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Today I got out my Chidori Jumonji yari to maintain/ view and decided to share them. I really enjoy this type of yari and it's quite interesting to see the slight differences each of the yari has. It may take a little time to see them but when you do there quite noticeable. From left to right the smiths are- Higo no kami Kuniyasu, Echigo no kami Kanesada (Sakaura Terukane) and Kawachi no kami Monjyu Kanesada. Hope you enjoy them. John C.

https://japaneseswor...ema-tanobe-sayagaki/

I have one similar to this that I got not too long ago, but I haven't photographed it yet. Here is an image from the auction: Best, rkg (Richard George)

And my table with the requested 小物 komono accessories.

The fitting was successful. The "mid-Edo Ohno style" tsuba looks and feels great.

摂州住榎並屋三十郎 Sesshū Jū Enamiya Sanjūrō Funky writing! One of the roughly 200 Edo Period gunsmiths from the famous Osaka House of Enami(ya). This example definitely has extra design features, probably a special order.

G'day Bruce, Sam, Colin, Alex, Thank you very much again. I feel much more confident selling a sword when I at least know that its genuine and have an indicator as to its provenance. That said, you guys have certainly stimulated an interest in the field for this tired old bayonet collector and I have to admit to buying two books on the subject. I'm about a third of the way through the one by Gregory Irvine and will then start the Kapp & Yoshihara one. I only started buying these blades when I came across them on my hunts for bayonets, but once you start seeing them, you start seeing them, if you know what I mean. Anyway, hugely grateful for your help as usual. Cheers David

Wow. Lucky guy, most will own one if they are lucky. 3 Stunning examples, congrats. I'm seriously jealous.

Dale, good eye! I have to agree that is the same one. I was still looking at the grainy image pic and comparing size and weight. What a difference lighting makes too. Thanks for looking into it! I guess this was sold a few months ago to another Japanese seller and he put in on ebay. I'm still just as happy with it.

I am not trying to argue but please don't rely too heavily on Digital calipers [they have a tendency to vary every time they are used and certainly between each machine] Just from the visual signs it is unmistakable to me that both are the same tsuba. In particular the sekigane/ategane infill in the left side of the seppa-dai and the tagane-ato marks top of the nakago-ana. If this is not the same tsuba then the only other conclusion is the 'two' are cast [which I don't believe - and I hope I am correct] A nice piece, seen under two different lighting conditions. All the best.

Thanks gents. Will add some information i forgot and some photos, did my best and as usual just took them in sunlight. Forgot to mention this sword was made with a Bizen influence. Its large and heavy, further measurements as follows. Not bang on accurate but close enough as used a tape measure. One thing i like about modern Shinsakuto. Your owning the sword the way it was made, without it having seen many polishes etc that effect appearance. Width at Habaki 35mm Width at Yokote 21.5mm Kasane (thickness of blade) at habaki, 8mm Plus donation to NMB upkeep if sold.

Just stumbled across Ian's take on tanegashima, nothing very remarkable but nice to see. All the best.

I'm very happy with my very first tsuba I just received! This opens a whole new world of collecting for me (my poor wallet 😭). As soon as I saw it I knew I needed it. I know it's Edo period and in the sukashibori style. What do you guys think and does anybody possibly have any additional information on it?

Hi Mike, nice catch as first tsuba. Curran prompted me to give my not-so-educated contribution. So here we have a piece we may describe as: mitsu tsuru no zu tsuba - 三つ鶴図鐔 maru-gata tetsu-ji nikubori ji-sukashi kin-tsuyu-zōgan - 丸形 鉄地 肉彫地透 金露象嵌 ryō-hitsu-shitate (kata-ategane) - 両櫃仕立 (片当金). I assume this is a wakizashi-sized tsuba from the middle/late Edo period, not easy to assign to a defined school/tradition. I would suggest 3 hypotheses: Echizen (越前), Bushū (武州) or Shōami (正阿弥). Here just one example for each call:

I think mounting a tsuba on a koshirae is a good idea. After all, that is what they were made for. I sometimes find that a tsuba that is not very interesting to look at in a box or in-hand really shows off well mounted. This happened recently with an Owari tsuba I had sitting around for several years, I slipped it on an old koshirae and discovered it really improved the overall look of the mount. I now have a higher opinion of it than I did before. Also, it is interesting to try different weight tsuba on iaito and learn how that affects the motion of the sword.

Here is Hiro Kun amusing the families on Children’s Day up at the shrine. Can you tell what is genuine old and what he has made himself?

+1

I think so too. I have bought some nice pieces from him at very good prices.

Maybe Mazu Kaze have different ways to sell or he bought over jauce? Mazu Kaze is a trust worthy buyer and seller in my eyes.

I found it. Jauce/ Yahoo https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1124708518 or https://page.auction.../auction/e1124708518 I bet ebay put a higher price on it than you could have had it from Japan though? 70.9 mm x 66.3 mm x 6.5 mm WT. 92 g.

