Restored Tsuba: Cloud Dragons

[rematron]

Before and after.  I got this tsuba from yahoo auction.  It received some much needed TLC by way of methods I learned from experienced members here in NMB.  Thank you to all who have contributed to tosogu restoration threads. 
 

7.2x6.7x0.5cm

 

Mei (according to the seller): Kofuzumi Akao Kichiji. I don’t pretend to know who that is or if it is legit or gimei. 
 

Comments and questions are welcome, of course. 
 

 

[Larason2]

Looks gorgeous. What techniques did you use specifically?

[Grevedk]

Good evening Jeremy,

 

Very nice work and beautiful patina. I would also love to hear how you came to that result. 
 

By the way - are you really certain that this is a “Cloud dragon” and not a small “Sea dragon” 😜

 

All the best

 

Soren

 

[rematron]

Thanks, @Larason2 . I used a small bone awl for the great majority of it. I also used (extremely carefully) a sewing needle directly in stubborn pockets of red rust. I know this is controversial. I have used a fiberglass pen on a different tsuba project and have found the needle to be immensely more precise and far less damaging to the patina. Also the fiberglass pen is very messy and takes some forethought to contain the constantly flying glass particles. I used q-tips to remove rust dust from the sukashi and pockets while cleaning and also to apply sewing machine oil for preservation. 

[rematron]

Thanks, Soren.  I am not certain at all, actually. 😅

[Larason2]

Thanks for that. Your hard work paid off!

[Stephen]

Job well done 👍

[ROKUJURO]

Jeremy,

the MEI might read KOFU no JU AKAO YOSHITSUGU.

[GRC]

Nice pickup, and good work on the cleanup Jeremy 

I like the hefty look on that one.

[vajo]

Well done! 

[Spartancrest]

  Nessie on holiday in Japan?

 

Great clean up job Jeremy - keep it safe for another hundred years! 

[Spartancrest]

On 5/15/2023 at 4:37 AM, rematron said:

Comments and questions are welcome, of course. 

Jeremy - there is always another one!  https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/two-iron-and-a-shakudo-tsuba-2315-c-1534968ade

 

[rematron]

 But, of course there is! And you’ll find it! There was actually another one in yahoo up for auction at the same time as the one I bid on.  But mine came with the ‘rust discount’.   

[Haon]

Looks like a job well done. Did you only do the clean-up or did you also repatinate it? I really love the black surface. If you also treated the patina, may I ask how you achieved that?

[rematron]

Thanks, Haon.  I did not have to repatinate it.  I did do quite a bit of thumb, finger and palm rubbing throughout the process.

 

Looking at the one Dale found above, it looks as though it might have a smoother surface and more of a brown patina.  It could just be the photo.  I am curious if mine looked like that at one time.  It could also be that mine was always black.

[Haon]

Ive got to admit, now I am even more impressed by your work. I didnt think that simply removing the active rust would change the appearence in such an impressive way.

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm.... I think Dale's find is more 'Mother and baby dragon'.

[rematron]

Good observation, Piers. I didn’t notice that. While my little dragon is roughly 2/3 the size of the large dragon, the little dragon on the one Dale found is about half the size of it’s corresponding large dragon. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Well I was going to suggest father and teenage son for yours, but held off... 

[rematron]

3 hours ago, Haon said:

Ive got to admit, now I am even more impressed by your work. I didnt think that simply removing the active rust would change the appearence in such an impressive way.

I was pleasantly surprised as well. I’m using the same method with this tsuba and getting positive results but it’s taking a bit more time…

Dale turned me onto this one.  It was cheap and when someone with his experience makes a suggestion, I listen to it.  
 

I’ll post a new thread when it’s completed.  

[Spartancrest]

2 hours ago, rematron said:

his experience makes a suggestion, I listen to it.

I wish I did! 

[Spartancrest]

On 5/18/2023 at 12:15 AM, rematron said:

There was actually another one in yahoo up for auction at the same time as the one I bid on.

 

Was it by chance this one?  [Not in as good shape as the one you have!]

On 5/18/2023 at 10:43 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

'Mother and baby dragon'.

Piers this one spells it out, good catch 

"Parent and child dragon design transparent"   https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1088717322

[rematron]

I think that’s the same one? Not totally sure, honestly. 
 

edit: Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s the same one.