Matsunoki

Hello John Looking at yours, the signature section in the right-hand side of the nakago ana is exactly the same as mine. Possibly also,the left hand side. why not out put yours in the translation section…..I bet someone will confirm the right hand bit and maybe have a stab at the left? Can I also see “YOSHI” on the left?

@Spartancrest…….brilliant Dale. You are so helpful. My research skills are obviously pretty useless. I did try, I promise!….but got nowhere. I guess knowing where to look is the key. I will digest all of the above and make a few notes (can’t rely on memory) …..but a sincere thank you for your time, knowledge and patience. Until the next time…..not that far off🙂…..all the best. Colin

Hello yet again from the UK. Please can you enlighten me? (Oh no not him again I hear you sigh🙂) I’ve tried on the internet but no luck. I acquired it because I thought the subject was very “samurai” (daft thing to say) and also quite elegant and well conceived. I’m trying to convince myself that it’s not cast (can’t see any casting seams anywhere). It looks as if it’s been on several swords and has quite some signs of some age….lots of wear on the seppadai. Delicate engraving to the mane and tail is very worn. Very dark even patina. Kozuka and Kogai ana both the same….. There is a ghost of a signature. H 7.0cm W 6.8cm ie wakizashi sized. Thanks to you all. Best wishes. Colin

In the image posted by Chris the shape of the kissaki looks heavily modified especially as it approaches the yokote….looks to flatten quite a bit…..many chips removed? Hamon looks like it just about creeps back on to give a thin boshi? Anyone else see that?

Interesting point…do you think it may represent Yoritomo or his pursuer?…..or something else? Thanks for your thoughts.

Good evening Michael In my previous comments I did ask for “professional opinion” and I also stated “provided no damage is done to any sword”. Let’s be clear, I am not advocating anything inappropriate be done to any sword. Thank you for your expert opinion. I promise you I respect all expert opinions. (But very often experts disagree don’t they🙂). I’ve been in the Japanese Art world for over 40 years and you cannot thrive in that world without learning the importance of respect. All I am saying, as many have said before and still do, is that I prefer swords in sashikomi. I do understand that both styles can be done well or very badly. I’ve not seen a badly done sashikomi but I’ve seen some hideous and inappropriate hadori. In those instances the polisher showed no respect whatsoever for the sword. Its great if you can chose your togishi to suit a particular sword but in reality we are heading to a situation where most of us will be lucky to get any swords polished in any style unless we actually take them to Japan and are still alive by the time they get done! (Postal theft, customs problems, lost packages etc etc.) I’m not looking for a fight!!!!……but my opinion, or perhaps I should say my preference remains. Its nearly wine o’clock. Best wishes Colin

Provided there is no damage done to any sword and provided the polisher is capable in both styles I believe we are entitled to express a preference for how we wish our sword to appear if it is possible. And given that this is a divisive subject with strong views on both sides I still firmly believe that it is a matter of opinion. If it wasn’t then we would all agree wouldn’t we? Hadori is a fairly modern cosmetic innovation and clearly not everyone is a fan of it. I prefer the natural face without makeup. It is just my opinion….as I very clearly stated.

Good afternoon Soren Indeed that is what my memory was attempting to recall…….without much luck! Now not so sure if my tsuba does relate to that legend as the positioning of the spider web is somewhat different ie in the one you post it does look to cover an opening in the tree but in mine it doesn’t. Who knows….let’s see what others think(hopefully). Greatly appreciate your time, very kind of you. Many thanks. All the best.Colin

Hello again from the UK, yes it’s me again with another recent acquisition asking for your help and guidance. I bought this one recently (same auction as the crab tsuba) simply because I like the subject and I thought it looked well made. I have some memory that a spiders web on a tree was something to do with someone hiding in a tree during the Gempei wars. I must do some rooting around. Meantime can I please prevail upon you and ask for your help on possible school, age etc? I’ve not had much luck on the internet. The hornet or wasp is nicely inlaid in shakudo and gilt. H8.7cm W8.0cm T4mm

@Franco D……..I’m not upset that you downvoted my post but I would be interested to know why.