I was wondering about this thread from the beginning. Somebody is dropping by, telling he is willing to spend 15K on a sword without knowing basics. A test...a joke...or just a bored guy with a lot of money to spend? Supposed this thread is meant seriously, silly name-dropping a la Rivkin won't help. Nihon-to are not to be treated like second-hand cars. There are no price lists for "Oei" or "Ichimonji". Each blade must be judged by its individual qualities, even those made by the same maker. For once I agree with Jacques: Don't buy a sword on the basis of pixels. You need to see it in your hand. reinhard

Thanks Smith! Just an update. We now have 400 Mantetsu blades on file. Nothing new to report, if you have been following this thread.

2024 NBTHK SHINSA SCHEDULE AND SUBMISSION ISSUES *In addition to shinsa registration now being the month prior to shinsa submission, there are also quota limits for the number of items accepted. Registration should be done early in the shinsa registration period as the quota can be reached within a few days. Anyone considering sending swords to Japan for shinsa needs to be aware of the time constraints. Swords shipped to Japan must arrive prior to the end of the month in order for a licensing appointment the following month. Once licensed, the sword is eligible for shinsa registration after the month of licensing (if shinsa is offered). Shinsa submission follows in the month after shinsa registration. This means just getting a sword into Japan and submitted for licensing and shinsa is a minimum four month process or longer depending on when the shinsa is offered. 2024 April Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa Submission dates 4/1-4/3 on-line registration 3/1-3/25 May Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 5/7-5/9 on-line registration 4/1-4/25 June Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 6/3-6/5 on-line registration 5/1-5/25 Aug. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 8/5-8/7 on-line registration 7/1-7/25 Sept. Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 9/2-9/4 on-line registration 8/1-8/25 Oct. Juyo Shinsa Swords/Tosogu Submission dates 10/1-10/3 on-line registration 9/1-9/25 Nov. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 11/5-11/7 on-line registration 10/1-10/25 Dec. Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 12/2-12/4 on-line registration 11/1-11/25 2025 Feb. Kodogu Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 2/3-2/5 on-line registration 1/1-1/25 March Swords Hozon/Tokubetsu H. Submission dates 3/3-3/5 on-line registration 2/1-2/25 Best Regards, Robert Hughes

Its rare to come across swords for sale that were entries into the NBTHK sword making competition, this sword was entered in 2007. In hand, its a large sword, i would describe it as magnificent. The sword was bought direct from the smith by its previous owner, a well known collector here. Akamatsu Taro Kanetsugu is the current head of the Kimura Nippon Bijutsu Token of Yatsuhiro, Kyushu. His real name is Kimura Kanesada, born 1951. He is the oldest son of Kimura Kaneshige. He is recognised as a Kumamoto "important traditional craftsman". The tachi is large, it is signed and dated 2007. He made it at the age of 56. It was entered into the 2007 NBTHK Shinsakuto competition and received Nyusen-Sho. In hand, the quality stands out. Fine Ko-itame hada and a consistent hamon in Choji. See his other NBTHK results below. I'm confident any future owner will cherish this wonderful Tachi. Price is £5500 or best offer. That's a fair price for such a sword. Payment via bank transfer or paypal (buyer to cover fees). Folks are welcome to come and see the sword. Shipping likely to be with UPS, i will need to get a price for anyone interested. I am bad at photography, until i take some pictures i will use some by the previous owner. Type... Tachi Ubu.... Original condition competition blade, Mei... Higo Kuni Yatsushiro Ju Kanetsugu Saku Papered...Copy of Nyusen-sho, copy of Torokusho, and original statement/oshigata by Kanetsugu. Age..."Heisei ju ku nen ni gatsu kichi jitsu" (lucky day 2nd month 2007) Shrasaya.. With horn mekugi/mekugi ana, Comes with a bag made by the smiths wife. Total length 108cm Nagasa/blade length.. 78cm, Total length of blade and nakago is 101cm Sori.. 2.5cm Hamon.. choji Jihada...Ko-itame with Jinie Flaws...No, its a competition sword. Habaki..quality 2 piece with gold foil. Location..UK Plenty about the Akamatsu Taro smiths online. They make their own Tamahagane from Kumamoto river sand, their hada has a darkish appearance. Akamatsu Taro (japaneseswordhigotsuru.com) This is a robust tachi with finely carved Bo-hi. This sword would make one hell of an addition to any collection. Lots of information comes with this blade which is a nice bonus, ask for more details if your interested.

Those are great. Anyone got any info as to how these were made?

Thank you Piers I couldn’t make head nor tail of the Mei, the whole thing is very ornate compared to others I’ve seen. Thanks again 🙏👍 Ian

Chris is correct, I do know that Matsukaze sources at least some of their stock from Jauce... they do have a mark-up, but they are otherwise very trustworthy.

i assume these will make it to your ebay page aswell?? if so would there be any donations to the nmb for advancing the sellibilty of these swords

Expensive, such Koshirae from Japan go for around 100,000yen. Dealer doesn't seem trustworthy.

Having looked at both of these these repeatedly, I now think Dale has it right. There are other pointers which support this, like on the seppa-dai, the two vertically aligned dots on the right inner rim, and the square hollow diagonally further up towards the beak.

