Best book for reference

[goo]

Newbie Question, moderators, If this is the incorrect section for this topic I apologize in advance and please move or delete and LMK.   What would be the best reference book for Tsuba that contains info such as Makers name, period dates, province, Mei and styles or what the maker was known for.   Or is this information something one painstakingly compiles on their own over time. Thank You  

[Brian]

This is highly recommended.
But contact Marcus directly, you may be able to get it or the electronic version at a good deal.
https://markussesko....rd-fittings-artists/

[Grey Doffin]

And while you're in contact with Markus, ask about the current 3 volumes (some day it will be 5) of Tosogu Classroom. The perfect book for your needs.

Grey

[1kinko]

Good information but mediocre images. Ashmolean Museum online has better images for free and The Art Appreciation of Japanese Sword Fittings by Shigeo Fukushi has lots of good color figures (both iron and kinko) and some info on schools and individual artisans in Japanese and English).

[Spartancrest]

23 minutes ago, 1kinko said:

Ashmolean Museum online has better images for free

They do need some photo enhancement at times I find their images [and nearly all museums for that matter] too dark.

I just compiled a fifth volume of the Ashmolean Museum's collection of tsuba - this hopefully last one, comprises those tsuba not part of the A.H. Church collection and runs to 400 pages. I'd rather read a book than look at a screen but hey that is just me. [Not for commercial release but handy for my own reference and thick enough to use as a doorstop ]

[Steves87]

Dale, your skills in this area are second to none!

It would be great if the bonhams or christies could hire you to do their past Tsuba items!?