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One more.

Two of my favourite pickups in 2021, both Kagamishi.

Not many additions for me. But a few that are worth sharing: Iron Khorin tsuba, which in itself is rare, seeing he usually worked in soft metal. Ingenious way to depict grasses in combination with the gold inlay. A Muromachi Ko-Mino tsuba (TH), these are hard to come by, so pounced when I had the chance. Very nice early nanako, nice floral theme, nice detailing in the ana, what's not to like?

Nice post I bought these two in 2021 The lobster menuki has incredible detail in a fitted box the like I've not seen before This tsuba just makes me smile

Many of these new acqusitions shown above are really beautiful and valuable, and I am grateful to be allowed to study them. I am really impressed by their design and quality, so I hesitated a bit to show one of mine as it is (only) a TEIMEI TSUBA. These are not in very high regard, but to me, they have a very solid and reliable charisma, comparable to ONO and some HOAN (which are most desirable but difficult to get at). TEIMEI may lack elegance and refinement, but I like them for their strong character.

Dear Mojmir. There have been few responses to your post, partly because it is the holiday season and partly because there is very little that can be seen from this sword and your photographs. We can see that it is a wakizashi, genuine, in mounts. It seems to have a longer kissaki but even that is hard to see. To be able to say anything meaningful for an out of polish unsigned wakizashi is not possible. If the sword is yours and you can see anything of hamon or boshi then please do tell us, that might help. Happy New Year. All the best.

This isn't specifically a Shin Gunto, rather a sword for a civilian employee of the army. The mounts and blade appear to have been made during the war though. Some examples here: http://ohmura-study.net/728.html

It is a Type 98 Army officer's sword. The tang is marked as 村井秀次作. I think this is a Seki swordsmith and @mecox should be able to confirm if so. 秀次 = Hidetsugu. Cross-reference to another Hidetsugu sword. 2 swords .need help translating

As I usually do, I make a point of buying a Christmas present for myself as a counter to the inevitable socks / shirt / sweater (delete where appropriate) from my nearest and dearest. This year, a scan through the auctions failed to find a sword of any interest, but a teppo in an auction normally devoted to modern shotguns sparked by interest and was duly acquired. When Christmas day dawned, I found to my delight that I was now the proud owner of what appeared to be a military gun that might have some age. There is no kamon or other decoration on the octagonal barrel or stock, other than the usual flower shaped around the mekugi holes. The gun has a bore of just over 16mm, which equates to 7 momme, with a barrel length of 910mm. The barrel is signed by smith named Tanaka ....? I can find in my albeit very limited references on gun-makers a Tanaka Nobuyuki 田中信之 but mine is a different person. I can make out Tanaka jugo ..... the rest being beyond me. There are also two kanji on the adjacent flat. I append images and would appreciate any assistance. Ian Bottomley

Happy New Year, Ian! Good to hear from you. First the Satsuma and now this 🙂 Looks like an honest matchlock once owned by a proud samurai. As it happens my first ever matchlock was a 3,5 monme matchlock made by the very same gunsmith as yours. It’s not in top condition but it carries a Maeda-kamon which looks to be original to this gun. It might suggest that the gun was ”exported” to Kaga at one stage. Isn’t matchlocks so much fun 🙂 Jan

Some really nice items posted! I didn't find many last year. Only a few items but I like them.

I couldn't see the edit button as I wanted to add the full image which is also on another post

Greg I feel for Tomoko's and your loss keenly. Tomoko san will need good friends in the coming days and months and her NMB customers and supporters have I hope given her good cheer. Collecting in Oz has lost a few friends of late and only this morning I had news of George Fennell's passing in New South Wales. George was an eclectic collector, but well-known amongst a small group of Oz collectors I hope the New Year is kinder to each of us and all our friends. Bestests, BaZZa.

@Wulfschanze6 - Andrew, John's link is a great one. I'd recommend the whole Ohmura site for a new guy: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html Also, a great discussion of the use of civil swords for the military Here: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/family-short-blades-gunto-688110/

Both flipping impressive, and rare as unicorns. I and another NMB member were late to that Khorin. Congrats on getting it. You know me and love for Ko-Mino.

Excellent Nidai Yamakichibei tsuba, Piers! Well done. Really like that Ohno guard, too.

