Curran

Tochibata Tsuba: (Iron Drawer Pull Tsuba) Anyone able to copy the images out of Afu (Harry Watson's) translation of the Nihonto Koza for me? I know we don't see this attribution any more in modern papers- but I've always liked them. Maybe due to love of nice tansu. Their simple designs spilled into other schools. I'm looking at one that I think is very similar to the ones in the book.

For what it is worth, Fuji_5005 is a scumbag Japanese seller. Yes, I meant "scumbag". #1 avoid of two or three on Yahoo!Japan that I won't deal with. I wouldn't be surprised if he is somehow connected with japanese_premium_seller. Of course.... this "arbitrage" is practiced by two american dealers. So the 'sloppy americans' comment applies equally here.

Christian, I confess that I did not know that site. Yes, some fine things there. There is a Juyo tanto that I wish I could own. Many of his fittings are 'for reference only': Ichijosai Hirotoshi, Kunitomo Teiei, Ikkin, etc. Sort of similar to pieces I own or have owned. I really like that Hirotoshi, though the Teiei is not one of the better pieces by him. Doesn't come through in the photo why it is a desirable piece. Must say I've never seen a rabbit set of Omori fittings like that. Patrick: Your question is more difficult than you would believe. Much of the best fittings trades privately. I collect at the 'upper middleclass' level, but the high class stuff goes almost entirely privately. The upper middleclass guys are: http://ginzaseikodo.com/englishhome.html http://www.choshuya.co.jp/ http://www.tsuruginoya.com/index.html http://www.tetsuguendo.com If you ask nicely, they have provide Juyo level fittings- but really there is a burden of proof that you are serious and collecting at that level. Mike and Cyrus at tetsuguendo.com are probably the best bridge to that level for non-Japanese speakers. Also, remember there are a lot lot less Juyo fittings than Juyo swords. The supply/demand vs affordability expresses itself not so much in price as in what comes to market and when.... Like I said, your question is more difficult or complex than I can convey. Just understand there is a private marketplace above the level of the links I posted. I only have a glimpse into it, and Mike Y sometimes post something from that level~ usually not for sale, just emerged and photographed as it privately changed hands. Otherwise your best bet is the Dai Token Ichi in Japan.

Patrick, Not sure what to say there. Tsuruta-san and his shop have been around for ages. He does good service, but high volume. Mistakes will be made. There _are_ some cast and some burned fittings on his site. Those are without papers. He is *right next* to the NBTHK. Anything he has worth owning probably should have papers. Since he doesn't really list higher end fittings, I haven't dealt with him much. In my few transactions with them, I received a set of menuki where one was a copy. Wasn't happy. The ying-yang: bought another set described as "brass" and at a brass level price. They showed up and were solid gold. Excellent work. If careful in what you can buy from him, and you will probably be happy.

Jean C., You are absolutely correct. When David posted it, I would swear it said "Kodai Jingo". Now it just says "Kodai Higo". I checked the Japanese version of the site and it too says "Kodai Higo". I don't know whether it was corrected, or I made a mistake. But Tsuruta-san speaks/reads excellent English and is a lurker here. (Edit:) David may have meant to link to this similar one at Aoi Arts: http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/tsuba/F12242.html

David, Yeah, let us harken back to those of us geeky enough to admit to having played D&D. We'll say it is +2 for getting the 'Jingo' attribution, but -1 for the Kodai handle. Not too my liking. But then the NBTHK sometimes muffs it up. This one at Aoi Arts: http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/tsuba/F12134.html My feeling is it should have gotten a specific school attribution. Patrick- thanks for the recognition that we try to help.

I agree with Mr. Malteere when he says it looks cast. This is a fairly well known Higo tsuba. I'd even go so far as to say the originals are famous. From experience, I'd seen quite a number of cast and moderns in Japan. There are places inside the sukashi that look bit jagged, and the whole tsuba looks a little neotenized or stunted in its finishing. THe kogai and kozuka hitsu-ana sort of scream "wrong, wrong, wrong" at me. I wouldn't know until I held it, but I wouldn't bet on this tsuba. For what it is worth, I've always liked the design but think I've only seen one real example of the originals on display at the Chicago Show in 2004.

Nope. The antique Mino-Tokugawa one is on an Oei Bizen blade.

Still waiting for someone else to reply before I do.

