Spartancrest

Roger sometimes you don't get answers - because we really don't know! On one aspect you mention balance? Is this balance of design or center of gravity? If it is center of gravity forget it, there are plenty of examples where they are lopsided as far as weight distribution. As to the quality of inlay, it is often a reflection of the time period in which it was made, the early inlay was often rough - makes sense they were experimenting, later it got better, latter still it didn't matter anymore because it was only for the 'foreigners'. I do not believe the craftsmen of any nation [Japan included] started off with supreme skill and execution of finish, it always develops through practice. I am sure the experts will say Kaneie/Kaneiye and Natsuo always created perfect pieces - but how many ended up in the recycled metal pile of each artist before they let the rest of the world look at their work? What do you see a wheel? A section through a melon? I think most of the time it is a guess - and mostly we guess wrong, but it keeps our minds active.

Hi Colin you must have got in early, I have only had mine for two weeks! I found one mistake got past me, there is a soft metal guard 1919.356 on page 127 that says it is iron which it clearly is not. If you check the museums site, that is where the mistake came from. But I still should have at least commented on the wrong description. Not a perfect book, but alright for basic reference - Since I started it, I have seen so many utsushi, I could have made a book of duplicate copies! In fact a poor cast copy just sold of number 1919.522 page 293 tonight https://www.jauce.com/auction/d520766334 like I said it is a very poor copy.

Just released a new book on the "Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art" The book is 344 pages with 310 guards in total, with a few comparison examples found in other museum or private collections. So far available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. [I have to say I am not impressed with Amazon's price] Let me say thank you to a number of NMB members who were of great assistance with information. https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=ISBN%3A+9781006769788&ref=nb_sb_noss https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tsuba-in-the-cleveland-museum-of-art-d-r-raisbeck/1139857558?ean=9781006769788 An even cheaper priced book seller, with the Cleveland collection. https://www.discoverbooks.com/Tsuba-in-the-Cleveland-Museum-of-Art-D-R-Raisbeck-p/1006769781.htm also Abe-books https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results&kn=Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art&sts=t The book is also available in Hardcover but as yet does not appear on the book sites. Please send me a PM and I will seek out the cheapest option if you are interested.

Rob If it is WWII mounts it should have had a Gunto tsuba https://www.jauce.com/auction/d533791094 or https://www.jauce.com/auction/f530456286 there were several types issued from several armouries. NCO https://www.jauce.com/auction/x770899794 or if navy https://www.jauce.com/auction/w473876681 Please be aware there are also Chinese fakes of even these relatively common guards. I think there are better specialists in the NMB who would have more information - perhaps if you look for Shin guntō (新軍刀, new military sword). If your blade is Edo you have the option to mount it for that period as well. Good luck.

Just another heads up. Rabbits practice swords - https://www.jauce.com/auction/e529006737 A variety of coloured versions 'gilded', blackened etc. The 'Rabbits in the Waves' is not the only pattern put out at the same time, a set of Chrysanthemum guards was also made for practice swords and produced the same way. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Japanese-Tsuba-Armor-Katana-parts-Watermarked-Plants-and-trees-/363487786064 they are characterized by wide mimi and wide outlines of the hitsu-ana and once again sized for both Wak and Katana. They are based on a popular design as seen in this Utsushi collection I have been accumulating. A pair of these practice swords is found here https://www.jauce.com/auction/r489031532 and a mediocre 'good' example guard https://www.jauce.com/auction/j700232409

Rob The guard is a replica made for practice swords [Mozo-to] in the 1950s, they come in both Wakizashi and Katana. Great numbers of them are around, punched out like coinage. The pattern is "Usagi-Zu" in the waves. https://www.jauce.com/auction/q123156429 https://www.jauce.com/auction/n177373642 https://www.jauce.com/auction/x453722518 - This one has even been glued to a display board at one time. https://www.jauce.com/auction/q287565123 https://www.jauce.com/auction/p519893711 These are what are available on just one night on one auction site.

John C. T. In the mood for a third? https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1000066314 looks a little tired or boney. [lighting is a little harsh] Owari? 76.2 mm x 75.5 mm x 5.7 mm and weighs about 59g

Can anyone give an explanation on how this damage could possibly be caused by battle damage? I can't see it being done by a sword blow coming up through the hand, through the edge of the tsuka, through the fuchi and through the back edge of the blade. Even given the tsuba were placed on upside down it would need to cut through the blade and habaki.

Glen Ah so it was you who got that little square mokume, I was looking at that one myself! The other example from above passed in https://www.jauce.com/auction/w448276204 Jauce is my hunting ground too - not fond of their fee structure but as you say thousands of choices every week. Getting back to the original thread [sorry Grev] I notice from the side view image that the rim thins out near the raised decoration, is this so? It would explain how the guard was carved down from a thinner plate than it optically appears, to a large extent. Nothing wrong with a cast plate that is carved and reworked.

