Lilleskit

Extremely interesting, Thank you!🙏🏽

Hello all! I'm a tsuba knowledge newbe and often wonder why I see so many relatively identical antique tsuba. Were they made from molds and fine detailed afterwards? Were they copies made by students? Were the slight variations in details done at the request of the buyer? 🤷🏽‍♂️ Thanks

It looks like it's closest to a Northern Vietnamese/Military style Dha, not a Japanese blade. The V ground edge, glued on handle, and blade geometry are a closer match. I can't give an opinion on age and authenticity but researching dha blades might not be a bad place to start. Please forgive the less than helpful comments you'll receive in this thread. Best regards Ken

Maybe a recently belt sanded 😣 Burmese or Vietnamese Dha or reproduction of one. The tsuka looks closer to that style. 🤔

Would really want to see what's under the tsuka (handle). The yokote absence on nihonto isn't uncommon. Here are some examples: Naginata: Rarely. Tip curves smoothly, no distinct separation Hira-zukuri Tanto: Rarely Shobu-zukuri Blades: Rarely Not saying that your blade is any of these, just that the absence of yokote on certain finds is not a disqualifier.

Could it be genuine but recently abused by someone with a beltsander thinking that they were "repolishing" it? Sad, but it does happen.

https://www.ninecircles.eu/iaido/iaido-bags/sword-bags/single-sword-bag-nylon/ This is were many of the practitioners I trained iaid and kendo with ordered from.

Hi, What type of things stand out with this and other NLO's to hint that it may be a recently produced piece? Regards, Ken

Hi, To help save you some time, you're most likely going to get requests for clear, close-up images of the blade before anyone will be able for help you out. Best regards, Ken

Could it be 也?

Very interesting, thanks!

My memory might be failing me, but I think I've read that marumune was not uncommon on naginata(?). If true, it seems like potential difficulty in forming it wasn't too much of an issue. Are there any known advantages or disadvantages to one form over the others?

Very cool! Thanks for sharing but you've reminded me of another qustion. When does one know that they're looking at a katateuchi and not a short katana or a long walkazashi. Is it the length of the nakago or something else?

Are they rare or do i just need to get out more often? I've heard of them but have only seen sketches.

Hello All, Curious... I believe that iorimune is most common form on blades I've seen but, how much do the variety of mune shapes play into a blades era, or region, or school, etc? Kind regards, Ken

Sorry to hear you having problems with your health. Hope it works out. Look forward to seeing the newer pics. 👍🏼 Best regards, Ken

Definitely a reflection but not sure it matters anymore, Kyle68 is MIA/not respondingto anything. 🤷🏽‍♂️😅

I think it hasn't been purchased yet. Looks like you at some type of shop(?). Depending on the price, it could be a great find.

I never intended for what I thought was a simple question to turn into a heated debate. I has, however, been very educational.

Sorry, I completely missed the responses. You are very correct, it is Wisteria. Were iron tsuba very common during tge edo period?

Yepp, you're definitely correct. 😎

Hello, Sorry for such a slow response. I missed the notification. Yes, it is quite interesting a first for me. I've never dived deeply into the world of tosogu but some of the items are very fascinating. I've never been the type of collector yo chase value so for me this tsuba is gold. 🙂 Kind regards Ken

As for the tsuba... I haven't got a clue. I think copper/copper alloys were more common from the Edo period forward but this one pictured doesn't feel correct for an edo period tsuba. Could it have been commissioned early Meiji so the family katana could be with him in battle? Did soldiers do that? Just fantasy and speculation on my part. I hope someone who knows what they're talking abaut chimes in soon. Best regards, Ken

Hey Kyle, It's difficult to see in the pictures you've provided, but i'm inclined to say yes, it could very well be traditionally made suriage katana. Zooming in on a couple of your pics, there appears to be a visible signs of a hamon and of a type not done on the mass produced blades from that era. The patina of the nakago and the presence of multiple nakago-ana hint at the blade having a much earlier origin. That said, with the pictures you took, it's hard for me to say with absolute certainty. Any possibility of clearer pics of the blade without so many reflections? It's hard to see what are scratches or just mirrored things in the room.

Not active rust. Along with the micro pitting you can see my reflection that appears somewhat redish at the top and bottom of the picture.