Nickupero

Thanks Hamfish for your input, it is welcome so absolutely no problem with me... Actually I was going to write in my initial posting that I welcome interpretations because I could very well be off, but forgot to do so. I saw the water waves at the base of the tsuba and assumed waterwheel. Anyone else who would like to chime in no problem with me.

Its been a little while I've offered something up for sale here, I'll dive back in with this nice three dimensional Preying Mantis and waterwheel Tsuba. It is actually far more nice in hand and the patina is even and pleasant. The upper wheel is recessed on both Ura and Omote. Also has some nice gold overlays. Measures 8.5cm x 8.5 cm Offered price for members is $585 plus shipping and PP fees unless another form of payments used. Thanks for watching!

Not at all Jussi, it was a good observation and thank you for pointing it out. In this case its't probably patina, I noticed blades with tameshi that were kept in original mounts had varying patina, also the inlay is scratched along the shinogi, this probably throws them off. I've seen kinzogan ga aru many many times on test cut swords especially. Also I think depends who's judging, time of the year, etc. perfect example was a client that got result of Horiyu, Tanobe wrote his opinion and it was then resubmitted and pass Tokubetsu hozon..... its an annoying and time consuming exercise. funny thing is the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon you posted above is a piece that currently belongs to me

Hi Jussi, I could PM it to you but out of respect to the new owner I won't post it publicly. A couple years ago I was fortunate to own another superb Tameshi with the same tester a couple years back (which I am able to post the Hozon so have done so below), was a 2 body, same writing on the Hozon... kinzogan ga aru. My guess is not many examples to go by as he was not a famous tester like the many available examples of the Yamato school? Having handled many cutting test blades I've felt with my experiences the NBTHK was being overly cautious sometimes, kinzogan ga aru my guess is a way to cover their angles? One example I've seen a few times was the gold portion being repaired, which probably triggered doubt because of the varying patina of the Nakago. I don't know what was the case for this 2 body below. Maybe others will chime in with similar experiences or reasoning to this.

Thanks for starting the thread Stuart, I've been out for a little while, was in Japan up until the beginning of this month (got out at a good time). I don't doubt this blade could have accomplished this, not because it is my piece but the blade already is uber heavy, probably 30%+ more than the average katana. So with Stephen's diagram (thanks Stephen) and the weight of the piece it would have had a good chance.

Sorry, saw the title and thought I was being called out Agree with Brian, I've seen some very large ones, some spaced out some closer together.

Agree with Chris, maybe a slightly different take or artists perception. I like the overall feel a lot!

Thanks for adding your opinions... interesting. I did feel some points were off, especially those dragons. Honestly they're a little tough on the eyes l

Thanks for chiming in gents, Hizen would have also been my guess, wondering if anyone had more to say about origins. That is what I saw George, thank you for confirming at least I know I'm not making it up in my head . I like that extra explanation regarding the meaning to a Samurai. Would have been an even nicer piece in its prime, appears to have had far more gold overlay throughout which has mostly come off/or covered by the more aggressive rust. Stephen wasn't for sale at the moment... was intending to bring it to the Show in Holland this summer.

Have this marvellous tsuba and I'm curious if the theme is of the legend where the carp swims up stream to be transformed into a Dragon (sorry I forget the Japanese name). Or is it another theme? Also please feel free to give opinions as to which school.

I though this would be an interesting discussion, saw it on yahoo and seems like the listing was pulled so no longer active Maybe someone here picked it up, was curious to know more about it if anyone wants to chime in. Looks a little crude with the inlays but an interesting piece nonetheless.

wait, did I read that correctly.... closing price ¥6,011,000???

Not on the outside surface Uwe, I didn't check thoroughly inside which I'll do.

Both nice sets, I have a similar set to the first one... not saying this because it is mine but I personally prefer the interpretation of the shish more on my Dou... also the kabuto is far more interesting and ornate.

Chris got a few menpo in case you're interested....

Definitely a sad loss, a great gentleman and member, I enjoyed our occasional email exchange like many of you. He will be missed. Thank you for those who shared their experiences with him and condolences to all who knew him. He had a liking for his brothers North of the border. RIP Arnold

Thanks John, looks like some good things were missed, wish I was able to attend... this time it was so close to home but was in Japan when it happened

Hi Folks, here is a posters for the 2020 Japan Art Expo, please share. File appears to be reduced so feel free to email me if need be, I have the larger file and PDF format. Looking forward to the event, will be a good one!

Had a Japanese sword friend who's normally very good at reading kanji confirm he thought the Mei read "Munenaga Saku". Thank guys for all your effort on this one, so a Myochin Ichiguchi signed Munenaga Saku. Question is Uwe, when was Munenaga active?

Hi Luc, no sadly my Katchu library and reference material is very slim compared to my Nihonto resources. I do however have "helmets of the Saotome school"

Thanks Gents for pouring in the effort for this one, So would most of you agree it is most like Munenage and not Terunaga, from Ichiguchi Myochin school? Any documents supporting a Mei of this maker?

Here are some images of the Mei, maybe I got it wrong?

Thanks guys for chiming in, I'm quite certain this is an Edo Era piece. The inside of the Hachi is probably just as important if not more than the outside, so maybe this will help with the discussion. Took a couple of pictures with my iPhone, an older model so the camera isn't superb.

Using our great resources here, reaching out the Katchu folks in hopes of finding out which school this piece belongs to. Mei reads Terunaga Saku. Also forgot what you call this style kabuto? Sorry for the so so iPhone pictures but I think you get an idea. Thanks in advance!