Spartancrest

This topic goes back in time awhile but I have two examples of Gama-hada one a very small kogai and the other a lens shaped wangata tsuba where the silver has been over heated and spread like the description above from Ian Bottomley. I have not seen many gama-hada on auction sites but there are a number in museum collections. It would appear to be a difficult technique and you only get the one chance to get the temperature right. You may notice I underlined lens shape - while we all have seen oval shaped tsuba I have never seen a lens shape [the two are not the same] I would love to see other examples.

One of Rich S. examples here - a bit blurry! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tsuba-Sukashi-Edo-antique-vintage-rare-samurai-sword-katana-yoroi-Ancient-art/284151681690?hash=item4228c2929a:g:7FQAAOSwZZFgBR0T

Brian the ategane plugs have come from some repurposed Amita jewelry from the late 1950s - 60s and they are a bad fit at that. The ura of the guard is even worse - my favourite is the Chinese star on the flower head.

Abe books have listed the book as well now https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=SearchF-_-topnav-_-Results&kn=chosen gafu&sts=t

What do people think of this one https://www.jauce.com/auction/q429663081 Is it like those posted above by Rich? Mino work or Chinese fake? The Mei is cast in, so may be unrelated to the style. No nanako on the rim surface. [never been mounted either despite the punch marks]

Is that a signature on the fuchi? Any idea what it says? Got to love those punch marks around the Nakago-ana!

I look more like a cross between Columbo and Patrick Stewart from Star Trek! My hair has 'boldly gone'

I think I have found the origin of the ategane plugs - Japanese 1950s Amita jewelry, common just after the second world war. That would make the piece at least that recent.

A recent auction sale https://www.jauce.com/auction/d477991218 had, what you are led to believe are a daisho of tsuba. From what I see they are totally unrelated, the smaller of the two pieces looks ok [a bit of an indent at the bottom] A very fine fukurin, the sukashi look ok [a bit dusty]. But check out the larger piece, that full flower head, the 'kebori' on the leaves - all a bit off. But the ura side is where the game is up! The lower stem of the Chrysanthemum has casting bubbles but the fun inclusion is the Chinese star on the flower head - I know a star is a star and the symbol is common in many cultures, but that is my take on it. Now another intriguing feature are the ategane/ume, they don't look like they were made to fit this guard at all, but came from some former jewelry piece - the detailing on them out weighs the tsuba. I would be interested in others thoughts.

Where was this post two days ago when I had to explain them to a newbie - sorry Jesse - Great work John One here https://www.jauce.com/auction/l628127283 but then again they seem to be nearly everywhere! Have you ever noticed that a majority have very similar Tagane-ato the little apprentice who put them in must have worn out his punch by now!

I am sorry I should have said those guards could be up to 70 years old, they started production in the 1950s as far as I can ascertain - 30 more years and you will have some 'genuine' antiques.

Luis do you think it is a copy or a legitimate Utsushi ? I don't know much about menuki but if they follow the trends like tsuba, there may be a lot of counterfeits out there?

Blurb are running a 40% off deal on 4 Photo books, or 35% on 3 Photo books until the 22nd of January for those interested. Codes are STACKUP40 and STACKUP35 Not ideal as you need to buy 3 or 4 books but if people can get together for a bulk buy, that's the way to do it. [This is for the 'Deluxe' gloss paper book] https://www.blurb.com/b/10516296-album-of-designs-for-metal-carving-ch-sen-gafu-de I will let you know of any other deals going as they occur. Regards.

This is also 'high' end https://www.jauce.com/auction/o449060436 You can smell the fake all over it! 120,000 yen what a cheek!

This was already posted on Monday - the original design should have looked like this. Maybe he is hoping the guy who sold it to him might buy it back out of shame?

You may get it cheaper here direct from Japan - https://www.jauce.com/auction/h532016780 $200 cheaper is not to be sneezed at! It pays to look around!

When does a Hamidashi tsuba become just a thick decorative seppa? Unfortunately the missing dimension of thickness is not available. https://www.jauce.com/auction/n489118022 Something to ponder on. https://www.jauce.com/auction/s799877985 It is easier when there are a pair! But the question remains what is the crossover?

Sheez! Matt I am impressed with the box, let alone the contents!

Every collector needs his Magnet that's for sure! I bought what I took to be a mokume of different alloys of copper only to discover under the layers of spray painted clear lacquer that in fact the guard was iron and much better than expected! [Any help in getting rid of modern spray coating would be most appreciated!] Simple tools like a magnet and a bone/antler or ivory stick are things beginners should get hold of. Fakes are always going to be a problem - they are just getting better at it all the time [not the one pictured]

Hi Yas , found this one listed today - https://www.jauce.com/auction/g500246208 it is another well made 'reproduction' and I suppose if you don't have a spare $9363.85 US. [ that is the exchange rate on the £] you could buy a copy for considerably less! The same design was mentioned on Christmas Quiz. Someone is doing pretty good fakes out there! [they need to do some work with the colours though!]

I don't know where I should post this link and image - it is in relation to Malcolm T's comment and mine under it [above] looks like we have another 'replica' doing the rounds. https://www.jauce.com/auction/g500246208 The colours are way off but the detailing is darn good, The mei is a waste of effort and the V shape bottom of the nakago-ana are giveaways. I will also post it on Merry friends of "Y!Auction" Where all the fakes go to die!

This copy [repro] has just sold on auction - there are a dozen versions of it about, this is one of the 'better' ones but still fake. The ura side always lets them down, probably late Meiji early twentieth Century - hard to tell some are still being made! https://www.jauce.com/auction/d498881440 40 bids sold for 35,500 yen.

I see Barnes & Noble have the matte book listed https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/album-of-designs-for-metal-carving-ranzan-tsuneyuki/1138546816 They have it listed with free shipping. I am unsure if this is USD.

Jesse You will also note the over run of metal into the nakago-ana. A lot of fast production fakes have this, as well there is a tendency for a V shaped bottom of the nakago-ana rather than a straight line. Like George has said the 'mei' is wrong it is rather wide and not like it should be if cut with a chisel. Fakes can even have sekigane simulated by an outline marked by different colour, not a cutout and filled with copper [ this is not present of course on your example.

Nambu tekki tsuba with a purpose! These cast iron plates would serve very well as 'sizzle' plates, I have a set myself [always five in a set] They are on the small size, like a saucer so you won't fit a big meal on them ! They turn up from time to time at reasonably cheap prices - the catch these days is the weight and shipping cost! https://www.jauce.com/auction/f486771757