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Hi Jeremy and Bruno, Thank you for taking the time to respond. Is it the ura side (carving of the tree and branches) that makes you suggest Hamano? All the best /Soren

Dale, That is very clearly “Daikokuten” in all his might and opulence, holding mallet, sack of goods and sitting on the bales of plenty 😜👍 Won’t ask you where you found that one or where the yellow’ish color comes from, but if you keep it long enough (say a few hundred years) it might end up in a museum with someone writing a book about it 😂 All the best /Soren

Dear NMB fellowship, Once again I hope to draw knowledge from your experience and expertise. In my little quest to get wiser on the subject of Tsuba I have found my self buying different kinds of Tsuba (e.g regarding base materials, design and schools). This time I found a much used brass (Shinchu) Tsuba with the design of the Japanese deity “Daikokuten”, God of fortune and wealth (among a lot of other traits) and a child apparently playing with spinning tops. It shows clear signs of having been mounted (probably on a Wakizashi). Measurement’s: 7,2 x 7,0 x 0,5 cm weight: 130 grams Material: brass with inlay of other soft metals. Mimi is a ring of soft metal that has the feel and look of shakudo (but I am in doubt). There is no iron in or around the Tsuba. Design: Daikokuten with mallet and sack / child playing Mumei School: my own guess would be Mito school? 🧐 Period: probably late Edo period to early Meiji period I would very much appreciate your thoughts on: School and if possible a suggestion on maker Design and carvings Possibility of restoration of patina (looks like a previous owner may have tried to polish the surface with a rather “heavy hand”) All the best Soren Omora side Ura side

An old tread with some interesting snakes as well as information on their creators. Shows again the depth and value of this NMB forum. By just reading some of the post’s here I constantly find my self enriched with new knowledge. Knowledge I didn’t even know I needed in the first place 😂👍 /Soren

Angry snakes that appear to favorite tsuba seems not to have been that uncommon. This snake found its way to the Dutch Rijksmuseum - scary close to you Okan 😜👍 Artist: Munemasa Shinoda Height: 90 mm Width: 87 mm Depth: 15 mm So a small (angry and maybe deadly) snake locked in a timeless symbiotic relationship with a tsuba 🐍😱 /Soren

This NMB Forum is full of very useful information and visual art (photos, drawing’s as well as technical diagrams). And - some extremely well versed experts on the subject of Nihonto 😎👍 Real pleasure to follow…. Mister Gilson - what a find your family made. All the best into the art of restoration and be careful, as you might get smitten by the “Nihonto Bug”. Can be quiet expensive. All the best /Soren

Hi Marco, Very cool website and very professional pictures - an inspiration. Thank you for sharing👍😎 Best wishes for the New Year /Soren

Hi all, Horse Menuki hiding in the Tsuka Ito belonging to a Wakizashi (Nagamaki Naoshi) sword. Merry Christmas and the best wishes to all for a Happy New Year 🎅🏻 /Soren

Hi Jean, Found that tsuba on a internet search. Described as Myoga design (Japanese ginger), Ko-shoami school. The design is a bit more intricate in the sukashi than your first tsuba, but there are two hearts and a very artistic plant look a like 😎👍 Best regards Soren

Have just received a beautiful sword in a hard wood shirasaya , two very nice Koshirae (Edo and a high grade type 98 army with leather protection) with custom made tsunagi and silk / cotton protection bags. NBTHK Hozon paper, Aio-Art appraisal and a full Oshigata. In total more than Daniel promised 😎👍 On top on that - a very fast and secure shipment. Very professional and competent. Very satisfied, thank you 🙏🤗

Evening Dale, It does indeed look like a musket shot, and if that is correct, then maybe the lucky fellow who survived that shot decided that this cheap Tsuba had to be his lucky charm - no matter the damage /Soren 😎

Gentlemen, Thank you for those reply’s, and taking your time. Curran - measurements: 83 x 78 x 5 mm. Feels like a Tsuba for a Katana. /Soren

Hi Steve, Thank you for your honest reply. Truly appreciated. And in reflection I do see your point. My initial question was not intended as anything but a true desire to find out more about this specific Tsuba. The kanji is a bit “twisted” and possibly difficult to translate (translate correctly) which I hoped that someone would be able to clarify. But - there is no need to put anyone “through a minefield”. @Brian would you have the courtesy to delete this post. Thank you. All the best Soren

Dear NMB fellowship, I am again in need of your guiding hands on the subject of either confirmation or possible correction of and earlier translation of Mei. This time a very nice iron Tsuba I recently acquired from an esteemed NMB member. Design: Iron Mokko Gata Tsuba with Phoenix bird and Paulownia (the Phoenix bird was adopted in Japan as a symbol of the imperial household - especially the empress. Measurements 8,3 x 7,8 x 5 mm. Former Mei translation: “Higo Tadamasa Bishu Josai” - made by Tadamasa from Higo school (Edo Higo) in Josai district of Owari province. No records found so far on who he was. Mei is made in nunome zogan inlay in gold, and have the feeling of being genuine ( but - I might be wrong). I would therefore very much appreciate: translation / confirmation or correction of the former translation of the Mei Your thoughts and knowledge concerning the maker of this Tsuba (should you have any) Best regards Soren

