Justin Grant

Way too much $. You can buy a good signed long gun for this. As for % of signatures, 40-50% maybe. Just because it is signed does not make it real, fake signatures are not common, but exist, and a lot of names (smiths) are unrecorded.

Bill, Not according to "The Japanese Matchlock" by Sugawa sensei. But some locks were steel coated in brass. The idea was not to have a powerful spring, but a smooth action. Steel can possess more energy, and I am not aware of any steel springs.

Bill, I think you have an amalgamation of maybe some original parts and later parts made to complete what was left. The barrel may be real, but like Ron suggested, we need to see photos of the barrel. I think you need to consider a return if it is possible. If not, learn from what there is to learn and then research your next purchase. I just purchased a tanegashima from an online auction. I used what I have learned from Ron and Piers, along with Ian to make an educated guess, and while it too is not a "eye catcher" it is original, and I am sure I paid way less than yours. If you own it, there are worse things to own, and I want you to know that Ron is being fatherly and trying to help you understand. He, Ian and Piers are all western experts on this subject and if they (he) says it is not correct, you can bet on it. Ron has forgotten more about these things than I can ever hope to know. Good luck, and welcome. I hope this does not put you off of your journey for true Hinawaju (Fire Rope Guns)

Thank you everyone for the help and details!!

Thomas, The one I posted seems to be identical to the top one of your impressive collection. Are you saying this was from the 1900-1926 era, and was this for an officer? Thanks everyone.

My brother collected this from my grandfathers possessions when he passed. My grandfather was a ship's captain in WWII and was stationed in Japan for many years post war, so no telling when or where he picked this up. What can you tell me about it? Thank you! Justin PS.. There is a number under the brass work on the saya, it has an Arabic 7 with 二十　(720?).

Nice, but a bit steep on the price in my opinion. I'd post it on the Nihon no katchu forum.

Reproduction.

I'v looked for one of the heads and can't find one. I would love to have a few.

Uwe, You had to use the word "True".... Tisk.... Tisk..... :D

Who sets these estimates? LORD someone is smoking crack...

Perrin was a pacifist, and a dreamer in his book. He made some really good points, but the idea that guns all but vanished at the request of Tokugawa is absurd. Guns were produced in large volume and most were still produced in the hans, and we see this today in signed tanegashima that are for sale today. The volumes of guns left to us today are from post unification.

As you know both say the same thing. I think (Stress THINK), that it say one Katana and maybe the measurements and a Wakizashi and it's measurements? I have a hard time with the brush script.

To add to Ford's comments, the Shogun also put an "office" in place that controlled production of the arms, all large orders had to be approved by the central office. This was just another control.

It is a Resseimen Menpo. My guess is late Edo. It is missing the facial hair.

It's more than likely incorrect, but I see ni gatsu suiyoubi (2nd month, Wednesday) 二月　水

I already called dibs! LOL

Maybe I misunderstood Pier's post, but I do not think he was blaming the dealers. He said the fakes seem to be more realistic on the arrows. His post seemed to be a warning to anyone in the market to be aware. As for the tsuka bukuro, I think the point here is that it was a learning exercise and to be aware of what you are purchasing. Were the dealers aware and trying to take him for a ride? He said he hoped not, but he also admitted that he owned the ultimate responsibility. His was a PSA , that even someone immersed in Japan and the Japanese culture can be fooled, be it intentionally or on unintentionally. Your mileage may vary.

Piers, I am with you. That is unbelievable. Morita-sama has a true gift, and one I know we are all grateful that he shares with us!

@John Bloomington is home to a major university (IU) and we get all religions in this town. The Dali Lama's late brother owned a restaurant (Snow Lion) and was in town on a regular basis. I had the honor of dinner with him once. Although we follow different paths to enlightenment, he is a very wise man. There is a major Tibetan Temple in town that he helped create. I am not familiar with the road or temple you mention. It might be a Shoshu version. Shu followers (me) have a temple in Lexington, KY (closest one I know of). We have many followers in B-Town, but no temple. I'll look it up. @Christian, No worries, I appreciate the questions. It means people are not closed minded when they ask, it is when they don't ask that I worry!

Christian, If your question was about the following of the Nichiren ways, and why I do so, it is simple, I was raised, read born, into it. My father has been a Nichiren follower since he was a child, under the age of 16 I think. I was from birth raised Nichiren, and I don't see it as a fascination with Nichiren Buddhism. I also do not believe the word Sect should be applied in regards to Nichiren Buddhism. A sect refers to a separatist approach to the master school of thinking, Protestant Christianity is a Sect of Catholic Christianity. All Nichiren followers believe in the total doctrine of Nichiren, and the differences come from post Nichiren death documentation that the various versions follow. Your mileage may very on the use of the word. Just my opinion. @John- I appreciate your respect for the object of worship that the Nichiren followers have for the Gohonzon. It is a very nice one, and the one I have is the one bestowed upon me by the monk when I was 16 in 1985.

John, As a devout Nichiren follower, I am torn by your item. I admire it for the beauty and dedicated hand that inscribed it. However, a Gohonzon should be in a butsudan and not out in the open, after all is it a revered object for Nichiren followers. Thanks Justin

First image needs to be rotated 90 degree counter-clockwise. First column on the right (after rotation) references the year, but I can't make out the actual year. I see various hiragana, and kanji, but not enought to read it. It is in Japanese.

The "modern" versions of the Gohonzon are created or made by high ranking monks. The one inscribed by the DaiShonin is in the main temple. As for the inscription on war blades and other earlier Samurai related regalia, I don't understand. The DaiShonin was relentlessly persecuted by the Taira Shogun, banished several time, and most of his monks had ears removed, or beheaded. But later Kato Kiyomasa was a Nichiren follower, but odd considering his treatment of Korea, etc. Life was different then, so I am sure they all reconciled the differences at that time.