raiden

Large size, very nice hammered surface. 9.16cm x 9.13 cm x 3mm

I thank everyone for their interest in learning about kodogu. I have always felt that this part of sword collecting has been overlooked, and it seems to have gotten more attention in the past few years. I will be more carefull in the future to phrase more carefully my titles. As everyone knows on this board, sometimes the threads take off and require much attention (time I would rather spend posting new items or writing articles) My teachers of tosogu want me to help spread the education of kodogu, and my sword teachers want also the same thing.... But I would like tosogu to catch up a bit with blades ( I study equally as hard on both as those of you who know me well know that this is a true statement) that is why i did such a large machi bori display a few years ago in San Francisco. Also fittings can be appreciated rather easily on this board thanks to digital equipment. We have also started a facebook page that shows news and items dealing with nihonto and events related. Curran, at Tampa I will bring something interesting to see to discuss with you related to Higo if you have the time. Thanks to all for supporting the education and appreciation of kodogu. Mike

Mr. Martin, I am sorry and surprised for your response on the board. Perhaps you had misunderstood my intentions. I have just returned from Japan, and am very jetlagged. However, for the education and enjoyment of Japanese sword fittings, I post items that i have aquired or seen recently for the purpose of 'Kansho"when I have the time. If you know this board well, sometimes things develope into lengthy threads that I do not have time for. However, if you had taken the time to notice, I actually replied to a question, and will do so if I have a spare minute. I wrote I will not answer any questions so as not to be rude to anyone if they post and I cannot answer. I am a Board member for the NBTHKAB, and often do lectures, there I can entertain many questions, as well as for ther Nanka Token Kai. This being said, my intentions for this board is for the members to understand and appreciate fine kodogu, as there seems to be a lack of information/examples for foreign members and collectors. I will await Brians decision as he is the Administrator of this Board. M. Yamasaki

Yes, actually 4 children,jetlag and a sick wife doesn't make much time for much q&a, so now I am seriously thinking of not contributing anymore. Strange as i was asked by some members to help with the forums, but this is why I didn't wish to do so.

well Brian, shall I refrain from future posts? I have just returned from Japan, and was just posting for people to enjoy, but if it offends some then it is fine for me not to continue.

We will be posting new items in the next few weeks Large classic Ko Katchushi Tsuba Tosho by Yoshindo Yoshihara Futadokoro by Kikuchi Jokatsu Sea Dragon Fuchikashira many others to follow

ok just a bit of info, yes father and son, oguma kei. early signature for father is tsuneyoshi, then toshitsune. some books say trained in tanaka school, this is apparent by guchi beni in nakago ana.worked for Date family directly

I posted one of these on the Dai Token Ichi thread, but not the sons tsuba. I have heard that it is possible that the son made his tsuba to match his fathers tsuba to be used as a set.I guess thats possible, as I have seen such a thing before.

Sort version: According to the research done in a book that was for an exhibition about Musashi, the Shodai Kaneshige was 2 shaku 7 sun, but was permanently damaged when it was not given up after ww2 because it was buried in the ground, rather than be surrendered. The mounting exists still somewhere. There is also mention of a Yasutsuna (Hoki), but this has not been verified. The last blade known is a Ryokai signed tachi, 85 centimeters around (pic was released on tetsugendo facebook page), Musashi gave this blade to one of his disciples when he felt no longer the need to wear a blade. The name is known of this student, but will be saved for an article to be released later. The sword was then preserved in a very famous collectors inventory(also to be released when my friend finishes his research).

The show was very well attended, over 3000 people attended in 3 days. There were treasures to be gotten, but you had to dig as usual.Me and my group attended 4 study group meetings along with the show. It was a great time as usual, and where else can you hold and study Date Masamunes sword and Miyamoto Musashi's last blade all in one hour? I know that many top end fittings and blades sold at the show. 2 Tokubetsu Juyo Soshu Yukimitsu sold, a very nice Awataguchi kamakura blade (Juyo), and a superb tanto with solid gold fittings were among those that found new homes. I have 4 boxes being sent back of blades, some Juto and some Tokuho - a very nice Kamakura/nanbokucho period Naginata ubu nakago will take a bit as it is so long..... But I will post some fittings for study purposes, that might make their way to Tampa..... Mike

sorry for the repeat info , forgot to refresh before writing back.

