NotANinja

It's a cast copy, the sekigane is fake and you can see porosity holes where the metal was too hot practically all over

Thank you Dale for the extra examples! Although I'm not sure what that last one is trying to achieve looks like a satyrical modern work!

Thank you! I did not know it was referencing a specific legend, I just assumed it was an artisan in a good mood one day haha!

Hello all, I recently visited the samurai exhibition at rhe British Museum. Although the actual exhibit was only okay, this tsuba did stand out to me and to put it in simple terms - it made me happy and smile, so I think I've found my new favourite genre of tsuba. The exhibit didn't go into detail about the tsuba, just that it was "a tsuba, late edo" so I'd like to find out more about it if possible to direct me towards similar examples on the theme. Anyway here it is, apologies for the terrible photo quality it was the best I could get in low lighting behind glass. I just love that it's a fella exclaiming enthusiastically at a cat or racoon dog shaped teapot because it's exactly how I'd react, to both the tea and the teapot! Rob.

Well done Manuel! Very skillfully crafted and looks fantastic! Forgive me for the possibly stupid question but to submit tsuba to this competition they have to be traditionally made right? Must have taken days to do all that carving by hand!

I sincerely hope so Rohan!

Some rudimentary menuki but I love them!

Thank you Jussi for the in-depth reply! It's exciting to me there aren't any other examples you can think of with the hi only on one side! And just to be clear the measurements I took for thickness are at the mune, not the thickest part - that's more like 6 and 4mm like your ko-uda naginata. Do you think they both might be ko-uda? It's a shame it's out of polish in it's current state!

Habaki doesn't fit super well, it's a two part cat scratch copper habaki that looks a bit battered...

Here you go Jussi, measurements are on the images, hopefully this helps! Do you know why the naginata-hi may have only been on the one side?

Thank you Sam, that's all very helpful information! I inted to get it polished I think, and will update the thread when it is! But that may be some time away yet

Yep no that makes perfect sense, I shall leave it as is!

Ah I see, to prevent further deterioration could I put some clear spray on varnish or will this damage them further? Just the tosogu, nothing else.

Yes I think you're right about the sugata Sam, although Tensho is almost certainly right too about it having lots of polishes. The kissaki does flair out slightly and looks like it used to more. Hopefully I'll be able to take it to someone way more knowledgeable than me for them to see in hand next month if life doesn't get in the way! And then I'll report back with that they think! Any ideas on age Sam? Thank you!

I know I love it, totally wasn't one of the main draws for me haha!