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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/11/2021 in all areas

  1. Here we have a kimono merchant and assistant helping a lady with her purchase. Meiji period, and they wear wakizashi as they serve on their shop, why, because they are handling money and goods of serious value. Probably fairly nice pieces as well given the value of what they sell. (As second hand kimono dealers, they might have picked up a bargain). The other reason for a Chonin to have a sword is when travelling on the road, there are bandits out there. In this case probably a cheaper piece.... and it might even be rented....
    5 points
  2. 3 points
  3. Maybe, 関住大矢金貫作 - Seki ju Oya Kanetsura saku
    3 points
  4. Well we have hit rock bottom with this little item - https://www.jauce.com/auction/524113488 The attached statement reads very funny. State Slightly scratched and dirty ★ ☆ Fake Important Cultural Property Chidori Chidori Figure Inferior Goods Bending Tsuba ★ ☆ Inferior Important Cultural Property Chidori Chidori Figure (Inferior Goods 1 ???? Yen) is exhibited .. Refer to the photo. Please make your own judgment. Does not include shooting jigs. Aluminum molded products Partially wooden or copper- covered rings Inferior goods have been sold. I bought it from a major company in Osaka . It is a very rare bending brim. Be careful of the staggered figure of the eastern rain, which is an important cultural property of modern inferior goods . Please do not buy this product ・ Purchased and received a bad evaluation ・ Distributor name: I want to keep the morals of one of the commandments." I have to believe the seller is having a shot at the original seller who sold him the piece, he really should name and shame! What he may have been trying to buy [if I have put the jigsaw back in place ] is this design, taken from "Japanese Swords" by Nobuo Ogasawara - the design appears in other publications [and I have always wanted one!]
    3 points
  5. Here it is. As I said, don’t expect masterpiece pictures, I’m a lousy photographer. I didn’t take pictures of the sugata as it can be seen above, just close ups. The white spots on the shinogi are specks of dust. The only bad thing about this sword imho is the hadori which is quite rough.
    2 points
  6. The downvote is not for Yasa san, but for the practice of selling empty boxes with hakogaki. If this is true (and I have no doubt it is) what a gut-wrenching, despicable act to contemplate. BaZZa.
    2 points
  7. I've lost two wonderful cats to lymphoma, & although it can be treated, it can't be cured. We finally decided that their quality of life was no longer what we would want, if we were in their place. So we took out veterinarian's advice, & let them pass peacfully, in our arms.
    2 points
  8. All the lines in this blade appear rounded. I can't see the yokote line at all. There is pitting and some rust + the mentioned blister. The blade might take a polish but I do not think the restorations costs will ever be recovered. The tang certainly points to Kaga. I do not think that there is much to be learned from the blade in its present condition. Check the blades for sale on messageboard. I have seen some very well priced good blades.
    2 points
  9. Hi Marcos, Here is one of mine. Sorry, but the oxen is a little shy and is just being coaxed out of his barn with a bucket of food. Its just a wakizashi mumei piece but in the theme of oxen. What really made may day about your post was the reference to Ikedo Minkoku. I have a tsuba inscribed Funakoshi Shunmin, and alternative name used by Minkoku, according to Sotherby's. I've posted it before, it was one of the first that I bought. It shows the famous story of the zen monk Tanka chopping up a wooden Buddha for firewood to keep himself warm while staying at the Yerenji in China during the 9thC. I have never seen another tsuba by this artist, though museums (Boston, Brit) have tobacco pouch clasps and inro by him. I was beginnings to doubt that he ever made tsuba (I'm not saying mine is genuine, but the workmanship is great and I've never seen the design elsewhere). Thanks for the info. Best regards, and happy New Year. John
    2 points
  10. Hi Grev, Thanks for your message. This is something I am often asked by people that are unfamiliar with us or our website. In addition to the website (Nihonto Australia) I also own and operate a Samurai Gallery/Museum (Samurai Gallery Australia) in Cairns, Queensland which currently exhibits many of our items. Some of the items listed on our website are also on display at Samurai Gallery Australia and therefore we do not provide a price. However, most of our items are available for purchase and I am more than happy to discuss prices with those who express an interest in any of our items. Feel free to contact me if you would like any further information about a particular item. In the near future I will be posting a number of items on this forum which will include a price. We hope this will be of assistance. I offer free worldwide shipping and will contribute a donation to the Nihonto Message Board for any sales made as a result of this forum. Kind regards John
