Nihonto Message Board

[Bugyotsuji]

An email from Marius asking me what else I collect got me thinking that perhaps people have other things besides their Nihonto and Tosogu, such as Milt's Ukiyo-e paintings.

Since this part of the site is devoted to what the blurb says, ie "all topics related to Nihonto, collecting, the Samurai, Japanese Art or Japanese history" it struck me that people might enjoy showing other Edo or pre-Edo objects in a theme-related week or month? I don't actually have anything serious to show, but if asked I could probably come up with a photo or two on ?... illustrations of a particular aspect of life in Edo.

It wouldn't have to start from this thread itself, but it could be a regular feature for looking at, when the site is experiencing a rare lull in the main sections.

Ideas might include Kiseru, photos of castles, Netsuke, Coinage, Ukiyo-e hanga, urushi nuri ware, zogan, jingasa, Mon, kimono, boshi, horse trappings, guns, etc., things you may not have any questions about, but you might want others to see. (If the idea is boring, or there are already enough other sites devoted to this sort of thing, then please allow me to withdraw the suggestion! )

I was at an antiques fair on Sunday morning at 7 am. It was perishing cold, and one lady stallholder had a genuine porcelain hibachi brazier going with real charcoal inside and a pair of hibashi chopsticks. (She told me that porcelain is better than pottery because it doesn't yellow on the edges.) Since it's winter in Japan at this time of year (unlike SA) how about a hibachi week? I haven't actually got a hibachi myself, but I do have a little hi-ire cup containing charcoal and ash for lighting a pipe. Oh, and a Ko-dokei incense clock which sort of looks like a hibachi but isn't! .

[IanB]

Piers,
Your mention of the incense clock reminded me of one of my early visits to Japan when I stayed with a Buddhist priest in Gifu. On arriving at the house, which was very traditional, I noted a spiral of incense burning quietly and rather stupidly asked if it was a clock. No said my host desparately trying not to burst out laughing, 'It keeps the insects away'.

On theme of your posting, I collect armour, but also have a few swords, yari, bows and a complete set of horse gear, including what I think are the heavy ropes to stop them laying down in the stable. I have acquired some old clothing and quite a few odd little items like hilt covers, scabbard covers and the like, associated with swords. I find rummaging amongst the rags in flea markets a good source for those bits and bobs that were rarely collected by the Europeans in the 19th century when the wearing of swords and armour were a going concern.

Ian Bottomley

[Bugyotsuji]

[IanB]

Piers,
Its a deal. None of it is photographed but I will dig it out and take some. I bought it in Kyoto in two large storage boxes and as far as I can see it is absolutely everything for the horse including a girth, halter, saddle, stirrups, aori, sanshaku gawa, the usual fringed crupper and breastband, plus two bridles (one in gold rope the other matching the rest). The condition is only fair but how many complete sets do you see? The best bit is a crupper cover, heavily padded, embroidered with a shishi (with glass eyes) in rocks and peonies. I will try and get things done this evening.

Ian Bottomley

[Bugyotsuji]

Fantastic. I'd love to see what you are describing.

[myochin]

Hello Ian,

Sorry to barge in here, I was curious about what you said concerning your set of horse gear: "heavy ropes to stop them laying down in the stable".
I have often seen screens of horse-stables where you can visualise horses tied up by the belly to the ceiling and have wondered why. Do you have any idea of why this was done (I am no horse expert) ?

Many thanks,
Paul.

[IanB]

Piers,
Here are the first pictures with more to come. They include the saddle, one each of the two pairs of abumi I have, and the gold bridle and bit.
Paul, I am including a picture of one of the two ropes. They are hemp and about 1 1/2" in diam. I'm no horse expert but I think it was to stop them rolling around in their own muck.
Ian Bottomley

[IanB]

OK here are a few more pieces. This time the crupper cover and crupper fringe, girth, halter and san shaku gawa (I don't think there is really an equivalent in Europe - it goes around the neck and fastens to the bridle at the top and to the bit at the bottom rather like a nightingale) and finally the regular bridle an reins. I should say that the main straps of the harness are of red rasha with silk knot-work and fringes.
Ian

[Bugyotsuji]

Quite impressive, Ian. How about a project to get a model horse to put them on? (if not a real one for some Japan-related day in Hyde Park!)

That green rope looks like it might be silk.

Horse trappings go in and out of fashion and some bits are more 'saleable' than others, but I haven't really studied the market. Have you followed it? Was that all part of the same set? The abumi and kura are stunning. It all looks in really good condition, museum quality to my untrained eye...

Thanks for sharing and I will post a couple of bits here in due course. Nothing to add to yours though.

Does this silk rope look familiar?

[Bugyotsuji]

Various barei 馬齢, literally horse bells, though I wonder if they weren't attached to cows?
First lot are the standard doughnut/donut shape. The top right one is unusually made of pottery, so it may be a tea ceremony utensil. They make a lovely sound with the lttle 'stone' inside.

[Bugyotsuji]

Two sets of Barei, but of a type I had never seen before, made of iron as opposed to the brass ones above. The thick ring is hollow in the same way and contains a rolling ringer.

[Bugyotsuji]

1. A bit?
2. a) an iron bell of unknown provenance, b) a stirrup cup (?)
c) a triangular fitting for attaching a rope to tighten down the corner of a saddle. Silver chasings. (Can I just see one in your photo above, Ian?)

[IanB]

Piers, The large ropes I have are of hemp. What I haven't illustrated are the aori, peytral band and a pair of yak hair tassels that dangle off the bit. Yes, they are a complete set that came in two large wooden storage boxes. The only part that doesn't match is the san shaku gawa which has a different kamon.
Ian Bottomley

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Well, hope this is "historical" enough.

I collect military sakè cups and bottles.

Mainly before the '30s but also Konoe (Imperial Guards), Manchukuo and
Peking/Hopei flags, Railway Units, strange ones of later periods.

Here my last purchase, a sakè cup from the "Boxer Rebellion",
with portraied all the flags of the "Alliance of 8", including Italy
(sorry for the fingerprint ) :

[Bugyotsuji]

Fascinating little cup there, Carlo. Is that photo true to colour/color? Some of those flags might be hard to name.

If Ian is happy to change, and no-one else has any more horse related materials shall we ask for some more like this from Carlo and anyone with related stuff?

I have a Manchukuo coin, and a few sake cups commemorating Japanese army battles around the time of the Sino-Japanese and the Russo-Japanese war. I also paid too much for a box of early lantern slides.