Here’s a recent pickup that I couldn’t resist. It’s in desperate need of a polish, but you can still appreciate the beauty of this sword. It looks like clouds billowing down the shinogi. I’ll attach more pictures in a follow up. Please let me know what you all think. Thank you, Tom

Hi guys thought I would share this katana that arrived two days before Christmas. Signed Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu saku A day in August 1937 Merry Christmas

Arty, as Kiipu says 村井秀次作 "Murai Hidetsugu saku" family name is Murai and Hidetsugu is given name which he also signs on sword. He was born Taisho 2 (1913) October 23 and registered as a swordsmith in Seki Showa 16 (1941) March 12. He was from Minami, Bugi-gun which appears to be in northern Gifu higher country. Looks to be a basic Showato maker and not to have formally trained as a swordsmith. Not many examples but can find if search NMB.

I have been going to the Japanese Sword Show in Orlando for the past 4 years and I love it. It’s a Great Show. I would like to attend the Chicago but haven’t been able to make it there yet. I attended the Maxx show last year and there were very few swords there. I attended the SOS show for many years and it was always great but I haven’t been back for a few years, I hear it is still a very big show with something for everyone. I will be making my reservation for the Orlando Show as soon as they are available and hope to see everyone there. MikeR

Maybe Unshu Ju Fujiwara Fuyuhiro. This isn't Gunto; it is a significantly earlier sword. Grey

It looks like 冬廣 to me

This is a good question Dan. I think that it depends on the swords and the mounts. One sees daisho where the mounts are not particular noteworthy, but they do match. In such cases, I would think that there is no premium for the daisho compared to two separate swords. When the mounts are particularly nice, having a full daisho set probably does add some value, though I would think in most cases, the premium would be modest. Buying a daisho is more of a commitment, since the buyer is buying two swords in one purchase.

Try a read of Darcy’s explanation of daisho to see if that helps. https://blog.yuhindo.com/daisho-and-daishoisnt/

Concerning Tsuba 147 it looks like umpan 雲版 , temple gongs, arranged like the well known tumbler toys. So an amusing variation of this theme

Bob, the motive of TSUBA no. 178 looks like tumble toys and AMIDA YASURI to me. Very nice interpretation, possibly early EDO!

Ray and Piers, Many thanks for your wishes for the new year as well as on the gun. Problem solved. It goes well with my Sakai and Satsuma ones. May I return my best wishes to you both in return. Ian

Item No. 178 Iron Tsuba 8.73 cm x 8.65 cm x 0.29 cm Subject of - Signal Boards ? or Monkey Toys ? or Temple Bells ? ' Hozon Katchushi ( unban ) ' Any opinions ? Thin Plate almost circular with carved sunbursts and nicely forged rim. Apparently mounted several times , also featuring good ' face of stone ' texturing together with deep brown consistent patina. Item No. 179 Kozuka in shakudo , gold , silver and copper Subject of decorative present wrap cords and holder ? Unsigned , acquired as part of an auction lot about twelve years ago.

Ian, Happy Christmas!!! And of course with this new baby a happy introduction to the New Year! We've all missed you. Well, I have, even if no-one else has! Your new gun looks splendid, and being for military use has no need for flashy decoration. The name is 田中善五郎 作. Zengoro was a Sakai/Settsu smith recorded as having made a gun in 享和元年 or the first year of Kyowa. It would appear that he was the first of a branch line of Tanaka smiths. It interests me especially because I see a connection to the typical shape of Bizen guns which appear slightly later than your gun, and we know that the Ikeda lords placed their orders with Sakai from long before they finally began to manufacture at home in Bizen, in the heart of sword country. I wonder if it was an order for the Okayama Han...?

Happy New Year Ian. Please see the two examples below. https://www.dejapan.com/sp/top/mall/asp/detail.asp?code=m491598214&mall_name=Auction&s_keyword=&s_display_item=&pageCnt=0&s_sort= https://nihontou.jp/choice03/toukenkobugu/koshikijuu/009/009.htm The pages refers to this as Tanaka Zengorō - 田中善五郎 (though the last kanji before saku is not 郎).

SADAMASA? Just a guess, not easy to see.

The nengo reads “嘉永三年二月日” (Kaei 3. year a day in the 2. month = February 1850). The mei is “源清麿” (Minamoto Kiyomaro). Renowned smith, if legit….

Hi Stephen--I'll be back on that Monday with photos.

