TETSUGENDO

Deloin, You should find examples here but,If you Google...SHIPPO,ENAMEL,or CLOISONNE TSUBA you will find what you are looking for. BTW, although some shippo tsuba were made for use many were also.produced as stand alone decorative objects that were never intended to be mounted. -StevenK. p.s.- you can check Pinterest as well.

Stephen, Great Dragon! A very nice looking piece, no wax or oil. Care is simple, mild soap and luke warm water as needed....Voila. -StevenK

So,summing it up.......... Avoid Paypal whenever possible. Be careful on Ebay. Don't jump to unfounded conclusions. Relax, life is too short , save the panic for real calamity....there will be plenty of it! -StevenK

Henry, Evan did touch on an important point, it is not unusual for an artist to accumulate a large collection of KAO or KAKIHAN during their lifetime. Don't worry about seals or cyphers not matching. -StevenK

I think we are looking at Teruhide interpreted through later 19th century eyes..... It is still a very attractive set. If the piece in question is a decorative applique for the saya why not use the old catchall phrase kanamono? -StevenK

Henry, Briefly, Ivory is translucent relative to bone. Ivory is denser therefore heavier, relative to bone. Ivory exhibits a pattern of fine lines ranging from parallel to crosshatched, bone does not. Bone often exhibits a pattern of dark flecks ranging from dark brown to black, ivory never does I could go on but this should be enough. -StevenK p.s.-good luck with making some new "potter friends", and hopes for a successful quest! p.p.s. -"Schreger lines" can be extremely difficult to see on the finest grades(TOKATA) of asian elephant ivory so careful inspection is recommended.

Henry, Have you tried reaching out to the Japanese pottery community, someone should have the information you seek. I did a web search and came up with the same things you already know but nothing as far as working dates. He appears to be a studio potter who works(worked) in many styles. BTW, your chaire is very handsome, is the lid ivory or bone? -StevenK

Bill, You are welcome. Its a charming motif, good luck with your sale. -StevenK

Jay, Avoid Paypal whenever possible! -StevenK

Bill, Motif is puppies with abalone. Cheers-StevenK

Florian, The motif of the last f/k you have listed is RAIN. Cheers-StevenK

That was fun! Ah, the days when no one bothered with cultural or historical accuracy....what a hodgepodge. -StevenK

I think Henry and George's deduction is an excellent one. All supposition aside, Vajra works for me. -StevenK

Les, Your sculpture does indeed hold a ruyi scepter. The article held by Ken's piece appears to be a lotus-form ornament, the requisite stylized fungus form head is not present. -StevenK

"Let's do the time warp again"? -StevenK

I think Kyle may have a point, for me, the engraving looks rather ham-fisted and hesitant. -StevenK

Stephen, Nice dragon tsuba...... Perhaps you might consider it for a future wak project? -StevenK

Alton, Lovely..........."Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" StevenK

Peter, I am equally guilty of the very same things. Google has become such a part of our lives that it is easily forgotten.....like our head.... it is simply there. And yes, NMB is a great place filled with kind and gracious people ever willing to help. -StevenK. p.s.- May she always shine upon us!

Peter, Ford's suggestion is a fine one but any good tome on Japanese lacquer should cover the technique. BTW, I tried a Google search for you (Japanese eggshell lacquer) and it yielded copious results with tons of photos. -StevenK

Luca, The material used to construct the part of the box you reference is sealed on both sides (one by glue/one by glue and lacquered paper) so exposure is greatly reduced. Since you are making the part either Kiri wood or heavyweight acid free artists board would be ideal choices. Cheers, StevenK. p.s.- Marco sounds like he has put a lot of careful thought into this matter, I am certain he will lead you in the right direction.

Patrice, I suggest that you use Kiri wood as it has ideal qualities for the storage or tsuba. The use of old wood of unknown origin is not a good idea as its natural properties/processing/treatments.etc could be injurious to the items stored within. Also, the reuse of old tsuba boxs (particularly the fabric padded elements), can cause potential problems. Careless storage can do harm! -StevenK

Krystian, Yes, same piece. -StevenK

Bill, The tsuba you are inquiring about is a well known work (or certainly should be) by Unno Shomin, the subjects depicted are Kanzan and Jittoku. -StevenK

Jean and Tom have got it. -StevenK