A brass tsuba from Nara Toshimitsu 江府住奈良利光 with shibuichi and shakudo inlays. When I got it all tigers appeared to be just the same colour like background. But gilding showed on tigers after test patina. I suppose that it was done later for better sale purposes. Because gilding didn’t meet masterful craftsmanship…

A recent repair of patina. The steel of the tsuba is very good with tekkotsu. Patina is deep and tsuba has overall nice and solid feel. This work has its character. BEFORE AFTER…

Was done partial restoration on this tsuba, The partial restoration means preserving the original patina in an actual state, removing active rust, adjusting the worst local flaws in adequate scale and patination of negatively affected spots (Spots where naked metal already occured, or spots that were affected by actual repair…

Was done partial restoration on this tsuba. The partial restoration means preserving the original patina in an actual state, removing active rust, adjusting the worst local flaws in adequate scale and patination of negatively affected spots (Spots where naked metal already occured, or spots that were affected by actual repair…

Hamano tsuba signed 味墨 Miboku depicting Shoki riding tiger came to restoration with entire surface suffering by deep scratches from a jeweller’s brush. On some places I found remnants of thick layer of urushi. I don’t know a purpose why was the tsuba lacquered but lacquer was removed mechanically by…

Even before accepting the last repair contract of a tsuba signed by Goto Mitsuhar, I was dealing with the idea of approaching the repairs of historical sword fittings and the associated responsibility. Professional care of historical art and objects can be divided into two branches, conservation and restoration. Both of…

A tokubetsu kicho papered tsuba made in Geishû Hôan tradition. Hôan group worked in Aki province according to information provided by my client.…