Bob M.

Umetada it is... Signed and dated - Joshu Nishijin ju , Umetada Tachibana Shigeyoshi , Keicho jusanaen ( 1608) The tsuba is ex Henri Verver collection (possibly a good fit as he was known to collect more unusual pieces) Pictures posted by Ford are part way through cleaning , after removing many years ( centuries ? ) of dirt / crud.

Of course , 2021 in Japan could be a little complicated by a restaged Olympics...

Sadakatsu blades Couple of quick scans - The kogarasu maru style is in full ayasugi hada - made to commemorate 2600 years of Japanese empire, 1940 ( Hozon papers ) The shinogi-zukuri also shows ayasugi particularly at opposite ends - made in july 1942 as a commission for the Sumitomo Banking Corporation ( Tokubetsu Hozon papers ) Both still in original polish ,both with Gassan habaki. Sorry for poor quality.

Confirms authenticity? I thought that was the NTHK - surely NBTHK give an opinion . This probably seems like splitting hairs but, as they say , the devil is in the detail. Swords or fittings submitted to Shinsa are to be 'worthy of preservation' as a minimum but in itself that is not a qualifying standard for any particular attribute ( quality , history etc.). It means that the item in question has not disbarred itself from being papered by , for instance , bearing a gimei signature or in a ruinous state of preservation where it is not possible to determine its characteristics. Any opinion at Hozon level as to quality etc has to be in the eye of the beholder. If you want NBTHK opinions as to quality , you need to submit to a higher level of scrutiny (if that is infact what you get) and papers. Please note - The above are my views , I am not presenting them as facts... Also can anyone remember , did the NBSK intend to provide a basic authentication service without grading ? I would have thought this to be preferable to the naked commercialism of paying way more , even after allowing for the extra work involved, for higher level papers....

The vast majority of papers (NBTHK) isuued are Hozon. These give an opinion as to authenticity , nothing more . It is a continuing fallacy , especially by dealers and sellers , that hozon papers are some sort of quality standard. This only starts to happen with Tokubetsu Hozon and above. One may of course decide that authenticating the maker in itself is a guide towards quality - but that is not what Hozon papers actually say.

Hi Hannes , Nice piece that appears to have good evidence of mounting. Personally , I have a rule that if a tsuba has been plugged and the first thing you see when looking at it is the plugs , then they should go - this would give a much calmer feel and help appreciation of the tsuba as it was originally meant to be. However in this case the plugs are so flambouyant that the piece is transformed. They are certainly most spectacular ! I hope you have enjoyment with it. Bob

Ford, I am sure you will follow all the medical advice without questioning or cynicism and make an excellent patient.... Get better quickly and confound those critics ! Bob

So , to my cynical way of thinking , wabi sabi is a marketing description, possibly coined by dealers who wanted to shift some hard to move stock , that has now become a trendy and desirable way to sell. Analagous maybe to the modern 'faux leather' etc , that is seen everywhere . Easier to sell faux than fake after all...

Ergo QED ? ( colloq. )

Quick I-Phone image of Bat and Fog (?) together with moon and clouds - unsigned , any thoughts as to school ?

As promised , slightly better images of - Sekibun - f/k... Regards , Bob

Quick scan of picture of carp f/k . Descrlbed as pair of silver fuchi-kashira with carp swimming among waterweeds in takabori and gold takazogan , the eyes in gold and shakudo against a nanako ground. Hope this is of interest. Please have a go and guess the school - will reply in 48 hrs , hopefully with better pics. Regards

Could we say tsuba shaped plaque ?

If waiting for decision on TH , has it not already passed at Hozon ?

Gents , The tsuba linked to by DRDave above , is currently behind bars in the U.K. For those who can make it to the Utrecht event in June, it should be uncaged together with some close relatives and other beasts.... In general terms , my personal view is that the Sekibun artists , although recognised for their undoubted abilities in the fittings field , are given less consideration than is their due. I shall also be taking along a Tok.Hozon rated set of tiger fittings together with a gorgeous fuchi/kash in silver with carp motif by this school. Hope to see you at the Show ! Bob

Many thanks for the info ! I do not have a copy , does this artist appear in Haynes ? Bob

Hi Everyone , The closest I can get to on this signature is Mitsustura , a fairly late obscure?, Goto artist - any ideas ? Also translation for right side would be useful... Thanks ! Bob

Thanks to everyone for your replies - very interesting. I have attached a few more pictures for general info. and wonder if there are any suggestions as to the family represented by the mon ? Incidentally , the blade has been attributed by the NTHK as den Hosokawa Masachika. Thanks again. Bob

Hi All, Have had this sword for nearly 15 years , so thought it about time to ask some questions , if you would be so kind... Are these markings commonplace ? Are they just to identify a matching set of fittings ? This sword has a plain wire 'sarute' - would this be original , were items like 'clasped hands sarute' optional extras ? I realise that these are probably beginners questions , but any help woiuld be much appreciated. Thanks ! Bob '

Just logged on and seen the very sad news. I add my condolences to his family and all who knew him. Rest In Peace.

Are these unidentical signatures by the same hand ? Views sought - Many thanks ! Bob M. Sorry , Quality of picture is terrible - will try to post a clearer image...

Thanks Grey , much appreciated.. And Yes , Setsubun it is. Bob M.

Hi, Have a distant memory of this tsuba being illustrated in Hawleys book on Southern California guards - somewhere near the back ? Could anyone confirm and post image of the page ? Thanks ! Alternatively is the book online anywhere ? Bob M.

So... Obvious quality of the piece is subordinate to a tick box exercise on the mei ? How comprehensive is the signature information ? Whats next ? Should this tsuba be destroyed as a fake ? Whose papers are more valuable and genuine than the piece itself ? This is typical of people with a mindset that says monetary value tops quality and artistic merit. Such sentiments should be consigned to the rubbish bin where they belong. Bob M.

http://www.egconf.com/livestream?day=1 Hi All, Please click on above link to see Ford Hallam's presentation at this prestigious conference. His contribution starts at approx. 2:32:00 on the video. It is also well worth while looking two talks earlier at Bob Kramer the famous knife maker. When you click on the link you will see the eg10 conference logo come up - move the cursor to the bottom of the logo and the timeline toolbar appears. Hope you enjoy!