Matsunoki

Blimey, Jacques is wrong….😳 Anyway, the old ways are the best🙂

Not according to Japanese sources. They state it is longer than the usual length (C10”) but still less than I shaku. Ie it is a big Tanto but still within 1 shaku. Damned confusion all these official definitions. that’s why I like old school thinking from 45 years ago!

Hmmmmm, I think Jacques is perfectly correct. A sun nobi tanto is not and cannot be a Wakizashi. It is a blade that is more than the “usual length” of a Tanto (about 10”?)but less than the maximum length….. once it goes beyond 1 shaku it is a wak…..technically ….so given that a sun nobi Tanto is still less than 1 shaku how then can it be a wakizashi?

That is seriously impressive work. Congrats.

Have fun….. https://yokai.com

Google “yokai” and I think you’ll get the idea. Yokai (mythical beings) are very numerous and combine many different body parts from all manner of things that don’t exist. You can have the head of a tiger on the body of a dragon with the tail of a snake with bits covered in fish scales etc etc. Dont try and use Western logic to identify them!

Doesn’t look like a rat to me. The face is more Tengu. I think the theme is simply assorted mythical beasts….and there are many to choose from!

🙂

Now I’m confused….nagasa 28cm…..why are you calling this a wakizashi? Doesn’t look suriage or machi okuri.

Wish I hadn’t used the word “technically”. I’m just used to “old school” thinking. 🙂 I surrender! ….bur…Maybe we talk about sun-nobi Tanto just to cover all bases🙂?

Please explain…..if it isn’t the presence of a tsuba what differentiates a Tanto koshirae from an aikuchi koshirae? …..my brain seems to be having trouble today🙂

Technically you’re right🙂

Technically, a Tanto should have a tsuba….albeit often a very small one. The koshirae your blade is in is more correctly called an Aikuchi (although aikuchi blades are not normally this big).

What is silly to some is not silly to others. What is a redundant question is not redundant to the person asking it. Surely the point of a Forum is to help and educate everyone especially those trying to make a start in this hobby. What is a horrible blade is also quite probably someones first sword bought with great excitement. The reaction he gets here and how that reaction is delivered could either encourage him or break his spirit. Going forwards this hobby needs all the new blood it can get…..they are the ones who will buy our collections when we leave the planet. …and of course it’s not compulsory to read or reply to topics that are below your pay grade. We all started somewhere.

Alex, I’m not so sure. In the same way as Japanese pass their knowledge and skills on why not these Chinese craftsmen? I see such similarities between this Tanto and those that emerged way back…..even the dragon mounts. Most people on this forum would simply not believe their eyes had they encountered those earlier pieces. Some I know changed hands for well over £15k. They fooled two of the worlds top Meiji dealers. In a way I hope it is the same studio ……such genius skills deserve to survive. I still wish I’d bought (and kept) the amazing Tachi.

That is very interesting. About 25 years ago some stunning but fake Japanese swords….tachi and Tanto mostly…hit the Meiji Art scene in the UK. I mean stunning….as good as Japanese metalwork. You would have to have seen one to believe. The rumour was they were made in China by Japanese craftsmen. The blades were excellent. I was offered one, a Tachi with similar dragon fittings to this Tanto, solid silver and proper mixed metals. Staggering quality. I was offered it out of the boot of a brand new Bentley at a major UK Exhibition. I was told it was new but more were available. Back then it was £5k which was really tempting and extreme.y cheap but I didn’t want to get involved. I knew a couple of London dealers had bought some. A few went through the rooms and then they just dried up. I wonder if this is the same outfit? You would have believed it was the best Meiji workmanship. Can these miniatures be bought now?

Very big on function, very low on aesthetic appeal. Brutal not beautiful. ….imo.

Once upon a time this thread was about a tsuba….but became a pantomime. Boring and a pity.

I am sorry to hear that Jacques and wish you a full and speedy recovery.

Recognising quality can really only be achieved by studying a great many pieces. You need to develop an “eye” that will tell you immediately how good something is irrespective of what any signature might suggest. It is not easy to explain. However, the fact that a chunk of inlay has fallen off this one is a good indicator plus the figures are crudely done. Does that hat really look like it’s sitting on the child’s head? Does that face look like a good face? Does the placement of the feet look “right”? Is there any detail in Mt Fuji or has the maker just done the bare minimum? if you want to spend time learning I suggest you go onto Bonhams website, search “tsuba” and click on “past lots”. You will have thousands to look at and the actual sold prices will start to give you an insight. Many are sold in multiple lots so make sure you read the descriptions. Sadly there is no short cut. If you want to be able to identify better quality and then start to collect better quality you have to put the hard work in! If on the other hand you just want to collect “tsuba” based purely on what appeals to you then the road ahead is easier but full of pitfalls and traps!! In my opinion, one really good piece gives more pleasure than a box full of crap items. There is one person on here that will not agree with that last statement……wait for it🙂!

When inlay is missing it has a massive effect on value. There are many perfect examples available. Don’t buy damaged unless it is very very cheap and you absolutely love it. This one is not a particularly “good” tsuba from a quality perspective.

Well, these are just my opinions/preferences and thus will probably not align with yours (or anyone else’s) . In descending order of desireability…… 1. the soft metal tsuba with cranes…..probably the most expensive, nice aesthetic design and good quality inlay 2. dog walker…..possibly the most interesting subject matter, quite amusing but is there some gold (gilded?) inlay missing immediately in front of the dog? 3. sea creatures….the subject matter is always desirable but the design doesn’t really hang together….too fragmented 4. the insects…..just a scattering of assorted insects. No real artistry to the design. Bit boring 5. chickens….terrible condition. Pass. Cranes win by a long way….for me.

Another weakness of mine…..

Looking again…..think it is old after all. There are clear signs of it being mounted….seppa “halo” and definite wear to the Amida rays within the seppadai. The shape is subtle and appealing and the thin rim appears to be well made. It’s the odd, dare I say ugly ana that sent me off down the wrong path first time round. There are also suggestions that it once had raised carving….traces of a rocky outcrop??…..so I wonder if it’s an old plate that has been reworked? Just some musings.

The Fuchi that is on the tsuka is close but is not matching to the saya fittings. It’s the same subject (dragon) but different artistry. The Kashira is non matching either….most likely it would originally have been of handachi type. That’s a pity….would have been lovely. The habaki looks like it’s been hammered a bit….maybe to fit the blade? The kirimon habaki is OK but nothing special….its a common subject from late Edo.