xander zane

Hello Jean, Thank you for your infomative reply. Sorry for the pictures I took them hastily when I got home I've just come back from a long trip, which is when I picked this up in a random antique store on my way home. I'll take some better ones in natural light in the morning with my camera and attempt disassembly to see the nakago. I believe it is a Iaito too, its what I assumed it was when i purshased it anyway. I'm 99% certain its aluminium zinc alloy. The rust was more on the kodogu. Yes they are of low quality. As i expected they where, most appear to be, personally i don't think it withdraws from the decorative appeal though. I think it just adds a bit of patina. Not to mosts taste I know. Especially purists. I would not want to use something pristine practically anyway. I have repositioned it appropriately. Thank you for clearing that up. Something new I've leant there. I'll post some slightly clearer images now then try better in the morning with my camera. Thanks Xander.

Hello all, Not been on here in a long time, life got in the way of my passions and hobbies, until I stumbled across this today. It peeked my interest and was what I would consider a extremely reasonable price. Any info as to age, origin, price etc would be appreciated, I'm still learning after all. I believe it to be a Japanese made iaito used for training. I'm thinking 60-70s? Possibly 80s? A starter piece. (Apologies if the sageo? Offends anyone i had a go at tying it myself) Unfortunately its become oxidized and rusted in some places due to age and poor storage i imagine but I'm mainly going to use it as a decorative item, and also practically as im a martial arts instructor or was many moons ago. Just looking to get back into collecting and this is me saying hi and dipping my foot back in. Thanks in advance Xander.

My sentiments exactly, i have learnt a lot from this piece.

Cool, i was wondering whether it was just my computer screen causing that effect. It is interesting to know it does it in hand aswell, maybe that is the intention the maker had, or possible a cool by product. (edit: and thanks for fixing the link)

I really like the design of this Tsuba i found on Eds site here http://yakiba.com/Tsuba_CJ_Ironsukashi.htm. (cant seem to post link properly its is under consigments, and is number Tsuba c-1)

Cool, Its like a more elaborate version of the one i bought, but in a lot better condition. Do you have a link so i can see what it goes for price wise.

Thank you for the welcome, the Tsuba in the first picture almost has a optical illususion effect on my eyes rather bizare actually. I quite like the second tsuba, for some reason i seem to favour floral motifs, probably something i picked up from my parents, and my own work as a gardener for a short period of time.

Ed those are some good quality pictures there thanks for the link, and richard hopefully some day i will get lucky enough to own some jaw dropping pieces. I will certainly have a browse through Grey's website, its good to know theres somebody who can be trusted when starting a hobby such as this.

Thanks, i see its much more defined and textured. I really like the tsuba in the first picture aswell.

Thanks for the advice and information Richard, cheap and cheerfull pieces would probably suffice for know. Its finding ones that are of good quality that i actually like the design off thats tricky. I plan on doing some research before making my next purchase, and its my birthday at the start of next month, so might be able to con the family into buying me some literiture to have a read through. Also would you mind posting a picture of what you would consider good quality nanako so i have something to compare it to. Thanks, Alex.

Thanks steve very informative and that tsuba is very similar in design, and indeed a good piece to learn from, as now i know quality is everything when it comes to Tsubas, and it will certainly mean in future i will do greater research before making a purchase. Now to find some good quality literiture to read up on the subject. I am on my now to pick it up and will post back later hopefully no further damage has occured in transit lol.

Its 2 1/4x 2 1/8 inches according to the guy i got it off, so would that mean its for a tanto? And its quite possible it isnt mino goto, as i am just relying on what the guy put in the description. Is there another style you would attribute it to? I plan on doing a write up on all the details i can gather on it so i can use it for future referance, also helps me gain knowledge quicker. I plan on doing it for any more tsubas i purchuse, although i am going to do some reading up on the subject first. And thank you for the welcome, its not often you get such a nice one on a forum.

Dammit hit post when I hadn't finished, I also meant to say for some reason I was drawn to the tsuba, I like it's simple design, and how they haven't gone over the top with the gold. Is there a name for lower quality pieces, and to what purpose where they made I.e. Lower ranks, the public? And do many people collect such works? As my budget for collecting would be fairly low to start with due to all my money going towards postgraduate tuition fees.

Thank you for the replies, I expected as much in regards to the quality for the price I paid, I am just glad it's real. I will give it a wash and take you some better pictures when I pick it up tomorrow. And I should also be to give a definitive answer regarding the nanako

Hi all, I am new to the forum and to Nihonto and Tosugu collecting. My name is Alex and i am from the Uk, and i have been interested in the Samurai way of life, especially there weaponry, since i was a small child. It was sort of by accident i stumbled accross Nihonto, i was was searching the dreaded auction site ebay, and stumbled accross a tsuba that caught my eye which i eventually won. Unfortunatly i did not have the time before the auction ended to do any research like i usually would, but it was cheap enough for me to take a gamble. Which brings me here in the hope one of you may be able to identify it and hopefully tell me it is not a fake (fingers crossed). Even if it is fake it was a small price to pay to have found out there is actually a community dedicated to the collection and preservation of Japanese swords, as it has been my life long ambition to own a true piece of Samurai History. But before that happens i will have to do a hell of a lot of research and saving lol. Thank you for reading, i will add some pictures of the Tsuba below and tt was advertised as a late 18th early 19th century shakudo mino goto tsuba. From what i can gather Mino Goto is a school that specialises in floral designs? But from other examples i can find on the web the one i have bought looks a bit simpler in design compared to there usual works. So maybe a apprentice or lower budget piece? Please correct me if i am wrong this is all so new. If any more information is required i will be able to supply it when i pick it up from the postage depot tommorow Thanks, Alex.