Tsuba Display Options - Ideas Wanted!

[sabi]

Hey all!

 

Just purchased my first tsuba! I got it from Grey (total class act, as I'm sure many of you already know) and I had asked him about displaying it. He recommended I start a thread about it and I agreed that it was a fantastic idea. I'm sure many of you have very neat and clever ways to display your plates and I'd love to see/hear about them!

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks everyone! This place is amazing and I've only been here a couple weeks!

[b.hennick]

Hi Evan:

I use several methods for tsuba display. I started by using a piece of rosewood that was about 4X30 and inserting black horn pegs spaced for the tsuba. I purchased individual tsuba stands made of wood and tsuba stands made of plexiglass. I found some plastic pieces that stick to smooth surfaces and have a hook for a tsuba. A friend gave me some lacquer display boards that work well too. Finally I have used an Ikea bookcase full of books. the rails have holes for positioning shelves that I have inserted cut pieces of chop sticks to hand the tsuba from.

[Derek]

I like this style. Easy to make yourself though.

 

http://www.seiyudo.com/oi-08116.htm

[Antti]

I'm terrible with my hands. Could not craft a tsuba stand even if my life depended upon it.

Therefore, no bells and whistles here.

[kissakai]

Hi

I use a felt covered board with perspex pins

I wanted them on display so I can see them every day rather than hidden away

Initially they were on a mustard background but when we redecorated I had to change the colour of the felt

A bit of a pain but marriage has to have compromises!

These are my learning tsuba and they will be reduced to around 40 to 50 tsuba so I may change to a display cabinet

 

 

 

 

Grev UK

[Andi B.]

To display tsuba I use acrylic stands for minerals (agate-disks):

[sabi]

 

Wow...some incredible pieces and displays here. Thank you all so much for taking the time.

 

Antti, that is some fantastic furniture you have there my friend. I love the complete feeling of the display as well. Papers and boxes in nice order.

 

The blue felt wall is awesome! I like the bright color, makes the sukashi pieces pop right out.

 

Andi, for me, your method is definitely the best. I love the simplicity and for where I want to display mine, its perfect. You have some lovely tsuba as well. The flower sukashi piece on the lower right is stunning. Tosho, I assume?

[rkg]

Hi,

 

I only put out a few at a time so I can focus on them (kind of a Rikyu and morning glories thing I guess). I tend to use their boxes as part of the display, with either a tilted back "rail" that is deep enough that you can put the lid/pad behind the box or of late I've been using these little cheep easels you can get at the local art supply store. I'll use the lid as part of the display, with a piece of matboard under it and sometimes a chunk of kimono silk or something between the lid and the easel...

 

Best,

 

rkg

(Richard George)

[Andi B.]

You have some lovely tsuba as well. The flower sukashi piece on the lower right is stunning. Tosho, I assume?

 

Thanks!

 

It's a Wakizashi tsuba but I think too thick for Tosho (7.3cm x 6.9cm x 3.0 mm thick). Theme is Yukiwa (雪輪 - snow circle) - as far as I know...

[Jussi Ekholm]

Very nice displays guys. I like those acrylic stands as well as more traditional ones.

[sabi]

Very nice Andi! Yes, given this angle, I agree on the snowflake call.

 

Just bought one of those plastic stands, now that wait for both to arrive!

[Andi B.]

I use the acrylic stands and halogen lamps because this is our western way of exhibit such pieces.

But to be honest I'm not so sure, how Japanese would display their tsuba.

In the very interesting book "In Praise of Shadows" by Junichiro Tanizaki he explains the importance of shadows and diffuse light in Japanese aesthetics and that art work (e.g. lacquer bowls) need this darkness to come into one's own... Maybe it's similar with Nihonto?

 

Off topic:

Richard, I can see a Paul Chen on your shelf - I started my hobby with one of them but was unsatisfied with the overall appearance. Therefore I made a new tsuka, tsuba and fittings many years ago http://www.zatoichi.de/katana_01/index.htm.

And by doing so, my interest and admiration in the real "Nihonto and it's fittings" grew. The first books and tsuba followed and since this time this forum was and is a perfect place to maintain and deepen my passion. Thanks moderators! (BTW - I don't want to start a DIYS talk )

[Guido]

But to be honest I'm not so sure, how Japanese would display their tsuba.

They usually don't. I, too, keep my tsuba and swords and netsuke in boxes and drawers - not because I desperately try to do it the Japanese way, but I don't feel the urge to display my priced posessions for all to see. When I'm in the mood I take them out - it's always kind of like unwrapping gifts - and appreciate them one by one.

[dirk marshall]

Flat File

 

Flat File

[Ken-Hawaii]

We have some serious collectors out there! Impressive!

 

I'm more like Guido, & have my tsuba in boxes in a drawer of my lower katanadansu. No way to leave them out in the air because I live across the street from the Pacific Ocean. So I take one out at a time & fondle it for a few days, & then exchange it for another one.

 

Ken

[Thierry BERNARD]

Flat File

 

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for only one tsuba a full drawer is perhaps a little to much!

 

seems to be a nice collection!

[dirk marshall]

No such thing as 1 tsuba, I initially said I would be happy and quit collecting after 1, now I find myself lost in the hunt with 16 drawers and too old to remember my intial thought.