    2 points
  11. Hello, While browsing a little i stumbled on the following page with many items shows with description & photography of the Tachibana family collection. Not too many swords (which is why I'll post it here instead of the general subforum), but many other items (ceramics for example), which are pretty cool as well. All in all i think they did a great job with details, descriptions and photo's of everything that is shown. https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/tachibana-museum?hl=en
    1 point
  12. I spent a part of this afternoon listening to CandRsenal’s summary of the Larry Wilson’s treatment of the Colt collections at the Connecticut State Library. Another good and brief treatment of this – ahhh -- crime is available at Forgotten Weapons https://www.forgottenweapons.com/ I assume that many of the serious members on NMB are at this point wondering what makes this material relevant to this community. It is NOT about Japanese swords, tutt-tutt. In fact, fakery and misrepresentation seem always to have been an integral part of Japanese sword consideration. Certainly, a key part of sword and koshirae assessment is identifying nasemono, gimei, and faked stuff. The question I bring to this community is, when does fakery become BAD and what should we do about it? To put that question in a form that makes it concrete, please let me re-present three tsubas that I showed this community a year or more ago. I MADE these mere discs out of an Edo-period saw blade. I learned a lot doing that and I shared that experience with this community a couple of times. ONCE after doing that, I was asked by one of the NMB readers if they were – ahhh – available for sale. I had not been as clear as I should have been. And this question pleased me – hell, I was honored - but it did not tempt me. . . very long. I didn’t make them to as fakes, but that is what they can and will become. I think the discerning expert will not be fooled, but not everyone is an expert. At the most concrete and personal level, should I throw these “to-sho tsuba” away? I am an archaeologist so I am sure that the STUFF will out last me. Even if I am not here to misrepresent them, they will have to rise – or fall – on their own. The most honest treatment might be to destroy them at this point – just throw them away. But this is an easy case. Okay, so you have a blade you submit to shinsa – twice – and two times you get pink slips, what should you do: 1) throw it away, 2) put it back in the katana tansu, or 3) sell it on eBay? Peter
    1 point
  13. Happy New year of the ox! Maybe you've some tsuba or tōsōgu with an ox, I started this post showing this one made by the tsubakō/kinkō Ōkawa Chikō. Mr. Ōkawa was student of Ametani Yūmin, who was student of Ikedo Minkoku, who was student of Unnō Shōmin (in my opinion, the best tsubakō/kinkō of Meiji jidai). Mr. Ōkawa also studied under Itō Masayasu, 17th generation of Edo Itō school, from whom received the 18th generation under the name of Itō Masanori. Because this tsuba is not in the specific Edo Itō style, Mr. Ōkawa signed with his gō Tōhōsai Masami, as well signed Kanō Yoshinobu in honour of the painter who made the design. The tsuba is also based in one made by Yoshioka Inabanosuke in late Edo period. Take look of the detailed work of kebori for the ox hair, it remind me Durer rabbits. Now 12 years ago, this tsuba was selected by the Tōken Hakubutsukan contest, as well exhibited there. Mr. Ōkawa Chikō made tsuba for each animal of the year, and most of it was also selected by the Tōken Hakubutsukan. At his 75 years old he still works at his small atelier in Saitama, and presents tsuba each year in the contest.
    1 point
  14. Thanks for the additional pictures Gary! Indeed, there is a good chance that your kabuto is a Haruta work! I’m curious if it’s signed.... Please keep us updated!
    1 point
  15. Hi, name please, With the dull hamon and terrible flaws, retemper is another strong possibility; this may be a prime example of what not to collect. Take some time for study and save your money for something you'll be proud to own: a much more satisfying pursuit. Grey
    1 point
  16. Yes, I actually paused with this one as well, trying to decide which side of the yokote the togari is on. It seems to be right on the yokote, which could still be shinto; otherwise I am surprised that with very active hamon one would go for something that close to suguha, though some people in shinshinto did that.
