Robin

Not unlike the examples you shown... Only...this one is an iron tsuba. I know very little about it. I asked around, but nobody seems to know for sure where to place it. Plenty ideas, but not consistent in one direction. I've seen a comparable papered tsuba on AOI...attributed to Myochin, but not supported by any of the people of knowledge I showed it to. All I know...I like it. Still eager to learn more about it, but I gave up and just appreciate it's soft feel, nice details and the flowing motion. Robin

Beautiful!

#16

Since the work was done on the original tsuka...with the original fuchi, there was no issue fitting the tsuka. Just the usual "tap, tap, tap" on the underside of the hand while holding the tsuka. However, I had to make an extra 0.4mm thick seppa for a snug fit. Also made brass sekigane to make the nakago nicely fit the nakago ana. And a new slightly longer susudake mekugi pin...just because it looks neat. Robin

Thanks all. Steven, The original tsuba that came with the iaito, was 90 grams...the balance was too much tip heavy to my liking. This made it hard to stop a cut and this put a nasty strain on my muscles. The copper one is a whopping 165 grams. Balance more towards the tsuka...despite the extra weight much easier to handle, but a tad bit heavy. The iron tsuba is 145 grams...this should be just fine for me. Robin

The copper tsuba can enjoy it's retirement in peace now. It looked nice, but a bit out of place and a perfect round tsuba isn't the most practical. I think the "new" iron tsuba looks much nicer, has a practical shape and...for balance...the right weight. Robin

Yesterday the tsuka came back to me and I like it...a lot. The tsuba arrived also Iron chrysanthemum with inome sukashi...Shoami? And so this project came to an end. Robin

Don't worry...I won't. btw..it's not mine.

Thanks Ford.

Are those remains of black urushi on the plate?

I'd say Owari or Kyo-Sukashi. Muromachi? I like them all...last one is my favorite for sure.

Yeah...well....Artur Drogamiecza finished the tsukamaki... His humble comment: "I need more practise"...that's always the right attitude. I find the result beautiful and I don't see it as a problem to be part of a learning curve. More like an honour. Waiting for the tsuka...and tsuba to finish this project. I know and understand anything iaito is frowned upon here and even more so... exposing genuine tosogu to the rigors of training. That's me...deal with it...or not. To each his own. Peace and such. Robin

Thanks! And a bit further now.... The green looks a bit bright on this photo...must be because of the work lighting. It's more olive IRL. Probably ready tomorrow. Robin

I agree with you completely. When on the receiving end, criticism isn't always nice, but it's invaluable to avoid future mistakes...and so it's very helpful. Sticking to ones own truth...against all odds...is silly and pointless. When you're a collector....you only do harm to yourself with it, but when you're a seller...you harm others and in the end.....also yourself. The "other topic" dragged on much too long and it wasn't enjoyable, but it's good to see bad stuff revealed. What's nice is nice...or even nicer and I learn from what I see and read about them here. I also learn from the rotten apples...valuable lessons that save money, frustration and embarrassment. Even a blind mole like me could see that one was wonky as can be, but on Facebook I often see people hit the like button when there's (yet another) fake on their screen. More should find their way to this place...truly helpful. Thanks to those willing to pass on their wisdom. Highly appreciated. Robin

Hello gents, Because it's for an iaito of mine I was reluctant to post about it on this forum, but Steven/TETSUGENDO convinced me there's no issue. I guess he's right. After all...it's all Japanese and about (mounting) genuine tosogu. After 2 years of intensive practise with sweaty hands, the cotton tsukamaki of my Nosyudo iaito had the best of it. I searched for someone (in Europe) with the skills to do a new wrap for me...and now my tsuka is in Poland for a refit. And why not a nice new look? I was shown several available tsuka-ito and samegawa options, from which I selected a very nice rayskin. Since I had a specific tsuka-ito colour in mind, I ordered this from Japan myself. Uguisu green silk. Together with the (infamous ) Edo period birds menuki... ...off to Poland Today I received the first photo's of the work in progress.... More soon....it's work in progress Oh, and waiting for a "new" tsuba to go with it... Note: the fuchi/kashira are the original modern brass mass produced ones that came with the iaito. I keep them for now for a good fit....maybe next time. More soon... Robin

Filing isn't a good idea. When you like to fit a tsuba better pick one that fits, or one with an oversized nakago ana and fill the gap with some sort of sekigane...without damaging the tsuba (or the blade).

....and I'm a convicted criminal here for removing some dirt with Blu-tack.

Thank you. I think the first photo was unlucky, because of the sunlight...and even the second photo...the light reflection might suggest wear, but believe me...it's just light reflecting. I tried to take a photo without reflection, but that didn't work....where there is light there is reflection and I can't take a photo without light. I didn't clean the inside. Imho dirt is not part of a menuki (or any tosogu)...it's just dirt obscuring details. This is in fact a very gentle way to clean...it's mechanical, not chemical. Nothing aggressive about it. Flexible kneadable sticky rubbery stuff that can go in otherwise difficult to reach corners....it picks up dirt...nothing more, nothing less. When the result is a clean surface, what's wrong with that? When it looks like new without dirt, the condition of the item is apperently very good. Is that a bad thing?

I think that's the direct sunlight playing tricks. Nothing happened to the patina. Still black, just clean. A new photo...

Hello all, Maybe a nice tip for cleaning tosogu: Blu Tack. For those who don't know what Blu Tack is... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_Tack It's sticky rubbery stuff. I use it for decades for many purposes...and recently also for cleaning tosogu. A small piece...knead it for a short moment to make it softer and more sticky and off you go. Rub a surface with it and it will pick up dirt and grime. One thing...since it's very sticky....stay away from any kind of inlay. Before... 3 minutes later... Disclaimer: use at own risk.

Thanks!

Thanks guys! My ducks aren't the fiercest animals imaginable. They look kinda flustered and oblivious, but maybe they feel very proud of conquering a paddle.

Hello all, A menuki orientation question... I understand (correct me when I'm wrong) the front of an animal body should face the fuchi/tsuba. This one gives me a bit of a headache... I know it's not special and in a semi sorry state, but I love the scene...birds on a paddle. The birds sit in a somewhat "disorderly fashion", so I'm not 100% sure. My first thought was the tip of the paddle towards the tsuba, but the body orientation of the birds is mostly towards the handle of the paddle, so I'm leaning towards the handle facing the tsuba. Not sure about it...help!

I like 4 most.

Number 2 arrived today. The photo's are a bit "blue"...no idea how that comes. White background, natural daylight. It shows the details nicely, but "in real life" it looks more like this....with flashlight. Very dark choclate brown...let's say 90% cacao. Maybe an oddball ugly duckling tsuba, but I like it. Apart from the mimi a rather thin plate....slightly under 3 mm. Very nice clusters of ten zogan, smooth plate in great condition....nice to have it in hand.