Hokke

Seems simple enough, I would say both, now, but not in the beginning. Swords and other weapons, were initially created for one purpose, death. However, in the pursuit of making a superior weapon, the artistic properties were revealed. The art was an accident that would eventually become the goal. Today of course, the pendulum has swung the complete opposite direction and the majority of Japanese weapons are created for only one purpose, art and not death.

Just a follow up…..I ended up picking this up, it was cheap enough and I’m curious about the finish. When it arrives I’ll share what I find and I’m certain I’ll have additional questions. Thanks for the input from everyone, tsuba and their characteristics are a new endeavor for me.

Munekatsu? On a side note, where are you guys accessing kanji fonts?

Awesome, thanks for posting this. Today we use gravers with 6+ lines already cut into the tool, had no idea it used to be done with a single edge. That would be MINDNUMBING

The base texture of this tsuba is interesting. In jewelry we would call it a kind of Florentine finish. Is this criss cross pattern common? We have gravers made specifically for this texture, but hard to believe that would have had them in the 19th century…..but then, maybe not.

Great post, I appreciate it

wow, ok.....thank you @ROKUJURO @Bazzaand @Matsunoki, several possibilities so far for this type of finish. I guess I could have posted a pic of the whole tsuba, but the finish is pretty consistent, but I'll post it anyway. Not my tsuba, just saw it listed for sale and was curious about the finish. I was unaware urushi was a possibility, thats interesting. Just for my personal edification, if it were urushi, how does it get removed, im assuming from your previous comment, acetone may not be enough. Lastly, how does this type of finish affect value of a piece. Is it considered typical or is it frowned upon? I always thought tsuba were better untreated and just well maintained for a natural patina.

Thanks Jean......tell me this though, when you and @Curran look at the mei, does it look to you like wax is the reason for the gloss or is there another possible alternative?

Thanks Tim, thats kinda what I was thinking. Not my tsuba so cant check for beading, but it makes sense.

Thanks Ray, my curiosity isnt so much about the authenticity of the mei as it is about its appearance. In the link you provided you can see the finish of the tsuba is what one would expect, very flat and mat in color, whereas this one is glossy.

Hello all...... Curious what everyone thinks about the look of this mei. When the lines of the mei are shiny all the way to the bottom, is that an indicator something has been applied to the tsuba as a preservative or anti corrosive? The lines look so rounded off, very similar to what you find on a cast piece, but on the left character individual hammer on tagane blows can be seen. Not a cast piece, just looks weird to me.

Here is a kyo-kenjo currently up for sale, very similar

What is your return policy?

What is your return policy?