Kantaro

Hello, All info on this Bronze Vase is welcome. There is a Mei or a date on the bottom of the vase. The little bronze lion-dogs can come off. Is this a Japanese vase? Can anyone make something of the worn mei? How old is it? Kind regards.

Thanks for the translation! Indeed it is a Japanese modern imitation sword for Iai practice.

Can anyone translate?

Is this a marking on a modern decorative tang or on a modern Iaido tang and what does it mean? Thanks!

Indeed the BB "Backyard Blacksmith", as Dale calls him, is getting better. He is hammering the surface of some of his Tsuba now, and they do look a bit better... Did you buy that skull one Stephen to have a look?

Hi Jean, Do you think this would reinforce the Habaki? (make it stronger in any way?) Because maybe this was not done because the Habaki was defective and indeed I also doubt the theory of happening by accident. I also think this very little difference of being lighter in weight could not effect the balance of the blade. Maybe the smith just used what he had available? But that does not sound very Japanese... "a slim iron pin could have been hammered into the soft copper in order to stretch it for a slightly better fit." sounds as the best theory to me. Wonder if anyone has something similar? Kind regards.

That Habaki makes me think a bit of of this one: (tested it with a magnet?)

No dots visible Bruce. (I add some pics for you.)

Translation Mei Tang help wanted. Thanks in advance. Kind regards.

True, but you sound as me wife...

Found a cast iron one: 時代武具　鉄地葉透かし鍔　江戸時代/鐔/24J053 | Jauce Shopping Service | Yahoo Japan Auctions. eBay Japan

I like it.

Weird black painting...

Thanks gentlemen! Much appreciated. (Found these good examples on the net to compare with:)

Compared with some others

Wonder if this one is a fake too?

True Alex, and some dealers were taking them home. 5 sellers on more than 600 sellers were specialised in Japanese items. And 1 more had a few Japanese items. That is 1 on 100 sellers. All the rest was mostly WW1 and 2 stuff. It is an amazingly big fair and it is almost impossible to see everything in 1 day if you are not present early.

I went today to the 76th edition of the Ciney Militaria show and it was fun. Met some of the sellers of Japanese arms and armor and had some nice chats. Prices were more expensive than expected, anyone agrees? Anyway, I hope they all had a good sale. https://www.liveinbe...iney-militaria-fair/ https://www.youtube..../watch?v=s9_BvIkGfoA

If the fake Tsuba are getting spectacular I even do not want to think about the papers...

Hi Mikolaj, I do like your Tsuba a lot but I wonder about their color. Have they been blackened? See topic hereunder.

Come on Brian, wake up! The fact it was on your radar says enough. Its not a trap of 95 dollar! And the seller has a 100% feedback on more than 1000 items. It could be fun, that is what its all about. We do not need any stuff we collect and we do not own it but only have it temporary. You even wrote a topic about it, stop wasting your time and buy next time. I know you wanted to buy it and you feel a bit sorry now. I do like to play the devil on your right schoulder...

Encountered already a few times online some Tsuba with a weird blackened color...wondered what happened because some looked like real old tsuba. Some seem to put color enhancing rust prevention product on their Tsuba??? Some sellers even sell this stuff in Japan: Sword accessories (tsuba and iron accessories), Nambu ironware, iron kettles, antique ironware, natural "white glue wood condensed tannin" color enhancing and rust prevention agent, turns red rust into black rust (tannin iron) | Jauce Shopping Service | Yahoo Japan Auctions. eBay Japan Not a good idea if you ask me?

Is it just me or are these fakes getting better?