CurtisR Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Fittings from a Nidai Kanesada wak. - sadly, someone scratched "130" into the omote side of the tsuba, but otherwise beautiful IMHO. Comments welcome! Curtis R. 1 Quote
CurtisR Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Posted January 19, 2013 And just a couple more... Curtis R. Quote
Jorgensen Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 The fittings are gorgeous and seems well complete. Does the kozuka match as well? I like the tsuba, its very, very nice. I wonder if Ford might be able to remove the number "130" (that some &%"#¤ did) from the tsuba and restore it - and worth the cost etc...??!! Quote
Gunome Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Very nice fitting ! I like the sword with kurikata and kojiri which matched the tsuba and fuchi kashira :D Quote
CurtisR Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks and glad you enjoy the photos...it's a joy to hold! The saya has very subtle inlaid circular"wood-grain" patterns in the urushi (done over the base layers...I have no idea how the sayashi did it but it's amazing). Oh, and yes, the kozuka does match...here are a couple of images of it . There is a sanskrit poem engraved on the omote side of the blade... I'm not sure who could restore the Tsuba but I love Ford's work for sure...the (a@*$(*#@ scratches are less than 1 mm deep, thankfully, so pretty sure it could be done. Curtis R. Quote
Ford Hallam Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 Someone called? :D Thanks for the kind words about my work, Chaps. The theme depicted on this set of tosogu is actually the Shichifukujin, the 7 lucky 'Gods'. The black millipede (mukade) is always associated with Bishamonten. If you consult this image you can identify them all. You'll notice 2 are missing. They were almost certainly the menuki, unless they're hiding on the kojiri The workmanship is very good and judging by the style of the tsuba I'd suggest Hamano or Omori work. The scratched number can easily removed. Blending in the patina correctly is a delicate job but can be done perfectly. kind regards all, Ford Quote
Sage Posted January 19, 2013 Report Posted January 19, 2013 I'm guessing the lute represents Benzaiten, so Daikokuten is MIA... Quote
CurtisR Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Posted January 19, 2013 Thank you Ford - awesome! I'd bet $$ (or Pounds lol) that you're right about the menuki. Sadly he received it without them. The theme makes perfect sense now, and the tsuba is beautiful to hold. Glad to know it could be restored, too - we all know at some point, sometime, it was at a yard-sale for $130.00 or something silly like that, and it was someone's 'brilliant' idea to mark it that way. I was amazed when the owner pulled it from his safe - I knew he had something pretty special, but through those here (who have my many thanks for translation and opinions!!) have found out how special so it can be preserved. I've seen your work on the "Katsamura's Tiger" video - stunning! Do you do this type of restoration? Feel free to PM me if you wish, also. I'm not sure of the metalic composition, but it's very soft (I'm guessing) and very heavy. Domo Arigato Ford-san ~ Curtis R. Denver, CO USA Quote
Ford Hallam Posted January 20, 2013 Report Posted January 20, 2013 Hi Curtis, glad to help. Yes, I do occasionally take on restoration work where the piece warrants it. Apart from the number scratched on these's quite a bit of old oxidised wax that could be removed as well as ingrained grime, especially around the figure. The ground metal of the tsuba is shibuichi. The original colour, that shows the classic 'nashiji' grain that shibuichi is noted for, is to be seen on the seppa-dai. Years of handling has tarnished the exposed areas and has deadened the real beauty of the patina. Quote
Brian Posted January 23, 2013 Report Posted January 23, 2013 I don't want to sound like a Hallam advertorial, so if there are any other highly qualified tosogu artists on board that I have personal experience with...I will happily recommend them too. But my point is this: If you have work of this high quality, that is obviously valuable and is in a state that can be restored to former beauty, then I wouldn't hesitiate for a second to send it to Ford and pay the money to have it done. You won't believe the difference. Considering this tosogu set is worth much more than most average quality blades we see here...restoration choices seem fairly obvious. If you do..please post the after pics. Lovely set! Brian 1 Quote
runagmc Posted January 23, 2013 Report Posted January 23, 2013 I agree with everyone, very nice. It's rare to see such a nice set of tosogu that is basically complete. Ford, just curious - would you recommend the whole set be restored along with the tsuba? Quote
CurtisR Posted January 23, 2013 Author Report Posted January 23, 2013 Thank you Brian - very well put! I will let the owner know (BTW, I completely agree with having them restored, even in my novice opinion lol) and hopefully we can get the process going if Mr. Halam is game for it! Cheers, Curtis Quote
Maria Posted May 7, 2016 Report Posted May 7, 2016 Hi! I found the same tsuba (and other fittings) in the collection of Museum Baur in Geneva (Switzerland): Quote
vajo Posted May 7, 2016 Report Posted May 7, 2016 You found that 3 years old thread to tell us that information. Wow! Incredable What ist the conclusion now? I'm confused. Quote
Maria Posted May 7, 2016 Report Posted May 7, 2016 am I sensing some sarcasm here? as far as I know people who collect sword fittings usually keep them for a long time, and getting a little piece of information that could add to the background/story of their possession is usually appreciated. I was researching on a subject, and was happy to find identical tsubas that are currently located in different parts of the world. The tsuba in Swiss musem is described in a thorough catalogue by respected orientalist B.W. Robinson http://www.amazon.com/Baur-Collection-Sword-Fittings-Associated-Metalwork/dp/2880310032 Worth sharing, no? 1 Quote
Stephen Posted May 7, 2016 Report Posted May 7, 2016 Yes Maria that was a nice find, i usually balk at old threads brought new, but that was some good work. well done. Now can we find out if it was none by Ford? Quote
Brian Posted May 8, 2016 Report Posted May 8, 2016 English is not his main language. I don't think it is sarcasm, just genuine appreciation. I hope. Even taking into account lack of detail in the catalog photo, different lighting and angles....I am still not convinced they are the same tsuba though. What do you think? Quote
Gunome Posted May 8, 2016 Report Posted May 8, 2016 Same models that are very closed, but not same item as there is some minor differences. Quote
Thierry BERNARD Posted May 8, 2016 Report Posted May 8, 2016 Same models that are very closed, but not same item as there is some minor differences. yes not the same, but what is interesting is to see that all the curtis's set matches with the one of the Baur collection ps : baur collection tsuba is signed not Curtis one! Quote
Gunome Posted May 8, 2016 Report Posted May 8, 2016 Can we assume these 2 sets are from the same workshop ? Quote
brannow Posted May 8, 2016 Report Posted May 8, 2016 More specifically the same hand! Very nice! Quote
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