Matsunoki

Hello again from a chilly UK. Hope you’re all good. This tsuba turned up a few weeks ago in a Kyoto shrine market and has found its way to me. Apparently it was the “pride and joy” of a very old dealer gentleman and much haggling was involved. Rich black shakudo with exceptionally fine nanako. Delicate inlay of a kingfisher by a river. Looks in perfect original condition. Mei Ishiguro Masatoki (thanks for the help with the Mei @Shugyosha!) 7.8 x 7.0cm All the best. Colin

Hello from a freezing cold UK. Hope you are all well. Posting this one just for interest. Owned this several years ago. Sold it. Wished I hadn’t and recently managed to reacquire it in a deal….and very pleased to now own it again. Very high relief inlay of Handaka Sennin releasing his dragon. The reverse with waterfall. Rich black glossy shakudo in lovely condition. mei Toshinao. 8.0cm x 7.6cm All the best. Colin

@KuraiValo Sorry to say I am also sceptical on all of these except “signature 4” They have all (except 4) been given a very harsh abrasive finish and the signatures do not look like genuine Japanese calligraphy to me. The usual surface finish on these is usually akin to a sword polish as they often have a hamon. However it does appear that several have had past deep rust…..maybe that’s the reason for the heavy abrasions? Would a reputable sword dealer allow them to remain in this degraded condition?….I don’t know. Many “fakes” of these are being made convincingly in India …….it’s a minefield. put Yanone into eBay.com and see what turns up….especially from India. There were quite a few on there couple of months ago. there was also another thread on here…..have a search. Hope I’m wrong. Colin

You are right Jussi….my old eyes! I cannot see it selling at that money. Maybe it’s just the images but it looks very ordinary. Does that fuchi look repro to anyone?

……and aren’t those old green papers considered worthless? Somehow something is not right here.

The tsuba is not the one shown in the papers…. or am I really going mad🙂

Research “horimono”. Quality can vary from mind blowing to done in a shed.

It’s somewhere around that amount but most knowledgeable collectors will be put off by the fake signature. Maybe $250-300 would be more realistic. It would be worth nothing in the UK as it’s illegal to sell ivory! Nice find for that money!

Pic or two Piers. I’d love to see one. all the best colin

James, can you provide closeups of the kissaki area? Does the hamon run off the end? The boshi looks a bit perilous and perhaps the kissaki has been heavily reduced as result of a chip? That might explain the absence of a yokote. Difficult from these pics.

Hi Ford @Ford Hallam Methinks the famous Unno Shomin Juyo Kanzan and Jittoku tsuba with tiger on the reverse was your inspiration? Brilliant Utsushi All the best Colin

Neither do I but I dealt in decent Satsuma for quite a few years and it is hugely popular outside auctions. Massive and very wealthy worldwide collector base. Not to your taste obviously Baba but the good stuff shows amazing skill and typical Japanese attention to minute detail. They were highly skilled craftsmen.

Just for interest, the one in this image by Yabu Meizan just sold in the UK for £18000 plus 30% premium, others have made more. Good Kinkozan is always in the thousands as is Seikozan, Sozan and all the other amazing Meiji artists. Price wise it’s up there with Ko-Kakiemon. Quality and price vary enormously just like swords and it takes a while to understand the subtle differences.

Jean, sorry, it is earthenware. Kutani is porcelain as is Arita, Seto, nabeshima etc Baba, at that price they are rubbish. Try researching Yabu Meizan, Seikozan, Sozan(the artist working for a kinkozan) or jus t browse Bonhams “Satsuma”. The good stuff is very highly valued and Bonhams are for once experts in it.

Hi Bob, for an example of good quality Satsuma earthenware featuring samurai have a look at this link…..and even this one is nowhere near the best quality. Always good to compare different qualities and values! https://www.bonhams....868-1912-circa-1900/

Definitely post Meiji and made in vast quantities for Foreign export.

The trouble is Alex, divulging too much personal info about yourself could be asking for trouble of several varieties from identity theft to home security issues.……and of course there is no guarantee that Border Force would believe you anyway. Some of them have some sense, others are just vindictive, others haven’t a clue what the regs are anyway. I agree their job is difficult but then so are many others! I would be cautious. Best. Colin

John, yes you could get several really good genuine sets for that price.

Is it one where the shape has been changed by the removal of the rim?

All depends on how good/what the actual blade is. A missing menuki can be replaced. A missing saya mount might be a bit trickier but not a deal breaker.

You’re welcome Bruce. Are the small Seki stamps also common on Star stamped blades? Thanks. Colin.

Bruce,……as promised. I’m not very good at images! it has a star stamp, a small stamp on the nakago mune and a small stamp above the date. Hope they are clear enough. All the best Colin

Thanks Stephen,…and you mate.

I knew Covid could be really bad (it killed my elderly Mum) but this first hand experience is rather shocking as we wrongly thought it had got “weaker”…..apparently not. You were lucky Bruce. This virus hasn’t finished with us yet I fear. Keep well all of you. Best Colin