Stone8

One word: Ichimonji. The Fukuoka Ichimonji school of early-to-middle Kamakura produced many beautiful and notable swords with a legendary cutting ability, which were made with an itame/mokume mix; this school also specialized in ko-choji and choji-midare hamon based mainly on nioi-deki structure. They were so renowned, that the emperor Gotoba had seven smiths of that school as personal instructors (he had a taste for swordsmithing), a part of the Go-bankaji, who would make swords for him (and even with the emperor himself sometimes participating in the process). So you see, it is probably the same as when martial artists today argue for mono-steel for cutting over any folded sword, be it nihonto or not. They talk mainly based on their personal experience, but as they probably have never used an itame-mokume nihonto for cutting, they can’t be a judge as to these swords’ cutting abilities... Mr. Hallam couldn’t have put it better. Thanks for sharing your ponderings with us!! Guillermo

Thank you, Brian and Grev!! Of course I know that a starting piece is just for starters... I also like when I see interesting things that are not common, even if they aren’t valuable. I started here recently and was looking for some help to complete a particular koshirae for a katana I own, as I have no expertise in tosogu or any of the different schools. I have found out, however, that there is a world of knowledge and artistry behind every tsuba, and am getting interested in collecting as well. Maybe you can point out some good reference material for me to read up on the subject of Japanese fittings? I am taking my time looking for the appropriate koshirae for this sword, because as you know, blades have character and call for certain themes and colors in koshirae, and look mismatched when you aren’t careful picking them out.

Yes, Eric... It has many little details that are appealing as well, like the wood grain on the table and furniture, for example. Also, the person kneeling by the table in the first menuki seems to be the one sitting at the second table, which makes me wonder what the story behind that pair of menuki could be. Regards, Guillermo

Fact is, I kind of liked the first one... I think I’ll buy it anyhow. Thanks!!

Thanks, Jeremiah!! In fact, that is exactly what I’m doing... but experience comes by slowly, so I thought I’d ask before going all-over for the next tsuba that comes my way or catches my eye. Regards!

This is the second tsuba: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/f7/19/d2f719730d3fd836a6adb69c298f6677.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b8/11/20/b8112084dd8dde543ae82fbcabedf56f.jpg

Hello!! I am planning on buying tsuba from an American seller, but am not really sure if they are worthwhile... here is the first one (sorry about the low resolution; I’m waiting for better pictures from the seller): https://i.pinimg.com/originals/98/50/0c/98500c3b0e30bbbb61479e8f240caf77.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/c4/34/abc4342adf2e1b362c5e509e8337a290.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ee/c0/8c/eec08c1e21c30b031975f46a2f44150f.jpg Thanks, Guillermo

Hi Eric, Glad it helped... IF it really helped that much; about the menuki, I would say the dragons match the story/theme, and the colors seem more similar (though could be because of the lighting or resolution of the photograph). In any case, good subject and it will very likely be a conversational piece. Enjoy!!

Eric, Hope this is useful: http://www.shibuiswords.com/Choryo.htm You can also find this legend cited by Yagyu Munenori in the introduction to his Heihō Kadensho. Pretty set of fuchi/kashira, btw... Regards, Guillermo

Thank you very much for all the advice and encouragement... I will start searching for books with good pictures of tosogu so I will have a working knowledge of the real thing before I start treasure-hunting on eBay again. Dwain, I’ll check your PM for that list; I sure would like to have some idea in whom I can trust when buying antiques... as you say, almost everyone out there flashes “Japan” and “Edo”, and it is difficult to tell what’s real and what’s been left to rust under the porch.

“vajo, on 29 Oct 2018 - 02:49 AM, said: Hello Guillermo rubbing of the patina to take a view on the naked plate is very strange.” I was not trying to rub off the patina, but clean off the green mould. I succeeded in that, but rather clumsily as some of the black came off as well. Thank goodness the general opinion is it’s trash, so at least I didn’t damage an original antique with my folly... which would be really depressing.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c8/92/4e/c8924eb1e6ca8aa44b46b677cfdadfcd.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/24/56/e9/2456e9fb5af579078498497fd4a4e20c.jpg As requested... if you need additional views, please ask and I will send them right away. Thanks!!

Thanks for the experience!! For educational purposes, though... how can you tell it was cast? Even if it is a dumb question, I really would like to know. I took a recent picture after rubbing off some greenish mould buildup with WD-40 and a soft cloth, and rubbing of part of the blackish “patina”... My eyes are untrained, but I can distinctly see file markings on the edge and chisel marks on the surface of the trunk and on the outline of the vines. If you could so kindly help me out with this... I am contacting the seller as I make this post, to let him know of the state of things with this particular tsuba.

It’s Guillermo, hi everyone!! (Bill works fine also...) I’ll try to have patience and be more cautious next time. By the way, pine trees are appealing for me as a theme for this sword’s koshirae... in your experience, is it as common a theme as say, plum trees?

The interesting part is that both come out of Japan, not China, from reputed sellers... the second listing was taken off once I let the seller know that it was a copy and not an original. Thanks for all the help!! I think I’ll hang on to mine as it wasn’t that expensive at the end of the auction (shipping to Japan isn’t worth my while $$$). I’ll make it a point to check here first; I’m trying to get antique koshirae for a katana in shirasaya, but it is difficult to sort through all the listings and get something worthwhile at a reasonable price.