Vermithrax16

WOW!!!! Congrats to new owner! Super fine.

Actually, it's a question I have that the more experienced members maybe can help with. This tsuba has NBTHK papers and the picture matches the work of course, but shows the blemishes. If I have this restored/cleaned/etc I think as long as I document it, it won't be an issue. Any input?

Great wax discussion! Interesting. For cars I swear by Collinite 845. In any case, am in discussion with Ford on getting this spectacular tsuba (IMO) to it's best state.

Agree with Ray on the mei aspect. I can find no reference to this signage for Tadamitsu. Era most certainly Sue-Koto. A better question is what are you looking for in this purchase Logan? What were your ideas or buy parameters for this item?

Thanks for the tips on ren wax. My preference is to just leave it as is and monitor. None of the tarnish areas seem "active" so maybe fine as is. I will be talking with Ford soon and go from there.

Setting up a race

I like stories, legends, and a tsuba that tells one. So of course I fell for this tsuba, even though by decision I shy away from smaller tsuba. Really glad I did. Arrived yesterday, picked up today at Post Office. Had fun all evening so far in study. A short link to tell the tale of the Minogame in Japanese Culture (most probably know it, but it was new to me): http://the-turtle-cove.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-minogame-in-Japanese-culture.html Snippet: "The minogame is said to live at least a thousand years (with some living up to 10,000 years!) and have a long, hairy tail, which is actually seaweed and algae that have grown on its shell due to its ripe old age! It has very similar to the real-life common tortoise, which can live for hundreds of years. In Japanese culture, the minogame represents longevity and wisdom, and is a long-revered symbol of both. In art, it is often shown with other gods and symbols of longevity, such as the crane, or Taoist deities such as Jurōjin. The minogame is also depicted with the Three Jewels, which represent fortune." This work is by Miyake Jiryusai Tomohide, son of Miyake Terumitsu, Yokoya School (was some confusion in Haynes index on this point). NBTHK Hozon in November 2018: nihiki-minogame no zu tsuba (⼆匹蓑⻲図鐔) ‒ Tsuba depicting two old turtles with seaweed growing on their backs Signed: Jiryūsai Tomohide + kaō (⾃⽴斎友英「花押」) Oval shape (tatemaru-gata), of shakudō with ishime ground, takabori relief, sukisagebori engravings, zōgan inlay, iroe accents, angular rim with some roundness (kaku-mimi ko-niku) Size: 70.6mm X 66mm X 4.7mm I am super excited about this piece, it's a stunner in hand. Detail work and accents/inlays are wonderful to look at. I don't want to over talk it. Only negative (knew this going in, so was my choice) as it's shakudo, there is some tarnish (verdigris?) in some areas. I am fully prepared to have this restored if it can be done (Ford Hallam) but it's wonderful right now and maybe dehydrate then protect with ren wax could be an option.

Perfectly matched, beautiful set my friend.

Wait, so walls work? Puzzling.

Glad the post helped Jean-Pierre. I know you think you are at a wall right now, but just keep looking at works. It's going to come together for you.

Tell more Ken! Would love to see it!

Had the swords out today (Spring is finally here!) for cleaning and oiling. I fitted the Yamato Hosho/Tegai to it's Tensho koshirae (not sure why I had not done that as yet). It's well fitting and looks very dangerous when this sword is in full mounts, was a fun couple of hours. Also took a few more hada pics because, well I can't resist heavy nie and masame but you all knew that......

I like the post and especially the topic as Yamato masame works are one of my favorites of any work style. Thanks.

Saw this one this week at E-sword Japan and spent some time studying. Attributed to the Asago-Taima school (Echizen Nobunaga), which I don't ever remember seeing. Maybe some of the more experienced people have seen a few. Duel sayagaki, one by Kunzan (1976) and another by Tanobe (2016) both agreeing to the NBTHK Hozon paper (2017). Nice nie work and a pleasant blade. Well worth a look if only for the rarity of the school: http://www.e-sword.jp/tantou/1910-3032.htm

1. Rabbits, anything but prefer papered 2. Mito school dragon theme, papered 3. Silver menuki

I was to late or too late in either case glad it sold. Excellent work.

Mark S. and ChrisW, Glad it all worked out. Ed is reliable and trusted. Happy Birthday (belated) Mark!

I felt bad about my post on this thread last night and didn't want to make a bigger mess of it. That said............ Fred, an excellent list, it's all the top level makers of all time. Different styles. Juyo level as you noted. Teruhide and Ichijo have examples I have seen that made me about pass out from the wonder of them. Assume most of the rest do as well. Unless old iron, just never caught the bug. I have to see a particular work for me to get interested. I like to be told a story. A tsuba may well be Juyo (seen many examples) but unless it motivates me in some way, or inspires me, it's just a nice work. I can appreciate history, smith lines, and the workmanship (ranking!) without a particular piece speaking to me. This was what I was trying to say clumsily last night. Sometimes you react and feel an attachment to a piece, for me it's usually by a story (I am a huge reader). Maybe an example. This Harumitsu tsuba was on auction a while ago. When I did my homework (found a similar artwork) on the motif I was just blown away by the story being told: "This six-panel Japanese folding screen depicts tigers crossing a river, inspired by an ancient Chinese legend: if a mother tiger gives birth to three cubs, it was believed that one is always a leopard (hyo). She has to be careful when crossing a river not to leave the ferocious hyo alone with the other cubs." Sadly, I was unable to secure this piece (It was displayed at the Berlin Samurai Museum recently) but I regret that to this day. The work is nice. It's not Juyo, maybe not even TH, but that I think about it to this day means something to me. The rabbit tsuba in my profile pic is much the same, it has a story to tell, and it captivates me. And so to tie it all in I think chasing makers (swords or fittings) is fine, it's a free hobby, but to lay down a line saying only these makers, this era, this school is the best and only thing worth going after is going to miss pieces and works that may well touch someone. In then end, is that not what we are trying to do? Find things that inspire and lift us up? I am not saying buy eBay crap or fakes, but if it's special to you go wild. I would think my message should be clear by this point. Anyways, sorry for long post and if Darcy still has this Omori Eiman for sale for much longer don't know how to pass on it........any riverman knows carp. Robert Boyd would understand the love for the monsters:

Magnificent. I don't think we met at the 1/2 way point somehow or whatever. Is this Goto? Is this a million years old? Same thing in swords, if everything but the absolute best and finest is worth going after, then there will not be new collectors.

All this info is right here, and I have no idea why you don't know that: http://www.nihontocraft.com/Sue_Sa_Katana.html

Do share it. You skip past sarcsasm clearly, so YES Fred share the ranking so all the chasing can be done on them.

Yes, let's get a ranking system like in swords, only the 6-12 names will be chased. I would like that immensely.

Steve M covered it. This is a Sue Sa that Danny has up at NihontoCraft and it's spectacular. A friend of mine got to handle it at the NY auction and sent me great pictures of it.

Cool story!

So you sent an older blade to shinsa (who was the intermediate?) yet are still asking about era correct swords for 2k?