    1 point
  17. Ok, this Blade is sanmei and I think the hamon feels like there is a border inside where the parts connect.
    1 point
  18. 1 point
  19. Tanto in Sanmai-Konstruction. Looks quite natural. Image is from USAGIYA.
    1 point
  20. This is a sue-bizen sukesada and I don’t think That this kinsuji is the result of the construction (sanmei,kobuse...) like you mentioned. It is more the result of refining of the steal and yaki-ire. Ofc the construction creates also similar hataraki but in my opinion they look less naturally.
    1 point
  21. I have just discovered the topic. May I throw in another aspect? The construction of blades. Because this can also create effects, which inside the hamon look like monster-kinsuji (Here I bet strongly that this is the case with the pictures from answer 13, Picture of Aoi). The very first image reminds me of the effect in Awataguchi Tadatsuna. Here very long kinsuji cut off the ashi "halfway". A kantei point, which most likely goes back to the construction of the blade. Another example, which is located "further up". I own a Kinju. With it, you often find the effect that so-called "monster kinsuji" cut off the tops of the gunome, so that they look like "put on". An effect in the interaction of cutting steel, side steel and hamon. As I said, it is a possibility. But if you see particularly long, conspicuous "kinsuji", which also strongly influence the hamon, you should not exclude construction-related "hataraki".
    1 point
  22. Yup, just sign or stamp them in English letters.
    1 point
  23. When the Museum of Fine Arts Boston made replica netsuke for sale in their gift-shop, they incised "MFN" deeply into the bottom of the Netsuke in a way that it could not be removed (they anticipated this resale problem...). Peter, you made the tsuba, so why not sign them with your name (deeply) so it cannot be filed away without leaving evidence? Similarly, Bruce could indelibly mark his fake in various places (once we are absolutely sure it is a fake - I get your point) before selling it with full disclosure. I also wonder whether we should attempt to ferret out some of the modern counterfeiters. Some of them are clearly making molds of authentic pieces and replicating them for sale on Yahoo Japan. These dealers in Japan also sell the originals, so it's not that hard to figure out who they are.... (a few of these Japanese Dealers are mentioned from time to time on the NMB...). Any chance of luring them to Saudi Arabia for a sale where they cut people's hands off for this kind of stuff? Just kidding - kind of.....
    1 point
  24. This is, of course, a problem in all fields of collecting and antiquities and all other subsets of the broad 'art world.' Something I have recently had experience with, and which rides the line of fakery, is misrepresentation of pieces that are not themselves fakes but which are not what they are purported to be. For example, so-called kantei experts issuing fancy certificates dating swords to more desirable periods than they clearly are, or over-valuing pieces significantly. In a certain sense, this type of misrepresentation frustrates me more than outright fakes and copies of authentic items, because it is often far easier to identify an item as a reproduction than as a genuine item being misrepresented. I share your philosophical approach in some ways. As a historian-in-training, I am always considering different perspectives on historical collectibles of any rarity or grade. Personal valuation is difficult. For example, there are many gendai and showato swords which are of little interest to serious nihonto specialists and which would not make NBTHK papering, but which I would like to own as a Japanese militaria collector in the full knowledge of what they are. Often, arguably all of the time, the meaning of an artifact depends on the context from which meaning is derived. At the end of the day, if you have the knowledge of what a thing is, it is up to you to decide what that sort of item means to you. Just so long as you don't overpay for it!
    1 point
  25. Ive had the pleasure of purchasing a few items from John over the years including my first wakizashi and he was very patient and extremely easy to deal with. Happynew year John.
