Thomas L. Buck, Ph.D.
Japanese Art, Tsuka-maki & Lacquerware Restoration Specialist
(Member JSS/US | NBTHK Japan)

***Now Available***

Buck, T. L. (2012) The Art of Tsukamaki. Portland: Lloyd &Tutle Publishing, Ltd. ISBNs: 0-984377956; 978-0984377954

Available on Amazon.com for $32.97
Available here for $28.42 (free shipping)

MY RESTORATION SERVICES

(Click here to see other available styles)

     My usual procedure is for the customer to send the handle(s) to me with as detailed a description of the type,
     color, and/or style of wrapping that they want. Please include a check or money order with the order, I also
     accept payment through PayPal.

Handle Wrapping Services:*

Colors Available (Silk & Cotton):
Black, Purple, Brown, Teal Blue,
Teal Green, Blue, Gold, White & Ivory
(for Leather, add $50 to the prices below)

My base tsukamaki fees are:

   KATANA.........$145.00*
   WAKIZASHI...$125.00
   TANTO............$100.00

*an additional charge of $10. per inch
for any tsuka over 10 inches.

(Turn-around time is usually 2-3 weeks
per handle; return postage & insurance
is not included in the above fees)

Newly Carved Handles:

Handmade and fitted to your blade.

My new tsuka fees are:

   KATANA........$110.00*
   WAKIZASHI....$90.00
   TANTO.............$75.00

*an additional charge of $10. per inch
for any tsuka over 10 inches.

(Newly carved handles will add an
additional 1-2 weeks per handle)

Saya Lacquering:

In general, lacquering for me is both labor
intensive and seasonal. Because of our local climate (Northern Minnesota) and my primary
profession (Education), I am forced to
limit saya work to only the months of
May thru August.

My base lacquer fees are:

Basic Black or Single Color
  (polished or textured)...$300.00
Special Finishes
  (gold fleck, crushed abalone, straw
   patterened, or same')...$450.00

(Turnaround time is 6-8 weeks
per saya; return postage & insurance
is not included in the above fees)

Newly Carved Saya:

We no longer provide this service, but recommend Mike Virgadamo, who is a saya icon in the sword community.

Available Styles of Tsukamaki
(click on any picture) (Above photos courtesy of Robert Benson, photos by Dr. R.M. Lewert)
Example of Tsuka Work (Before & After)
(click on any picture) (Before: Edo period katana tsuka) (After: Newly cut tsuka with black lacquered same') (Wrapped in the menpumaki moyo iri style - Gold Silk ito)

Available Styles of Saya Lacquering

(click on any picture)

(Additional styles maybe available upon request)

Examples of Saya Lacquering (Before & After)

(click on any picture)

(Before: Saya made by me
for a 21" Shinto blade with a medium sori
in Shira-saya mounts)

(After: Black Lacquered with a urishi/ camphor mix in
a medium depth textured pattern)

Warranty:
I consider any and all of my works to be under
a full two year warranty. I will repair or replace any
tsuka, tsukamaki, or saya that fails due to a defect in
my work, at no cost to the owner for parts or service.

* Note: all other work on handles, such as fitting of new same'; the cost of new same' (if needed);
the reshaping of existing handle, etc... is extra charge depending upon work involved.

Thomas L. Buck, Ph.D. Japanese Art, Tsuka-maki & Lacquerware Restoration Specialist (Member JSS/US | NBTHK Japan)

Thomas L. Buck, Ph.D.
Japanese Art, Tsuka-maki & Lacquerware Restoration Specialist
(Member JSS/US | NBTHK Japan)