Toryu2020

Decembers’ theme was Boxing Day! Year of the Rabbit is up next!

Tsuba and a slice of billet by Francis Boyd…

Earlier designs were just cut outs in the shape of a namako, the whole being much thicker, it then became much airier as in the examples by Musashi. Here we see thickeer versions, one with actual hitsu-ana, a more photo~realistic Higo version and an actual pair of namako... -t

Bruce - Kiku Ichimonji refers to the retired emperor Gotoba, not a Shogun. It has come to mean "A-Number One". So Seki Ichimonji may mean the artist made works in the Bizen style and are meant to be "the Best". I am sure this points to a particular smith and a short search would turn up who that is... -t

Generally takes about six months - that being said they are working thru them now and I am being told end of January they will be mailing me. I then have to sort, address and mail them out from here... -t

Sorry to say this signature does not compare well to known examples…

this last is fine - thank you

Can we please see better pictures of the Nakago? Oriented north/south in the center of a single photo? You have the right reading... -t

Jeremy et al The rules are well understood though maybe not well documented in English. Banzashi, what you wore in official duty was set by the Shogunate, even so there was lots of flexibility in how you met those rules. (within certain constraints) The length of Daito was proscribed so we see lots of 2.3.5 Shaku swords. Red Saya were reserved for certain groups - white tsukaito was reserved for certain groups. Hizen retainers were encouraged to copy the Kassen koshirae worn by their lord in every detail excepting the menuki which could NOT be catfish like that of Sansai. Satsuma swordsmen made a point to sport swords longer that the proscribed length and garish red Saya in direct contravention of the rules. There are concrete examples, it is not all speculation. What you wore to work was prescribed what you wore on your own time could be just about anything you wanted albeit operating in a highly fashion conscious and strictly stratified society... -t

Simon - keep in mind, in those days the bloke that could adjust your seppa was just around the corner and his work was dirt cheap! -t

Int the Sengoku-jidai you maybe had one sword - issued by your lord and carried whatever he gave you. In the Edo period it all depended on your income - you might have four tsuba, one for each season - or four koshirae with different tsuba for work, play, practice and combat. The more money you had the more you were able to show off your money with your accoutrement. By the Bakumatsu people shared tsuba as gifts and collected and traded them much as we do today. IMO the tsuba does little for the balance of a blade unless the weight is significant - a practiced swordsman can adjust to most any blade... -t

I have to wonder what books you all started with if the posted list is full of information we can't use unless we can read in a new language or have a teacher to guide us? Jeremy - stick with the list - try ti get the terminology down - yes you will need to see good examples to truly understand and yes you will need someone to point some of it out to you BUT believe me there is tons you can learn from these primers before you need to dive deeper and before you need to apprentice yourself to some "teacher." Ignore the noise, enjoy the journey!! -t

Typically the first weekend in November - delayed this year because of covid. Announcement should come in the Spring but these days who know? -t

So this is not Harunaka Hoshino? Not sure if we know this guy but we are happy to help if we can - please feel free to message me thru this board or email ncjsc.president@gmail.com -t

Jeremy - I hate to be "that guy" but if you look under the FAQ heading you will find Recommended Reading for Beginners - The best and easiest to obtain is The Samurai Sword by John M Yumoto... -t

Planning to attend and rep the NCJSC... -t

I would recommend Robert Hughes from Saskatoon, now living in Japan and can be found on this board... -t

江戸の十手コレクション Edo Jutte Collection by Ide Masanobu Samurai Weapons by Cunningham Classical Weaponry of Japan by Mol

Quality pieces can be found, stay away from eBay... -t

Robert Hughes can be found on this forum Also Meirin Sangyo can handle orders in English, tell them Big Tom sent you... -t

Sano Bijutsukan publication - Akasaka tsuba 1990 Sano Bijutsukan publication - Sukashi Tsuba 1999 both should be readily available in Japan -t

Original Japanese... https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q1056384585 Second volume https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1062943004

I believe you are talking about Tosogu no Kigen, which has not been translated - should be readily available in your furuhonya. Sukashi tsuba was translated and there are two books (gold and silver), the Japanese editions are less expensive and easier to come by... -t