Matsunoki

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.

See what I mean?

True Alex. I’ve seen pieces where literally £thousands have been knocked of the value of great Japanese metalwork by some uninformed owner spending hours cleaning off the original patina. I used to pay Ford to put it all back on again! Used to drive me nuts the things people do.

Well to my eyes the koshirae in the papers is not the one illustrated. The tsuka looks very different, the tsuba looks a different size. Also the tsuba on the koshirae looks like a “Mr Suzuki Nagoya mono” ie mass produced (often in Mino style) to look better than it is. Can you show a close up of the tsuka image in the papers? Do they look the same to you? see this link

You looked at all 4137 Lots in 4 mins? That’s serious speed reading!

@Mark W Also have a scroll through Bonhams tsuba (past lots) to see many varied pieces and their sold prices…… https://www.bonhams....ogy=past&query=Tsuba

The subject on the toad tsuba is Gama Sennin with his three legged toad. Yes, that is a big tsuba! The other one depicts Fukurokuju laughing whilst reading a scroll with a child(?), also a large tsuba. Both obviously Katana size, both Edo probably early 1800s (just an opinion) Google those names and you’ll find loads of info.

Adam, generally speaking soft metal pieces look far better with their intended subdued and specially applied patina which is definitely not bright and shiny. I would stop now if I were you. I would be researching correct ways to calm it down rather than shine it up.

David, there is a translation section on this forum. I suggest you post it there…..you’ll have more luck…..that’s where the specialists reside!

Paris, not sure if I’m understanding you correctly but, if a tsuba is for sale on 8 different auctions but it hasn’t sold, that is NOT a good sign. It signals that something is wrong….either with the item, or the seller or the circumstances that it is being sold under. Yes you can see the same thing for sale by several different sellers, they steal the images from the original auction/listing and realist it trying to sell it for a bit higher price then if they sell it they quickly buy it from the original seller. It’s a dirty game. Stay away is my advice.

Personally I don’t think it will sell at that money. There are quite a few cropping up on ebay (described as “vintage” -whatever that means) and mostly they don’t sell either. Make great display pieces though.

I see he hasn’t given a date. Honestly, It looks brand new to me and they are still being made today.

Another incredibly helpful contribution from @Jacques D.

A few poor images of some quite nice (and better) Wakizashi and Tanto that I’ll have at Birmingham on 16th February. Some papered. A selection of Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto and Shinsakuto…..many in near mint polish (but these images don’t show the detail very well……sorry!) (but the description cards will give you an idea) I will also have some decent tsuba, fuchi kashira and a few menuki sets. I’m there to sell my collection so no offer will offend me. Hope to see some of you there…..again! PS….sorry, I cannot take cards

Many of us just got bored with petty semantic arguments that achieved nothing except to confuse pointlessly

I think you will have more luck posting this in the translation section of this forum.

Thomas, Uwe, (and others) everything you say is perfectly true and civilised but, when challenged, instead of engaging in constructive debate, Jacques simple either ignores perfectly valid points and questions, or he diverts away with his “Earth is flat” quote or he resorts to insults. In some cases ( as with me…and others) he resorts to aggressive and insulting unwarranted personal messages which I’m sure he would never dare do face to face. On one post he even called me a liar and when challenged he simply went quiet and refused to explain himself. It’s a shame, rather spoils the ambience of this excellent forum.