Deep Condolences 😢

Greg, that is horrible news. I only know Tomoko through your past posts and her emails re bag orders. Indeed, I only corresponded with her days before Christmas and received a gracious reply with no hint of her pain at her husband Kyohei’s illness. Please pass on my sincere condolences to her and her family. My condolences to you too Greg for the loss of your friend. Paul W South Aust

Not sure what to show I've purchased about 30 tsuba this year and a couple of other items. Maybe try and show just a couple of them later As you can see very sporadic but next tear I hope to be more refined in what I buy but it's just so hard My latest sale includes tsuba I didn't think I'd sell I'd love to meet another knowledgeable collector and just try and get a more objective view of my collection About 12 of the tsuba where from the NMB 2021 to 2022 Aizu Shoami - Kaneuji Bushu - Mumei = 2off Choshu - Kiyoharu Higo - Yoshiharu Higo style - Lee Kachushi style - Mumei Mito - Mumei = 3off Myochin - Mumei = 2off Nara - Mumei = 2off Onin - Mumei Shingen - Mumei Tanaka - Mumei Tosho Edo - Mumei Umetada - Mumei = 4off Umetada - Nishijin Ju Umetada Umetada Kyoto - Tadatsugu Yamakichibei - Indistinct Yamakichibei - Yamakichibei Unknown Mumei = 6 tsuba Unknown Toshiyoshi Grev

I think the problem comes with the number of submissions & passes for lower tier items. NBTHK actually releases the numbers and I did dig them up in 2020 for this thread: In 2019 for Hozon & Tokubetsu Hozon items there were 10,500+ passes In 2018 for Hozon & Tokubetsu Hozon items there were 10,300+ passes Compared to 2019 Jūyō - 138 items 2018 Jūyō - 168 items Just the amount of time required to take good pictures of that amount of blades / items is a lot. Then add in all the processing to digital form and adding info etc. I do know NBTHK does has their own registry of all the items passed from which they can verify the authenticity of the papers (never done that myself but I believe it is possible). Also the English translations of certain parts of Tōken Bijutsu are accessible for free to everyone in their website from early 2012 up to this day, while lacking pictures featured in the magazine I still think one can find useful info in there: https://www.touken.or.jp/english/TokenBijutsuTranslation/backnumber.html

So sorry for you and her loss. My condolences as well.

Had some latticework Tsuba and a variety of others, but maybe I’ll tie this off here. This last thick, heavy iron mokko cross Tsuba combines several factors to go into my top ten. 160 gm. 7.8 x 7.5 x 0.7 cm NBTHK give it 大野　Ōno (Owari), and describe it as 四方猪目十字透鐔 Shihō Inome Jūji Sukashi Tsuba.

Some more personal favorites. The first I bought in December 2020 but it’s roughly within the last year bracket! Iron Wakizashi size sukashi wheel @7.2 x 7.4 x 0.4 cm. The sun, 2 birds and a cloud among the radiating lines. Two gold leaf Hitsu ana. Mumei. This is not (yet) papered but the design of ‘Ken’ blades and inomé boar’s eyes appeals strongly to me. The faint Yamakichibei Mei is an added bonus. Iron, slim and large @ 8.2 x 8.0 x 0.3 cm, Owari, 清洲 Kiyosu, Early Edo. Fitted box.

Namban Tsuba that belongs to an area of study that I haven't grasped. Maybe made in S.E. Asia and exported to Japan. Thomas Sinclair the owner before me understands the origin. Very nice unusual tsuba with good fukerin. Mark

Just a word of thanks to those above who have bravely shown their Tsuba here, educating us into what is possible out there, to the almost limitless imagination displayed by Tsuba-Ko within the cameo remit of this small metal guard. PS Having seen Glen's additions above, I am sorely tempted to roll out some more!!!

Mekugi and tsuba update

You are looking at a poor Chinese copy of a Japanese-like sword.

I write this post with great sadness as on Thursday evening Tomoko's husband Kyohei was taken from us after battling covid for a number of weeks. Kyohei was one of the kindest and most honorable people I was lucky enough to meet. We practiced iai and kenjutsu together regularly and I will always see him not only as one of my dearest friends but as my brother and sensei. We also enjoyed bonsai together. Today I am getting together with Tomoko to help with funeral arrangements and I will give the best wishes and condolences on behalf of Nmb and the members who have dealt with Tomoko in regards to her excellent sword bags. I dont know if anyone has any orders placed with Tomoko at the moment but im sure she will honor any business transaction but if there is any small delay please be patient . Thank you