Akitombo

David, In fact, what I would like to do is open this whole topic up, Sendai is an area, but was it famous for the "rain style"? and lets get to grips with the difference between a swordsmith and armour makers tsuba, because it seems a very grey area. Come on guys, what are the boxes we can put these tsuba in, Sasano puts the difference between Ko-Tosho and Ko-Katchushi as as Katchushi has more ornament and raised rims, both are generally round. Does that make the mokko shaped one I have shown, later? Over to you David

David, Here is the tsuba, check out the website shibuiswords.com, then go into the Robert Haynes section. Regards David

Hi David, I am working on the following comments by Bob Haynes on the Shibuiswords site: "A fine classic iron plate katchushi tsuba. Both sides of the plate with "rain" style file marks, that is later to be found on Sendai katchushi tsuba. With sukashi design of three tumble dolls (kukurizaru) and one hitsu-ana. The rim has good iron bones (tokketsu). This type of katchushi tsuba was made for the most part in the middle to late Muromachi period." (Haynes) David

Whoops, forgot the sizes, 75.9mm x 77.08mm 3.2mm on the mimi and 2.4mm on the centre David

Hi, Could I please have some help to place this tsuba in my collection. I feel that with it's age, size and the file marks, it could fit into the slot of Sendai Katchushi, would that be a fair call? Regards David

Clive I was in the Ashmolean the other week, only seven tsuba on display, not allowed to see the rest. Is'nt the Church Collection boxed up in there? Could not the To-Ken GB get them to put it on show, at least for a short time? It can do no good to Mankind, all these treasures rotting in basements. David

Henry If I looked at that tsuba from a distance, I would say Choshu straight away Glad you have nice weather at your end,if it ever stops raining in England, I'll be able to nip outside and finish building my ark :lol: Regards David

Henry Does that make it Bushu school then? David

Gentlemen Can I repost this one and still ask the question Ideas on school please David

Ed, It was close David

Marc, Is it the legend of Hanasakase Jijii, if so, those will be the gold coins on the ground and under the trees, which was the first part of the story, while his box of ashes he has are used to bring life back to trees. David

A lot of books tell you not to try and clean in the web, but if there is red rust and it is left, will that then rot the web away over the years. Would it be better to try and remove the danger? David

Guys, There have been a number of recent threads with reference to using all types of cleaner on tsuba. With this in mind, can I get a discussion going on the ways, which are in both Japanese and Western texts for SAFE restoration. The main two I am thinking of are, first, leaving old iron tsuba out in the morning dew to get their colour back. Boiling old iron tsuba, some added various items to the pot. Also the the ideas of just handling old tsuba, oils in the hand add to the finish and taking a clean cotton cloth and keep rubbing them. The leaving out in the early morning has, I do not know the scientific reason, worked for me. With Ford's imput and othered seasoned vets on this board. What is the modern thinking for simple old iron tsuba which have been mis-used? Look forward to your replys David

Whoops??????????????? Sorry David

Hi Guys I have just brought this large iron tsuba. It is 3.2 x 3.3 inchs, has a raised mimi, 0.22 inchs thick. Would it be right to class this as Nara? As always, Thankyou David

David A picture of your tsuba would be great I am always worried about putting tsuba into the Shoami slot, as over the years it is the one when no other fits. But I think that it may be spot on in this case Regards David

Hi, This was a recent purchase, which went cheap on flea bay due to bad pics. It measures 2.28 x 2.44 inches and is 0.19 inches thick The iron is good, any ideas on school? Regards David

Hi Guys, I have never removed a barrel before, so it will need a bit of thought. Please find a couple of rushed pictures Regards David

Hi, Could I please have some help with a matchlock I have just purchashed. As always Thankyou David

I just had to post this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Japanese-no ... 27c38b9948 Enjoy David

This is a great book, from the era before the internet and a pile of books on Nihonto in English. Joly may have made mistakes, but so have they all. I may be shot down in flames here by fellow board members, but any book by Joly is worth reading and the big ones, Hawkshaw, Naunton, Etc are great learning tombs. Time spent with books and handling as many examples as possible is never wasted time. Regards David (A Joly fan)

It still is eight and a half hours before Great Britain greets 2012. I hope it is the year we all find that hidden treasure lurking in the dark. We all keep good health, whats left of our wealth and that we can still smile. Happy New Year David

Any ideas for bringing it back to life. I put iron tsuba into cotton pockets to help the rubbing. I have never used oil, as I fear it may cover rust up. In the "Good ole days", boiling in tea used to be done to get colour back. Ideas anybody? David

To add to this thread, the side has been filed, you can see the remains of the arm. If you look at the Halberstadt Collection book, item 76 has a very near example, again with the side arm removed to allow a kozuka. Size are as follows 2.82 inchs wide, 0.19 inchs thick on the mimi. Regards David

Cheers guys, as always a library of knowledge. It is a subject which needs further research. As far as the tsuba itself is concerned, I have no plans to sell it, as it is one of my best loved. I found it last year in a Paris flea market, buried under a ton of rubbish. When asked, the stallholder said ten Euros, I could not get the note quickely enough out of my pocket. It was worth the EuroStar ticket, hotel bill and my wife trying to eat her way through France. It just shows that these items still lay awaiting us to rescue them. Happy HUnting David