Hello David Many thanks for your thoughts, greatly appreciated. I have just enjoyed going through your collection…..very well documented and catalogued! I must get round to doing something similar “one day”…..! Like you I spent many years as a dealer and restorer following a career in London (horrible place to work) My main dealing and collecting interests were the Arts of the Meiji period…..metalwork, cloisonné, netsuke, okimono etc and I had a decent sword and tsuba collection way back in time….but got tempted and sold them all. I am now returning to Samurai Art with renewed enthusiasm and am amazed at how much more information is available nowadays. My ageing brain struggles to cope with it all! My tsuba taste is not as refined as yours…..I love subjects such as dragons, bugs and insects, legends and myths etc. Maybe the deeper I get the more my tastes will evolve!…..meantime it’s great fun. Thank you again for your help. Best wishes. Colin

You guys are great….thank you all so much. I really am at square 1 with tsuba knowledge. It’s easy to research when you know what to look for ie school names etc and that’s where I’m lacking. I had tried looking for “crab tsuba/iron tsuba with crab” etc but didn’t get much luck. Yep,I’ve been bitten as you will see when I post a few more. Re. this one….any views re age? I would hazard a guess at early 19thC Arigato gozaimasu. All the best. Colin

Hello from the UK, Another recent acquisition. I’m really getting the tsuba bug. I bought this simply because I like the bold subject and it looks well made. It’s large….8.7cmH and 8.0Cm W. The plate is quite thin Any help re age/school would be most welcome. Please tell me if I’m buying poor quality things. Many thanks. All the best. colin

In my opinion, it’s a matter of opinion….and we are all entitled to ours. I have seen appalling Hadori polish that do nothing for the blade. I have never seen an appalling sashikomi. In the image below of the same blade section done in the two different styles I know which I prefer and which shows the hamon to best advantage.

I’ve actually got to face the same dilemma soon. I have several swords getting close to polishing and shirasaya etc which I haven’t had to face since Mishina Kenji worked in the UK…..a long time ago!

Good advice. What price “peace of mind”? I have had terrible experiences with Parcelforce. Even with tracked services things go walkabout….delivered to the wrong door….or mysteriously disappear. Local to me a courier has just managed to “lose” a tracked greenhouse!!!!!…….maybe it’ll turn up in a different garden…….I have been told that couriers are being infiltrated by criminal gangs. That’s scary.

I’d risk it. Let us know……

Dan, please post lots. It’s fascinating to see what you guys can enjoy. Nothing like that happens nowadays in the UK.

That makes me mad as hell and it isn’t even my sword🤬 I guess it was a time saving short cut and “sod the customer”. I once had some really nice mixed metalwork vases patinated by someone who “absolutely knew what he was doing”. Never seen such a mess. Used Ford after that (many years ago).We get tempted though don’t we?

Hi John I have also read something to that effect somewhere on this very Forum. I believe the phrase stated that Hadori was “the preferred style of polish for Shinsa”. I believe it was referring to the NBTHK. No chance I’ll remember the actual thread but I didn’t dream it! The danger with Hadori, especially buying from images is that it’s a real gamble unless you know and trust the vendor. It can hide a multitude of sins, make a hagire almost disappear (I’ve seen that-very scary) etc etc and very often looks garish. Of course, depends on the skill and preferences of the Togishi.

Agree completely 110%! just my opinion (voiced before) but seems nuts to disguise the hardening work of the smith with an obscuring veil that makes it difficult to see “in hand” and near impossible to see in images.…..but….one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Some like the “drama” of contrast. I believe a good traditional sashikomi is more difficult to achieve……would love to hear expert comment. Im also told modern sashikomi uses acid….again would appreciate expert comment.

Probably not of great interest to anyone but thought I’d point it out anyway just in case. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mullocks-specialist-auctioneers-and-valuers/catalogue-id-srmu10147/lot-a4fc3721-3b20-4fdf-9eb1-afa201115de5?queryId=23bafa36015a75c67244ab7609a817c0

Beautiful understated refinement. The use of the bi-metal back, the folding of the moon over onto the reverse and a painstakingly done Mei…..not to mention the delicate use of enamels. I can just imagine it on a sumptuous Tanto with en-suite mountings.

Nice saya- covered in ray skin, lacquered black and then polished flat. More expensive to do than plain lacquer and sometimes a sign of “better than average” sword……or a wealthier owner.

Hello from the UK I love any Japanese Art the dwells on legends, bakemono, yokai etc and this Tsuba depicts “The slaying of the Nue”. From the Heike Monogatari, the Nue was a monstrous Yokai with the body of a tiger, the head of a monkey and a snake for a tail. This scene depicts the Samurai Minamoto no Yorimasa and his servant Ino Hayata about to slay the beast at the request of the rather unwell and troubled Emperor Konoe. The beast was hit by Yorimasa’s arrow (you can just see him drawing his bow) as it emerged from its swirling black cloud, it fell from the sky and was finished off by the servant. As a reward, Yorimasa was presented with the sword “Shishio” as the health of the Emperor instantly improved. The patina is an even very dark brown/black Anything you can tell me about the tsuba or the double sided mei would be greatly appreciated…age, school?? Etc H7.6cm W7.3cm Thickness 5.1mm many thanks. Colin