Dan tsuba

Steve, thank you so much for your reply and assistance on the seal scrolls- I would like to think that with all 4 of the characters together it would say something like "With the Buddha, your heart (mind, spirit), and your hand, you will defeat the devil". Would that be to cool ! Your thoughts, opinions? What a spiritual saying to put on a tsuba ! I will send pictures of the tsuba as soon as it is received. With all due respect, Dan

Thank you so much for your reply Steve, I will post pictures of the tsuba when I receive it (probably by Tuesday). You gave me advice on 3 of the 4 symbols. Any idea what that last symbol may be (the smaller looking seal scroll in the pictures). When I look at the pictures of the tsuba on Ebay, there is (as you have said) something that looks like it may be a signature of the artist. Will post pictures as soon as the tsuba arrives. Thank you for your quick and kind reply, With respect, Dan

Hello all, I am a new collector of tsuba. I recently purchased a tsuba on Ebay. I have not received it yet. It states that it is made out of copper. It has a nice design with a crane and what appears to be waves on the Omote. However on the Ura it has some symbols. Took me an entire day of research to find out they were "seal script". It was great fun. Included is a picture of the symbols on the tsuba (as well as I could research them). Although I could find the symbols, I could not find out what they translate to (maybe they translate to "I should have saved my money" !! -just having a little fun !). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated !! Thank you all for your kind assistance, With respect, Dan

Hello all ! Thank you so much for the replies on the fan tsuba in my last post. Any info on this tsuba would be greatly appreciated !! With respect, Dan

Thank you Mauro for your kind and knowledgeable assessment of the "fan" tsuba. Any opinions on the copper tsuba ? I think that it is hand made, very late Edo period (but then I am a "beginner" in collection of tsuba - so I may be completely wrong !). With respect, Dan

Thank you so much Stephen for your input. Much appreciated !! With respect, Dan

Hello all !! Well, this old man is at it again!! Could not resist buying some more artistic tsuba on one of the "E" sites. The first one is copper (paid around $70.00). The design (can you advise me what the correct term for a design on a tsuba is) goes from the omote continues on the mimi and goes around to the ura. The nanako also is continued on the mimi. I do not think that they can accomplish this with casting (but then again, what do I know !). The second tsuba has gumbai fan designs (about $85.00). I found something similar to this while doing research on the web. It stated that it is from the Heianjo school (although their tsuba was in "perfect condition") with brass inlay and fine sukashi in the form of fans (please forgive me if I got any of the terms incorrect, this is my first time trying to use "tsuba" terminology). As always, any thoughts or opinions as to authenticity would be greatly appreciated. With all do respect, and thank you all very much, Dan

Thank you JohnTo, Some great and helpful information, much appreciated !! Will do as you suggest. With respect, Dan

Thank you Lingonberry for your kind reply. I really enjoy getting on the "E" site and searching around. I learn a lot about identifying tsuba and I think I am getting better at spotting a "Chinese" reproductions from an original !! Actually I am into tsuba as an offshoot from studying karate and other martial arts for about 34 years (started when I was 35 years young !!) I enjoy the possibility that the items that I purchase (and I will never spend over $130.00 for a tsuba - I can buy a new tsuba for one of my Iaito from a very reputable Iaito merchant in Japan- the same one I have bought my Iaito from - and yes, I used to compete in Iaido - for anywhere from $65.00 to $130.00). So for that reason $130.00 is my limit (I know, may not make any sense to you !!). Also, I am not in the collecting of tsuba to make a profit. I am in it for the beauty of the piece, whether authentic (or hopefully not !!) reproduction. Thank you for your time and patience, With all due respect, Dan

Thank you for your kind reply. Much appreciated!! Dan

Thank you so much for your consideration and response to my post. Much appreciated !! Dan

Hello again all, I received another tsuba today from Japan. I am a new collector, and am thrilled by the beauty of the tsuba. On the advice of the other responses to my first post I ordered Title: Japanese sword-mounts in the collections of Field Museum 1923 Author: Helen Cowen Gunsaulus (wow !! Those books can be expensive !! I searched around and ordered a reprint of of this book, actually something I can afford !!). Anyway, I bought this "moon in the clouds" tsuba on a "E" site for about $80.00 (about the same price I paid for the other tsuba I originally inquired about on this forum). My question remains the same, "authentic" or "reproduction" (either way, it is beautiful and will be treasured in my new collection). Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kind consideration and patience. Dan

Thank you all for your consideration of the piece, your reply's, and suggestions. Much appreciated !! Dan

Hello all, I am a beginning collector of tsuba. I posted my "new member introduction" on 2/11/19. I would very much like your opinion on this tsuba. I bought it on one of the "E" sites. Only paid around $80.00 for it so I thought it would be a "reproduction" or "replica". I think the artwork is beautiful. When it arrived, I looked at it and saw the fine detailing. Then I thought, "could this be authentic" ? It is a small tsuba (as shown in the pictures with the tape measure). Could you please help me to ascertain if it is "authentic". If so the maker, school, and the age of the tsuba. I hope the pictures I took are O.K.. If not, please advise and I will take some more pictures. Thank you all so much for your time and consideration. Dan

Hello all, My name is Dan and I now live in Arizona. I have been involved in Karate for over 34 years (not very long -since I started training at 35 years of age) and have participated in International and National karate competitions in kumite, kata, and iaido. Of course I have a small collection of reproduction iaito, and katana. I have just very recently started to collect tsuba. I find them artistically fascinating. They are small pieces of beautiful Japanese artwork. Whether they are reproductions or originals (and I am still learning how to discern the difference-great fun getting on the internet and researching all the history and origins of tsuba), I find them extremely pleasing in their artistry. I cannot afford large sums of money, so I have bought some which I could afford (always with an eye towards the artistry of the piece). I was wondering, though, if I have a question about if a low cost tsuba is actually an original (I can always "hope" !!), can I post it here with pictures and the members of the forum can help me out with identifying it ?? Thank you so much, and a great pleasure meeting all of you !! Dan