Justin Grant

Chris, I envy your Japanese abilities, and I am sure they were hard earned. But as you know, unless you understand some basic written construction, not all stroke count is easy for a newbie. For example, Kuchi/Kou is 3 strokes 口 but if written or observed by someone who does not know this, they would assume 4. This is a simple example, but what about 食 it is listed as 9, but could be counted at 10 or 11. The more complex the kanji, the harder to know the number and you can spend hours looking in the wrong category . Don't even get me started on radicals! LOL Your service is much appreciated, and I have learned much from you on translating Japanese. Justin

Brian, As someone who just made an ama ooi, I asked some of the same questions and photos can be found here http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/thread/571/amaooi Justin

FEDEX will take it, but expensive. DHL may be an option for export, they quit domestic shipping in the US. They deliver international shipping (to and from).

Thanks, I was not using that, but the Kanji Pages to find the last kanji. You are still the man! Jg

Good Job Stephen. Never would have gotten aki out of the last Kanji, I was thanking tada...

It's dated Showa Ju Go Nen　昭和十五年　Showa 15th Year

John, you romantic, you make N. Ontario sound so lovely, especially in '62... :D Piers, I still vote for crapper, and if so, please keep your rice out of it... That's may taint the flavor.

I don't know John, hubris is the key to crapping well. I have seen some ornate chamber pots that are very ornate.

Chamber Pot

Piers, where do you think these rods are coming from? A matchlock I have had an almost identical finial on it. I have seen others like it on Hinawaju's for sale on-line. Jg

Patrick, Are you planning on doing this yourself or do you want a person to do the work? Robert Soanes and or Dave Thatcher both do great work, both are in England. There are others that are trained to do this work. It is not easy. The material can be purchased from Namikawa in Japan, you tell them the color and width and they have it made in silk.

How much did the Japanese study Sun Tzu? The "A" reading is very Sun Tzu.

Matsuoka and his famous League of Nations speech http://www.historicfilms.com/tapes/1307

Our world traveler (Piers) Do tell us about making smoked Bamboo. I'm game for a try.

Hi Jean. The house was built in 1870, and last year they had it completely restored like it looked in 1870, except they has new electrical, new central AC and Heat, plumbing, new windows (look correct for energy efficient) etc. When you walk into it, it looks like the day it was built, but all the modern conveniences of a new house behind the walls. Yes, Eric fixed my statement. The house is 4,800 square feet of living space. I now have a 600 Square Foot room just for my armor!

Brian, I just purchased a 4800 sf house built in 1870 fully restored to new conditions (1870) with all new amenities. For less than the snake cost. It's unreal.

Clive that is a nice article and a nice dragon. Rago sold a Myochin snake in December for 197K, so the dragon should fetch that plus. The snake was nice, but the dragon has much more detail.

+1 for what Chris said.

Not ray related, but the US just passed an ivory ban and it does not care if antique (pre ban) or new. It can't be shipped out of the state it currently resides in. The US suppliers I've used for ivory keys sent me a letter stating they will close once signed by the president.

To me it looks painted with gold paint and then "antiqued" to give it age. I also don't see the drain hole in chin area. The lacing is, as Ian suggested, incorrect, and in my opinion poorly done. I'd personally be shocked if it were Edo, or authentic. The most important part is that you are happy with it. That is all that maters. Justin

We need pics in order to tell you if period correct or later urushi.

May I ask what the number is for on the tsuba?

I was asked for the section heading for the smith, so I'll post it and the cover of the book for "Proper Credit"

Glad I could provide some information. This is a several year old version of a regularly updated book. Once Piers gets back from his European vacation, maybe he can look it up in the most recent, it may have more with dates. This is just a compilation of known smiths that are recorded by the author. So if a new addition was added where the smith dated his work, you have a time period.

Hope this helps