Deez77

Is there a particular source for that material that you can share, Piers, or do you mean just available on the internet in general? Damon

Thank you everyone. That's the term I was looking for, Matsukawa-bishi. And thank you Dale for the many examples you attached. Damon

Hi all, Could someone with more knowledge of tsuba motifs clarify what this Kinai tsuba motif is called. I've encountered "triple diamond" and I believe "pine bark". I thought it might be a mon, but couldn't find one like it so I'm guessing that's not right. Also, would you say those are birds or geese near where the ana would be? And are the arrows up, down, left and right just a product of the rest of the design, or could they represent something else? This is a nice katana size piece with a nicely looking and feeling patina. Appreciate all of your insights. Damon

I think collecting anything can be addictive...well in my experience at least. Availability and price certainly have an impact on the number of pieces I've collected to date. I personally prefer to focus on school(s) as a primary deciding factor...and on motif (within those schools) as a secondary factor when picking up (or passing on) pieces. That has kept me pretty motivated over the years. Regards Damon

Lukas, I was looking at that tsuba as well. As others have already said, it appears legit and a nice representative one for the school at that. While the abalone shell motif is common for Kinai, it's not always easy to find good examples of that particular design. With some consistent rubbing, I imagine it would clean up nicely. Full disclosure, I collect this school and have also been watching it...may put in a bid. Example of a small tsuba I have of abalone attached for reference. Damon

Fwiw, I always use "iron decoration (no battery)" when having tsuba mailed. Damon

Oh yes, Piers. I've got a few with that motif. Thank you for your help. Google lens was useless for that one. Damon

Hello fellow collectors and enthusiasts, I was recently getting rid of a couple of old tsuba boxes. I pulled out the bottom piece beforehand...just in case...and found a tissue-like paper in one with the following message written in it. Could anyone translate that for me? I appreciate your help. Damon

Obviously a napkin holder, Dale. 😂 🤷🏼‍♂️ Good find.

A tsuba - themed candlestick holder. https://page.auction.../auction/w1143668137 Damon

Very cool little standing screen. https://www.artcuria...36-art-dasie/lots/20 Damon

Great advice. 👍 Thanks for that. Damon

Very good point, Dale. How do you usually go about finding items that way? Trawling through pages of items on Japanese auctions sites, or reverse image search, or something else? Damon

Thank you for your help again Moriyama-san. I always really appreciate it. 🙇 Damon

Hello all. I'm seeking your support in translating the below hakogaki. Tsuba images also provided for reference. Many thanks for all of your invaluable help. Damon

Hi, While the motif is a common one of the Echizen Kinai school, and there are many variations of signatures across the 250+ years it was productive (the signature minus 'saku' is also correct for periods during that time), based purely on the single, low quality image (with poor lighting and a bad background) I would not recommend this piece as there is still a lot 'off' about it, IMHO. Perhaps with better, natural lighting and higher quality images of both sides of the tsuba, we could provide better guidance. If you are a potential buyer, and this is all you have to go on, I would pass. Damon

The arrowhead idea fits really well, Piers. Thanks for that. The larger cutouts initially made me think of a Kabuto maedate, but that may be a stretch. Damon

I would be grateful for any insights as to the motif of this Echizen Myochin Katsu Haru tsuba. I've not been able to find any reference examples. Perhaps simply decorative? Dimensions of the piece are 74mm x 70.4mm x 5.5mm. Thanking you in advance. Damon

Thank you all very much Moriyama-san, YBBB, and Piers. You've all provided me with some additional information on this piece, and I'm grateful. 🙇 Btw Piers, the dimensions of my piece are 74mm x 70.4mm x 5.5mm. Damon

Could someone kindly confirm the mei, please? I believe it's Katsu Haru, although originally listed for sale as Katsu Ji. Very hard to make out. Y'all know I like my Echizen makers. Also, any idea on this motif? Many many thanks Damon

Thanks again Morita-san. With just the right light, you are able to clearly see that you hit the nail right on the head! It also appears to be written in a kind of cursive, and you can see the chisel lines connecting the characters. Damon

Thank you Steve and Morita-san. I really appreciate it. Regarding the Hayashi family member names mentioned in the story, are there various ways to read these: 1. 林左治衛 2. 林越奈 Thank you all. Damon

Thank you Steve. Can you share your source for the stylistic writing examples? Damon

I also realized the banners appear to have been carved with 'ha tsu u ma' (はつうま) or something like that as well. Easier to see when enhanced. What do you think? Damon

Thank you Piers...and agreed. Pretty interesting motif that I've never seen from this school...so likely a custom order. Too bad about the damage as I'm sure the details would have been very nice. Damon