NihontoEurope

Grey, Action taken. I took a photo just now and this is the best I can do at the moment. It is unfortunately mounted and behind glass. [attachment=0]IMG_6600.jpg[/attachment] /Martin

Thank you, Yes, I thought so. I was hoping one could place a Menpo somewhere in time based on different features or lack of features. Well well...more books /Martin

...and others... Hello! I have this Tantou, it has one or many poems inscribed. It is very difficult to make out exactly all Kanji (for me). It says "三歌仙" on top of the poems. The "three great poets". Also, I have found out ONO NO KOMACHI from the text. MURASAKI SHIKIBU and SEI SHONAGON could be the other. It is possible it is related to this: http://www.washburn.edu/reference/bridge24/heian.html It would be great if someone could help me with this. It is chiseled in with very a small and thin brush. I hope the photos are good enough to make out something. My guess is that this can be found translated already on the web, but it would be great to have it confirmed. Perhaps the old foxes here know all about this : ) Top: 2_Bottom_A.jpg[/attachment] Horomino: SANKASEN? [attachment=0]Horomino - res.jpg[/attachment] EDIT: Is it perhaps this: Three poems by Ono no Komachi Three Tanka Did he appear because I fell asleep thinking of him? If only I'd known I was dreaming, I'd never have wakened. The autumn night is long only in name-- We've done no more than gaze at each other and it's already dawn. Although there is not one moment without longing, still, how strange this autumn twilight is. EDIT end Thank you for looking! /Martin

Hello, Are there any resources on the internet that could be helpful to estimate when a Mempo was produced? /Martin

Ok! Thank you for the replies in educational insights. I will try to restore it with caution and your recommendations. /Martin

I found this and I do not know if it up to the standards of today, but it sounds ok. Verifies the boiling method as well as the boner method. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/Cleaning.htm /Martin

Brian, Really!?! I thought this was above ground, but dead :S I was thinking Franco was pulling my leg... (sorry Franco). Never heard about this process. I have read that cooking in water can help some Tsubas. So, not a FUBAR then. I will search for info and if anyone have a step-by-step guide it is appreciated. Sebastien, thanks for the identification. /Martin

: ) Addressed! /Martin

Hello, Does anyone of the gents here know the origin? I solved some of the Kanji, but not enough knowledge of Tosogu to get anything from it. It is an almost destroyed piece, but it is signed front and back. I have owned this for many years and it would be nice to know something about it. Sorry about the images, but it is rusty. [attachment=2]img004A.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=1]img004B.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=3]img005A.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=0]img005B.jpg[/attachment] Thank you! /Martin

Ok thanks! I have a few Yari and Naginata that are lacquered. This one is a Naginata that I would like to fix it up for display. I have not given this any thought, paint or lacquer, until yesterday when I took it out from its resting place. I thought it was plain paint I'll try to get a hold of some lacquer to fix it. Thanks all /Martin

( : Easy to mix? /Martin

Greg, Thank you so kindly. I will have a look at a local smith. If I'm unsuccessful, I will contact you. What I understand from the comments I should get rid of the blackening and polish the silver. Should I polish it all? Back side and front side? /Martin

Hi-Jack in progress... Which type of paint should be used? [attachment=0]IMG_6317.JPG[/attachment] I'm guessing not to use water based and preferably oil based. Since I do not know I have to ask. /Martin

Keith, This is how it looks like: [attachment=1]IMG_6300.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=0]IMG_6315.jpg[/attachment] /Martin

Alright... Lets say cleaning. What should be used and what should be avoided? Any tips&tricks? /Martin

Great comments from all parties. I really like the difference in opinion here. This Saya、 I would never clean&polish　that since it contains other material than pure silver. When it comes to a single item like the Seppa in this case, built up with pure silver only, I must say I am tempted to polish it. /Martin

Hello, Possible to post pictures? I'm interested because I have a product of his offspring. /Martin

Thank you for the comments! I will take the advice aboard. /Martin

Hello, I have a Koshirae fitting with a pair of solid silver Seppa. Should I clean/polish it or leave it as is? /Martin

Jacques, Thank you for the information. It seems to be a rare type of sword to find. I was hoping something would appear in the books to help me with the procurement. /Martin

Hello, Does anyone of the gentlemen here hold any OSHIGATA/MEI of MINO SUKEFUSA? Mino/Mikawa/Harima is probably the same. According to "http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/SUK76" TOKO TAIKAN should have something. Hawley 25 SUK76 Toko Taikan ¥3.5M 323 Fujishiro Jo saku Thank you for looking. /Martin

Totally agree with Chris. The only true protocol is the Ego Protocol and it is driven by Sex, Power and Money. I rule out Sex and Power in this case. /Martin

Hello, I don't know if it is my eyes, but is not this an Uchigatana? In that case it is probably more collectable as such. What do you think? The Nakago looks pretty short. /Martin

My guess is: 2,4, 6 and 11. #9 is too difficult to judge/guess for me. The hamon looks suspicious - that is why I deemed them Showa-To /Martin

Here is an excel sheet with prices and some reference to what was sold. For how long the links to the actual objects will work, I do not know. I sorted the list based on price. [attachment=0]BONHAMS - Arts of the Samurai - Auction 20503.xls[/attachment] Enjoy! /Martin