John A Stuart

I'm not terribly poetic. How does this sound? The withered water plant in the Ogawa shoal. The afternoons spring sun dazzles. The sparrow crosses the solitude. In its raincoat. John

Hi Koichi san, I reckoned if someone could give me a starting point on this it would be Nobody. Seriously, thanks. John

Hi Guys, I know this grass script can be a problem sometimes to decipher, but if someone can get a handle on it I would really like to know what it says. Thanks, John

Hi Brian, Tsuruta san of Aoi-art is taking care of it and getting the saya made for me. John

Yes, to both of you. I just could not refuse, the price being so reasonable. John

Here is one I just bought. The saya is being made prior to shipping. I know who the smith is, as an excecise can you figure it out? John

Fukure yabure is caused during a new polish. Sometimes repaired with umegane but often not repairable or cost prohibitive. john

Thanks Koichi san, So these six waka poets are patterned from the six immortals of Chinese mythology. Like the Sansho, Soin, Basho and Kikaku. John

Kanehisa indeed and from e-bay? not bad and interesting. I automatically thought of the six immortals when I read your post. However, there are usually indicators with the immortals such as the first immortal holds musical instruments in both hands and stands on a lotus leaf; the second reads a book; the third carries a lamp and whisk; the forth immortal stands on a lotus petal and holds a water bowl; the fifth carries a small pagoda; the last one sits on a turtle back and carries a peach. If I could read the text...... Hope someone can illuminate us. John

So sorry to see you have an ongoing hi-jack problem. I just read that China is the #1 country for cybercrime. Good luck. John

Just to add possible readings to those characters. ON; Hajiyuu, Hachiyou KUN; Namie, Namiomo, Namikasa

Hi, Urushi, common on yari not so common on naginata. I doubt it is original and would be added/ replaced as necessary (new polish, damage, taste) John

:lol: Stephen, I know. In fact there is one on the roof here on the 12th floor. I don't mind a soak now and again en masse but still prefer to bathe 'a solo mio' besides my rubber duck is shy. John

I have had a wonderful time here and met some wonderful people on my travels. I really enjoyed speaking with people who were not shy about speaking English and gave me good pointers on to and fro. It is only my second time in Japan travelling mainly in China but I'm starting to think of Japan as my destination of choice. Now if only I could find a bath-tub that fits :lol: . Next time guys. John

Jock, here is an example of a (Paul) Chen Po nakago and mei from the Casiberia page that deals in Paul Chen Hanwei material. John

And these.

Guido, Yes, I think these differences exceed the amount that can be expected. I magnified some characters and it is more evident to me now. John

Hi All, I am leaving on the 17th of April and am staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku on the 15th and 16th. I would like to meet any members of NMB who are in the area and who have time to spare. PM me and I'll arrange to meet in one of the hotel watering holes, hint hint. I couldn't make it last Friday and I know this is a weeknight but I'll try to make amends. John

This reminds me of the Kiyomaro just discussed. When trying to make a comparison using only the mei and/or yasurimei. Differences there are, but close enough where I would want 5 guys who have a ton of knowlege to determine the truth of it. After all these smiths' mei are not stamps and from one month to the next, health, weather, lighting, a new tagane, whatever, could explain these small differences. I know some are so close on different swords by the same smith that you can superimpose one on the other and get no slop, but not always. Shinsa; if the other attributes match. John

The fun is in the quest. Great!!! John

Yes Brian, The one I have has no shinogi. Midpage below the kyugunto, http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_12.htm , but it can't be taken down John

hi All, Just thought I would show you Regando. i certainly had no sartori but it is a nice area to relax. john

I was sure that was what the dealer said but he did not speak English well. So, the famous Masayuki name surfaces once more. It is a late Edo suaka tsuba done in kebori. The poem on the reverse is in grass script and when I get home I'll try and photo it. Can you believe that I had the camera on the antishake setting for this picture? Thanks guys. John

here I am dipping into the well again, so thanks ahead of time. These kanji are not the usual for me and with no books well.... the picture is of the origami since the tsuba is wrapped up for transport home. There is a haiku, i think on the back but that will come later. For now I need the artists name and his common name in parenthesis. thanks, John

Hi All, I just got to Kumamoto and leave Sunday morning for Kyoto. Tomorrow I shall be going to Reigando/ Iwadokannoniriguchi. While I'm sure no one is interested in my travel plans, i thought that if anyone would like some shrine keepsakes from there let me know before I go and I shall do my best. Oh, BTW, this will help with keeping the shrine funded. Apparently they are not well supported. John