Matsunoki

Equally amazing how some people get “taken in”.

Sutton Hoo is not a Viking. It is Anglo Saxon ie the civilisation that developed when the Romans cleared off it and predates the arrival of the Vikings by a few centuries. We are learning much more about them with further archeological discoveries and turns out they had the pattern welding knowledge and ability…..probably brought over by the colonists from Germany, the Netherlands etc (ie the “Saxons”). And probably merged with the forging technologies that the Romans undoubtedly left behind. The early dark ages aren’t quite as dark as we thought.

Your spidey-sense tingling as well?

Well, stepping out of anonymity…… and just the opinions of an old fart etc etc Personally I think porn that veers towards beastiality is pretty damned sick. Calling someone Adolf Hitler displays a remarkable lack of awareness of the difference between a delusional mass murderer and someone trying to moderate a serious forum in a way that is acceptable to most without causing too much offence. Some will always throws toys outa the pram but hey Ho. Images of large cushions shaped as phallus are what I think the little schoolgirls are laughing at on their phones when I drive past them on the way to the gym. Last time l looked in the mirror I wasn’t an arsehole but I have got one and I try not to talk out of it (yes, failing at times I know) Just sayin. Downvote or further insults awaited.

Don’t think so.

Putting each sword on a different thread would have made it much easier!!….especially for someone like me who gets confused easily🙂 Maybe next time. Happy hunting.

Another thread on here has been talking about brass type alloys and their appearance/patina. That discussion reminded me of this tsuba that has returned to me having had a short holiday elsewhere🙂 One side has been exposed to the light/atmosphere, the other side shrouded. It looks like it was hung via a very thin thread rather than boxed. The difference is quite spectacular, you would not believe they are sides of the same tsuba made from the same alloy. Anyone beat that for a stark contrast?

That looks Anglo Saxon replica??? Sutton Hoo?

This way up….

Chinese fake. Sorry.

I doubt any image will tell you what it is. The Japanese used a huge number of different alloys often personalised by the artist making small adjustments to one of the many standard formulas. I also doubt this tsuba is plated…why bother? Much simpler to make it out of a homogeneous alloy. I don’t think this shakudo…..that is usually much more of a noticeable copper colour. I’d settle for a sentoku alloy of some type ie a variety of what we generically call bronze. The only way to be sure is to take it to someone with an XRF analyser.

You got the images the wrong way up………..

Had another closer look. Pretty certain it’s bone. These little black dots and fine lines look just like the fine blood vessels that run through bone. I would think Ox is a good candidate and would provide enough material to turn and hollow. It would also necessitate the separate base section. You can see the detail if you blow up the images. As for where it was made…hmmm….Japanese “shape” but clearly UK Victorian manufacturing techniques and function. The Ojime could of course be a large bead adapted. Quite a puzzle.

Can’t confirm Mei (sorry) but can tell you the subject is “The slaying of the Nue”…..old legend….google will tell all. Not sure the quality is up to Goto work although it’s very nice.

The above two statements appear to contradict each other. I think you will find that working for physical auction houses brings just as many problems and challenges because buyers do have rights against these auctioneers if things are misdescribed, fake, messed with etc. And sellers will still try the same “tricks” to deceive. You will sleep better as a togishi.

Thousands of tsuba are made from shakudo. Generally the quality is pretty good because it is an expensive alloy to use. Beware patination that looks like shakudo but isn’t (Nagoya mono spring to mind!)

If you set yourself up as a high profile expert and you are paid for that role then you really need to be able to perform it. “Not enough time” or “genuine mistake” is no use to buyers who find themselves scammed or mislead. It is very demanding role, not something to be undertaken unless you really know the full range of what you are evaluating or certifying. Being kind and nice just doesn’t cut it in this harsh business…..sadly. I speak as an ex-consulatant for an auction house. I wish you well as a polisher, I suspect you will be much happier.

Some an be pretty big! https://www.woodcraf...gua-nut-pack-5-piece

True Piers but I’m not so sure this is old. Reminds me of…… https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226559527472?_skw=tagua+nut+pomander&itmmeta=01JJRQFHMZ2WB92H9MMHG1YFY5&hash=item34c0000a30:g:4PgAAOSwCcpj-KQq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlG1pKs1GDlULtNHoOeuoAwfhsSfNXPZgnPjWF80RN22Z0lGOqLiEHax%2Bkpe1DprmSrlIqTneG5GozxYbV3VEzNdxyHqMvXV4UyYSaJGOHxH00BDT3o5cDvIHc%2BBrHHWhnafR7IJ5ScWiNKEjuAQKr46MMHnBGmbAEzzUm5pFsJmBGxZk5o8hZi7O6wNX38KnR3cRj6l1ruG5lQmBfUNDZ%2FvfM%2FZtjQJ9XNK6Um4Keh5%2B%2BPGGHL0JAhFbLveaycKUuupKZse5ZqkQtXeGNqTo5WroEYP2%2BEyaJA1OUwHU%2FNww%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8yavpeWZQ

Hi John, is it really hollowed out or just a “tube” hollowed out? If fully hollowed then Piers is on the money with a pomander. The material could be bone especially if it is really hollowed and that would explain the need for a separate base. However to hollow it out fully would also explain that need ie to get inside it easily. The material could also be tagua/coquilla nut which was used quite a lot on such objects. Have a search for tagua pomander or coquilla pomander…..might find something. Not sure of its age.

Yes and we are happy to help. Not if you do it nicely🙂 My advice, know what you are buying and buy the best quality your budget allows. Don’t be in a hurry. One good thing will give you more pleasure than a load of low quality pieces. As for papers, personally I ignore them and just buy what I think is good quality…..and sometimes I get it wrong.

Sorry to sound harsh but you have a low quality Tanto or wakizashi koshirae. The tsuka core does look the same but……. Samegawa looks the type that has pieces of carved Ivory (sometimes bone) inserted to look like the large nodules found on high quality samegawa. (That is quite a common thing - to make it look better than it really is). Look at the gaps around them. You can see they are separate pieces stuck in. The tsuba is a mass produced low quality piece in terrible condition. Someone has lacquered the original tsuka ito presumably to stop it fraying? Shishi and peony are a popular subject, Google might tell you more bout the symbolism. Best bit is probably the kozuka and kogatana Again, apologies but best to be honest……and it’s just my opinion. See what others say.

Did you look at the Nagoya link I sent you? If so you would have seen this…..compare to yours. samegawa and mekugi ana could suggest it could be the same tsuka but what about the ito colour etc

Why must it be legit? People mess with things to make them more saleable etc Tsuka Ito looks a different colour. In the images it looks black, on the papers it looks a far lighter colour. One thing for sure, the tsuba isn’t good imo. Also the sageo looks a different colour and possibly a different length. Working from these images makes it tricky but you are the one with the paper and the koshirae (I assume) so not much else I can say. Or Are you thinking of buying this?

Quite possibly. Very similar workmanship and technique and similar “vibe”. Whether they were made as a daisho or just put together later it’s difficult to say without being able to compare iron surfaces etc etc but …..maybe.