Steves87

I think they they work well as a married daisho. As Alex pointed out though, the difference in metal thickness around the hitsu-ana is the most obvious difference between the two, followed closely by the slightly different shape of the two hitsu-ana. These two differences are probably what makes them not a "true" daisho in my opinion. I think the surface condition between the two is acceptable as there is no guarantee that a daisho would be stored in a daisho kiribako, which leads to the possibility of different rates of storage/environmental conditions (that can subsequently lead to degradation). The tagane ato, if added when fitting (and not as decoration) does not need to be similar, as this can be needed at differing times from multiple fitment activities. Having said that though, if both are fitted at the same time by the same person, I would expect that (like me) they choose the same punch/method/locations? I think the size relationship is also acceptable, being large is typical, and if your have a large Katana guard, you don't want a comparitively miniature Wakizashi daisho guard.

hi Leon, It can be a difficult task finding a source. There is a document from Ford Hallam to make your own. Have a look, it may be something you enjoy having-a-go with.

I'd say Shakudo, which should be a consistent "black"

It's a question and a search that you will ask forever, it just doesn't have a simple answer. Have a look through this thread as this is one of the more recent

Is there a publicly accessible database of every papered item, including details and images? Or at least one containing the appraised items since digital word processing and digital photography has been used? That as a source, has the potential to change everything in the education of Nihonto... and drastically, especially for fittings. I haven't found it yet, so it either doesn't exist, isnt publically available (to members?), or it is advertised woefully. I feel that this type of database may be counter productive to the financial business of the NBTHK, but if education or the future of appraisals is so important, then...?

We will be happy to hear your findings David, good luck!

Thanks for this one Peter, I hadn't read this one yet, but I have the perfect chance to cite it at the moment, in a study. Page 155 brings up a point that is often asked, which side is the omote when both are identical? I usually say the omote is the side with tagane ato, if there are none, then I say the side in best condition (or most remaining zogan). I have a utsushi to the example they have given (fig4), in this case I had to go with condition (one side had slightly better nunome zogan). It would be interesting to see what others have to say. Back on topic though, I will definitely confirm the importance of using a lighted base support. It is basically the only way to take the shadows out of the sukashi, without affecting the colour and contrasts of the Tsuba plate. I still can't get it right, there is always a compromise, especially when shadows are needed to convey the relief of carvings.

I found these two in George Trotter's book "Japanese swords and fittings in the Western Australian Museum" while looking through it during the week. Its a pretty interesting Habaki, George did a good job on the book too. The museum may have to lift their fittings (Tsuba) game though.

Dale, your skills in this area are second to none! It would be great if the bonhams or christies could hire you to do their past Tsuba items!?

I don't know too much about the whole system, and I suspect most other people do not either. I could be completely wrong about that, but there appears to be no transparency to the whole system. You pay a considerable load of dollars (especially for non-USD earners), the item disappears for a while, then it may come back with a paper that has been produced by an un-known quantity, using an un-known reference source (how old, how complete, how updated?). The papers usually confirm what is already known or produce a result that is questionable to many seasoned collectors. I think the paper system is important, but I can tell you now, it is in drastic need of reform. Pre internet, pre-web 2.0, or maybe even pre 2010 the system worked ok, now we have powerful crowd sourced information and web-based access to massive amounts of digitised Nihonto related information. If the papering system was as transparent as these powerful new-aged ways, it may have needed to increase its intake, not lessen it. Maybe papering is still totally superior to the new ways, but they aren't making a good case for it. Its currently a petrol system in a hybrid world, I hope they see this before everything goes electric.

It is exceptionally uniform and contrasting, I can't decide if it was intentional or purely just time induced?

I have seen a few (probably 4) Nara guards in the past with a zogan covered mei, it appears to be something they did. I have one myself, and if I'll take a semi-educated guess, I'd say your guard was similar to mine, and the zogan (however it was fixed) has fallen off. I imagine the base plate has the mei (as with your example) and then the zogan material is depressed into the mei characters. I have asked here on the forum about this practice with the mei, it was a few years ago, but I don't think there were any definite answers.