Hi Krystian, Tsuba number IX (Mokko Gata with Phoenix) arrived safe and sound, and what a beautiful bird. Very exquisite work - thank you 🙏 🤗 All the best Soren

As already suggested, use the combined and infinite wisdom of the NMB. The synergies of that “crowd intelligence”, and sheer amount of accumulated knowledge is both extensive, friendly and close to being your new best friend in starting on your tsuba collecting journey. And - as so often is suggested by some very learned people - consider reading and studying books. A beginners favorite could be: by one of the boards wizards 👍 And again - no commercial is intended 😜 /Soren

That was fast - much appreciated, thank you 🙏 😎 Best regards Soren

Dear NMB translation experts, Once again I’m in need of your skills in reading and decoding Mei. This time it is on my latest research topic, a tsuba made of yamagane (raw or natural copper) with a design that could point in the direction of several schools. The tsuba has clear marks of having been mounted on a sword (wakizashi) and probably more than once, and probably also on different swords over time. Dimensions: 69 x 67 x 4,5 mm Weight: 130 grams Can you help Best regards Soren

Hi Jeramiah, What a beautiful set - close to what dreams are made of Regarding the maker of the tsuba I do believe that Ian has a very solid suggestion when referring to the Yoshioka School. There is a very similar tsuba (shakudo and three dragons in gold, and on the rim / mimi) on auction through Catawiki at the moment. Auction estimate between 1500 - 1700 euro (same as in USD). Unfortunately it’s not possible to copy link /Soren

Gentlemen, Thank you for both the time and the depth of your reply’s. It is truly appreciated with the full acknowledgment that you most likely have stated the same many times before🙏 Jeremiah - 👍on those pictures of authenticated Sugiura Joi mei for comparison. Steve - You have a strong point. It is probably very unlikely that several, and almost pristine works of a major master craftsman can be found on auction without papers of authentication, and at the same time. Should raise a question or two…🤔 Ford - I value your perspective on the actual craftsmanship (groundwork, carving and design) as you have that explicit knowledge (feeling, seeing and knowing), that is so hard to really comprehend for a novice, such as myself. It’s one thing to see and instinctively like a design, drawing or carving, as opposed to fully understand the talents acquired to make that design, drawing or carving. I feel that I have just expanded my own perspective on viewing those parts 😊 BaZZa - I will continue on the long road of study and learning. And I will think hard and long in regard to Shinsa. I have the feeling however that they would just confirm your opinion’s as stated above. But - even though the arrow points at “no joy” (Copycat you Ford 😜) I feel I have made a bargain in both tsuba and the acquired knowledge. Thank you. Best regards Soren

Dear NMB fellowship, I have just acquired this beautiful maru gata tsuba from a dealer in Japan. The material is Shibuichi (alloy of copper and silver), and it has a deep silver grey patina. The drawing could be of Ri Tekkai, one of the eight Taoist immortals. Spec: 70 x 66 mm Mei and Kao is apparently identical (as far as I can tell) to the great Nara artist, Sugiura Joi. Both design, the used materials, and the carving is very close to other pieces by that famous artist that I have seen. But that name has been used as gemei quite a few times, and I have read that he was not known to have made that many tsuba during his lifetime. So - I would again both enjoy and appreciate any comments, reflections or knowledge you may have on the subject of this tsuba: mei / gemei? design / carving or possibly it’s history (if seen before) Best regards Soren

Hi Bruno, Thank you for your time and effort. It is much appreciated. And gimei is unfortunately a very realistic possibility as this makers name is often used 😳 All the best Soren

Thank you Bruno - much appreciated translation as I had my hopes🙏🤓 Yes - it’s a big name, and a very fine craftsman. The Tsuba is heavy for it’s size, and the atagane (Kogai Hitsu-Ana) is probably Shakudo. So - it looks and feels like real quality and craftsmanship. I have however seen a few Mei from Hamano Noriyuki, and most of them had also a Kao inscribed - does that say something when it’s missing on this piece? And is it possible to say anything about which generation - I or II generation Noriyuki? Maybe an early work of one of them?🤔 I acknowledge that these questions may belong under the Tosugu forum but would really appreciate any further comments on design, generation and whatever comes to mind. /Soren

Dear NMB members, I have recently acquired this beautiful Tsuba with a finely carved design of a dragon in cloud’s. Metal base is refined copper (suaka), and it’s size is about 70 mm x 62 mm x 4 mm (probably made for a wakizashi). The design and Mei indicate and corresponds with the Hamano School, but I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments on the subject - and especially on the translation of the Mei. Best regards Soren

Hi Sean, You have a very nice sword to a fine price. If that item had been posted in Europe (within the EU) I would have sent you a PM with an offer. But the severe restrictions and customs between the US and Europe very often make it a very expensive and time consuming transit (especially in regard to Denmark). The situation in Europe (Ukraine and Russia) is also testing our economic future in so many different ways. People are probably just “waiting” to see what way things are turning. Hope that make sense. /Soren