cluckdaddy76

Here has been my experience. In the last year, I have made three purchases. Two were tsuba and I paid no tariff using code 970610. My last purchase, a kozuka, was after the first set of tariffs were implemented but then found unlawful. Whatever the new tariff is that was out on all countries, I did have to pay a tariff on this last purchase which is shipping out now. I used the same code that I had used for the tsuba, but this time it was not free. Jason

Just to update, I have made two purchases in the last four months and still have not received a tariff bill. From the chatting I have done, it sems like a flip of the coin whether you get charged. It could vary from dealers charging upfront before they ship to you to customs themselves deciding they do not like the selected code and do decide to charge you. I am on the lookout for a new piece, may be a few months but I will update again once I do. Jason

Here is an iron set of fuchi/kashira with what I was told is a pair of lion hunters/lions. I have not researched the mei.

Thank you for this Hoshi, absolutely amazing work!!!!! I am playing with it now on my phone. Jason

I have several examples of tsuba with stacked sekigane in my collection and I always consider this a good thing as these tsuba are of a good enough quality where they have been taken care of and fitted for a blade more than once.

I am not a military collector but do have one WWII blade in shirasaya with the koshirae separate. I do have one of the openwork style tsuba with mine, I will say the one in this pic does not exactly look like the one I have. I would need better pics of just the tsuba alone to comment more as pics can be tough to judge from alone. This post may be better answered in the military section, there are many knowledgeable collectors who will give you excellent information. Jason

I have a piece with a similar wavy shape around seppa dai, but not the hitsu anas. One person mentioned to me mine was possibly Nanban with a bit of Hizen influence if that makes sense… Jason

I know it is not round, but I have been told by a couple people this is a take on a Satsuma kamon tsuba. There is also work with some gold on the rim, but some is faded. Jason

I have a tsuba that I have been curious about as the original collector not only had a cedar storage box made, but that also fits inside another larger box. It has a silver Hosokawa mon on one side and a silver Ashigaga mon on the other. It also has a horizontal three kanji mei. Jason

I am a tosogu collector and I will echo Brian. You posted many menuki and without a pic of the back, I can concur you will have a hard time selling. It also raises another flag as to why this cannot be done. I would not bother updating all these posts, not trying to be rude, but most will not appeal to the majority of collectors here. Without Kiri boxes for storage and the pics of the back, these are a tough sell even at the prices offered. Jason

I found the tariff code I used; it is in the antique section Chapter 97. Code is 970610 and the website states this code if accepted it does not have a tariff applied. My description was antique metalwork. Not sure that swords fall under this as I have heard most have paid a tariff. I have a fuchi/kashira set coming soon, I will update again either way once received. Jason

Curran, I have also had my eye on a fuchi/kashira set that I am going to pull the trigger on too. I will write down what tariff code I used and post it once I make this happen. Not sure it would apply to swords, but I am thrilled it worked for this tsuba. Jason

I also say catalog it as it does mean something to you. The rest of what I was going to say Sam said first. Jason

I finally decided to make a purchase since tariffs have gone crazy in the US. I have some great news at least when shipping with DHL. They let me assign my own tariff code which they supply the link to when filling out the form. I selected "antique metalwork" as this seemed the most appropriate. You then are also asked for a brief description to go along with the code to which I wrote "antique metal fittings". This cleared customs without any issue and was delivered to my house today. This piece was also valued at more than $800 so it did not slip through that way even though I believe that has changed too and all items are tariffed no matter the cost. Just thought some members may be interested in this update. Has anyone else had this experience or have the opposite experience? Jason

I believe the carving on the plate is supposed to be rain, anyone else have a different thought?

I agree completely, even though they are beautiful works of art, I tend to prefer iron. Especially very late Edo and Meiji pieces do not appeal to me very much. I do have a handful of soft metal tsuba , but I believe most of mine are older than late Edo. Here is one that has been set carefully at least twice, not sure that this museum grade as posted in the topic, but I also feel it is not too flashy either. Jason

I have watched offerings from Poulin for a few years now, I would stay away based on what I have seen from their stock. I hope you passed on this one. Jason

Here is one from my collection that resembles Dale’s last photo.

Sometimes this seller has variety when it comes to this tsuba, there is also a plain version with no color at all. One time he even had both listing at the same time . I just feel bad because people still buy them all the time.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/j1207560470 This dealer seems to have an unlimited supply of this particular reproduction tsuba listed in the link. I notice one from them nearly every week since I have been using the auctions as part of my studying tools. Looking at the other offerings, this dealer may specialize in all kinds of reproductions but cannot say for certain, it is just a feeling I have when looking at the quality of many of the items listed. I would suggest any new collectors stay away from any of the fittings listed, I just do not trust a seller who regularly posts modern fakes and even though a couple pieces may be actual Edo period tosogu, they are of very poor quality. I think most people have figured this particular tsuba in the link is no good, but I have seen them sell for upwards of $250 USD a few times in the last six months or so. Jason

Another example of a simple iron tsuba with minimal carving.

I am skeptical on these other tsuba as well. The open carving is very crude and the plates do not look well made. Color is often misleading in pics, but these all look similar and it looks off to me. Here is an example of one from my collection. Let me know if you can see any differences as to what I have mentioned. This theme I believe is a cherry blossom with snow on top. Your pieces also look very flat where many seem to be slightly concave. Jason