Tsuba gardener

I agree with these very helpful tips. I would also add that it's important to research before buying. Good resources are museum sites in the internet , and Shibui swords. And also the specialist Facebook groups though personally l have dropped many of these as many have gone from information to selling. However The Kamon Samurai Crests group is a useful resource as are Jakushi Tsuba and Asian export sword guards and Namban Tsuba. Don't be afraid of Japanese language only books as Google translate is helpful. Other books would be any on Japanese legends Japanese design motifs (Mon/Kamon) A Japanese -English character dictionary Handbook for Tsuba. Collectors or Japanese sword guards art. ,of war by Gary Murtha Early articles for Tsuba study enlarged and additionall early articles Tsuba collecting for beginners The Birmingham museum and art gallery Tsuba collection V2 and also catalogue of Tsuba in the permanent collection of the Birmingham museum and art gallery. The index of Japanese sword fittings and associated artists by Robert Haynes A brief history of Japanese sword fittings artisans Lethal elegance Handbook of Japanese sword fitting terms by Markus Sesko Translation of Tosogu no kigen by Markus Seske There are others, but the ones listed are affordable

Excellent, thank you for your feedback.

Great, thank you. I will concentrate on the pictorial representation rather than the linguistic.

Thanks Jean, l hadn't considered that, but will now.

Hi Group, l wondered whether there was a relationship between the cloud (Kumo) and holly (Hiragi) on this Shonai school suaka tsuba. It occurred to me that if there is a relationship it could be a play on words. I don't speak or read Japanese so my theory is hypothetical. By mixing and matching l found the following (but there may be others): Hiraku: to open/to undo/ to unseal/to unpack. Kugi: Sacrifice Kuraku: Darken. Additionally Clouds signify impermanence whilst holly appears to represent survivability or endurance. Again there may be no relationship but if there is it would relate to the in/yo, (yin/yang), positive and negative design on each face. I may be totally off the track and would like your thoughts please.

Thsnk you David. I do wonder whether Goami tsuba have been mis catagorized in some cases. I enclose 2 tsuba from the Carlo Monzino collection sold at Sotheby's 1996. The bottom tsuba has been shown here before.These are similar in quality to yours , a vast difference compared to my example.

Thankyou David. So are there any definite signs which single out Goami /Kiami from other schools?

Hi Dirk thanks for the link and your tsuba. It appears that there is a wide variety of design with in the school.

That is very sad news and l pass my sincere condolences to Mr Murtha's family. Gary's books are an invaluable resource particularly when l first started collecting. He also provided with with advice and l purchased my first tsuba from him.

A bit late, but David Stiles in 2012 stated he was looking for references to Goami/Kiami tsuba. I too am researching this school , frustrating because there are few correctly referenced examples. What's intriguing me is the sukashi which appears uncharacteristic. To me it appears to represent a pagoda roof or another form of roofing. But it also indicates movement. I am also researching the possibility that kanji is represented in within the design (possibly magari kawa or river). I also wonder whether the sukashi was added later.

Hi Group, Is Alan Bale still trading? I have seen posts from 2019 referring to this with no definite answer. When l input his email address it connects to Grey Doffin (who l regularly deal with). Regards, Neil

Hi Matt, thanks for the confirmation

Hi, could l have a confirmation of this mei please? It's in 2 parts. The previous owner thought it was Myochin but this version is not in my references. Thankyou.

Although l already posted once, l thought it rude not to do an introduction. I live in the UK and have been collecting tsuba for 7 years. Previous to this l collected jutte and related items. I have one sword blade which was a tachi converted to a walking cane. I joined this group due to the knowledge herein, which l discovered after Googling various terms. I aim to contribute to other members posts as much as l can.

Hi Curran, thanks for your information . The dealer who sold the tsuba stated Robert Haynes considered it to be Ko-Shoami. I am aware Owari and Ono were the main areas/schools of manufacture. I am happy the design is Yagua influenced. One detail not clear in my photo are prominent iron bones.

Geraint, Thankyou for the reply. I will look into that, l think that's a strong possibility.

Thanks for the reply Curran

Bugyotsuji, Thanks for the links. Yes a very strong possibility.

Thank for the reply Spartancrest and the link. Interesting point, l hadn't paid much attention. I assumed the 'balls' were something's soft that's been compressed and the edges were because of the joints. But yes hexagonal could be feasible.

Hi Group, my first post. What could this subject be please? There are similar designs in Haynes Catalogue nos 9 ; 1 from the Yagua Tsuba design book and another of an actual tsuba. Neither feature the crossed strands. In hand some of the strands appear to represent cord or rope. I will try adding additional photos from the Haynes Catalogue. Thanks in advance.