Glen- https://www.jauce.com/auction/w487367070 I think this is the Kaga contender?

Peter there are certainly a few 'Utsushi' of the plum tree. The first image is perhaps the closest to yours but as luck would have it, it has no information. The fourth example is also very similar except for the overall shape. These links are to the images other than the first. I hope they are of some use. https://nihonto.com.au/product/kikugawa-school-plum-blossom-tsuba-with-nthk-certificate/ https://www.artelino.com/show/japanese_single_print.asp?mbk=3258 https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/21676493-iron-tsuba-nbthk-origami-aizu-ikko-plum-tree-Japan-17th-18th-century

Thanks Glen - The book is also available in hardcover but as yet I have not found it listed. Anyone interested could give me a PM. Please shop around, there are some expensive sites and why should you pay more than necessary? Feel free to ask me if there are cheaper options.

Tembo temper tantrum I don't believe it was a Japanese idea to 'recycle' tsuba this way. The 'Edwardians' had some bad ideas. From: 'Japanese Art Metal-work, The Tsuba.' pub. 1904 "To the repousse metal-worker we might point out that some of these sword-guards, with hardly any alteration, would serve admirably as lock-plates for drawers or cabinets".

I don't mind the two large 'replicas' they are well done and if you can't afford the real thing, they are good talking pieces. Now this one I have seen copied and copied over and over till it gets so bad you can't make out what it started out as - I think it could be Japanese stealing back the design from Paul Chen [Hanwei] who had a collection of famous identities made as guards - they were copied almost immediately by other Chinese factories and I think ironically very well by the Japanese. The "original" Hanwei had a distinctive rim that no one else has been able to replicate correctly. Amazing !! Even modern designs are being faked, nothing is safe !!

Are you referring to this book? https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b422-Japanese-sword-fittings-rb-caldwell-collection or - https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/c106-masterpieces-randolph-b-caldwell-collection He had other books published, one on tsuba and another on swords. The books seem to be few and far between as far as availability.

Good for you Chris - maybe we are archaeological collectors? Even worn out pieces can be worthwhile they tell a story and at least you can figure out what happens if you neglect maintenance! I think you are on to something with the cotton towel, guards do come up better after a good going over with cotton. Anyone know if cotton was a fabric available in Edo times? I find silk does not give as good results. John J. - I am not sure I will have a few decades - let alone trousers - would continence pants work? Heck just buying it could be a symptom of dementia setting in! But I would rather buy a rust bucket than a shiny new fake.

I just bought this ugly duckling that needs probably more than a good clean up. It is very far gone but even the infirm need a home! What caught my eye was several Chinese fakes of very similar design that were selling for more than what I paid. https://www.jauce.com/auction/r306153157 https://www.jauce.com/auction/v663567475 The intriguing thing is the number of copies of genuine guards, how do they copy them without the original piece? Copy and replicate the image or is it more "here, make something close that will fool the novice"?

Rich S. - Even harder to get, because they aren't mine! But I do like what I see.

I recognize one of those extra large guards as a copy of a Ko-Katchushi from Sasano's collection [boar's] A nice dragon on ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/small-Tsuba-guard-openwork-Samurai-dragon-chase-ball-brass-Sword-fitting-katana-/174847788879 And a not so nice dragon also on ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/265238098355?hash=item3dc16c31b3:g:xR0AAOSwe1NgxIQv I have to say I am struggling to see any of those guards as genuine - Is the first one pictured in enamel? If so it is unusual but very blurry work.

John c. At least you can rule out any casting possibilities with your 'twins'? I would like to know if a lack of size difference rules out a daisho? Are there any hard and fast rules involved? These two pieces turned up from the same seller within a week of each other, the size difference is minimal [if in fact the dimensions given are correct?] The image with the matting background shows a more marked size difference. Same pattern and some of the same tool marks, perhaps a gap in time of manufacture?

An even cheaper priced book seller, with the Cleveland collection. https://www.discoverbooks.com/Tsuba-in-the-Cleveland-Museum-of-Art-D-R-Raisbeck-p/1006769781.htm also Abe-books https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results&kn=Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art&sts=t

Just released a new book on the "Tsuba in the Cleveland Museum of Art" The book is 344 pages with 310 guards in total, with a few comparison examples found in other museum or private collections. So far available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. [I have to say I am not impressed with Amazon's price] Let me say thank you to a number of NMB members who were of great assistance with information. https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=ISBN%3A+9781006769788&ref=nb_sb_noss https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tsuba-in-the-cleveland-museum-of-art-d-r-raisbeck/1139857558?ean=9781006769788

I am sorry I can't give an opinion on whether the tsuba are Ko -Nara but I have dredged up two additional images - one a very close match to yours and an older grainy image close to the other example. Perhaps the images may be of some use.

Bob try this link and attachment https://www.jauce.com/auction/e443156025 This tray is in coloured iron and was made by one of the 'nambu-tekki' companies.