rematron

Congrats, Stephen!

I like that one, Dale! Mine was $45 and the shipping was $40. I suppose it could have been a little more expensive if it had been in the condition I brought it to.

I'm sorry. How am I clearly being dismissive? I'm stating my opinion and it may not be up to scholarly standards, but I do think it is valid. I'm definitely not being aggressive and don't feel like I deserve an aggressive response. Just explaining how I see it like people do...

Steve, I understand you and the opinions that you have stated. You have expanded on my thoughts in some instances that I respect and, in my opinion, have taken my remarks a little too literally in other regards which is fine. "Nobody" - sure, I'll give you that. "Nobody" is an exaggeration. Just like if I were to say, "Nobody uses flip-phones anymore." I'm sure you would call that an asinine statement as well. ...it's about WHY they want to do it - They are curious. It's as simple as that. When cast iron tsuba were first made IS relevant. The point that I failed to make was that the concerns of NMB of having misinformation be contained is not in jeopardy via these threads. I would love to have a Tanuki feces tsuba made in the Edo period. The historical implications would be that these arguments would come to an end. Haha. In all seriousness, an authentic Edo period cast tsuba would literally change history as perceived by a lot of Nihonto enthusiasts. Yes, you're right. It isn't going to work for ME. And it is my opinion that it isn't going to work for A LOT of people. I "project" onto you that you knew what I meant. Anybody have a crowbar for Steve?

Live and let live. Nobody is going to have a sudden revelation that they've been wasting their time when they read somebody's opinion on social media that they're wasting their time. If someone wants to research something that they're interested in, let them. Why do students repeat scientific experiments that have been done before? They want to do it for themselves to engage their thought process. The definition of a "waste of time" is highly subjective. From reading all these threads that pertain to cast tsuba, I believe the most valid reason for the push-back by members is to maintain history that is the most widely accepted and to keep a rein on misinformation from spreading. That's a valid stance. And, if new people take the time to read these threads, they will see both sides of the argument for themselves and probably be at least cautious if and when they decide to purchase a tsuba. And here's a thought. IMO, a certifiable Edo-period cast tsuba would not be valueless. It would be very valuable to a lot of collectors and historians just because of how rare it would be and the historical implications that it would carry. I'm not saying they exist. I don't know if they do or not. Neither side of the argument can definitively say one way or the other. But, saying something to the effect of "just stop it already..." isn't going to work. If these chains are proof of anything, it's that the back and forth will continue into infinity.

Thanks for pointing this one out to me, Dale! And thanks for all your tsuba help in general.

Thanks, Rodger. I like them for the same reason. Intricate and simple simultaneously. Measurements are above. It’s a wakizashi tsuba.

This was a long process and I ended up having to use a tiny file (very carefully) for the sukashi, which was a bit invasive and made me a little uncomfortable but there was just no other way to get at the rust in there. I’m happy with the result. Enjoy and feel free to ask questions. 6.7x6.2x0.4cm Before and after.

I bought this tsuba shortly after this thread was posted. I was struck by the motif and many layers of symbolism. I was also attracted to it because it was once mounted. Was it a special order by a samurai who found a new way to feel useful in a time of peace? Samurai turned fire fighter? Who knows. Anyways, this is also another tsuba that needed to be saved from active rust and I thought I’d share the results of me working on it. Enjoy.

Thanks, Steve. I thought that was 'hisa' also but assumed I must be wrong. Good to know.

Hello, I think I have verified that this mei reads "Choshu Hagizumi Tomokusaku" and I'm looking for a second opinion. Thank you!

PM sent.

Stephen, if I were in your shoes, I would jump at the dragon kozuka. You like dragons. I like dragons. Dragons are awesome. And, that kozuka would look fantastic on your daisho (given that it fits).

I think that’s the same one? Not totally sure, honestly. edit: Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s the same one.

Back when @Ooitame started this post I thought to myself “Oh, cool. He saved up his money and now he has a daisho.” I knew what he meant. I think we all knew what he meant. He has a long sword and a short sword. He obtained what any samurai would consider and call a daisho. That’s what he meant. All the other qualifiers for daisho are terms collectors (probably starting in the Edo period are even earlier) have created to establish a hierarchy of monetary or cultural value.

Then, what would you call the set of long and short sword that most samurai walked around with? Back in the day would you tell most samurai that they weren’t wearing daisho? That seems silly (and suicidal).

I believe part of the original intent of the Fake Chinese Sword thread that got moved to the Izakaya was attempting to address this issue. So, there’s probably some good info in there as well.

I agree, Alex. Although now I am curious to see the word ‘daisho’ in actual historical context. ‘True Daisho’ seems like a strange qualifier considering how extremely rare they are. “But the FACT is, not all Samurai carried TRUE daisho.” Indeed. More correct would be to say: “Hardly ANY Samurai carried TRUE daisho.” The vast majority of samurai back in the day were walking around with ‘FALSE daisho’. What an insult! I think the word ‘true’ is not correct here. ‘BEST daisho’ is more apt. Sorry, couldn’t resist semantics.

DAISHO

My gut says the term ‘daisho’ has been used since the Muromachi period (at least the latter part) but we are right not to assume that’s the case. I tried to track down its original usage on the internet but haven’t had any luck. I’m wondering if the translated Tokugawa sword length mandate has the word ‘daisho’ in it. Alas, I do not have that.

IMO it’s overthinking it.

It’s a great conversation but the outcome is that whenever the word ‘daisho’ is used in NMB, it apparently needs a qualifier attached to it. So to answer the above question: Yes, of course, if we’re talking about ‘Joe Samurai daisho’ but No, if we’re talking about ‘Perfection Snob Collector daisho’.

Ironically, this doesn’t look cast to me. The newbie. And, I'm a little surprised that word is getting tossed in here so quickly by you guys specifically. So being the newbie with a differing opinion than the more experienced means I’m likely to be wrong and learn something, which is a good thing in the end. I know I have a lot less experience but to me the mei is one of the only details that looks like it could have been mold formed instead of carved. However, the mei could have lost what crispness it had with erosion if moisture were trapped on the seppa dai underneath the seppa. The tsuba in general does look like it has some damage from moisture and exposure and age. But the plate looks hammered to me. The bamboo has a lot of crisp detail and so does the dragon for that matter. Should @Ford Hallam get called in like he has in the past? I’m fully prepared to be put in my place.

It should be mentioned here that the Japanese plum/apricot is one of the first trees to bloom after winter and is therefor a widely used theme symbolizing perseverance. Yes, the flower is beautiful but there is always a deeper meaning in imagery used in tosogu. Flowers in general are to remind samurai of living in the moment and that all things die though they are beautiful and alive now. A main mental goal of the samurai was to be constantly ready for death and at to at peace with the prospect.

Oh wow! That one looks like it could be the same tosogi/school as the one I have. But it’s dialed down a bit.