terminus

Very intricate carvings that trail off, flush inlays, raised rim...this tsuba definitely looks a lot like the ones in this old thread I recently stumbled on: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/2719-unrecorded-looking-for-comparison-mei/

For me, it's not just the extra authenticity, but also some signatures add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the tsuba. Ex. Sekibun or Natsuo or Ford Hallam's sig's look beautiful on a tsuba.

I have actually. The problem is a lot of the more famous modern smiths have work booked till the fall or next year. Also interestingly enough sometimes the complexity of the work in tsubas I'm looking for can cost more now in the present day than buying an antique one.

Looking to buy a high-end tsuba, must have a signature/mei, preferably katana size. There's countless variety of themes and motifs and aesthetic styles I'm interested in, so instead of listing everything here are some example tsubas I absolutely love: https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-carp-leaping-up-a-waterfall-11675 https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-elephant-and-flying-tengu-9931 https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-kinko-riding-on-a-carp-11664 https://art.thewalters.org/detail/1731/tsuba-with-yoshitsune-learning-to-fence-from-the-king-of-the-tengu/ https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-in-the-form-of-an-octopus-12123 https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-bishamon-and-centipede-10031 https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/tsuba-with-design-of-shoki-on-horseback-with-an-oni-attendant-11604 I should mention I'm very partial to tsubas with a carp, octopus, raijin, or tengu motiff...so if you have one, pm me!

Oh wow, this is really good to know. So I’m assuming that site is a scam of some sort? I was thinking it looks like a Gotō Ichijō tsuba too by the shape and flush inlays. Thanks for the photos, looks beautiful and the surface sheen is very unique!

Thank you! makes a lot of sense and great explanation. Also some tips for when I'm purchasing a modern sword too!

Going out on a limb here...any chance this tsuba was made by the famous Tanaka Kiyotoshi? From the MFA it seems like he sometimes signed Toryusai (Kao) but not sure about this one.

I'm asking this question because every now and then I see a beautiful katana on sale from a mukansa smith or older period smith and I see "suitable for iai and/or tameshigiri". Does this mean the sword was never their upper tier "art sword" work and and more of a workhorse? Is it because of the weight of the sword? Here's a few examples: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-bugei-ju-kanekuni-sakumukansa-sword-smith/ A lot on here: http://www.e-sword.jp/nihontou.htm

Oh...can you elaborate more on that? is the patina that slight bluish hue on the surface?

I would like to know too! it'll be great to know who the actual crafts person is...also because I may just buy this one lol.

So I know it the mei says Toryusai, but does anyone else think this tsuba does not look like anything from the Tanaka Toryusai school? https://www.mfa.org/collections/search?f%5B0%5D=field_artists%253Afield_artist%3A923 From the flush inlay work and smooth base surface it looks vastly different from the tsubas in the MFA for Tanaka school. I guess their repertoire of skills and style is just really diverse.

Thanks for explaining that Steve! I'm new to the whole tsuba arts & craft, but after watching Ford's vids on youtube and reading some history here and there...it's insane the amount of work and detail put into them. This tsuba for example, it's hard to believe the maker took the time and precision to inlay each color for the leaves and flowers and then file it flush, wow! -Tony

Everytime I think "inlay" I think of objects "popping" out of the surface while this tsuba doesn't really have much so I'm confused where the inlays are. Are those gold leaves gold inlays? are those flowers silver and copper inlays? since the colored areas look almost painted to the untrained eye (like mine).

thank you! I've seen other tsubas with this group of plants before but never knew this was an actual "theme", now I like this tsuba even more now. btw for the metalwork experts out there, is this tsuba purely carving work or are there inlays applied?

aww, thank you! the extra "u"s in the way they spelled "Touryuusai" gave no results on google so I was stumped for a bit. Looking at the Toryusai school works, this one is slightly different in style. It looks so modern possibly because of the condition it's in, frankly at first glance I thought it may have been one of Ford's or Marcus's or Kevin's work.

Hi folks, found this beautiful tsuba recently from here: http://japaneseswordgallery.jp/tsuba-Japanese-samurai-katana-koshirae-guard-four-classic-plants-pattern-antique/ It reminds me of a water color painting how the color is applied. But was wondering, from the excellent quality and since I've never heard of the name "Touryuusai" before, is it a modern tsuba?

Oh I see it now, Yea he def looks like he's reading a poem in a tree hollow.

I stumbled upon this tsuba on ebay today: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sale-Tsuba-Japanese-Samurai-sword-Katana-Koshirae-guard-Kanzan-figure-Antique/264213053098 and I was wondering if I could get any info from about it. It's quite expensive for a non nbthk authenticated tsuba but I just absolutely love the design and aesthetics on it. Specifically, I was wondering: -It seems the figure is Kanzan. Where is Jittoku and why is he alone? what's with the firey background? -Of course, do you think it's real? seems to be from the Kaneyuki (Hamano school). The front looks textured and gritty while the back is super smooth, could that be a tell it's fake? are tsubas usually like this?

Thanks! It was nice meeting you too! I commissioned it with help from Mike who owns the other Yoshindo tsuba Stephen posted above! Ahh, the Kongara and Seitaka. I did some research after the right letters were found out to be Fudo Myoo, and assumed the left 2 might be his two attendants, effectively this tsuba is themed after the "fudou sanzon".

Hey guys, Just got my new tsuba from Yoshindo Yoshihara! I love the balance of 2 on the left and a whole script on the right as well as the ocatagon shape. Wanted to share: I remember the sanscript says something like God of War and his 2 children? If anyone could read sanscript/bonji, can they confirm what it says?

Yea, I think you got it right on the mark. It's a huge blade too, the thickness is 3.53cm and the length is 78cm!

Hi I noticed the end of bohi on this specific katana was cut "into" the the kissaki. I've never seen a bohi like it before. Anyone know what might be the reason? Is this a specific traditional style? if so, what's the name? Thanks, Tony

I was thinking it might be chikei but seems way to large to be it. Core steel.....maybe but how does that even happen on the kissaki's outer layer?

Hi, I saw this sword from Sumitani Masamine and everything was perfect except this unusual mark on both sides of the kissaki. Does anyone know what it is? (a flaw? on purpose?) and what might of physically caused it?

Hi I saw a Sukehiro katana for sale and the mei looks like echizen no kami sukehiro. However It doesn't have papers and seems too good to be true. Here's the mei, all the black and white ones are real. The colored one is in question. To my untrained eyes the mei seems to fat in some areas. ​What do you guys think?