Alex A

Subjective, Have a lot of respect for those that really know these swords and the only way to know them is study them daily, not just one or two from a known smith, but many. Did ask a dealer in Japan once what the best blade blade he ever held was, expecting some Juyo candidate, was surprised with his answer and taught me a lesson.

Pin Yin. This was a good thread to read through.

I understand your philosophy Dale. All i will say and keep it short because dont want this topic flying off into space. A new philosophy soon arises when you find you have no money. Anyone can find they lose their job, the misses wants half the house, whatever etc etc. Maybe im a little odd in that i like to see purchases hold their value. Its not about buying stuff to make money. I know people with "you only live once attitude so have fun and buy what you want". Anyways, going off track but they were never any happier. Back to eBay. Dont know if you saw the wanted thread on pine tsuba. Found five or more dealers on eBay all selling the same tsuba. I dont like ebay. Ive bought cheap tsuba too, from folks here.

Ok, no worries.

Dan, your talking like you haven't spent anything. Add up all those tsuba you have bought and im assuming it will be a significant amount of money. My advice to newbies is if you plan on buying lots of mediocre tsuba for $150 (or less) a piece, don't, save and buy better examples. You will appreciate them more and probably re- sell them an hell of a lot faster. Repeating myself again, so said what i needed to say . Think maybe you are in for one hell of a learning curve when one day you sell some of your collection, that's being honest. Goodbye for now,

I don't know much about tsuba, Dan. Know enough to know that no amount of money should be wasted.

I was laughing at your buying tactic, not my reply. Its ridiculous logic. Anyways, not going to go around in circles again about wasting money and encouraging others to do the same. Horses for courses

Must be reassuring.

Had a brief spell on ebay this morning. Reminded of what an horrible experience it is, sifting through junk and scams. There is good stuff, though a lot is well overpriced. Always left with the thought that sellers are fishing for idiots.

Aye, maybe not. Besides that, i am suspicious about that tsuba, those kind always make me suspicious.

Thanks all. That got me on to trawling ebay. Took me back, interesting what turns up, A popular tsuba. Antique Pine Copper Tsuba Samurai Katana Sword Guard Bushido from Japan | eBay Japanese Sword Tsuba Copper Pine Motif Edo Antique Guard with Box Tosogu | eBay Antique Japanese Sword Tsuba Copper Kadmatsu Pine Motif Edo Era 6.8-7.2cm | eBay Edo period Japan antique copper Pine Tree Tsuba Box sword katana armor blade | eBay

I see some details but you have made it really difficult, didn't even realise two swords. Would keep them within their own threads to avoid confusion, with measurements. Do see hada in one of the images, looks like maybe itame with masame near the mune. I guess you need to put as much effort in with better images and dimensions as folks here can put the effort in to assist you.

Just watched this vid.

I think Lewis has a point. To me it looks like someone has filed a mei off in that particular part of the nakago. You can see file marks in that part of the nakago and appears like maybe part of a remnant mei is left. The horizontal file marks are only in that area. Though suriage.

Aye, missed that. To add, very old blade so i guess a lot of folks will forgive.

To some people i would bet that's the main attraction to buy.

Perhaps photograph Aoi arts certificate and show that here instead. Its too small to read. Cheers

Cheers, Nothing worse than dodgy fit koshirae and fittings.

Hi Piers, don't really matter so long as good quality, cheers.

Looking for the above, school/style don't matter. Just to be clear, full tree design/carving, not just flowers. Good to high quality If not pine but you have another tree tsuba, plum etc., whatever, may consider. Pm me if have anything. Cheers.

Looking at the picture of the koshirae, quite surprised. The reason being i expected the tsuka to be longer. The thought i am having now is the sword nakago/reach was simply too short for a new owner, so had it amended. The only thing that gives it aways when the tsuka is on is the habaki, otherwise you would just assume its a regular sword. Think the image above really exaggerates.

I was joking Jean

Maybe someone seeking an advantage the day before the duel.

I suppose the flaw Shinae is also an indicator. Lines/ripples in a blade where a bent blade was straightened. I can only ever remember seeing this flaw once and that was on a blade in the sales section here many years ago, that was a Koto sword.

Ridiculous that Museums don't check with someone that knows how to describe them, kind of embarrassing really.