    1 point
  26. Wow, what a question Peter! I love it! I should probably grind it around my mental gears a couple of days before answering, but I don't have anything else to do right now. One thing I like about how you've posed it is you've put the fake in our hands. It's not on ebay, or in a museum, therefore out of our control, but it's actually in our possession. A "known" fake, what do I do with it!? I suppose I could use my own experience to start with. I bought what turned out to be a really bad fake Type 98, as a new collector looking for replacement parts for my Dad's Mantetsu. That was 6 years ago and I still have it. I'll never sell it because I don't want some other newbie to get screwed. If I sold it, I'd sell it with full disclosure, but I can't stop the buyer from turning it around, tripling his money and cheating a rookie with it. So, I'll never sell it. OTOH, if I ever were to sell it, it's not my responsibility to control how other people behave. It's my job to be honest. What happens after the fact is out of my hands, literally and figuratively, and not my responsibility. And I suppose that could be the path taken in the case of a gorgeous nihonto that is gimei. The blade deserves to be appreciated simply because of it's beauty, regardless of the mei. Someone on NMB once told of a Shogun that was given a gimei sword as a gift. Supposedly both he and the giver knew it was gimei, but it was appreciated because of the honor of receiving a gift. I have difficulty with this practice though, because it's starting to show up in the Mantetsu world. The gimei doubles, even triples the sale price. If I had one, I think I'd pay a polisher to file the nakago clean before resale! But that brings me to my final doubt - like the debate over the Death Penalty - destroying fakes runs the risk that once in a while, an item will inevitably turn out to be legit. Everyone was wrong, but once destroyed, the treasure is lost forever. So, I think I'm back to the beginning, and simply keeping the item forever. Thanks for the challenging question!
    1 point
  27. Thanks John, looks like your translation is trumps. Gary
    1 point
  28. Without provenance, we are just guessing. Merchants, farmers, craftsmen could also carry wakizashi length swords for self-defense while travelling, so this particular item could have been in the posession of almost anyone.
    1 point
  29. Bought several items from John over the years. Always great pieces and great service. Also had a chance to visit his gallery in Cairns in 2019. Many amazing items on display. John was kind enough to give my kids an antique American coin during the visit. One of my children has now become a coin collector thanks to John. All the best for the new year mate. Hope to see you again in Cairns post COVID.
    1 point
  30. Very beautiful! I especially love the elegance of the openwork tail turning into the stream.
    1 point
  31. I think sometimes we forget here... what percent of the population REALLY has “an iota of experience” with nihonto? Not everyone is as crazy... err ummm... ‘enlightened’ as we are.
    1 point
  32. 1 point
  33. Nice idea for a thread. Here's one of my oxen...
    1 point
  34. Take that $105, & buy a couple of reference books from Amazon. Your next purchase will be much more informed.
    1 point
  35. Hi Jacques, When I say "provided they even exist", I’m not denying the existence of the term or the sword but referring to a theory by Dave R that I believe is interesting and could be close to the truth. According to him, those so-called Satsuma swords were actually simple Arsenal swords. He thinks the term Satsuma Rebellion Swords was coined to refer to Satsuma-age as it is well known Satsuma Samurai used their swords until almost nothing was left of it and, by analogy, those poorly made arsenal swords were assimilated to Satsuma-age. This, of course, is just a theory but one I think makes a lot of sense. Why would Satsuma rebels only used poorly made swords when they certainly had their usual Samurai swords? JP
    1 point
  36. A bit over your budget, but close: https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-mumei-attributed-as-echizen-seki/
    1 point
  37. Thank you for the info Marco!
    1 point
  38. Hi John Good to see you on nmb. We had tables near each other a few years ago - withe in Tampa, Chicago or if a long time ago in San Francisco.
    1 point
  39. Hi all, Please see the URL link to Nihonto Australia and Samurai Gallery Australia below. Nihonto Australia: https://nihonto.com.au/ I can also be reached at info@nihonto.com.au and 0417 642 921. If you are visiting Cairns please contact me to see our permanent collection at Samurai Gallery Australia. John Grasso
    1 point
  40. Nice website with interesting items and books. Congratulations, Steve.
    1 point
  41. That’s what I call it too. I also see chikei and ji nie
    1 point
  42. Ok, that's what I think is sunagashi:
    1 point
  43. G'day Guys, What about these examples? The first I would call sunagashi, but the second which occurs in more discrete lines I would call kinsuji, even though there are several running parallel to each other? Cheers, Bryce
    1 point
  44. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13961528 Best
    1 point
  45. The mei reads 玉山 Gyokuzan. Both carvings appear to be modern and probably not made in Japan. The frog looks more like an ojime than a netsuke. P.S. if you are interested in learning more about netsuke, you might start with this free book from the MET.
    1 point
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