kissakai

Thanks Robin I have found one error (wrong image) so I've blocked any sales until I've thoroughly checked the rest

Thanks Johni and Wayne for your kind words as it's always nice to hear such good comments, it makes it all worthwhile I forgot to add that there are two restored tsuba with before and after images and a short description of the process One had damage to the lacquer work (part of a fern was chipped) which was repaired by Mike Hickman-Smith This was a very delicate repair requiring the finest of brushes The other tsuba had what I can only describe as a build up of scale (it didn't look like fire damage) This was very thick and strangely coloured The restoration was undertaken by Ford Hallam and Kevin Adams The end result is stunning Grev

I forgot to add that I would advise that you do not buy the book until I have a copy I can check out The draft copy should be delivered in the next few days

I had the same spacing problem (hence all I could post was 'bump'! that was reported earlier but as you can see it is OK now My second (and last book) is available on LuLu - link below https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=greville+cooke&type= You can open the first few pages on their website - I have a problem with the title but the books are OK A bit more personal still with big colour images throughout. Additional help files etc Price is £20 for the hard copy and £10 for the downloadable PDF I hope it is of some worth and I welcome any feedback Grev

Bump

I didn't realise you had a load more so maybe but just two or three of the hardest to find any info and take it a step at time. Another way is to again select just a few with the info you have found out and see what the response is We on the NMB like people who do some research first as it shows that you have put in some time already

Hi Steve? Do not remove anything just yet and what have you found out about these tsuba? By the time I dig out any info most of the more knowledgeable collectors will have already added their comments The 5th and 6th images are Soten school (as the label states) and looks like a nice example (so many fakes) but no idea why it is not signed If you photograph both sides and split up the images so each tsuba is numbered it will be easier for members to add their comments Some nice tsuba Grev

Hi No idea if this is of any interest but as I was playing with my camera I thought I pop trhem on the NMB I liked the file marks and I can now check this against the examples in Roger Robertshaw's book mei: 'Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro'. Possibly a dai-saku dai-mei by the sandai (Mutsu [no] Kami Tadayoshi) Grev

The kanji is what is called Sosho or grass script The characters in the box is called a kao and it is a bit like a makers trade mark So you can do a bit of digging and I will have a look at the translation tomorrow I'd be interested in what other NMB member think about the quality of the tsuba

Hi I will be releasing my second book in the next couple of weeks and when it is ready I will open a new post but for the time being I'll piggy back my original post In the new book there will be a short section on buying tsuba I will add some links like the NMB and Greys website for example and the problems with eBay but I could do with some other website examples and don't think twice about submitting your own sites As this is a more basic book but I will not list any websites that are only in Japanese Also as a beginner I don't need the high value sites (I know you always advise buying the best but I've done OK on the sub £1,000 prices although I know I have to start paying more) With thanks Grev

Hi Ken As Ken didn't ask about prices it would appear to me this just muddies the waters Has anyone opinions on the sword? One of my swords did have a nice saya under the leather wrapping but it's not worth trying to force if off (mine came off easily) There was a post a couple of weeks ago where a NMB has done wonders with tiding up his tsuba so some work can be done yourself Price is so difficult, for example I have Heianjo Daisho (the Daisho is a stretch) for $475 in great condition Every one who's seen it has liked it but it hasn't sold and I have no idea why!

Hi Ken The edge on your tsuba isa the same as my (Higo) Nishigaki example so that is my guess An earlier discussion: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/9704-nishigaki-school-tsuba/ Another link with a nice example at the end https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/exhibit/3QLyDIAlN6VZLg I'll just wait for someone to correct me

Might the tsuba be Nishigaki? They used similar themes that have a 2D form Is the outside of the rim smooth or is bumpy?

Hi You can see the original shape from the inserts at the top and bottom of the nakago Difficult to say why is was opened out but probably one of the above suggestions

Hi I asked Chris to delay the delivery until after the holiday and it arrived today What a great item delivered in a very wel protected parcel The detail and condition are so good it will be ages to take it all in

I have had a few enquireries about the Nakago sizes so I've added a page to the PDF file, link below The sizes are listed in ascending order of size https://www.dropbox.com/s/qj7d66vvq1a7z16/NMB%20listing.pdf?dl=0

So tempting!!!!!!!

As most people on the NMB know I have produced a book on tsuba from the Birmingham museum These isuba in most cases are run of the mill but some schools are well represented to it can give you an idea of differing styles Most tsuba are large colour images The download is cheap from LuLu Grev

In this case it wouldn't bother me too much about age although this post is a good read. I like it

Hi Michael I agree with Jean. I was a lurker for ages but please try to add anything that may be of interest It's new stuff that keeper the NMB going and interesting Even if you pose a question or image let us know you are learning and you will get help or information Grev

I would certainly find something Just added You don't beg they are from grateful members

Hi Peter Always worth a go and you will learn as you go along There are many NMB members who have made tsuba so expect for information I've no idea if you can do it but we like to see activity on the surface rather than a plan plate with a 'dead' surface Then there is the sukashi if you intend to add this later and there are many examples to use and trust your eye for the composition Ford Hallams book will help with the patination If it looks right then it probably is Keep the images coming

Hope I'm not being negative but what a pain Edo era is (1603 and 1868) Such a long period. I've held off delivery until the New Year so maybe I can see more when it is in hand although the original images are very good

Oops I didn't realise you had already moved it . Thanks

Makes sense to move it I just read the last post which was apt Not area I check out!