Tsuba finish

[Jim P]

Hi all As I know very little about tsuba can someone help with this Bushu tsuba by Masanori that I picked up. 1,what was the finish was it bare metal ? 2,which Masanori and 3, the age. thanks

[Marius]

Hi all As I know very little about tsuba can someone help with this Bushu tsuba by Masanori that I picked up. 1,what was the finish was it bare metal ? 2,which Masanori and 3, the age. thanks

 

Haven't you asked Fred? This tsuba has been sold through his site: http://www.swordsandtsuba.com.

 

The first question I can answer right away: the finish of any iron tsuba was a carefully applied patina.

 

I recommend that you start reading those:

http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/reading.htm

 

BTW, well done. This is a very nice tsuba.

 

Please do not attempt to clean it in any way (not that it would need cleanining in any way), or you will inflict damage to this beautiful and well preserved object. I would not dare lecturing to you this way, but judging from your question about the finish you are a beginner, and I think a few words urging caution might be needed.

[Jim P]

Hi Mariusz, Thanks for your reply, I did email Fred but did not get a reply. I asked about the age ( my guess is late 19c )

but thought I would ask the board as I was not 100%. I was also asking about the patina as I can see no color only rust

patina brown which must have come later? or was it that way from the start.There is 1 or 2 Red rust spots in the the corners and I am trying to work out what is best.I have been reading some of the posts on rust and Tsuba but am a bit unsure, I know to work on the rust with a bone but what then is oil OK I read in some posts not to use oil some say use wax what the right way forward ? Good list but which first ?

PS I was Not thinking of cleaning it (just the rust) :D thanks

[Marius]

Hi Mariusz, Thanks for your reply, I did email Fred but did not get a reply. I asked about the age ( my guess is late 19c )

but thought I would ask the board as I was not 100%. I was also asking about the patina as I can see no color only rust

patina brown which must have come later? or was it that way from the start.There is 1 or 2 Red rust spots in the the corners and I am trying to work out what is best.I have been reading some of the posts on rust and Tsuba but am a bit unsure, I know to work on the rust with a bone but what then is oil OK I read in some posts not to use oil some say use wax what the right way forward ?

PS I was Not thinking of cleaning it (just the rust) :D thanks

 

Jim,

 

brown patina was typical for Masanori. You might want to take some close-up pics and post them here. Oil is not a good idea, as, if there is any rust, it will inevitably coat it and allow it to go about its detructive activities. I think that this tsuba might have a thin film of rust, something which would not require a bone, only a brush (horse hair is said to be the best) to take if off. Since there is gold iroe on the tsuba,you must be very careful not to damage it. Hence, the old trick with rubbing the tsuba with a piece of cotton cloth must be applied with great caution and you have to omit the gilded parts.

 

I presume you have read this thread?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7868

 

Sorry I can't help you with the age of the tsuba. It is ubu, hence it has never been mounted. Everything looks crisp in this tsuba. It is an excellent piece.

[Jim P]

Thank you Mariusz, I have tried to read as much as I can but as you can see different people

different advice. So just use a brush, and not try to stabilize the active red rust spots.They are small

at the moment can you suggest a way to stop it growing? maybe its just me but I am not a fan

of red I sometimes find it hard to appreciate rusty Tsuba. It must be because am new to it

 

PS will try and get a photo of it .

[Marius]

They are small

at the moment can you suggest a way to stop it growing? .

 

Jim,

 

boil the tsuba in clean water for a few minutes (this will remove oil and wax residue, if there is any). Dry it thoroughly. It might look horrible, like a very rusty plate, after that, do not worry.

 

Take some pieces (splinters) of clean (no grease, please!) bone. Work slowly and thoroughly on the rust spots. One spot may take you hours of work. Don't try to speed things up. Work on a small surface until it is clean, Go to the next spot. Hopefully the rust is outside the gilded parts?

 

After you are ready, you may clean the tsuba with a horse-hair brush or in clean water. If the results are satisfactory and no rust residue is left, you might want to treat the tsuba with renaissance wax. Read this thread ("Cleaning Shinu Tsuba), and follow Ford Hallam's advice:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1442&hilit=renaissance+wax

 

hope that helps

[Jim P]

Thank you so much Mariusz, I will see how it goes. I just had a look at Fords post do you know if Ibota wax can be used

as I have some but from fords post must be different types ? (I will buy some Renaissance, since ford is pointing the way)

[jason_mazzy]

I have found a few places with very cheap ivory. and ivory is supposed to be the best for cleaning without damaging the plate or patina.

[Marius]

I have found a few places with very cheap ivory. and ivory is supposed to be the best for cleaning without damaging the plate or patina.

 

Jim, Jason,

 

keep in mind that there are some legal restrictions regarding the import of ivory in several countries. There has been a discussion here about this, too. Be it ivory, antlers or bone, I think what really matters is the right approach (slowly, methodically, cautiously). Do not overdo the cleaning or you will end up with bare steel, which is detrimental to the beauty and value of a tsuba.