Yes, I've had it described as sho-no-fue. I don't have an example as shown (as you know), but I do have this one with the sho depicted on the reverse side. Edit: of note, the nobles cap is also depicted on guard too.

Mauro, exactly what I have been thinking for years (in terms of getting an item papered). The whole system of papering an item is very much a pre-web 2.0 system. I think it was important up until the 2010's, but these days it very much comes across as a boys club, or like you say, religion. Is there any transparency to the process/decisions when papering?

From those photos, that doesn't appear to be a faked patina. It may not be the original patina (tagane patina is very consistent), but who knows? In my experience with fake patina, the guards will have more of a black, or quite dark finish with a somewhat "dry" appearance. The biggest tell however, is by submerging the guard in static hot water, if the finish starts to leach, it is a fake patina. There are a few high volume sellers who's guards consistently leech when submerged, and at this stage I have about an 80% strike rate of calling a guard out, as having a fake patina (once in hand), but this doesn't always translate with photographs.

I understand what Florian is saying, however to me, I think it is maybe the head of the figure that is "off" and this seems to influence the rest of the feeling towards the guard. Don't underestimate the power of human faces depicted on Tsuba... I feel that is why Soten pieces do so well. The nakago ana is not typical for sure, but this dishing is not unheard of (although usually the whole way round or either side as Florian says). In the case of this Tsuba, if you look at the third posted picture, you can see a bulg in the ana wall, this is what would happen with a hammer blow, so I am certain it has not been carved out in this case. The iron is remarkably free of rust and the patina appears quite consistent in the photos too (including in ana and tagane). Is the guard attracted to a magnet? There are cases of zogan being applied to appear worn (suri-heri/suri-hegashi, can't remember which one is on purpose), so don't necessarily get hooked up on that. Below are a couple of similar nakago-ana

Good luck Grev! I tested the waters here in Perth Australia (where most people have never heard of a Tsuba). It was this January just gone. A super basic iron guard with a bit of copper ten zogan reached $100 aud, which is about three dollars in your currency, so I think you will do well with your examples. Buyers fees are 16.5% at this auction house.... 30% is insane!

I'm not sure if Geraint's first posted link was later made obvious, but there is a Haruta section in the Jameel centre - Church collection. This is the direct link: http://jameelcentre....ection/7/10237/10398

I would not have said that, no. I think that is also what Dale is hinting at too, that the description of that example is quite likely incorrect. I'd put more stock into the Montgomery collection description.

I love Ume guards. I do notice that the designs between guards are often closely replicated. Here are a few that I have, which are basically the same design. The shakudo branch versions are very close. Only the smaller branches are reversed (and in different locations)

Inspiration from Louis Tiffany? Reminds me very much of those early 20th century photos of his house before it was destroyed by fire. I've tried many different ways to display my collection, display boards worked well, but I didn'tlike the two differing materials making full contact. The most adjustable/adaptable way I have found is a shelf arrangement (with stands). I built this shelf while my wife was visiting family in the US, as I knew it would get a squashing push back if it was discussed. I think that once she saw it complete and filled, there was no arguing that there was a nice aesthetic to it (and she was too tiredto argue!). The stands are 3d printed from a design I drew up, so I basically have unlimited access to them, so long as my printer doesn't break. It would be great to have mirrors behind for the shelf backing to see the reverse sides, but my time and urgency in creation didn't allow this. This particular view is the initial view I get of the collection because of the door location.

Fwiw, I agree with you. That particular colour on the high points of the plate/details, definitely suggests wear. In the case of this guard, I think it has worked in its favour that the base colour has come through in those spots as it does look somewhat intentional.

quite interesting! I was re-reading a few Haynes articles to kill some time while the outside temps are 42 degc, and came across this article which has some relation to the thread: Haynes Article (shibuiswords.com) being from 1997, I found the quoted pricing also quite interesting.

That is what I was alluding to initially (substantially better than most, just dirty)

here are a couple of extra links for future's sake: Haynes Article (shibuiswords.com)