kissakai

There are quite a few variation shown in various books

I looked in my copy of the Tosogu Classroom V1 but Ishiguro it not mentioned and I wondered if the school may be in V2/3 I liked V1 as his research loots at many sources and will offer a counter oppinion is any ir needed

Nice tsubaPatrick and thanks for the information and hopefuuly I'll find out what the under cuts are Nice one Ford and that raises a new interest. Internet info: Zitan wood Pricing/Availability: Imported and used almost exclusively within China, where it commands absolutely exorbitant prices. Demand for Zitan puts it into an entirely separate price tier than even the most precious hardwoods sold throughout the Western world The mystique surrounding Zitan has ery unfortunately reached an atrocious level. Prices for the wood are so high within China, illegal smugglers are willing to take up arms and kill or be killed in attempts to obtain this wood. Maybe sell the box in China Grev

Hi I just had this tsuba delivered and I have a couple of queries Made by Tetsunin (Tetsujin) 鉄仁 It came in custom box The kanji is illegible but as it bought from Japan and I've no reason to believe it has never left Japan I wondered what the wood was Also it is about twice as heavy as the kiri boxes. The box has warped so it was never a suitable substitute wood The interesting and intriguing point is the half round cutaway in the sukashi grooves. I've never seen this before and no real idea why it is there I know in the fine Ito sukashi it would be made to appear a thinner cut out by rolling over the edges As these cut outs are relatively wide I see no reason why they are there Grev

Looks like Tensho script but there are so many!

I think it a good idea to look at the mei last just like the sword guys I've seen some of Natsuo flat plate work which took my breath away When looking at these giants if the jaw don't drop it can't be right Just one observation: the flower look lifeless and I think it is same when you look at the famous undercut waves we see on top tsuba

I won't post an image just yet as I'd like to do one post with the original and its new mate

Utsushi is the correct term In the Birmingham museum there is a tsuba with the mei on the back = Nobuie On the front L/H side is Jiro Naokatsu and on the R/H side is Utsushi kore I am assuming this to be the correct format but I wanted to check The reason for having a tsuba made it is one of my favourites and being well beyond my budget it would be impossible to buy it It only involves some sukashi work I don't regard this a just a copy as the term Utsushi implies

Hi I'm thinking of having made a copy of Inaba - Suruga tsuba made The maker will sign it but is there a protocol to say it is in homage to this school/maker without infering it is fraudulent just an honest copy? Grev

I have a gunbai tsuba but it is rubbish!

Must be sails and stylised clouds Lovely

What a great call - I wonder if anyone else agrees

Shaun was the seller Have you dealt with him?

I'll know better when I get the tsuba Any stabs at the school (ish)

I wasn't convinced about the bamboo as the carving looked to stiff and I always think about bamboo swaying in the breeze but your image looks dead on - thanks

Hi Has any one any ideas what the plant may be and the unusually shaped 'ana' I know the condition to be poor and I've removed the background as it merged with the tsuba shape so there are rough edges during cropping I should get this next week but I think these images are good enough at this time With thanks Grev

Stephen Did you see the two dragon tsuba I have for sale? One is iron and copper T075 Also T288 The link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qj7d66vvq1a7z16/NMB%20listing.pdf?dl=0 Grev

I contacted the seller but he doesn't put items in for shinsa so it's on its way to me Wasn't too concerned as the wavy lines on the last kanji seem a good match

I did have a look at some of the links above but as you say expensive and pretty second rate in comparision to the good examples

Thanks for your comments I've seen Tetsunin as Tetsujin a few times so I assume they are interchangeable - or are they

Some nice links and comments Not sure where Toshinori has come from so I will look him up

Hi Patrick I should have remained on your watch list as my offer came after the auction finished I'd still be interested in opinions on the surface of the tsuba I had a look through my books and funnily enough the best match is one in the Birmingham museum and the sukashi design is of a similar form Best I can do with the mei image Grev

Thanks Chris Yes I liked it As the mei is a bit indistinct it was difficult for me although I did compare it and it looked a close match and that was why I asked about the surface of the tsuba gave me a bit of doubt Strange it didn't have a bid on the auction so he accfepted my lower offer!

Sorry to be pushy but this tsuba will be shipped out of Japan tomorrow so I really need opinions before then to see if I submit it for papers Grev

Hi I've just bought this from an eBay seller in Japan. I'm sure most will be familiar with this seller and generally sells items for what they are worth and a fair dealer While it is in Japan is it worth sending for Shinsa but I don't want to waste my money? The mei (Tetsunin) looks OK along with the design and sizes I'm not convinced about the surface working so I need to ask some one with more knowledge than me The maker was not stated on the sellers listing so another negative It didn't cost a lot and I still like the design so I'd keep it even if it is gimei Grev