Tigerinbamboo Posted September 27, 2019 Report Posted September 27, 2019 I came across this tsuba, portraying Murasaki Shikibu, author of Tale of Genji. Is it a cast knock off, or a nice find? It looks to need some TLC. Is it worthy of sending for some restoration? Grateful for any opinions and advice. ???? Quote
Ford Hallam Posted September 27, 2019 Report Posted September 27, 2019 These late pieces that present as a sort of poor man's Goto really are a pain to try and properly restore. More often than than not the base alloy isn't a real shakudo so recovering a good black patina is very difficult. Re-doing the gilding isn't too hard but the masking out in preparation it time consuming so can be costly. Generally speaking I'd suggest the costs involved would not make restoration of this type of tosogu worthwhile. It's funny but it's almost a rule that lesser quality pieces invariably take far more work to try and get looking reasonable than when working with pieces, that despite their need for restoration, are made well and with good quality materials. It's that old adage; you can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear. 3 Quote
Tigerinbamboo Posted September 27, 2019 Author Report Posted September 27, 2019 Ford, thank you. That makes a lot of sense. Would it be advisable to just clean it with a q-tip and some alcohol, or a jewelry polish cloth? Quote
vajo Posted September 27, 2019 Report Posted September 27, 2019 No not polish cloth. You will rubb the patina off from the tsuba. I would do nothing more to wip off the lose dirt with a very soft brush. 1 Quote
Tigerinbamboo Posted September 27, 2019 Author Report Posted September 27, 2019 Vajo, like a soft toothbrush? Quote
vajo Posted September 27, 2019 Report Posted September 27, 2019 i would take a painting brush. you can use warm water with a little curd soap for cleaning too. So that is will be remove the oil and fat on the texture. Quote
JohnTo Posted September 27, 2019 Report Posted September 27, 2019 This tsuba is a Nagoyamono (thing from Nagoya). They are cheap mass produced cast tsuba imitating Goto work, but the gilding appears to have been done by hand.. I've seen about 10 different designs, but all have the same features, mokko shape, poor nanako, gilded mimi and the common punch mark distribution, which was probably a factory mark. The punch marks are always three at the top, two each side at the bottom and three along the bottom of the nagako ana. Here is one of mine, the Treasure Ship, showing the features mentioned. regards, John 1 Quote
Tigerinbamboo Posted September 28, 2019 Author Report Posted September 28, 2019 Chris and Ford, I'll take your advice on the cleaning. I use brushes like that for cleaning ningyo. It didn't occur to me to use them on something hard like a tsuba. John, thank you. That's exactly what I have! Glad it was only about $30. The expertise here is amazing! Cheers, guys 3 Quote
vajo Posted September 28, 2019 Report Posted September 28, 2019 Kathleen, you have made a very good deal. 1 Quote
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