Ron STL

Thanks for this excellent information guys. I passed this on my friend who is equally thrilled to learn about this little tsuba's background. Ron STL

Okay, I see part of this (missed Shoami, thinking Masa...), but I don't fully understand the other side ending in saku koreo. Was hoping to get some thoughts on what the design might represent. Just an interesting little piece, I think. I have another tsuba of very unusual and puzzling design that the NBTHK shinsa couldn't understand, no opinion, so perhaps this might fit that thinking, too? Mark, your reply just came in and yes, an obi knot make good sense! Good eye, Mark! Ron STL

The photos show a rather small tsuba of an unusual shape with a long mei that I haven't been able to translate. It was recently purchased by a good friend. I see a Masa-somebody in the mei but suspect there might be two makers names on it. The tanto sized tsuba ia unusual and may represent folded paper (?). I had hoped to translate it but without a solid name to go on I'm at a loss. Any help on this would be wonderful to get. Appreciate the help. Ron STL

Attadhed is the desceiption of a Higo style koshirae that goes with a Naotane katana.. I a;m weak when it comes to translating wat is said about a koshirae origami. If someone could translate what is said on this origami I would be so thankful. I believe these descriptions can be very general, but it all helps is appreciating our collection. Thanks! Ron STLL

Kuniyoshi, yes. Thanks for the explanation on this print. A friend of my granddaughter went on a trip to Japan and bought this, thinking they overpaid not being used to dollar/yen values, and paid $350 for it. Perhaps a bit retail but it's a nice crisp print, framed. This will now direct them to learn about the 47 Ronins story and gain appreciation of the story. Kuniyoshi did such nice work. Ron STL

Hi all, wondering what story this print tells of and who is pictured. It looks like a quality Kunitoshi print if not trimmed. Just helping a friend. Thanks! Ron STL

Thanks Morita san, that's perfect. Thanks evryone. Ron STL

Yes, now that I looked at examples I see the lack of his kao. Also, there seems to be a lot of variances in his handwriting writing sayagaki. I have an ubu Jirotaro Naokatsu wakizashi, a copy of a early Ichimonji blade with his sayagaki. Now I'm questioning I have that right! Yes Ed, this is a desirable yari. My friend was bidding on it so I stayed off of his, but he took my advice to stick with it which he did. I'm looking forward to making a full oshigata of it later this month. Interesting hamon. I hope someone will translate what Sato said on his sayakaki. See nothing there that I can read. Ron STL

Attached is part of a sayagaki on a papered kikuchi yari signed TADAYOSHI, attributed to 6th generation Hizen Tadayoshi. This was recently purchased by one of our local guys. A lovely yari with interesting hamon. I am seeing if anyone can fully read what this part of the sayagaki says, it is beyond my ability. Also, can the name of the person who wrote this be read? Quite possible some unknown fellow but it would be interesting to know his name. Name and kao is totally unfamiliar to me. Thanks Ron STL

Thanks to Bangbansan explanation, I'd say this mystery is now understood. I also asked a Japanese friend about this and he wrote: 旧節句 (Kyu Sekku ) = Seasonal festival day by the old Lunar Calendar, which further confirms these findings. Of course, I will keep all of this with my file on the Toshihide for the sword's future owners after me. There is no way I would have discovered all this information with your help. Thanks! Ron STL

I've attached clear photos showing the complete nakago plus a close-up of the zodiac signs and the confusing three kanji starting with Kyu. Signs: Tsuchinoe and Tora definitely are for 1938, as the Showa 13 date also shows. The character kyu written on origami looks the same 5-stroke form as carved on the nakago. Again, your comments are all interesting and perhaps a clear explanation of its meaning will be found. All part of our learning experience. As you may have recognized, this is the Toshihide originally listed on Danny Massey's site, nihontocraft.com. Ron STL

