January 6, 2016 06:50:37 AM
Posted By Thomas L. Buck
|
This is an interesting piece for a number of reasons. When I first saw it, I wasn't sure if it was even Japanese, or some cheap Chinese reproduction - it was very poorly wrapped, it was black instead of brown, and it had an odd menuki on the ura side. But after I disassembled the handle, it became evident that it was in fact a rather nice original Japanese tsuka, and that ito and paper wedges were original, although it had obviously been rewrapped at some time. Below are a couple of before pictures that the owner, David Stiles, shared with me.
I was supplied with a nicer set of shingunto menuki, and asked to wrap it in a Handachi style, which is essentially a Japanese sword in tachi mounts (but without the hangers) worn as a katana with the edge upwards. Below is the end result. Let me know what you think... |