Matsunoki

Is the translation wrong? yes or no? if yes….how?

Let’s all agree with Jacques, it’s easier.

Every Japanese one? Apparently not? ……and does it even matter?

I have the same feeling as @tom. Looks incredibly fresh…..the Ito is pristine and rather simply done. Is there any history that adds “age”?

I don’t even think collecting tsuba is difficult. Tsuba are plentiful and easily available. Prices can vary from a few $ to many thousands. However collecting “good” tsuba requires acquiring knowledge and developing the eye that enables you to apply that knowledge…..and the money needed. …..and what constitutes a “good” Tsuba (and its “$value”) will vary greatly from collector to collector. Some collect certain artists, certain schools, certain designs, certain periods, certain techniques, certain materials…..there is a huge variety to chose from.….or if you simply want to collect tsuba that simply appeal to you then there is nothing to stop you. Go buy some and see. If you decide it’s not for you then sell them. You will make financial mistakes (as many of us have) but you will learn from them. You will make errors of judgement but again you will learn and refine your eye. If however you want a hobby where you can look up that exact tsuba and ascertain its precise age, maker and price then maybe tsuba are not for you. I’m sure some of this has been said above already but my attention wandered a bit.

I would just like to ask if @Jacques D. statements are facts (sources?) or just opinions. If so - whose?…. because opinions can vary. Not trying to spoil the thread, just to ascertain where the gospel comes from.

It looks like either a total fake or the top section from a blade that has been made to vaguely resemble a Tanto. The nakago is mis-shaped, the mekugi ana is in an unlikely place, there is terrible calligraphy which shouldn’t even be on the blade. All in all ….what Brian said….avoid.

Characteristics of the object Equipment: Tamahagane Original/Reproduction: Antique Original Region of origin: Japan Description of the item provided by the seller Description of the item provided by the seller Wakizashi Signed:備州長船住康光 Bishu Osafune ju Yasumitsu. Nagasa 41.5 cm. Sori 0.9 cm. Motohaba 2.8 cm. Motogasane 0.6 cm. Sakihaba 1.9 cm. Sakigasane 0.4 cm. Blade weight: 387 g Mounted weight: 687. Torii-zori (華表反): the curvature is located in the centre of the blade. It is the most used type of sori. Also called kyo, being a reference to the Yamashiro tradition, which mainly used this type of curvature

Hi John, I think it’s just the motif/subject. In the wider field of Japanese art absolutely anything with a skull or skeleton is much sought after….okimono, netsuke etc. It’s the “momento mori” thing and would also appeal to all collectors of that genre irrespective of the actual object. I also like that tsuba!….but I’m selling not buying! Edit….pointed out by Jean @ROKUJURO…it’s Memento, not Momento. I’ve been using the wrong word for over 40 years. Nothing new there🙂

What Jean says is so true. It’s a bit like picking a scab. You know you shouldn’t do it, you know it hurts but you just can’t resist and so you do it anyway🙂 Apologies for bad taste.

Could the hangers be part of a Shinto ritual asking for a good harvest? Dunno.

Actually having known Ford (for 40 odd years) I think he would have tried to explain and educate Dan and the rest of us. It was one of his greatest desires. It was mostly his long term health problems that dissuaded him from getting heavily involved over the last few years. He enjoyed a “healthy debate” and never came at things with a dismissive attitude. If the question was a genuine one he would always give his opinion and explain why. Hmm tricky that one Dale. My first reaction was “cast” . Second reaction was forged very badly and then subject to fire. Third reaction was don’t know but looks “got at” to me. At some point it looks to have been heavily pitted (unless cast). I’ll pass on that one and avoid trouble🙂

The one you show here is now mine again…..link to when I put it on the forum…..the reverse is lovely imo.

I’m also not 100% but I think Ray is right. The mekugi (cord cylinder) could consist of a female internally threaded tube into which a male threaded bolt or screw inserts from the other side. One thing to be careful with, sometimes they have an opposite thread ie turn clockwise to loosen.

Dan, I’m still not sure if you are just taking the piss and trolling us but I will reply. There is no outer skin on this tsuba. You have a carved scene of people, probably farmers taking buckets of water from a stream. The areas you circle are where the riverbank has been carved in and some simple nunome has been used to suggest the flow of the river with dots to suggest the bank. The figures are carved not moulded. It is just a very simple technique for creating a shallow perspective.…..but I suspect you knew this all along……you’ve looked at and bought enough tsuba to have learned that yes?

All auction houses will sell gimei tsuba, blades, Fuchi kashira etc. Some do it knowingly and tell us, some do it knowingly and don’t tell us, some don’t know what the heck they are doing and just sell anything! Be wary and don’t rely on what they say.

Michael, to train your eye I would suggest (as I often do) that you go onto Bonhams website, search “tsuba” and click on “past lots”. Spend some time (better if it’s a lot of time) looking and learning….you will see hundreds of tsuba together with their sold prices including buyers premium. Enlarge the images, study the detail and the aesthetics. Many are sold in multiple lots so take that into account. You will start to get a feeling for comparative values. That will be far informative than looking at a few images in a few books (which give no idea re value) Look for those that hint at gimei…..”attributed to” “school of” etc….but you will see they can still make big money. If your taste is for Kinko tsuba then it’s doubly important that you can tell bad from nice from good from amazing….because the different in values is equally staggering.

Michael, I think you are correct….gimei. With Kinko tsuba I always first look at the quality of the work and that alone will tell you if it is by someone really good, and sadly this tsuba is not of that quality. A lot of work has gone into it but the refinement and artistry is clumsy especially as mentioned earlier the faces and the way the moon is done. It is very common to find “tribute” signatures of famous makers on mixed metal tsuba. Personally that never worries me if the quality is good enough (depending of course on the price)…..some carrying tribute (or fake to be blunt) signatures can still be staggering quality and that alone can justify purchase…..imo!

It is katana Mei not Tachi Mei

Jean, it’s his first post….lets welcome him.

Hi Charles I think Jean is suggesting that this is the right way up to read a signature…..

Just one more….a nice custom shinshinto koshirae on a big shinshinto blade ….cant decide if the metalwork is very heavily tarnished silver or shibuichi with a high silver content. Plovers and waves. I have found a better tsuba with same subject but can’t bring myself to swap it because then it isn’t original. Even got it’s old collection label.

I will soon make more mistakes and sell these….again, untouched.

Here are a couple of late Edo pieces that I bitterly bitterly regret selling. Totally untouched and not messed with. The blades were superb as well.

Have seen similar lines caused by loose fitting seppa rattling around.