Advise needed for rewrapping of tsuka

[kongoshin]

Hi all!

I recently purchased a shinken from a friend of mine. The blade itself and the tsuka is fine, and I've replaced the tsuba with a Bakumatsu period (1853-1868) one I bought in Japan earlier this year.

However, the tsuka is not good. The tsuka-ito (wrapping) is in cotton, and not at all as nice as the one I had on my japanese Iaito (silk).

I would like to rewrap the tsuka, preferabbly with brown leather. The same (rayskin) should also be replaced, as it's probably plastic :-(

Anyone have any recommendations on how to proceed in this matter?
I can send the tsuka away for fitting.

Had a look at http://www.japanese-swords.com/ (F. Lohman) - and that seems like a nice place to have this done. However, it's in the US, and they don't seem to send to Europe.

I'm located in Norway (that's in Europe ;) ) .

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!

[Fred27]

Sorry for hijacking your thread here a little, but that Tsuba you bought, is it an authentic tsuba? I haven't seen too many "real" tsubas from the edo-period only these Iaito-tsubas. I wouldn't mind if you posted a photo of it, if any :)

[kongoshin]

Sorry for hijacking your thread here a little, but that Tsuba you bought, is it an authentic tsuba? I haven't seen too many "real" tsubas from the edo-period only these Iaito-tsubas. I wouldn't mind if you posted a photo of it, if any :)

Sure - it's authentic. I bought it from a sword-smith outside of Tokyo (Yokohama district). It's kind of rough and made from a square piece of metal with each corner folded inwards. It's unlike any tsuba I've seen :-)

Also, it has some small renderings of castles with trees etc. What's funny is that when I was in the shop and in Japan, it didn't seem like there was any other ornaments on it. However, after I started using it, several gold (or gold-like) dots appeared around the renderings :-)

I'll try and have a picture taken soon.

[Jean Binck]

I use to buy things from Nine Circles in UK.
Kind and serious people. Easy and quick contact by e-mail.

They have Tsuka Ito and Same.
http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/items.asp?CatID=68

Jean

[kongoshin]

I use to buy things from Nine Circles in UK.
Kind and serious people. Easy and quick contact by e-mail.

They have Tsuka Ito and Same.
http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/items.asp?CatID=68

Jean

Thanks for the tip. That seems like a good store.

However, what I'm looking for is someone who can do the actual rewrapping of the tsuka with leather tsuka-ito and the replacement of the same.

I'm not at all into doing it myself ;-)

[kongoshin]

I found the website of Fred Lohman (http://www.japanese-swords.com/index.htm). Even though I've seen some accounts of people having trouble with his customer service, I've heard nothing bad about his work. Quite contrary, everything I've heard about (and seen) seems like top quality work. So, as soon as I've collected the money needed, I'll send my tsuka to him.

The plan is to have him use the original wooden core of the tsuka, fit new, black same (rayskin) and a new, black leather tsuka-ito.

You can see what the black leather tsuka-ito looks like here (http://www.japanese-swords.com/pages/leather.htm)

Price: $265 including shipping.

I will track the process in my blog (http://mylifeinbudo.blogspot.com/).

[kongoshin]

Sorry for hijacking your thread here a little, but that Tsuba you bought, is it an authentic tsuba? I haven't seen too many "real" tsubas from the edo-period only these Iaito-tsubas. I wouldn't mind if you posted a photo of it, if any :)

I've posted a few photos of my tsuba in my blog (http://mylifeinbudo.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-tsuba.html) .

Enjoy :-)

[Fred27]

I've posted a few photos of my tsuba in my blog (http://mylifeinbudo.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-tsuba.html) .

Enjoy :-)

Excellent pics! Thanks friend ^^