Martin

Hi all, I just wondered if Iron Tsuba were always covered with a protective lacquer or if this was just done occasionally. Sometimes you see Tsuba that still have large areas of lacquer remaining. Is this an indicator that the piece was well preserved or was it usual to refresh the lacquer from time to time... cheers,

Hi Ford, thanks :D. Please feel free to use it. BTW do you have any idea concerning the differences in color on Omote and Ura or the inlay theory I mentioned in my pre-previous post? cheers,

So this is the one responsible for the design :D

oh sh*t Did you tell him to insure the item and did you pay for that? You could ask EMS if his statements are correct and if nothing else helps you should consider to take legal action. best of luck,

Hi Mariusz, sorry to hear that. At least the EMS web-page still is online ( http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/ems/index_en.html )... and there is nothing written about any changes in service. hope this turns out good for you,

Ford, many thanks for your detailed thoughts The "Chidori-Ishime" is a really interesting observation and if you look at the high resolution images (after clicking the pictures) you can indeed see the Y formed punchmarks. I also noticed the differences to the Kanshiro piece. The "tips" of the waves are different as they are not as "massive" in my piece. I also considered that they might have once been filled with some inlay but on the other hand they are all the same (with no remains of inlays)... Although there are differences between both pieces the design of the waves seem fairly similar and I did not find any piece in my reference books that would be as similar than the Kanshiro piece. I also noticed that the Omote is a bit darker (more patinated) than the Ura side and wonder how this could be. Perhaps a longer exposure to air (when placed "Omote-up" on the pillow in the box)... thanks for your thoughts,

Hi, any other thoughts on maybe an attribution to a certain master? cheers,

Hi Johannes, you can check these links for more information: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image ... ikiryo.gif http://en.allexperts.com/e/s/sa/sakuma_clan.htm http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Sakuma http://www.geocities.com/azuchiwind/oda12.htm (scroll down a bit) hope this helps cheers, Martin

Thanks Rémy & Steve, I´m pretty sure it´s brass (Shinshu) - that´s how it was described when I bought it and in nature the color looks a bit different than in the pictures. When I bought it all the fine spaces in the waves were full of crud and old wax - and it was indeed some work until it was cleaned And again I thought: What astonishing work these guys were able to create

Hi all, I have a brass Mokko-Gata Tsuba that I would like to discuss a little in search for some information as to its attribution. The design is that of waves with gold dot inlays on the Omote. The Ura is partly of the same design with an additional rocky-pebbles carved ground. The punch marks to fit the Nakago have the form of a flower/star. Sizes: height: 8 cm width: 7.5 cm thickness: 3 mm The design of the Hitsu-Ana and also the wave theme remind me of Higo Tsuba. I have found a Nishigaki II Tsuba (in Ito´s Higo book, page 190) that has a very similar workmanship regarding the waves. The pictures lead to a page where some high resolution pictures (incl. the mentioned Nishigaki piece) are available - so be patient :D Any comments will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Martin

Added some sharpness to the Nakago picture. Maybe the horizontal lines below the second Kanji were made by someone trying to cut down the sword... and then suddenly realized he maybe shouldn´t do that :lol: cheers,

the 2 Kanji seem to have quite some distance in between... Can this be regarded as normal/usual ? cheers,

Hi all, recently found some information on Kogai and maybe here is the right place to post it: http://www.google.de/books?id=J5PgapzD6 ... 3t7i5qrNFs cheers,

thanx Paul !

Hi Paul, thanks for the clarification. Did I get you right that this means 1 Shaku 7 Sun 8.5 Bu ? thanks, Martin

I finally received the papers back yesterday with the added blade measurements :D May someone please tell me what the last character in the measurement-section means? 1 Shaku 7 Sun 8 Bu ??? thanks & regards,

Hi Pete, well that´s great ! I must try to ask the previous owner about that sale again as I was told it once belonged to Ruth Schneidman... Very interesting information Pete and thanks a lot for your effort Now I must find that catalogue :D cheers,

Hi Paul, yes, it was the 1989 sale. Fine Japanese Prints and Works of Art New York Thursday Friday May 25-26, 1989 Sotheby's 8.25 x 10", approx. 250 pages, profusely illustrated, some in color, paper, New York, 1989. Property of various owners including the estate of Katherine Matties, the estate of Madelyn Hickmott, the estate of Ruth Schneidman, the estate of Frell L. Albright, the collection of Frederick J. and Antoinette H. Van Slyke, and the University of Chicago. I already bought the catalogue but unfortunately the Tsuba was not part of the auction. I attached a picture of the Auction catalogue and the Tsuba I am looking for (some of you might have already seen it in another thread). thanks so far

Hi, I am looking for a specific Tsuba from the estate of Ruth Schneidman, a collector of Japanese Metalwork (mainly Kogai). It may be listed in the following book: Author and/or Illustrator: Torigoye, Kazutaro. Title: Kodogu and Tsuba International Collections not published in my books In a description it says: "Illustrates many tsuba and other sword fittings from many collectors, including Lundgren and Ruth Schneidman." Does anyone have access to this book? cheers,

Or try this one :D : http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/8187/Script.htm

Any other ideas?

You might also check Fred Lohman´s site: http://www.Japanese-swords.com/tsuba-ga ... ameset.htm cheers,

Hi John, thanks for the fast reply. Actually did not expect it to be Shoami (rather Mito), but what do I know... :D Did more research in Sukashi Tsuba recently. Shoami is I think a good guess though, because they somehow have the reputation of working in all sort of techniques and designs. Any other thoughts? cheers,

Hi all, I have a Tsuba that I would like to know more about. Especially the birds are very delicately inlaid with Shakudo, Copper and Gold and is quite a heavy piece. Could anybody be of help regarding school or maker? Here are some measures: Width: 7.2 cm Height: 7.2 cm Thickness: 0.65 cm many thanks,

Peter, what did Tsuruta-San offer you for you "agency services" ? :lol: