Jesper

Thank you, Steve! Much appreciated! Kind regards, Jesper

Dear all, I have a tsuba box with text on the lid and inside. The tsuba is unfortunately missing. I would be grateful for any help translating it. With best regards, Jesper

Thank you very much!

HI all, I have a tsuba with an older certificate with the name "R.O. Bretnor" written on it in handwriting. I like to update my archive with previous owners, but cannot fine any info on him (I guess it is a man), except maybe being an American science fiction writer, who died in 1992. I am grateful for any information on "R.O. Bretnor". Is it the author? With best regards, Jesper Shimizu_Jingo5_Bretnor.pdf

Dear all, I know this may be a little off-topic question, so please remove if not appropriate. I am asking for help translating kanji on the back of a stick which I believe has been used for religious purposes, also called Ikapasuy, by the Ainu people of Japan. Any help is much appreciated. With best regards, Jesper P.

Thank you for info. and references, Steve. Much appreciated. I was not aware of the shrine connection.

That is strange. Here is the text again. Yes, good neighbors, indeed!😉 Dear all, I would like to ask about the use of a mon showing a fence (Magaki) in a ring. I have traced it to the Ooka clan in Iwatsuki / Iwaki in Musashi. It is however not the main mon of the clan. I have gathered information on the Ooka clan but have not succeeded in finding information about this particular mon. I would be grateful for information about the use of it, which daimyos or sub-lines of the clan used it, where and and when, etc. Thank you in advance. With best regards, Jesper

Dear all, I would like to ask about the use of a mon showing a fence (Magaki) in a ring. I have traced it to the Ooka clan in Iwatsuki / Iwaki in Musashi. It is however not the main mon of the clan. I have gathered information on the Ooka clan but have not succeeded in finding information about this particular mon. I would be grateful for information about the use of it, which daimyos or sub-lines of the clan used it, where and and when, etc. Thank you in advance. With best regards, Jesper

Thank you for your comments. Much appreciated! I have the "Katchūmen : mononofu no kasō" book by Iida, but would like to ask if you are aware of any similar publication or study focusing on facial armour? With best regards, Jesper

Hi all, I would like to ask your opinion on this Hanbō. It has rather pronounced cheeks and smooth lines and if of four-piece construction with a four-step Yodare-kake throat guard. The lower part with a very huge Ase nagashi no ana drain hole under the chin is riveted to the upper part. The drain hole is 16 mm in diameter. The ear protections are decorated with a pierced design and are also riveted. The metal is rather thin and the edge along the cheeks and mouth has a slightly raised rim. Please see the photos' for details. With best regards and thank you in advance. Jesper

Thank you very much!

Dear all, I kindly ask for help to translate a Yari mei. I cannot identify the two first Kanji. The last three Kanji are "Masa Yoshi Saku". Any help is greatly appreciated. With best regards, Jesper

Thank you Geraint, Piers and Robert, Much appriciated. Jesper

Deal all, I have problems reading the entire signature on an old NBTHK paper issued for a Kiyoshige wakizashi. I find the handwriting somewhat challenging. All inputs are appreciated. Thank you in advance. Best regards, Jesper

Very nice tsuba! There are two tsuba by Masafusa with the same design on page 46 in Tanko: Bushu Ito Ha (Tsuba Craftsmen of the Bbushu-Ito School) by Akimoto, Arai and Kasahara. 1999. Jesper