Marius

That sounds very convincing, thank you! The hole would represent a mistletoe berry in such a case…

Gents, any idea what is depicted here? I shall be grateful for your thoughts…

SOLD

On HOLD.

Come on, guys, here is an opportunity to buy a real early Edo. Owari tsuba, vastly superior in quality to most of the stuff you see that is sold as Owari (in most cases these are just random sukashi tsuba). Don't hesitate, as after a while I will just withdraw this piece. Make me an offer if you like it. You know, tarts and all

Gents, I have chosen a neutral title for this post, because I didn't want to scare you with the name of the maker of this fantastic Owari tsuba. I didn’t want you to confuse him with one of the greatest masters of the Owari tsubako. Reading this big big name you might have automatically assumed it is a fake, a gimei tsuba. But this tsubako has nothing to do with his famous namesake. I am talking about a master who has been described in the fundamental work on Owari tsuba - Okamoto's "Owari To Mikawa No Tanko". Okamoto has named him "Owari Nobuie", to make sure he is not confused with the great Nobuie. The „Owari Nobuie” was active between 1655 and 1673 (Meireki to Kanbun) and his favourite motives seem to have been butterbur leaves (as in this tsuba), gingko leaves and kasa (hats). His tsuba are powerful, have very good iron and tekkotsu on the rim. Interestingly, Okamoto writes that some of this master's genuine tsuba have been confused with cast copies. I think it is becase his iron is so sandy (for lack of a better expression) and his signature (信家) appears crude, like in cast tsuba. I think it is due to his style, as simple as that. And he was certainly not trying to use a signature similar to the great Nobuie’s. Yes, it looks thick and unsophisticated, but it is his mei. I will give you measurements later, but they should not deviate greatly from a very similar example in the Owari To Mikawa No Tanko: 7.8 x 7.8 cm with 6.3 mm thickness. This tsuba reflects the sensitivity of Owari tsubako - it is powerful, yet has subtlety resulting from its imperfection. It radiates freewheeling creativity, very much like Japanese pottery from the 17th century. It is a guard whose maker was steeped in the chanoyu ideals of the great tea masters like Sen No Rikyu, Furuta Oribe and Hosokawa Tadaoki. It is one of the last of this kind - later tsuba, despite their artistry and perfection never attain this aesthetics, instead conforming to the rigidity of the Tokugawa rule. This rare tsuba is for sale for only: $600 (incl. priority shipping to EU/US)

Sorry, yes. It is SOLD.

Glad it arrived 😀

HOLD

Yamagane, shigure (rain motif), 6.8 x 6.4 cm, 4mm at mimi. $170 incl. shipping to US/EU

1,2,5 and 6 are SOLD. Remaining: 10 and 11

Thanks Piers, very interesting!

I am sorry, can't give you the measurements as I am away, but it should be ~30cm diameter. It is a lacquered wood plate, meant for hanging on a wall (but it ca be presented on a stand as well), with a cast iron image of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, riding an elephant. It could also be Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of universal goodness, virtue, & worthiness. Signed and stamped on the back. $250 incl. shipping to EU/US

1, 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11 still available

Glad they arrived safely. And thanks for the purchase 😊👍🏻

SOLD

Gents, This time an Edo tsuba, so do not expect a big write up from me (as you know, Edo guards are not my area of interest). It is a decent, katana sized (7.7cm x 0.35 cm) iron tsuba. Quality of iron is good, patina is good, and the gourd sukashi is charming. The walls of the sukashi have remnants of gold lacquer (I think) - a nice touch. I can get you pics from the previous owner, if you wish. Good for mounting or collecting $150 incl. shipping to US/EU

Gents, if you buy, pay Brian. The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation by Yoshindo Yoshihara, Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp Used, very good condition. Only the cover shows signs of use. 255 colourful pages. $30 incl.shipping to US/EU - the whole amount payable to Brian, shipping is on me.

On HOLD.

SOLD, thank you 😊

I agree

Gents, if you wish to buy this one, pay directly to Brian. Keep in mind that I will be able to ship after 6 June. A little but thick and heavy tsuba. 6.2 x 6.5 x 0.65cm at rim and 0.5 cm at seppa dai. I guess all is visible in the pics. Pretty old, as you see from the patina. Nice for mounting a sturdy short sword. Don't try it on anything puny $40 incl shipping to EU and US.

And it’s on hold, thank you. Payment to Brian, please.

$40 incl. shipping to US/EU. Payable to Brian for the upkeep of the NMB.

Congratulations Mark (and Brian ) I wish my six remaining books here would sell (sale is for the benefit of the NMB):