Well shodai , nidai , sandai depends who you hear from. Ito san in his words sho-nidai have no signed pieces, and the signed examples are from the 3rd. NBTHK however count from 1st as no signature, 2nd signed but with the "go" kanji different in the Jingo mei, then 3rd and later have the different kanji character for "go" than the NBTHK nidai examples. For instance, if there is an unsigned jingo attribution by the NBTHK, one can tell of they mean shodai/nidai by the way the Jingo (Go kanji) is written on the paper, or a later generation by the "go" character used to say "mumei jingo". the signed example that I posted is a Nidai (NBTHK standard) and a rare signed example (please look at the "go" kanji and compare to a signed 3rd in the kinko meikan. It is a great tsuba and it has a hakogaki by the last Kanshiro who was, i believe the tosogu caretaker for the imperial family. This tsuba also has the original Hosokawa box as well. just my 2 cents worth! Got a killer godai today!

my idea of early jingo. signed nidai

For those that are interested and will be in Japan this trip, I just heard that the new Juyo items will be displayed on Oct 30 at the NBTHK.

Ford, I know it is the reverse side, but this pic is for my own records and I only had a pic of the "signed" side. As far as I know and the nakago ana goes, usually tsuba are done so until they have been fitted to be mounted. I have had a few Bakumatsu / Meiji pieces that were never mounted done the same way in the nakago ana area. Tsuba from Yoshindo vary i price depending upon the amount of work involved (just as the same idea as you Ford) They usually start around 200,000 JPY. I will ask him what else he does in regards to tosogu. I will visit his home on this trip. Ford, will you go this trip? Our natsuo passed Juyo this year

I like mine, this is the one I received for a prize at the NBTHK Taikai Kantei contest a few years ago. See study does pay off!

Brian, Thats all I'm going to share about Goto markings for now until i finish the article. I also must prepare for Japan which is very soon. Hello to all that i will see at the show and other events in Japan! Mike

Chris, Not for now, i just put them up for everyone to study. in fact the picwith the nanako is from a Yujo kozuka I used to own. this pic is part of a page from the Goto article I am currently working on for the NBTHK AB group. Perhaps they will be on display in the museum for the new Juyo next month, and I won't get them back til next year anyway. I didn't know that you were interested in Goto fittings Chris, you collect them? If so which Goto do you like, and perhaps you could share a pic of some from your collection with us. i could always use some interesting examples for the article. Mike

It is my pleasure to announce our new Juyo baby (one of a few pieces that passed for us) from this years shinsa. I will post the info for this very special set for study for everyone. Enjoy!

Oh, also a few years ago a collector who wanted a signed 3rd Hirata Narihisa tsuba from me got scared and cancelled because the example in the Kinko Meikan didn't have a Kao like mine. Another dealer emphasized this to him, and he then cancelled , even though I guaranteed it in writing. None the less, I really enjoyed e-mailing him the pic of the Tokubetsu hozon a few months later......... :D

Oh don't get me wrong, I am not saying it IS the guy from that school, all I am trying to show is the different ways I would look at such an item if i were buying it. As far as workmanship goes, I have bought over 30 pieces of the Tanaka school, and many from the Haruaki school as well. I have seen such a range of different types of workmanship from both, and as they are so talented, I believe that one could do the others work style quite well actually. For example the shakudo nanako Juyo piece by Tanaka Seiju in this years dai token ichi catalog, excellent piece. Also as a talented craftsman such as yourself (to Ford) , I am sure that if a top patron asked you to make such a same tsuba as this akimasa with the tanaka style technique, you would take the challenge, no?