Grevedk

Hi Michael, From a similar and near identical tsuba description made by: Samurai Museum / Japan: “Title: Heianjo-style, Inome Sukashi Description Iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes Inome Sukashi pattern is engraved with openwork. Inome means boar’s eye, and Sukashi means openwork in Japanese. Inome pattern has been being used since ancient times, and it looks similar to heart mark. People believed that the Inome design works as an amulet that protects them from evil spirits or fire and brings good luck. This pattern is often found in traditional Japanese architectures such as shrines or temples. And it is used in Gegyo (decoration under the roof, where the roof is joined) or metal fittings for hiding timber joints. Karakusa Mon (arabesque pattern) is inlaid with brass. Ivy has vitality, and it thrives strongly; therefore, this plant pattern represents prosperity and longevity. Heianjo-style was established in Yamashiro (Kyoto Pref.). It is mainly made of iron with brass inlay. Its design was simply family crest or arabesque patterns in the beginning. However, after that, they made different shapes of Tsuba and started using gold, silver, or copper for inlaying”. (Quote: Samurai Museum) All the best. /Soren

Company Grade tassel with original box arrived today without any problems. Beautiful, intricate weaving and pristine condition - thank you 🤗 /Soren

Evening Henry, Welcome to the NMB forum, and thank you for a very different and tricky question. I am by no means an expert on this specific question, so I will present my own observation. There are many different uses for the Sageo cord (e.g. fastener to the Obi, tying up sleeves or a prisoner) and many different types of knots. The one you refer to as “ display style” for a Katana may be either the Chu Musubi (Butterfly knot), the Daimyo Musubi (used in the Edo period) or the Ronin Musubi. All of these knots are intricate in a way that you could say both “presents” and “honor” the sword and the Koshira. But - I believe you already know that. Your question is tricky because there are probably so many different variables in which knot a Samurai might chose in regard to his clan affiliation, school of training, personal inclination, time period, type of sword, type of Sageo and so forth. And - I don’t think we have that much valid information on this particular subject in regard to historical writings, prints, paintings or photographs. I might however be surprised 🤓 All the best, and keep asking 👍 /Soren

Hi Mark, I am still a very recent collector in the Nihonto field and as such to be considered a “rookie” in the true sense of the word. But - when we are talking about Nihonto as a field of study you probably will be a “rookie” for many years to come because of the sheer amount of knowledge there is to be gained. It never really ends. The sword that you are looking at is from my perspective a good fit in regard to price (600.000,- JPY < 4500$) versus papers, attribution and the sword by itself. I believe it would be a good first investment. But - as Piers noted - it’s probably also going to be the first of several swords (as you will be hooked). I only wanted one sword to begin with - today I find my self in possession of several blades (katana, wakizashi and tanto) 😜 Looking forward to see your first choice 😎👍 All the best. /Soren

Hi Matthew, @Ontario_Archaeology I still available then I would like to chip in for the Company Grade Tassel? All the best /Soren

Evening Marco, @mareo1912 I will take no 1 and 2 if still available? And - should your listing perhaps be under the “Sale or trade” section? All the best /Soren

Probably a few thousand times 😜 Congratulations to Australia are in order by the way. It’s not every day that a beautiful Tasmanian lady ( Mary) becomes Queen of Denmark. But today the Kingdom of Denmark gets both a new King and a new Queen by proclamation 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🎈 I know - Sorry Simon /Soren

Evening all, I think Dale @Spartancrest my have a point 😜👍 Apologies for a slightly twisted picture, but this Tsuba has a similar yasurime with a plausible interpretation “wood panel”. /Soren

Sesko Swordsmiths have changed hands and allegiance - they will be studied. Super items, cared for and well kept . Very safe shipment. Thank you Jussi 🤗 /Soren

Hi Jeremy, Suggestion: don’t involve or ask your wife - just do it /Soren

Good afternoon Jussi, PM for Markus Sesko - “Sword smiths of Japan” if still available? All the best. Soren

Gentlemen, Certified Mei from Bungo Takada Fujiwara Yukinaga (3gen) for possible comparison: All the best and Happy New Year /Soren

