md02geist

Thank you that is probably why I was having problems with it. And if you just google "samurai stool" you get a really odd lot of stuff. LOL.

Of course two minutes after I post it I do one last search and find them: shogi. Ha.

I have looked and looked and looked but I cannot find the name for the folding camp stools that commanders are often pictured sitting on with their retainers around them. Does anyone know the word for them? Thank you!

That is a trick of the light; the cloth is uniformly aged. I didn't take the picture with a direct overhead light. The "darker" lined areas are downward folds and the "lighter" lined areas are upwards folds.

That would be neat and make it around 175-200 years old if that's the case. Although admittedly I'm hoping it's more of a soldiers crest.

Yes that's great! What clan or family is that do you know? Unfortunately I cannot read Japanese past very very basic characters yet so the website is tough for me. I'll try to use google translate later.

Recently acquired this from a fellow NMB member, an interesting sashimono. I've been unable to positively identify the Tsuta ("Ivy") mon within the eight sided shape, although I have found LOTS that are similar that have a different shape inside of the eight sided shape, or utilize the same ivy leaf without a border. Most of them reference to the Matsuidaira clan. I have no idea if this sashimono is related or not, nor can I positively identify the age. The stitching seems to have been redone at some point, as the stitching seems far newer than the cloth itself. Just a guess however, I am far from an expert. This originally came from one of the foremost experts in Japan on matchlocks, and a board member of the Japanese Armor study group. It was originally found in an old kura with several other old items including another sashimono. It passed hands once to a member of this board and then to me. I know nothing at all about cloth so I really cannot identify the material, but it definitely seems old and thinned and as evidenced is fairly stained and worn. The mon is certainly hand dyed as it is the cloth itself plus it is also imperfect with asymmetry and some less than perfect lines. It was estimated to be Edo or older by the seller and previous owner. Any input is appreciated! Please enjoy!

Or rather, the first time I am in Kyoto.

http://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/AJ201605110006.html Neat stuff

Absolutely and thank you for the advice Geraint! I will look into getting ahold of one.

Because the ashigaru weren't always considered samurai caste until they were locked into their class restriction by the Sword Hunt and suddenly they were now full time soldiers. I think for clarity's sake I am talking about fully armoured, full time warrior as samurai versus lightly equipped mass infantry ashigaru, despite the fact that often ashigaru and ji-zamurai were considered technically part of the samurai caste at certain points in history. A matter of positioning and function on the battlefield rather than technical caste membership. I simply wondered if there was a clear design difference between things like cavalry yari and foot yari.

Is there a good way to identify yari as to whether they might have been samurai or ashigaru use? I would assume build quality would be one as I would guess an ashigaru wouldn't generally have a high quality item unless he had looted it. Are blade shapes or Hamon indicative at all? Same with naginata; is there a good way to determine whether they might have been samurai or something like a sohei? I would assume you would look for heavy religious iconography on the latter. Likewise is there a good way to tell if a yari was designed more for horseback use or foot use, or is there much of a distinction? But I would also guess that in a lot of cases there just isn't any telling. I see a lot to read about swords but not as much about the other weapons.

Thanks Hoanh!

So most of it is legit just in bad shape?

Is that ebay seller any good? I see they have a lot of cheaper Nihonto...is the stuff they sell fake or is it just in less than ideal condition? Seems a lot of their stuff would probably be deemed unfit for restoration but I'm so new I'm just guessing at this point.

Wonderful input and I laughed at the 1/3 what you paid for it comment.

That's neat, would be a great item to have.

Ian that is ridiculously good info, I thank you very much for that. I would love to see some displays like that. And simple items like Yoroi Bitsu are fascinating to me. Do Yoroi Bitsu often come up for sale or in collections, or did they tend to simply be too beat up and fall apart for many of them to be preserved?

I think that is an excellent idea, maybe I will grab a small twig from the same tree. But only a small one or one that is already broken so as not to hurt the tree much if at all. I love my Yoshino, I waited years to get one.

Thank you very much!

No sir, not in a huff. Just saying I don't know him. But yes it was his suggestion.

You'll pardon me but I do not understand what you mean by "CB." Thank you! If those are initials you are correct but I do not know this man from anyone else; I have no idea who he is (I do not mean that disrespectfully I just mean that I simply do not know him or of him).

"The Army instituted a program around 1943 to produce traditionally made blades through contract smiths and at the same time, hired traditionally trained smiths to make swords and instruct at their arsenals in Kokura, Osaka, and Tokyo. These blades are usually inscribed XX Rikugun Zoheisho and have been, in my experience, traditionally made. Of course there is always that exception, but in general, it is safe to assume blades made at these arsenal forges are traditionally made." What I was told today.

Thank you Greg. I really wish I had a few more blossoms but I only saved three and one of them was damaged when removing it from the paper it was drying on (hence the partial petals). I think 2-3 more would have been nice. Maybe next season I will pull more and add.

Thank you all