I respect your follow up work. I feel you got to the answer yourself. Comments: of the 3 images you posted-> (1) the mfa is a fine one probably attributable to the Hayashi school. Did pop up in other Higo schools. Might even pull an attribution to 2nd or third gen in Nishigaki or Hayashi school. (2) the second it more at the level of the one you initially asked about. "Higo" but not really distinct for a specific Higo school attribution. (3) third one is an example of the interplay between Higo and Akasaka designs later on in Edo. Clearly an Akasaka tsuba. Attached is an image of a Hozon papered one similar to the one you posted. They are good enough to pull a "Higo" designation, better than a "kodai-Higo", but worse than a specific school attribution like "Hayashi". As you noted, lots of little things racking up demerits. Overall appearance not as balanced as the MFA one you posted. Generally, consider NBTHK papered: (1) Specific to 1st gen: $7500 to ??? (sky is the limit, I've seen Hozon shodai Jingo sell for $90,000) (2) Specific to second or third generation Higo maker: $5000 to 20000 (sky is the limit) (3) Specific Higo school: $2000 to $5000 depending upon quality and condition (4) "Higo" : $750 to $1500 (5) "Ko-dai Higo": $200 - $750 (6) Edo Higo: depends, sort of equiv of Higo & ko-dai Higo ($200-$1200) This is my current opinion. The first one you posted would probably be in the lower end of the #4 category if it had NBTHK papers. Curran

Tanto from the recent Hudson Valley Auction? I read it as Morimune at first glance from the auction photos, but think the suggestion Morikage is perhaps more correct.

Fittings are a different ballgame. A lurker on this board who chooses to remain private bought a sword off of ebay for $1000 not long ago. He asked about the fittings.... whoa, there... show me that tsuba again! Then had to direct him to someone knowledgeable in his area. Not easy to do in the USA as most focus on swords. Ratio of knowledgeable sword guys vs knowledgeable fittings guys 10:1 in the USA? Luckily, someone very knowledgeable within a few hours of him. Yep, it was a 1st gen Kanshiro. Went to Japan, papered Hozon. Then sold internationally (Americans are all about only holding onto their swords F*Yeah!). Selling price for just under $10k. Sword was dumped back onto ebay and pulled a few hundred $. Not that many USA knowledgeable fittings collectors, but it is changing fast as people cotton on and buy/read the right books. (edited this message. Original word choice was poor, conferring the wrong idea at one point)

No and No. These are pretty simple. Not too far off the mark. Someone else might give you a detailed reply, but really you should figure these out yourself. Should take you 20 minutes with some basic references.

Ceilmerlion, Interesting username, ~ HeavenSeaLion ? While it is fine with a username, etiquette has long been to at least sign with real first name. Some add an initial to distinguish themselves if other members have the same first name. Welcome to the Nihonto Message Board. I am sorry, but your tsuba is a cast one.

Eric-- thank you for the recommendation. I found Mr. Chan's site interesting. http://web.mit.edu/chosetec/www/products/index2.html Also have motivation to support Cambridge, Mass. however indirect. I've purchased one. I may purchase another. Here is what mine looks like. I'm very pleased. Highly recommend.

Mirrormaker tsuba. As such, they usually paper. Buy why bother? These are relatively common, and usually sell for the price of papers.

Late Edo. Looks Shake-n-Baked with something odd. Could be cast. Don't think so, though low grade. Reminds me of a Hizen area school- name escapes me at the moment. But more likey just general export or baseline fare.

Owari habaki:

"simplicity, tranquility, elegance, asymmetrical, subtlety, suggestive, naturalness, empty space, direct, and eliminating the non-essentials." = Hirata tsuba

One has what appears to be a Tanaka tsuba. If signed and genuine, probably worth significantly more than the sword.

Ah Ludolph! Thank you hero mio on this one. Grey helped privately, but I still was not confident. I knew there were many variations to his signature over a long lifespan. You have upped my confidence on this tsuba, "Tadashige". Now maybe 95% certain. Design was very characteristic, seppa dai too, but I wasn't sure about a few parts of the signature. Paul- Ludolph's images were enough for me. Thank you for the offer. Curran

3 vol. Wakayama. With that and Haynes Index, you can tackle 90% of the signed mix metal ones you come across. There are a lot more gimei out there than most accept. Most want to believe the signature when the quality of the tsuba is decent. Minor dissents is that the ref. signatures for some people are only one or two, and that they are too strict for others. For instance, SHOZUI (aka. Hamano Masayuki). There are one or two other variations of his signature that I think other texts would say is his signature, but the Wakayama set only has examples of what I will call the "right handle" Masayuki version.

Thank you Christian. Anybody?

Other people. Having a solid collection, at this point I prefer trades and building relationships. Usually it is easier with Japanese dealers and European collectors. Americans tend to focus on money too much, including me sometimes. Instead, I try to focus on relationships and those really appreciating the hobby. For this reason the dealers I like most because they authentically enjoy the hobby are: Ed Marshall, Boris, and Mike Y/ Cyrus amongst the dealers. Yes, relationship element is important. Half of my best tsuba have always traded hands privately. I'd always heard it was this way and some dealers like to spin this- but it ends up being true. You will find that you interact better with some than others, on different levels.

~~In FL, sans books for the winter. Can anyone do me the favor of scanning in the signature reference pages for Tadashige from the Akasaka book? Or Wakayama? Photocopy and snail-mail would work too. I'm looking at a visiting Tadashige. Workmanship has many traits confirming the signature, but still would like to see the reference sigs.