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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/18/2021 in Posts

  1. 小田少佐殿 – (for) Major Oda 最大至急 - ASAP
    6 points
  2. As already mentioned somewhere on this forum... I bought 2 armor related items in Japan via his proxi service and I'm just about to purchase a third one. No problems at all! Smooth handling, good comunication, items well packed and shipment was quite fast. These are my experiences so far!
    4 points
  3. Hi Bruno, Please find attached image of my Muromachi Ezo menuki and FYI here is the description I got with them: ======================================================== Mumei Ezo 蝦夷 menuki, Edaume no Zu 枝梅図 (Figure of Plum branch), Yamagane-ji 山銅地 (unrefined copper surface), 容彫地透 katachi-bori ji-sukashi (open work carved with the motif in full), 金色繪 Gold Iroe. They have Inyô 陰陽 (male-female) style posts. Inyou also translates to dual forces, yin and yang, sun and moon, etc. I believe these menuki date to the late Muromachi to Azuchi-Momoyama period 室町時代後期 - 安土桃山時代,. These floral menuki are very closely related in design and appearance to Ko Mino 古美濃 work, and since Ko Mino development is rooted to a considerable extent in Ezo 蝦夷, It is suggested these menuki would probably date a bit later, to sometime around the 1500s - 1560s. At the end of the 1970s Mr. Tom Buttweiler wrote his very informative article on the Ezo fittings and to this day it is the most ever written on the subject. It was hailed by Sasano Masayuki as being a great study on Ezo. The sizes are as follows. Hidari 左: 19.6mm x 45.3.mm x 4.3 mm. Migi 右: 19.1 mm x 46.5 mm x 4.3 mm. Hakogaki by Kanzan Sato. ======================================================== Best regards, BaZZa.
    4 points
  4. To tidy things up. So you dont think im totally daft. Buried in settings i had signatures turned off. Apologize to all especially Simon.
    4 points
  5. I’m also saddened by your friend throwing the Nambu in the river Bugyotsuji. I understand why they did it but I’m saddened that we lost another piece of our history. We seem to be loosing more and more of it lately. I for one am going to do my best to save and preserve every piece I can for future generations to enjoy as I have.
    3 points
  6. These are for the gun collectors. This is the Nambu and original holster that came with the sword. If this is not aloud I apologize in advance and feel free to remove.
    3 points
  7. Re "Momoyama period Heianjo Tsuba" To misquote Crocodile Dundee -- Now that's not a Tsuba ! This is a Tsuba ! NMB members might be familiar with this piece as it appears in Gary Murtha's book : "Japanese Sword Guards-Family Crests- The Art of Mon".. Large in diameter and thickness, well inlaid in mostly brass, some silver . The inlay craftsman also inlaying the mimi which again is a nice feature. All in very good order. 83 x 82 x 5 mm. Thought you might to see it again ? Roger j
    3 points
  8. I would like to give Gary a plug [promote] for his latest book which has just been listed- https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/403359851899 He has some great examples, some of which have been published before and more never before seen. [I am glad he didn't call it a beginners guide - it looks more for the experienced collector and I hope it does well for him]
    3 points
  9. Your sword is a 15th series Mantetsu made by the South Manchuria Railway Company (SMR). It is a commercial pattern and is dated Spring 1941. This is the sixth 15 series Mantetsu recorded so far and the serial number range is ヨ11 to ヨ352. Tang top: ヨ 五七 = YO-57. Obverse: 昭和辛巳春 = 1941 Spring. Reverse: 興亜一心 満鐵作之 = Kōa Isshin Mantetsu saku kore. 満鐵 is an abbreviation for SMR so 満鐵作之 simply means "SMR made this" or "made by SMR." If possible, can you post a picture of the overall view with the scabbard placed below the blade. And finally, a picture showing the entire tang, either side will do. This is so that yours truly can count the holes in the tang!
    2 points
  10. Folks...stop it. His name is in his signature. That is ALL that is required. If people in Germany or elsewhere want more details...ask him. There is no need for anyone to cross question someone who has been here for 9 years. I can't vouch for the service, but if you want to know more...ask him via pm as requested. And those on cell who can't see signatures, that is due to space constraints on the tiny screens. I can open it, but then ppl will cry about cluttered screens. Chill. It's the end of the year. Relax.
