Pete Klein

Never mind. I'm over it.

JP - do you attend the NBTHK-EB meetings?

Truly great minds think alike...! LOL

OK - that's what I suspected. If you look at the pair from the NCJSC picture enlarged those look to me like they go deep which means they most likely had to do with raising the tail 'spines' on the omote. The surrounding plate is recessed so this might have been necessary as they are on both menuki. Yours might very well be scratches from someone at some point using a sharp instrument to remove the pitch concoction from the ura. There are other scratches on them as well. If not that then I really don't know.

Frank - on your set how deep are the marks?

As the late Anthony Bourdain's once Provençal in-law Anne Degan (sp) offered in reference to his attempted melange, "Tony - it is very pretty -- but it is not Ratatouille"!

I have heard that the KTK is planning a meeting for next summer in Europe as well so possibly work together? It might bring in foreign interest of serious minded collectors.

Be aware this date and that 'tsukuru kore' are highly suspicious and may very well be gimei. You should know this going in as although the tsuba could be shoshin and get papered it also might not. Curran added while I was typing and his was my thought as well along with that tsuba were so rarely signed let alone dated prior to Edo shoki that it sends off a warning sign. Nobuie and Kaneie pretty much started naming tsuba and they were working Momoyama jidai. PS: It is considered VERY POOR FORM to go back and edit posts once replies have been posted. It throws off the flow of the thread and can make the following posts appear misguided. This has happened several times in this thread which is why I mention it. If you need to add or change information then create a new post to the thread.

You definitely need to send that tsuba into the NBTHK for shinsa and then let us all know the results.

Same kanji but struck differently = different makers most likely from different time periods. The kanji are different in execution.

Different mei = different makers

Robert - I suspected this was the condition reality. I think you made a good attempt and that's all any of us can do. That sniper bid could have been $1500 for all we know. Pete

They are rarely dispensed sooner than six months post shinsa but ask Tom Helm to be sure.

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b837-namban-group-Japanese-sword-guards-reappraisal This is the published version. It may very well be identical.

I absolutely agree with Geraint and Chris.

YUP! And Bill Murray was right. Once he gets under your skin he does tend to re-appear through you from time to time...

This is my take on it:

尾張と三河の鐔工 -- Owari to Mikawa no Tanko

This show to me is just like Goldilocks' porridge -- not too hot and not too cold -- it's 'Just Right'...!

“He who builds on the people, builds on mud.” Don Licio Lucchesi, The Godfather Pt. III IOW's - the 'heard' lacks perspective.

http://nihontocraft.com/Bulls_Kinko_Menuki.htm

He's probably in transit after the show.

Ray - he's on Facebook I believe.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n328752315