Willowyck

Dear members, Here is one tsuba I once bought from a good friend here on the forum. Photo and description are by him. A very early brass tachi kanagushi tsuba - a rare piece. It is very likely that this brass is imported. It is darker, richer and more visually elegant than brass produced in Japan by the late Momoyama period. This is the type of brass used in contemporary Onin tsuba. Note that the sukashi is chiselled, not cut-out with a saw. The plate has been covered by black lacquer which remains in many areas. The hitsu-ana is likely original and of an early form - low and elongated. Mid Muromachi Period (late 15th c.) 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 SOLD

Hello Dieter, no, the Koshirae has no papers but that is not so important to me and especially not necessarily meaningful. Providience is much more important to me. The Koshirae comes from the collection of Andrew Mancabelli. I bought this Koshirae from him just before the Yamabushi antiques website was closed. He was and is one of the few who offer antique Koshirae at all. You can check out some koshirae from him at "Kokusai Tosogu Kai - 7th International Convention & Exhibition 2011". Two of them were also offered on the webside "Yamabushi antiques" at the same time as the one I have shown here. Or check out who Andrew Mancabelli is. Kindest regards

I've been in this forum for several years now and I have seen a lot of interesting and great Tosogu. However, I can't remember ever seen old Koshirae here. All of them were from the Edo period or later. For this reason I would like to show you a Uchigatana Koshirae from the Momoyama period. A koshirae for a single handed sword that would have been used by a warrior on horseback as an auxiliary weapon to a tachi. Examples of these are very rare and sought after. The tsuka has a very nice hourglass form and is rather thin with black lacquer same wrapped in asa cords. The matching fuchi kashira are in a light shakudo, possibly shibuichi which matches the material of the tsuba. The ko kinko shishi menuki show good form with good patina. The tsuba is punched with star designs on the surface which still retain quite a bit of black lacquer from the fighting days. The kurikata of the saya still has its Momoyama period fittings which are carved from one piece rather than being a central piece with seppa. This style is known on high quality pieces during the sengoku period. In all a very rare and high quality piece. There are some flea bites to the saya lacquer and there are some minor spots of old urushi repair that are not noticeable and actually add to the beauty of this very well matched and restrained samurai piece. Kindest regards

...came back today and saw the two photos of the koshirae - thanks a lot. How beautiful. Thanks

What a beautiful Higo Koshirae. I would really like to see close up photos.

Ebony wood only needs cites when it comes from Madagaskar. You can buy it easily in Germany for knife handles.

Might it be possible to see some more fotos? Kindest regards

#1 is mine, as Marius should remember. I only would rent it

If possible I would like to see more of these interesting photos and does anyone know where it is possible to get these tsuba box covers.

Hi, the blade is nothing worth. It`s a fake, probably made in China or somewhere else. The koshirae needs a closer look, but in that combination... Kindest regards

...got my ordered arrowhead today and I am very pleased. It`s even better in hand than on the photo. Thank you very much Gilles! Best regards

Hello to everyone, after years of being a sleeper ( I am reading here since 2007) I would like to introduce myself. My name is Thomas and I am living in Essen, Germany. I am interested in nihonto since nearly 30 years now. I started in books and find the first blades on antic markets and auctions. As many of you write - it`s the best to start with books, that`s right. First money spent in blades and tsuba was lost money. I am still collecting books and from time to time a blade. I specially like tanto and yari, but also tsuba (Hi, Mariusz!). I love this forum and it`s informations.