Spartancrest

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/6027-jp-samurai-sword-guard-three-kingdoms

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324847344738

I just listed a reworked book on the tsuba from Tadamasa Hayashi's collection - Louvre Museum (1894) and his auction catalogue (1902) both originally in French. Translated now into English. The images are only in B&W and some are grainy due to their source, the orientation and sequence has been altered from the original so that images and information run parallel. The original timeline sequence is maintained but this might be disputed in some cases. [I don't like to alter someone else's work unless an obvious mistake is made.] The book is 86 pages and is not a scholarly piece merely an up-date of otherwise lost information and translated to give more people access. I expect it will become available from more distributors but so far it can be found on these sites. https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Tadamasa-Hayashi/dp/B0BB5QQ8X2/ref=sr_1_18? https://www.amazon.com.au/Tadamasa-Hayashi-Tsuba-Collection-1894/dp/B0BB5QQ8X2/ref=sr_1_1 https://www.amazon.com/Tadamasa-Hayashi-Tsuba-Collection-1894/dp/B0BB5QQ8X2/ref=sr_1_1 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tadamasa-hayashi-tsuba-collection-tadamasa-hayashi/1142031253 I make note that the Japanese Amazon site had the book listed yesterday for much more than it is today- It is also noted that the print on demand book is 'Temporarily out of stock' which is complete BS. I am not a fan of 'middlemen' playing games and 'ripping' people off, so anyone interested can PM me and I will see what the real cost can be reduced to. For those with money to burn you can grab the original French book also from Amazon but the $400+ price tag is a little stiff!

Does it count if the design is in iron? Same number of petals 32. 74 mm x 68 mm x 4 mm 100g. [image is 'lightened' from almost black] Nice piece Grev. Great patina and you don't have to worry about rust!

Luca - you need to give Glen a harder challenge than 50/50 - say 1 in 10?

I have to say there is a discrepancy here - was it the practice of the Chinese to "switch out" their guards when fashions changed like the Japanese did? I have always assumed a Chinese sword came with it's guard and could not be changed due to the handle construction. But the Japanese sword was in fact designed so that the guards could be switched. So there would be many more Japanese namban tsuba available than Chinese if for no other reason than the Chinese swords did not survive and hence the guards as well. Reasonable assumption or not?

kissakai Posted May 17 Does anyone have the contact details for the author S.J. King who wrote the book 'Collecting Tsuba'? Although basic I think this is ideal book for someone thinking about collecting tsuba that is clearly laid out. A few reasonably priced books available in English - I do believe Markus's "Handbook" may be hard to find but great for terminology.

The simple answer is you need some experience and you need to make a few mistakes - like the rest of us. You can always post images of what you are interested in buying, here on NMB, and we will do our best to guide you. I would post just the images if possible, or you may find other people who may be interested in competing with you. Hopefully members would not do this if you make it clear it is something you are likely to buy and have found on your own. It gets more complicated the further into the hobby you go - just check almost any thread and you will see that! "Bad design" - I for one think this is in the eye of the beholder, 'Bad workmanship' is something else.

Back on thread - I don't think we have seen this one before. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/015-sukasi-round-iron-shachihoko-tsuba Long tail ribs/spines gold outlined hitsu and ten-zogan. [I have taken the liberty of lightening the rather dark images]

A. H. Church needs to get on-line and explain how come he doesn't know what is in his own collection? Number SIX. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10399 Tsuba with banana palm (EAX.11185), Bequeathed by Sir Arthur H. Church, 1915. Another here in the National Gallery of Victoria [Australia] but I am not totally convinced - https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/52213/

Late find - once again from the distant past. - Tadamasa Hayashi collection, 1902. "137. Iron guard chiselled and openwork. Banana tree. Primitive style of the Bushû. 16th c." Well this makes FIVE so can someone let A. H. Church know?

You are right Glen same one going around the merry-go-round. [Not my cup of tea - not enough piercings] The signed variant above - Kubrick version "Eyes Wide Shut" Seriously I think this is a 'type' where the eyes are (badly) glued on, and obviously failed. Similar to the 'Horse and wood cutter'

Piers try this - https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1060519593

A popular theme indeed! Found this one just listed - https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1061055724 Described as 'nanban' - possibly Hizen?

I agree, every collector needs a good magnet! The work involved carving the voids is twenty times more than cutting the voids all the way through, so I believe Glen is correct when he says it is cast. Perhaps reworked? 'Broken' punch ishime finish. I like it regardless! PS. Is the guard tapered or is it the angle of the photo?

One late entry here - https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1058878701 described as Saotome with inlay.

Marcos. This modern copy has just reappeared (mentioned July 12 above) - the design is similar to your fantastic piece, but obviously simpler and crude. [where do they find the designs to start with?] https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1059093133 [At least I will know where to look for the images now - here!] 81 mm × 81.5 mm × 4.5mm Wt.85

Late post but what to make of this? The first tanto size guard with a square hole - neither Chinese nor European pattern. How do we explain this?

I found [what looks to me] as a similar 'style' guard from Haysashi Tadamasa's collection [circa 1902] He describes his as Fushimi/Yoshiro inlay "— Iron pierced, chiseled and inlaid with flowers and coats of arms. 14th c." [Maybe it was just the way the hitsu is outlined that caught my eye? ]

https://www.eindhovenaikido.com/exclusive-tsuba-collection/ similar to the V&A example above.

Roger I think it is very difficult - nearly impossible IMO - to tell the accurate age of a style of guard made over a four hundred year or longer period. Still more difficult to believe everything a dealer might say in order to get a bigger price. Proof is a scarce commodity, - - opinions are much more common. I rather liked Currans example the hitsu were nice and crude - early IMO [but no proof], I wish we had the size?

Why do all these examples have long thin hitsu?

You are probably correct Okan, many of these cut-down examples would be a bit dangerous for the swordsman and I can't see a smart samurai using one that would likely get caught on clothing and be an ever present hand cutter! Who cut them down and who kept them? Something to sell to tourists? [Gaijin collectors?] An interesting side road to study - like most things the more you look the more you find.

These cut down versions never seem to end - http://www.nihonto.us/MATSUDAIRA MON TSUBA.htm - https://www.jauce.com/auction/n1059180447

Mike, try using some citric acid [cooking ingredient] - lemon juice if you don't have any. It should clean the kozuka, I guess by now you have given up retaining any patina