Hi Peter, A very interesting study with a rather cool scientific aim. Downloaded and first read done 😎👍 Thank you. /Soren

Good evening Grev, Could it be “Denison Museum”? https://museumcollec...on-detail/?dataId=37 Best regards Soren

I can also second that. Very professional, reliable and responsive service. And - the “make offer “function works very well 🤓 Really fine quality in the offered Tsuba. No comments on the OO-agent comparison but for the cool website 😜 /Soren

Hi Jean @ROKUJURO, You are absolutely right - did the check, and it is magnetic (e.g. iron), and not bronze. Now I wonder why I didn’t check that before 😳 Apparently it has been coated in some kind of varnish which I think accounts for the slightly brownish look. Regarding the inlay I think it probably is brass. Not the prettiest Tsuba I have seen, but fascinating in its own right. 😎👍Thank you - I really enjoy tapping in to the combined knowledge of this board. All the best /Soren

I have a similar tsuba - bronze and probably not cast. A guess could be the Higo school and the Azuchi-Momoyama period (not certain and no papers), 0,45 x 7 x 7,6 cm, 128 g that could also need a “little repair” 😎 /Soren

Evening Okan, I will second Colin - pretty amazing and a rather cool study - thank you for sharing 😎👍 What tricked your curiosity on that perspective? And - maybe there’s even Japanese wood block prints somewhere of samurai wearing rapier’s. /Soren

Good evening @Deez77 and @SteveM, Thank you for your responses and time used. Truly appreciated. It is quite incredible how many slightly different tsuba that have been made over the same design. Every tsuba found by either you or @Spartancrest so far could easily have been made by the same artist or school except for either Mei or attribution. The workmanship however on all pieces must truly have required both time and skill. Quite happy with this acquisition 😊 All the best /Soren

@xiayang Thank you - much appreciated. All the best /Soren

Dear kanji experts, I have this, so far, anonymous tiger who needs a name. If you can help - thenit would be greatly appreciated. Tsuba dimensions: Design: Tiger and bamboo 🐅🎋 Seize: 6,5 x 0,4 x 6,0 cm Matriel: Bronze Period: Probably Meiji period (1868 - 1912) Mei: ? Best regards Soren

This is again what makes this forum so useful and in so many ways unique. It is really a fast track in getting different perspectives on a subject matter, and learning something new. Attribution to several schools (Kinai, Shoami and Bushu) underscore the points made by Jean @ROKUJURO, and you Dale @Spartancrest. If a design had appeal why not make copies. Thank you all 😊 for taking time to look and respond. PS “Mary-gata” was a “fault 40” and not a hint to our Danish / Tasmanian princess 😜 All the best Soren

@Brian Thank you for your quick response and feedback. Appreciated. @ROKUJURO Jean - with your experience, what would your opinion on school and age be? Are we talking Edo period (early, mid or late) or maybe even Meiji period? I find the Sukashi intricate on this one and with signs that might indicate both iron bending and welding. I might be wrong on the welding but could that as a technique be a tell on age? All the best Soren

I have a very high regard for Brano @Brano as I have previously bought a sword from him. Very professional and full of integrity in his dealings. So - you could tell your wife that you actually invested in another kind of honest “jewelry”, that actually could be worn as such 🤓 She might understand and accept that. You might however end up in trouble, but no gain without a little risk 😜👍 /Soren

Dear NMB friends, You probably know the feeling when you make a bid on an auction, win the item and then think, hey - did I just miss something. Something that other bidders (more knowledgeable than you) saw and just decided not to continue to bid on. And the inner voice saying “How come I won that item at so low a cost - what did I miss?” And then you receive the item, and the feeling of it is just right. The Tsuba below has that feeling. It came without any real background or solid information. My own guess: School: Echizen Kinai Material: Tetsu-ji (iron surface) Form: Mary-gata Design: Sukashi with Omodaka plant (Sagitta Trifolia) and grasses Size: 8,1x8,1x0,45 cm Mei: Mumei weight: 88 g Price: <100€ (incl. fees and shipment) My question - Am I wrong, and did I miss anything? 🤓 I will appreciate any of your comments. All the best Soren