kissakai

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

Great news (well for me anyway) I had three aims Photograph the museums tsuba - done Publish a book on these tsuba - done Get at least some of these tsuba out for an exhibition - Maybe happening After losing all my museum contacts it has been a pain to get anyone else interested I had an email to say there are changes to the museum so exhibitions are already booked in for 2019 but after the rework they are planning an exhibition called 'Art of the Warrior' As yet I know no more but hope it is solely about the Samurai as they have quite a few other related items. They have purchased my book and will contact me shortly If anything comes of this I'll start a new post

When I see so many orphans on the NMB that didn't sell I'd love to repurpose some and get them back in circulation

Sold T38 and T81 Many thanks

PS I have some in a loose leaf folder (usually the papered or restored tsuba) but it always seems too bulky

They are all on the computer and backed up I was going to adjust the A4 size so it fits my laptop but not just yet I have used a photobook (when on offer) and let then print the pages (PDF) which turned out really well After trying a few Bonusprint was the best quality and the easiest to us. I think new customers get 30% off and this is well recommended They look just like my LuLu tsuba book so have a look/preview on LulLu and search for Greville Cooke

I enjoyed the link - thanks Many many dragons to enjoy and the link below was the restoration (V&A UK) of a full sized Samurai - nice https://www.facebook.com/victoriaandalbertmuseum/videos/10153779124258880/UzpfSTk0NDg3MTM2NTU2MTcxMjo5NDgxODQ4MzUyMzAzNjU/

Hi Chris This is the format I use in A4 When other /extra information is found you just update your records I keep the Hi Res images on my hard drive Fount/back and edge or inide the tang as this shows the structure I don't know how Mauro keeps his records but they are better than mind NMb tmp.pdf Grev PS Anything in red is unconfirmed

I may miss the mark but here goes As an earlier post said 'it is how it feels in your hand or what it invokes Simple but a nice feeling every time I handle it and because it is simple a lot of people will not give it a second look That makes me smile This one that is may be just organic but you wonder what was in the mind of the maker and again always a joy to handle Grev Edit as a wrong image was selected!

WOW - that is a surprise Glad I'm not in Germany

Hi I have 5 tsuba in Japan with Paul Martin that were sent for papers Paul has asked me the value and the value is $2,500 so he can return these items via EMS. So0 Japan to the UK I know if items are lost it can be an absolute nightmare to get the insurance back So what about the value? What they cost me or the shinsa costs? I did think that if an item was sent to Japan but not bought in Japan the was a different excise code Grev

Thanks Steve Just an observation: It seems strange that there is always a push to buy books and although the descriptions will be of merit it seems strange if we can't really use the book images as a guide

Great result and I look forward to seeing the images

Hi I was going through my Bushu (Ito) tsuba and was curious about a mumei tsuba of mine It was bought from Mr Thierry Bernard in 2014 and is a favourite of mine. Good iron and nice to the feel I'm very sure it is Bushu (Ito) and thought circa 1850. Size = 71 x 68 x 3.9mm Looking at a signed example in the Tosogu Classroom V1 (I hope it's not copyrighted otherwise the post will be deleted) Karatsu ju Masayoshi I wonder why some of the later tsuba are unsigned and does anyone think they may be by the same hand?

Hi David My first draft showed around 60 Namban tsuba in the museum but in the final draft I had to remove some to keep the price affordable

Hi Dir It is from my book The Birmingham Museum and Art Galley from LuLu publishing - Always nice to get in a plug! No 1930M587. Shoami,C1600. Axes, Sun Moon and Stars with a thin strip of shakudo at the side of the 'axes' The description is my best guess and could be gourds but the shape is too angular Grev