tony edmunds

Hi Guys I'd welcome opinions on this sukashi Tsuba. To my eyes it Looks like it could be Higo (with a flowering plum theme) but I'm no expert so any help will be much appreciated. Regards Tony Edmunds

Hi Justin I believe these are matsu ( pine) motif. I have a very similar set on a tsuka which is definitely an Edo period "court" style mounting (with horn kashira and shakudo nanako fuchi). I believe my set could be solid gold which is unusual. Tony

Hi Eric No I didn't meet James, he was out of the shop the day I visited, his Japanese assistant was very helpful (as of course are all Japanese sales staff) and showed me over 50 sets of F/K and as many menuki. Some of the pieces were high quality and most well out of my price range so I came away empty handed. Didn't take any photos of the shop but it was packed with stuff, swords, armour, scrolls and lacquer. Tony

Hi Guys I visited James' shop in Tokyo in 2009, they had just moved in so everything was a bit chaotic but I can say that they have a lot of stock and an incredible selection of F/K and menuki. I'd say worth a visit especially if you are after fittings. Tony

Hi Guys I 've just finished reading Clive's new book from cover to cover. An excellent read, full of the insights and expertise for which Clive is justly famed. Many thanks Clive. Regards Tony

Hi Hawley's Japanese Mons gives the three cedars (Sugi) mon family names as Togawa Fujibayashi Kano Kojima Omiwa Shinmi Iwase The small Hawley's Japanese crests gives Honda! Hope this helps Tony

Hi Guys The Token Ichi sounds very interesting, is this the big Nihonto dealer show I've heard about. I'm planning an Autumn trip to Japan and I'd definitely change dates to be there just don't tell the wife! By the way I'm working my through the Linguaphone course in Japanese and it's definitely added to my enjoyment to be able to speak a little of the language. My favorite phrase when meeting sword people is: Nihonto o benkyo shite imas- or I am studying/a student of Japanese swords, this seems to strike the right chord Tony

Hi Milt What's the signature on your Fuchi? It appears this is a popular theme, I've seen it on an Omori Teruhide F/K at the Sannenzaka museum in Kyoto ( page 50 of Rokusho Vol 34) in 2005 and several times since, Tokugawa Art has a pair for sale which don't look as good as mine or Milt's in the pics. All the best Tony

Thanks John I've seen a couple of similar themed F/K of varying quality judging from the same/ito I would have guessed late edo. Here is the Kashira. Regards Tony

Hi Guys Having received such generous and expert advice on my tsuba I thought I'd seek your opinions on this Tsuka I brought back from Kyoto.I bought this in an antique shop specializing in urushi mono.I know this is a common theme( battle at the Uji river) but I'd be grateful for your views on possible maker (the F/K is mumei). Kindest regards Tony

You don't know the half of it Piers, My dear wife has dragged around every sword shop/ museum exhibit in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka for three years on the trot. She even got Gassan Sadatoshi to autograph his catalogue at the exhibition in June when I was too awestruck to ask! Oh and she also got me a very nice Japanese reference book on Menuki for Xmas. All the best Tony

Many thanks Piers and John you guys are amazing! Merry Christmas Regards Tony

Hi Guys I'd be grateful for any help with the signature on this Wakizashi tsuba which was an Xmas present from the wife. Seasonal greetings and good cheer to all Nihontophiles Kindest regards Tony