kissakai

Hi Michael I have this one which in my opinion is remonisant of the one you are loking Maybe of not much merit but I wouldn't sell it The size is 67 x 65 x 5.6 & 12.5 Bob Haynes said is was possibly Myochin and dated around 1750 Grev UK

Hi Alan It is similar to the Chokuru (I think that's how it's spelt) but that was a horse out of a vase There maybe something in Joly's Legend in Japanese Art Grev

Hi Rob Very nice My favourite is the first one As you know it is the famous bridge but I can never remember it's name Grev UK

I fully agree with Ofek - He generally sells at market value and is a safe dealer Grev UK

Just sold #45 and #53 I had a lot of interest for #45 and was surprised it didn't sell earlier but there is so many class items just lately the buyers have had a field day Grev UK

Looks OK to me A rough guide is it is best to have 90% of the inlay present I've bought a few tsuba from him as class him as a good seller Grev UK

Update Auction was hopeless so may try a local Arms & Amour sale next I have decided not to sell a couple of tsuba so these are the tsuba that have been sold: 11, 30, 49, 57, 62,77,88, 92, 155, 161, 184, 186, 198, 201, 202 & 206 Grev UK

Hi Happy to contribute but I can I do a 'friends' paypal? Kevin is my favourite tsuba maker but I wonder about the other competion entrants My the way i may be selfish but I'd only contribute to Kevin - Sorry Marcus and the others great artistes Grev

Hi I had a look at the link - thanks Can we have a peep at Marcus's entry? Grev UK

Congratulations to all the winners I bought two tsuba from Kevin last year and in my opinion they are both gold medals winners Grev UK

The habaki doesn't show very well so I added one just of the habaki Grev Uk

Hi I took many images over the last couple of days in differing light conditions and settings but all were pretty naff but have added a couple This one because one of his pointers was the file marks on the nakago but it was only today I saw the same file 'lines' are reflected in the habaki which I think is a bit cool I just can't get an image that sows the 'ashi' part of hamon correctly although I can see it! Grev UK

Hi Grant I've just bumped it so it is top of the list on the tosogu section Let me know when you purchase it and I'll send a copy of the transcribed Wakayama Grev

I've just bumped this as another NMB member couldn't find it Grev UK

Hi I think that says it all and as a guide for me: Tsuba one ko shoami (catch all) with either fire damage or general corrosion Tsuba two - may originally have been myochin but kanji and 'clouds' added later so it resembles tembo work Thanks Grev

Hi Thanks Richard for the images as they helped Can I just keep this finally to one question by just asking if the kanji on the second tsuba real? Grev UK

Yes I do like mine and when I can take a decent photo (I've tried a few times but the images are just no good) I will add to this post My take on it is that his early swords were a reflection of his teacher but by doing his own thing he is stating this is me! So I prefer his later work which I would describe as a true Sokan sword I can understand the boring comment but look at a perfect circle that by definition is perfect but another would call it boring Prior to buying I wanted a straightish hamon (re my circle reference) which I have and the hamon only reveals itself (like many other good swords) under close scrutiny The other features are understated but this is it's appeal Grev UK

A wonderful very well defined explanation that I enjoyed reading The tank analogy was brilliant Thanks Grev UK

Hi Grant No dumbasses here just clever members and very very clever members! I asked some questions on using the Haynes Index so when you get your books (well worth the cost) do a Haynes Index search on this message board for some more pointers Grev UK

Thanks for your comments and images Grev UK

Hi Darius T109 is available but T186 has been sold Grev UK

Hi John I've taken 100's of tsuba pictures so it may just be a knack Always outside ideally on an overcast day If it is sunny then using a piece of card you can move it around so direct sun light doesn't make the tsuba surface to bright Never use a flash I've used the same coloured card for ages as it doesn't influence the colours so the tsuba is more natural Any colour is OK but it needs to be a muted uniform colour that is not too bright Initially try one tsuba against different colours and see which gives the most natural tsuba tone I used a canon compact for years to good effect but now use a DSLR but sometimes my old camera gives me a better image Good luck Grev

Hi John I copied the mei and tried to photoshop it better but without success You could either try to copy the signature as you have it in hand or look up the kanji for shigetsugu and yasushige saku and see if they resemble your kanji mei Grev UK

Hi I wonder if anyone wishes to add any comments about these two tsuba? None of these will win a beauty competition so I'm not expecting any kind words just an honest opinion School: Ko Shoami Period: 1700 Size: 77 x 75 x 3.5mm The only shapes I see are leaf-like It has condition issues School: Myochin Period: 1750 Size: 59 x 50 x 4.3 and 7.1mm Fake kanji? I'm guessing the shapes may be clouds that may be a later addition Grev UK

Hi I have just purchased a Tairyûsai Sôkan katana from James Lawson and after doing a bit of research I found his early works are made in much the same style as his teacher, Munetsugu. In 1854 he changed his name to Tairyusai Sokan. At that time, he also changed his style of workmanship and created his own individual style. I was wondering whether collectors prefer his early or later style of workmanship Grev UK