Perhaps best to give it a rub-down, now and then, with some undyed flannel. Over time, you'd be surprised how much that can help a tsuba. These little art objects don't get handled as much as they once did when in use and resting against someone's kimono.

Oh wow! That's definitely a nice one. I also was not aware until this point that Tanegashima muskets had signatures on the bottom of the barrel. Guess I'll have to pull the barrel next time one comes across my desk.

Wakizashi or tanto? It all depends on the era, until the early Muromachi, the tanto was the tachi's companion. Later, with the advent of the katana, the wakizashi replaced the tanto, gradually. The obligation to wear the daisho made the tanto disappear for good. During the Shinto period, tanto was almost never forged. Note that for formal events the wakizashi was worn with the tachi. Ikeda tsuneoki, Nobunaga's son

Back with some more pics. Hope these help ian

…..I still think something like this is a possible inspiration candidate. If they are intended to illustrate different punched designs why repeat just a few of them? Dunno

I've seen a few tsuba like this - supposedly they were a sort of tsuba samples to show what the texture possibilities were.

Replica tassel, mounts appear original. Collecting in China seems fraught with danger.

Here is an image of the front of the piece...

Hi Adam, About your idea to not use clamps. I've made and repaired furniture for 50 years and one basic rule is, you don't have to use clamps if you don't use glue. I think you'll regret your plan. For clamps when reglueing shirasaya, I use masking tape over paper bands that tighten as they are slid up the saya, augmented with strips of cotton sheet wrapped tightly over all. The tape paper bands work well to keep the 2 halves aligned and leave no trace when removed. Grey

Leon, the signature on the second picture appears to be 'Monokenmori Teizui' [物軒森貞隨]. I checked my books, and whilst there is no record of this artist, they are almost certainly affiliated with the Hamano school.

There were many other goodies on display, photos upon request! For example, there was a Satsuma long gun of large bore, a very rare beast. Smallbore Satsuma guns are rare enough. It was covered in Negoro-like lacquer. Sadly I did not take proper shots of it. Grrrr.... This is all I have. Close-up of butt

Agreeing generally with Uwe here. There may be something original in there, but hard to say from photographs. My advice would be to join a Japanese Armor Society and learn how to 'see' what you have. These 'sets' were, and are still, created for a number of reasons, e,.g. to look good in a static display like yours, or for wearing for enactments, or shooting film/movie scenes.

Quick 5/5 report. Yesterday the weather held, and families with their children came out to visit 吉備津彦神社, Kibitsu Hiko Jinja, the head shrine for Bizen and the Ikeda Daimyo family. In the morning after donning armour we received shrine blessings and posed for photographs. There was a display of Batto-jutsu (see Malcolm's recent videos), and then we performed alongside the lake, on the route of the Yabusame run. ("Do not fire your guns directly at the little yagura shrine on the island" we were warned.) After a bento and green tea lunch we light-trucked the static dsplay items to the shrine inner sanctum cloisters and set it all up with captions. Some of the bigger gun boxes weighed 50 or 60 kg. Around 4:00 pm we packed everything up and moved it all back to the changing rooms to gather the armour and load the cars. Last night I could hardly move after unloading the car at home. Today I have been taking things very, very gently.... This wheeled big gun from Osaka dwarfs our massive 100 Monmé on the left. A matchlock cannon. 棒火矢 Bōhiya

I purchased it to mount on a practice katana. I'll probably have it fitted tomorrow after I enjoy it a bit more--just as a tusba. I may be overstating the presence of globular tekkotsu on the face of the tsuba. There are no tekkotsu on the mimi. There is no folding of the rim, which is cut definitively square.

Thank you, Morita San. So, the way it is written suggests politely that this is the first gun in a series, with a very precise bore size measurement of just under 3 monmé, about 1.2 cm. We sometimes hear of ‘5 bu’ for half a monmé, or ‘3 bu’, but this is the first time I have seen ‘9 bu’. The fancy lockwork looks like Namban or Tanegashima Ryū with strong influence from S.E.Asia. The 1/4 cut '(?) woodwork has some lovely reflective facets in it.

Hi, 御一番弐匁九分　(No,1 2-monme 9-bu).

Hi Mike, I would suggest you take the time to learn more before you purchase your katana. There is no substitute for "the more you know before you buy, the happier you will be with what you buy." There is less satisfaction in buying what someone recommends than in educating yourself so you can make your own recommendation. In my opinion, the 59 volumes of Token Bijutsu, English edition, from the NBTHK, is the best material on the subject in English. Find it here: https://japaneseswor...lete-with-1-reprint/ or as B747 on my site if you want all 59 to be original. There will never be a time when good Nihonto won't be available; there is no reason to be in a hurry. Best, Grey

I'm sure others will chime in, as this topic has been covered a lot In the meantime, it would be wise to read this article about the old green papers. It's a 'web archive' article, so you'll have to scroll down to the content. https://web.archive....en-papers-no-papers/ Best of luck, -Sam

Yes. My eyeballs get heavy just looking at them, Alex. Proper do your back in. I can add some more shots if you like. Another friend showed me photos of some Tokugawa cannon in his garden, weighing 400 kg each, I think he said. Covered in inscriptions, apparently.