obiwanknabbe

Going to agree with Johnny barracuda on this one.. Its off.... i have seen perfectly clean Gunto before and this looks pieced together and fudged. kurt

if i remember correctly.. the copper handled one is the rarer variant, is it not? kurt k

I checked and there were quite a few other items this guy is selling off of AOI's website.. I will send them a letter tomorrow and let them know.. Actions like these ruin the hobby for all of us. Kurt k

What a great service... I can buy a tsuba on ebay and the seller will be nice enough to go and buy it from AOI in Japan and then sell it to me for $200 more than it cost. What a deal!!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-genuine-TSUBA-signed-UMETADA-sword-katana-samurai-antique-Japan-Edo-173-/301867594468?hash=item4648b5f2e4:g:rg0AAOSwezVWt857 http://www.aoijapan.com/tsubaume-tada-autumn-insects Ugh... the scamming never ends..... Kurt k

looks like perhaps an eggplant? As i understand it, Eggplants are considered a sign of good . Kurt k

Thanks for the reply guys. Any thoughts to what school this work resembles? I saw a few other pieces being sold elsewhere that looked like the same material. In those cases, they were described as Copper gold alloy. Does this look and sound right to you folks? Kurt k

Hi everyone, i recently picked up this little tsuba from an online dealer. I likely paid too much ($399) but that's ok... I like it and will find eventually find a nice blade to mate with it. Its in quite nice condition (to my eyes) and I was curious what you, the more educated folks in this area of collecting, thought about it. School, style, quality etc? The material appears to be copper but by the toning im wondering if its blended with something. Could just be an artifact of the patina. Its about 2.2 x 2.75 inches across and about 3/16 of an inch thick so im thinking it was made for a Tanto though the Ana (Correct term?) seems narrow for one. Boys sword perhaps? Seems an appropriate poem for someone growing up. The poem, as i understand it, refers to bonfires on the river and quickly passing days of the 6th month. Anyway, have at it gentleman! Also if you can help with the Mei, that would be great. I have a real hard time with the script kanji. (I looked under a loop and the mei is definitely chiseled in, not cast) Yama shiro gun kore ?... does not sound right.. Thanks in advance for the wealth of knowledge you all bring to the table!!! Kurt K

Ford, as i am starting to learn about tsuba, what is it about this that screams modern amateur to you? is it the seemingly random placement of the leaves? How modern do you mean? 1900's? thanks Kurt k

I was just curious about something i tend to see all over the for sale sections on Ebay and other sites? Why is it that almost everything is marketed as being edo period? Was this a very prolific time for Tosogu production or is it just that people tend to over generalize when they dont know how old something actually is? Im just starting to learn about this subject so Im sure I will have many questions. Thanks Kurt K

Thats just cool as heck..

I am actually watching that right now!

ah.. I was unaware of their being closed monday.. Yes, it is still on the page but that makes more sense now.. Thanks for the reply!

Hey everyone, I just ordered a really stunning set of fittings from Aoi over the weekend. Well, at least i think i ordered them? I filled out their form and submitted it but have not gotten any reply or confirmation. I'm sure there are many of you out there who have dealt with Tsuruta-san in the past.. Is this typical? Kurt

We are all winners, because the donations help fund this site. Kurt k

I wanted to revive this older topic and add another specimen to discuss. I recently was able to attend the exhibit at the Ann & Gabriel Barbier- Muller Museum in Dallas Texas. On display, there was buried in the corner, a Yari forged by Onna Kunishige. It was difficult to get the phone camera to focus through the glass, but regardless its interesting to see another work for this little known but very interesting smith. Does anyone have any other shots with more detail of her work? This would be a great subject for a biography. What an interesting life she must have led. Kurt k

Thanks for sharing... The 5th photo down is a friend of mine, Kazuhiro Hayashi-San, of the NY Nihoto Owners Club. I HIGHLY recommend anyone who is visiting the show to take the opportunity to talk to him. He is a great gentleman and scholar. Kurt K

David just did a Mano Masayasu Gendaito for me. It came out spectacular and the blade was in "played with hard and put away wet" condition prior. I plan on using his services again. Kurt k

good catch Grey. Now its just comical. Kurt

That auction reeks of a pump and dump using phantom bidders. There is just no way any true enthusiast of Nihonto would think that Nakago was legit. Its clearly welded on. just my 2 yen. Kurt k

Pics too blurry. I might guess a boys sword if i could see any detail in the workmanship but its just a shot in the dark. I think i see a stamp or something in pic 4 towards the end of the nakago. Many red flags though,. Kurt k

Sweet.. thanks for the links guys... I just finished the fine stages of wood work on a gunto saya and lacquer is the last step. Kurt k

Where are you even getting Urushi? I have never seen any supplier for it here in the states. kurt k

Sean, I am going to have to go with Chinese fakes here. Many red flags. I would pass on them. Kurt k

yep.. 2 different exhibits. I will need to get my rear end over to see that. Thanks for the heads up

Yes Gordon I have. It was very nice. Abet expensive to view. Im used to NYC museums where its 5 bucks to get in. It cost me almost $60 with parking. Still, a very enjoyable exhibit.