I've been translating character by character mei and date on this special order gendaito. Circled on the attached, shows a 3-kanji statement following the zodiacal signs (Tsuchinoe, Tora) on this 1935 dated sword. The description on the Listing shows them as Kyou Setsygu. Of these three kanji I did find Kyu (old) but not the two following kanji. A translation of these would be appreciated, along with what this statement is saying. Your help on this is always appreciated. Ron STL

Thanks Ray, that makes sense. I'm trying to understand how this original 1951 registration remained with the sword today, which of course quite interesting to me. Nick Nakamura wrote a thorough article about that era and the registration of swords in one of our KTK publications, I believe in 2018. Ron STL

I'm trying to read the meaning of the circled kanji, first on a recently registered sword and second, on a 1951 registration. Both papers are Tokubetsu Hozon and therefore are of that era, but the early date shows the 1951 date when swords were first required to be registered. I'm just trying to understand more about this. Ron STL

Just wondering if anybody getting awarded Juyo level last November ever received their papers, etc yet? I realize this take a while but I'm starting to get anxious. Ron STL

That's what I thought, but this was in Token Bijutsu and therefore should be correct. This makes me think the translator just messed up. Perhaps a corrected translation will be offered. Meanwhile, Taima it is. Ron STL

Referring to NBTHK's October issue of Token Bijutsu, first kantei sword discussed is mumei, identified as TOMA. Reading how this attribution was arrived at, reference to Toma group appears to be a specific group. Initially, never hearing of a Toma group before, I searched for more information but could not find one article on them. I soon realized that the kanji for TOMA is the same kanji as for Yamato TAIMA. I'm hoping someone can explain if Toma is a specific branch of Taima or perhaps just another name used For Taima (which seems unlikely). Also, if there is more discussion on this topic available, please direct me to it. Help will be greatly appreciated! Ron STL

Thought I could translate this on thinking it was a zodiac date but now have my doubts. Would appreciate clearing this up for me. Thanks! Ron STL

Thank you very much. This clearly identifies each character and allows me to read on more on about Soten. The NCJSC had an article in their February 2022 newsletter titled: Tsuba of Hikone. I need to reread that again. The only Soten tsuba I have in my collection is a beautiful shakudo example, mumei, depicting the 12 sages in bamboo grove. NBTHK Hozon. Those "faces" are so livelike. I will check out examples of iron Saotome to compare with this one I'm asking about. Mongol invasion? That makes sense, thanks. Ron STL

Attached is a Soten tsuba I'm considering acquiring. Soten has never greatly appealed to me, but this one seems of quality. It was given good point level by recent NTHK.NPO shinsa. Work sheet Japanese is too hastily written (handwriting) plus no real English explanation other than later Edo. A complicated motif, I'm hoping someone recognizes the tale and say something about it. I've also been unable to read the full mei and therefore can't understand who this is. The gold mimi and hitsuana plugs appear very well made. Some help on this Soten would certainly be appreciated. Thanks! Ron STL

I've been reading up on the five sacred mountain of China. While this becomes more than a translation question, does anyone understand the connection (if there is one) by the type of dragon and clouds used on this tsuba? It would seem this tsuba has a totally religion (?) or harmony, peace meaning to its once owner? Ron STL

Thanks Tom, I'll check that out. One of my ex-tsuba I bought back in Chicago this show. Ron STL

This (Higo/Jingo style) tsuba has seal scrip style characters on one side. It would be interesting to have these understood. Anyone able to read these? Thanks, Ron STL

Thanks Mauro and also Piers for this info and kanji. Will help make a file for this Sendai tsuba. Ron STL

Yes, I used to correspond with Dr. Lisenden because of an interest in namban, and did buy his book on namban. Always sad to lose a scholar. Earlier, Piers mentioned not seeing anything on the worksheet mentioning Sendai. Here is what that is called out. As to my tsuba, I will look further into these other Sendai tsubako to see what can be learned. Meanwhile I suppose the tsuba will remain late Edo, made by an unknown Sendai tsubako. Hope everyone enjoyed this thread. I will get the descriptions written in script translated in full. That's why we have Markus around. Thanks again, Ron STL