big tell but I'll leave for someone else to chip in I'll reveal a bit more later

I'd admired a tsuba from the Birmingham museum and fortunately met a UK tsuba maker He showed me one of his tsuba and I asked him to make a copy of the Birmingham Long story short: It arrived a few weeks ago and I was stunned at the result (attached) I've not taken proper pictures yet and these are just quick snaps Due to various personal circumstances he is no longer taking on any commission work I hope you like it as much as I do PS. The tsuba is made from 14C German horseshoes NMB.pdf!

The four seasons/gentlemen is and example. Maybe katana theme = Spring/Summer and the wakizashi = Autumn/Winter This can apply to any theme

I think they should be called a matched pair but not Daisho When selling tsuba I'm often asked is it for a katana or wakizashi so that is a good reason for a suitable size I did have an almost identical pair s they were only 1mm different in size and that was not good enough as making a tsuba are not all going to be an identical size. Nice tsuba

Is it tansu handles?

Curran I sent you tsuba as such: T210 - Six Ken - papered to ko Umetada I know it is not menuki but it is an example of papers to ko Umetada

Cheers Piers That has answered one of my questions We are building up a picture of the process. I'll have a go next week

Thanks Justin I also realise it is Tari/Dari not shikoro Grev

Awfully quiet out there I looked a YouTube to seen a load of idiots with para cord Seems like you can get some quite good stuff about tsuka tying The lake of response is possibly why there are only two(ish) armour restorers in the UK I'm sure if I 'have a go' and post the results someone is sure to say that's all wrong!

Hi It was suggested I try to re-string my shikoro mainly as they are low value items I have 7mm silk himo but I have two queries How do I thread 7mm silk through a 2.5mm hole Does anyone have a diagram showing how it is threaded I've had a bit of micky taking about the shikoro so I would appreciated it if the replies could be about my two questions With thanks Grev

You may be lucky with David but I contacted him a few months ago and he wasn't taking on any more work

This one I sold a few years ago but Ifitted it onto a Nagamitsu katana School: Aizu Shoami Circa: 1800 Size: 77 x 70 x 4mm Bought from Japan in 2012 You can see there are differences

I always thought thickness is an age in determining ko tosho and tosho. I'd expect ko tosho to be thinner

Thanks

Does anyone have the contact details for the author S.J. King who wrote the book 'Collecting Tsuba'? Although basic I think this is ideal book for someone thinking about collecting tsuba that is clearly laid out

The buyer doesn't mess about

Brilliant. Thank you

Hi Uwe Sorry but I don't understand your reply

I wondered what this kozika blade with mei 小林河内守國助 - Kobayashi Kawachi no kami Kunisuke as prevous reply I know it was not a true mei so why would it be put on a kozuka blade? I do not know this smith!

Nice to see that you are back

Now you have had some 'proper' reply's I'd like to add an observation. On in the first image instead of calling it 'plains of Musashi' it should be 'planes of Musashi' Shame I can't make this anonymous reply!

Thanks for your comments Justin. Something to think about Barry: David only lives a few miles from me and I did contact him. Hes not taking on any more work and he specialises on high grade items

Could anyone change over the tare guard. Ideally in the UK 'A needs repairing and fitted to 'B' Grev