    2 points
  11. Hey guys, I’m new to the site and looking for a little help. I’m actually a surplus gun collector. And in my search for the next addition to my collection I ran across a guy with a Japanese Nambu that his grandfather brought back from WWII along with an officer’s sword. Long story short I bought the pistol and was intrigued with the sword because of the tag on it. It had the Joint Intelligence blue triangle, his grandfather’s name and “Japanese Sword”written on it. So if the story was true I wanted to keep the sword and pistol together. And now I’m a sword collector lol. I’ve done some research and I believe it was made by Okitsugu Isshin, but I’m not sure of the date. This is one thing I need help with as well as info on restoring the sword. I don’t want to do anything to it till I research the proper way to go about this. I also want to know if anyone has a data base and would be interested in adding my sword to it. I’m going to try and upload a few picks of the tang and more pictures later. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
    1 point
  12. Hi all, I am new to this message board and am excited to be a part of it. Within the last few months I aquired a tanto with this particular insciption in the tang - I am curious if anyone could help me with translating it. All of my attempts to do so with OCR and visual dictionaries have been unsuccessful. I am aware part of one character appears to be missing, which may make an exact translation more difficult. Thank you for your time.
    1 point
  13. Hi! I have mailed Kelly as well. They should be able to get in contact with Magnus. AdV
    1 point
  14. Worth a read: https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/markussesko.com/2014/07/03/tameshigiri-the-history-and-development-of-Japanese-sword-testing/amp/
    1 point
  15. This is also something you should definitely consider thoroughly if you're thinking of getting a cutting test sword. Much like how sometimes bohi are added to hide/remove flaws!
    1 point
  16. I've seen this video before; its an enjoyable one. However, a cutting test doesn't necessarily make a sword on the level of what you see here. It depends on a lot of factors: age, condition, smith/school, length, etc. This is true for all swords; think of a cutting test as an 'optional upgrade' like you would on a nice car. Of course, this 'upgrade' is one that is typically never done anymore and certainly not on bodies!
    1 point
  17. Yes, it is for real. The sword looks to be as advertised. The diagram is a modern re-creation of an older one famously known; it details the various kinds of cuts that could be done. Often times, the sword will have what kind of cut was used inscribed on the nakago.
    1 point
  18. Ok Heres some more pictures. Unfortunately the tip of the blade has some issues. Don’t know if this can be repaired or how much this devalues the sword. I appreciate everyone’s help, I’ve learned a lot because of you guys. I’ve read the SMR story Bruce, great read. Kiipu great info thx and I’ll post better pictures of the tang for you.
    1 point
  19. the first is a 30 years old Paul Chen Hanwei forge Tanto. I sold the same for 300 $ a few years ago.
    1 point
  20. Chris, Since you are also in Thailand (Bangkok), have you been west of Bangkok to the memorial in Kanchanaburi for the British and Australian soldiers that were killed building the "Burma Railroad". The site is a stones throw away for the real "Bridge on the river Kwai". And not too far from there is another memorial called "Hell Fire Gorge", which is cery worth seeing and very sobering as well. And just a side note, Hollywood got a bit of the story line incorrect about the "Bridge on the River Kwai", it is NOT built out of bamboo nor is it in the middle of the jungle, it is smack dab in the middle of town, built of steel and concrete and still currently being used. Further up north in Lamphun is a museum located at the current military airbase, which was the original Japanese main airbase during WWII, and includes wreckage of a P38 Lightning as well as other artifacts. There are other museums and such scattered all about Thailand, would make an epic road trip to go visit all of them! Mark
    1 point
  21. Hmmm... liking the look of that book, a lot.
    1 point
  22. Bruce, another for your list... link here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/38007-a-little-help-please/
    1 point
  23. Yes, The Beatles merch is still for sale, although I don't know if it is a lesser quantity than before. Is Mr Murtha a member here? I have only conversed with him via ebay messenger, but he seems like a good guy. Good job on finding the book Dale!
    1 point
  24. I would like to give Gary a plug [promote] for his latest book which has just been listed- https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/403359851899 He has some great examples, some of which have been published before and more never before seen. [I am glad he didn't call it a beginners guide - it looks more for the experienced collector and I hope it does well for him]
    1 point
  25. Hi Brian No ... not so far.... nothing positive to share.... I will reach out to Minako to find out if there have been any developments. Best, Robert
    1 point
  26. I see you found it Mark 👍 Unfortunately, I know nothing about the costs….
    1 point
  27. There should be some little markings on the back of the tang (the top, near the collar and guard when held in hand). Take a picture of that also, it will give the series production number. Bruce Pennington has a database for these and a topic to read is called Attention Mantetsu owners .
