TETSUGENDO

Steve, I believe "tsukuru" IS the preferred reading for this application. -S-

Good to see your building the collection! Cheers, -S-

Thats an understatement...Thanks Peter, some excellent material! -S-

Looks as if the dragon boat is good to go, but I'm sure were all looking forward to seeing your skills applied to the Bushu piece....should look great with a little TLC. -S-

Another 'goody', like the clematis motif! -S- p.s.-congrats on the pickups.

More great shots, now it's time to experiment with artificial light and reflection/refraction, etc. Cheers, -S-

An uncommon Dragon, nice! -S-

Looks very professional Chris, whatever the cost in time the results are well worth it. As per the time to complete the next part....when it's done it's done! Cheers, -S-

Nice dense hada as Greg notes. Dwain, your photos are quite good, but you can't expect to capture all of the features in a couple of shots. Different features need varying light sources and angles to bring them out, just as you examine a blade in hand...this is why a good photographic presentation is comprised of many images. You are definitely on the right course, these pictures are a quantum leap, keep at it! Cheers, -S-

That did the trick, great looking shots Dwain, really caught the detail and contrasting textures! Well done, -S-

George, One should always buy the workmanship and not the name. In this instance your birds appear to be high end Ishiguro school pieces which are generally signed. They appear to be real but not knowing the provenance, I always reserve some doubt...although they do appear convincing and very familiar. BTW, if your interested in pieces that 'look' the part reproduction of menuki of this school seem in good supply these days. I have seen several different bird and bird group models available in a variety of finishes on line....they would easily fool the novice or the careless optimist. They are being presented as genuine....the fakers are working overtime. The best place to buy the real thing is at one of the major auction houses, for reasons which should be obvious. Cheers, -S-

Omar, here's a stunning pair, If available I would recommend them without reservation, only problem being the pricetag of several thousand dollars...most probably ditto on the ones George posted (if genuine). High grade fittings signed by an important maker are very costly, not many collect at this level. There are many attractive pieces available at a much more modest price. BTW, I wouldn't make a call on a picture of such poor quality. -S-

Kirill, Your just about THERE! -S-

Eric, the later Edo period on saw many 'revivals', these pieces were produced as an homage to the past....they were not exact copies. Strictly speaking, your tsuba is a fake by means of production, sorry. I have included a photo for comparison. -S-

Well done Peter! A beautiful collection, and a truly impressive accomplishment......patience has its rewards. -S- p.s.- congratulations to you and your wife.

Nicely made and fairly priced, a good source to add to the archives! -S-

Namikawa is a great and reliable source for many things, but 70,000yen seems too dear....even by Japanese standards. -S-

Very handsome koshirae Jeremiah, menacing is a very apt description, the person who assembled it did a great job! Cheers, -S-

José, It has the look of a stamping to me, probably late 19th century. A lot of this stamped work, simulating traditional handwork, was made ( fake kagamibuta netsuke, menuki, kozuka, pouch clasps, letter knives, etc.) in Japan from later Meiji on. -S-

When a sword is not in service it is traditionally stored in shirasaya. -S-

Serious blade, serious Koshirae.......PERFECT! -S-

Jeremiah, How about some photos of the Koshirae, sounds like something we'd all enjoy seeing? -S-

Jeremiah, A truly wonderful blade, an apt and satisfying next piece for the collection. I'm sure Jean is happy that it found a new owner that will treasure it as much as he had, care for it well. Some things are meant to be. Cheers, -S- p.s.-The view from the summit is clearer than that of the valley.....continue to aim high.

José, A photograph of the reverse of the piece in question would be helpful. Cheers, -S-

Best solution: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" -B.Franklin