Yoshimichi

Dear NMB members:. Quick price reduction before off to Ebay: Now $675.00 All other terms and conditions of sale apply. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan The price is $800. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance costs. Payment by Paypal ("Friends and Family). PM me with any questions.

Dear Brian, Peter and Malcolm: Thanks so much for the additional information and comments on this kozuka. I especially appreciate the recommendations on the fittings reference sources, and the links to the Otsu-e articles. Great reading. Thanks again. Of the five pieces I recently acquired from this collector, this kozuka is my favorite. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

I looked at Grey's website and saw the Wakayama fittings books. I will contact Grey. Thanks for the mention of the Wakayamas. Looks like a great fittings reference. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Jeremiah, Curran and Steve: Thanks for the great information. Especially the link to the green paper's history. I found the Otsuki school at page 149 in "A Brief History of Japanese Sword Fittings Artisans." It lists Mitsuoki Yamashiroya Kihachiro Dairyusai Ryukudo, born 1766, who died at age 69 in 1834. Does "Yamashiroya" indicate he was from Yamashiro? If the signature in not gimei, is this the likely artisan who made this piece? Curran: Is Wakayama's information available online, or only in book format? Thanks for the information and research leads. Regards, Bill E, Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: I recently purchased a Mitsuaki kozuka from a collector who acquired it in the late 70's or early 80s from Blaine Navroth. These green papers came with it. I wonder if these were the papers issued in the 80s by the NBTHK teams that came to the U.S., or whether they appear to be papers issued by the NBTHK in Japan. I recall that the papers issued by the "traveling" NBTHK group were later discredited and not honored. This piece has really great workmanship, and is the same demon pictured on a tsuba by Mitsuaki in the Boston Museum collection of Japanese Swords and Fittings book. This piece is signed on the reverse. Any input or translation of these papers is appreciated. I purchased the piece for the piece itself, not the papers. I have added a few photos of the kozuka. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Thanks, Jesper. There is also one for sale on Ebay right now with papers by a seller in Japan: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Japan-iron-Tsuba-Bushu-Masafusa-Edo-Certificate-Paulownia-BOX-F-S-555/273952110677?hash=item3fc8d17855:g:BWQAAOSwn~hdQvDp Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi

Dear NMB Member: I tried Brian's suggestion. Let's see if these pictures are better oriented Thanks, Brian. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan.

Thanks, Brian. I will try it. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Dear NMB Members: I recently acquired this nice iron Bushu ju Masafusa tsuba with some other pieces from a collector who purchased this piece in the very early 1980's. It comes with a custom fitted box. I am going to offer it to the NMB members first for a couple of days, then likely upload it to Ebay. There are no papers with it. The piece measures approximately 2-7/8ths inches high by 2-3/4 inches wide. The price is $800. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance costs. Payment by Paypal ("Friends and Family). PM me with any questions. Thanks for looking. Sorry for the sideways images. I saved them in the right configuration, but when I upload them to the NMB, they are uploading sideways. I took the photos with my cellphone. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi) Attached Thumbnails

Dear NMB Members: I just acquired these two pieces yesterday from a collection put together in the late 70s or early 80s. Any thoughts on either of these being legitimate "Joi" signatures? The workmanship appears very high grade. Thanks for any input.Sorry for the photo configuration. When I upload them, some are turning horizontal. Regards. Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Looking forward to the show as well Fred. Bringing a variety of things for sale or trade to put on my table as well. Always a great time. Can't wait. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: For those who can't put Fred's name with a face, here is a picture of him at his table at the 2015 S.F.Token Kai. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: I received sad news today of the passing of my friend, Fred Schulzke, of Medford, Oregon. I was informed that he passed away on Christmas. Many collectors knew Fred as a fixture at the San Francisco Token Kai, and a regular attendee at the Dai Token Ichi with his very good, personal friend: Wayne Erickson. Fred was a collector of top-quality, high grade Gassan blades. He owned some very rare, best-of-the-best examples of Gassan school blades. He had a great sense of humor, was extremely knowledgeable about firearms, WWII weapons, especially German daggers and swords. He knew how to enjoy life, live life to the fullest, and how to brighten people's day with his presence. I will truly miss him, and the time we spent together each year at the S.F.Token Kai, where Fred, myself, and Wayne Erickson shared tables side-by-side for years at the show. Rest in peace my friend. It was great knowing you. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Dear Robert: Thanks for the great information. I always liked it better when it was held near the first part of November rather than mid-November. The weather is usually really nice, and the fall colors are spectacular in the mountains. Great news! Hope to be there next year. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Very informative. Thanks, Guido. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Bruno, No idea what school, but really nice tsuba and motif. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Gentlemen: Thanks so much for the great feed back on these menuki. The quality of these menuki is indeed above average when seen up close, and not through my less than clear photos. The collector I purchased these from tended to only purchase fairly pristine and high grade Tosogu in the 70s and early 80s, and he has a good eye for quality. I am slowly picking up a few pieces from him as he decides to let a few pieces go. I will post more here as I am able to acquire other pieces. Some I plan to keep, others I will likely sell to place with other collectors, and to help offset the cost of the pieces I plan to keep myself. I really appreciate any comments I receive regarding these pieces. Thanks again. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Here is a picture of the information written on the inside of the lid of the fitting's box. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: I just acquired this set of tachi menuki from a private collector who purchased them in the late seventies- early eighties in Japan. These have been in this particular collection since then. They were acquired on a group trip over to Japan with John Yumoto. The nakago has a two character mei, that the collector was told is "Yukishira" or "Yukihira." These are in really excellent condition. Can anyone tell me the school, whether these are rare as John Yumoto indicated, or anything about this fittings artist? Thanks in advance for your help. I apologize for the less than clear cellphone photos. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi).

Dear Gentlemen: Thanks so much for the wealth of information, especially the link to similar menuki. I am always amazed at the wealth of knowledge the NMB members possess. I really appreciate it. I will take the excellent advice regarding using horn kashira to possibly allow the daisho fuchi to be shinsaed. Thanks again. Regards, Bill E.Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: I have a really fine set of cufflinks in solid gold. They appear to be tanto menuki that were expertly made into a set of gold cufflinks with a gold bamboo motif bar and gold chains. I have attached some photos. Is it possible that these are Goto menuki? The other question is this: Does the NBTHK or NTHK shinsa fittings that have been converted to jewelry, as in this case? I also have a daisho set of fuchi, but the kashira are missing. Would they shinsa the daisho fuchi only? They are both signed "Ishiguro Masayoshi." Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Steve and Morita-san: Thanks so much for the help on this one. The second character had me stumped. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB Members: I need some help translating the mei on this tsuba. I think the first character is "Sada." Not sure of the second character or the school (Mito or Omori?). Any help is appreciated. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Franco and Steven: Thanks so much for the help on the translation. I especially appreciate the papered example of the signature. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Looking at this further, the first two kanji look like Ishiguro, for an artist's name of "Ishiguro Masayoshi." Is this correct? I wonder if he is the student of Masatsune? Thanks for any info. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)