obiwanknabbe

I just picked up this lovely set of plum blossom tsuba and would appreciate any feedback you folks may have. They are both iron with gold, and silver inlay. The larger one is signed Mori-mitsu saku...... edo ju? not sure if im reading that correctly. What do you think? School? age? I would like to know more about them. Thanks in advance, Kurt k. (2nd try.. 1st post vanished)

Looking closer, the Mei is not poorly cut, it appears to have been wire brushed. look how the yasuri Mei is deep towards the edge and almost invisible near the shinogi line. It looks like it was smoothed over by someone trying to remove rust. Kurt K And Now seeing what Stephen just wrote.

Looks close to my eyes, though i do see some differences in curvature and shape in the carving. If i had to venture a guess, the signature on the right was done by someone who had an off center grasp. Perhaps a student? Just a shot in the dark. Kurt K

Here is an unusual point of preservation protocol. How would one protect the sticker? What could be done (other than just being careful) to keep it from disintegrating? Kurt K

My Best ebay pickup by far. Got it from a mom and pop antique shop who happened to sell on line. Late edo/turn of the last century (i think) Shakudo/darkcopper (not sure) Nicely carved with gold inlay. Cormorant fishing depicted on the obverse The poem in gold on the reverse sold me immediately. Not sure if it was a deal or not (because I dont know what its worth), but I sure like it and it happens to be one of the nicer Tsuba I have. Kurt K

Agreed jean. The file work looks completely wrong. The habaki is most certainly not made for this blade. If anything, its a VERY late war sword with genuine fittings assembled around it. Kurt k

Hard to read upside down but it looks dremel cut. I smell chinese copy. Others please chime in. Kurt K

If your looking for a polisher, bob benson in Hawaii is really good. David Hofhine does a decent job as well. There is also a link to a Japanese polisher in the for sale or trade section . Regards, Kurt K. If the pitting is not too deep it could well be saved. Dont try to do anything yourself.

Ken, i could watch it (in texas). Check you fire wall filters.

Randy, I too, would like to be added to your list.. This seems like a great learning opportunity! Kurt K

Did I hear correctly that the sword laws in Japan are changing regarding Showato being issued Juho-token-rui-torokusho? Kurt k

Makes me love my $100.00 Mantetsu more and more every time i see one of these auctions... although i dont want to sell it anyway. Kurt k

I just stumbled across this older thread and it reminded me of something i saw a few years ago. What would a complete, original, clean condition. set like this go for? I knew an antique dealer who was selling one for $10k a few years ago.. It had a blade in it too with double bohi and O-kissaki (all i remember from 5 years ago) but I know that does not tell anyone much. The one on AOI was gendai. How could you tell if it was older? Kurt

Going to agree on the hypothesis that its an Enfield lock. Looks like an 1860's pattern that was milled down to removed the English proofs.. Kurt K

Not a fan of automating the process on any level. One of the things I cherish about Nihonto is the love of the craft that was required to create each and every piece. While these look cool, and I respect the thought and energies being put towards them, Pushing a button to carve the saya or using a 5 axis machine to make the fittings feels like cheating, and detracts from the piece. This is more the craftsman in me speaking. When I take on a commission for someone, dozens of hours of my life, my sweat, and blood are literally in every piece ( I should buy stock in Bandaid brand). As a result, my customer gets a piece of my soul in the delivered piece. Here, that seem less the case and thus I have a hard time legitimizing a $294,000 price tag. The lacquer work is well done though. Cant really say anything about the blade as I couldn't really see it. That's my: Kurt k

Yep... obvious cast.. Sorry Ken. Look at the Mei.. there are no chisel marks. The kanji are very rounded off and smooth. This is the give away. Kurt K

I have one from the same smith.. also cast but in this case i think someone lacquered over it. Identical Mei.

Shot in the dark here... Kane (Kiyo?). That second one is throwing me off. Kurt K

Looks like the same workmanship here. Ford Commented on this piece earlier if i recall correctly and stated his opinion similarly to Marius; Crude. (edit).. Funny Marius.... I did not see your other post about this one... Looks like we were on the same wavelength already.

Agree with Grey on this one. Broken end off a sword. Typically don't see tanto in shinogi zukuri with rare exception. Also, I see hamon running past the hamachi. How much is the shop asking? Kurt K

You can also use a silver plating solution. I just picked up some "Nushine" to silver plate a brass piece. It works VERY well on copper too. Kurt K

See this is why i love you guys.. I was just sitting here, looking at a tsuba i have, and looking at a wakizashi i am having restored, and thinking to myself, "gee, will these two look right together?" . Fantastic! A bump to the thread; have there been any further revelations on this subject? Kurt K.

eyeglasses/sunglasses repair kits. lots of different small metal screws. Good luck Kurt

Hey.. if any of you are at the show, 1) im very jealous... 2) let me know if you see any katana sized silver semegane. I will wire the money directly to you ! Kurt

I seem to recall seeing a sword from the Black Dragon Society on ricecracker a few years back that was going for some serious coin. Actually.. here is the old link. http://www.ricecracker.com/inventory/722_katana/722_katana_shigetsugu.htm There was another one if i remember correctly.. It had a dragon Horimono as well but much larger. I want to say it was going for like $25k.