    1 point
  28. Item No. 174 Iron Tsubas 7.63 cm x 7.32 cm x 0.50 cm and 7.20 cm x 6.93 cm x 0.50 cm Subject of dragons in clouds - Choshu school signed as Tomokiyo & Nobuhisa An associated ' daisho ' pair . Is it possible to check these signatures / attributions against Wakayama or Haynes ? The only reference I can find in geneologies places the artist at the turn of the 17th/18th centuries. In very good condition for their apparent age. Item No. 175 Iron Tsubas 8.09 cm x 8.04 cm x 0.30 cm and 7.74 cm x 7.64 cm x 0.34 cm Another associated pair described as ' Ko Tosho cherry blossom & mon '. Received opinion is that the blossom is in fact a Katabami flower , a mon of the Chosokabe clan . The angular cut out is Genji Monogatari , an Incense Game symbol. Any ideas about the mon or perhaps stylised flower on the right ? Deep lustrous patinas on both these pieces.
    1 point
  29. Thank you for letting me know. I'll spend some time reading though past threads. I agree that would be the best approach. This is exactly the information I was hoping for. My intuition was that much of the high end armour is somewhat undervalued and likely couldn't be reproduced today (with traditional methods) for a similar price. I'll be researching Nishioka Fumio over the coming days to try and guage the cost of a commission. I understand of course that it'll be far higher than the example linked above. Thank you for helping me find my footing, I greatly appreciate it.
    1 point
  30. Thank you for the information. Reading through his site gives me some clarity on armour related conservation practices too. It's reassuring to know that these services are available locally in the UK.
    1 point
  31. I don't think so as they don't have the requisite degree of 'silver' colour in the alloy... BaZZa.
    1 point
  32. I just ordered some Christmas stamps tonight, they might get a few heads shaking. Here in OZ we can have our own stamp designs made for everyday postage or for special events like a wedding etc. This year Australia Post has allowed even Christmas postage stamps to be made by the general public. https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/mystamps-mystamps-m and from what I see there is no restriction on overseas orders either [I have no idea if you can use the stamps if sent from overseas however?] So some members might like to have their favourite Tosogu item 'immortalized' as a sheet of postage stamps. Last year I had a different design made see this link:
    1 point
  33. The gentleman you need to contact is Don Schlickman. email dfsjpn@aol.com. He's a great guy and a pleasure to do business with. He should have in stock what you need. He makes reproduction parts for many Japanese items. Tom
    1 point
  34. I just stumbled on this Pinterest post of a "Weird tsuba" https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/464855992764970351/ Basically the same type as that in the Vancouver Museum. This one is mounted so we see how it was worn on the sword. Just a theory, but having that flange on the bottom away from the cutting edge allows the sword to lie on a flat surface without rolling and with the edge the correct way up, handy if you don't happen to have a Kake handy?
    1 point
  35. so once again for less understanding individuals: If anyone is interested, write me directly. If you are not interested, ignore it.
    1 point
  36. f anyone is interested, write me directly. If you are not interested, ignore it.
    1 point
  37. Generally I say everything is relative when it comes to money and the value of something. However, for us Aussies and Canadians, the US dollar value skews things. At a US dollar price, I'd say they are a bargain, at our dollar worth? Just reasonably priced. But to bring this thread back, I really like the different metals used in the inlays (I count three?), also the fact their position alternates between faces. I am generally a huge fan of inlay on the mimi. Wonderful guard, Congratulations on a great addition
    1 point
  38. A friend here in Japan was given a Nambu pistol but they are totally illegal so he decided to throw it in the river. I watched him do it.
    0 points
  39. I have been to Numa Numa. It is a coconut plantation on the coast of Bougainville Island in the Solomons just outside the town/harbour of Wakunai. It was back in 1975...I rode a motorbike up the coast from Arawa. There was some hard fighting there in 1944/45. I remember some bomb craters between the rows of trees and and a wrecked Australian tank on the side of the road....but I don't remember seeing those guys, or those swords...sorry. Those were the days,
    0 points
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