Viper6924

Thanks, Uwe! It's always rewarding to learn something new. I've seen a few of these marks before. Wonder if this means some big clans used them for their ashigarus and thats the reason there are quit a few left. Jan

Well I finally managed to find out more about this mark. Thanks to Mr Shigeo Sugawa´s kind help, I now know that this is a so called "Iijirushi" or team mark. Just an easy way to define the different teppo-units in an army. This Iijirushi in question is a "Yamajirusi" (Mountain shape mark) so it was close to the mountain road There were a lot of these Iijirushi used. Many of them very well designed. One problem sorted, thanks to some invaluable help from an expert in the field. Jan

Managed to find the source of my "mountain road" thesis. Comes from an antique magazine. It´s part of a special about ashigaru armor. I still agree with Chris that it looks like a shinto "shide". I know that clans that associated themselfs with the shinto God of war Hachiman probably could have decorated their soldiers with this powerful shinto sign. But which clan? These mon/crests really can be a pain... Jan

So much for the mountain road explanation Thanks, Chris. Def looks like a shide. The question now is if there is a connection to a specific clan/family using this on their armor. So far I have struck out finding this connection Jan

This is a mon that keeps popping up once in awhile. Seen it on 3-4 occasions. Mostly on ashigaru jingasas for teppo units. Apparently its a mountain road. Anyone? :D Jan

Thanks guys for all the useful info. The Ost Asiatische Kunst Museum sounds interesting. I will def take a look at the Nefertiti sculpture. Will have the whole of saturday at least to roam around. And Uwe, I try to send a PM to You when I arrive. Perhaps we can start something on saturday night Jan

Hi guys! I´m off to Berlin the first weekend of may. Never been there before. Just want to know if there is any interesting to see for a Japanese freak like me. Any suggestions will be much appreciated! Jan

Thanx, sir :D

Here´s a good example when two items in a collection can match each other in a nice way. Bought this small koro with a Tokugawa mon on it a while ago. Not really finding a good place for it. Then not long ago I happend to buy a scroll that belonged to an old samurai family in Aizu. It´s made by the first lord of Aizu Hoshina Masayuki. The meaning of the text is something like "True Heart" (thanks Piers for helping me with the translation) which was kind of a motto for the Aizu-clan. Aizu, being a close retainer of the Tokugawa, the hollyhock mon is placed on top of this scroll. Masayuki being the fourth (but illegitimate) son of the second shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, was for his own safety adopted by the Hoshina-clan. Out of respect for the Hoshinas, Masayuki turned down the offer the use the hollyhock for himself. This was instead used by his son and onwards. Perfect match and a dull corner of the house suddenly looks so much better :D The scroll itself is not in any way in perfect condition. But You can safely file it under the wabi sabi section of this collection. Jan

Thanks, Malcom! I think You are 100% correct. A very logical and at the same time educational branding, I must say Jan

You are probably right, Uwe. And the kanji burned in twice is? :D Jan

Hi guys! It´s time to turn the attention back to the wonderful world of teppo-paraphernalia :D Have this flint-lighter from Edo-period. A solid piece of kit, perfect for those rugged camping adventures. On the handle there is a kanji, which I can´t figure out. I´m hoping a fellow Japanese speaking Edo Period Corner faithful can help here. It´s all this small objects connected to the wonderful world of tanegashima, that makes this subculture of antique collection so interesting. Thanks! Jan

There is a very faint kanji on the left side that could be a 作. The motokasane is about 5,5 mm. I finish of with some more pics of the koshirae for John. Jan

Wow, that was incredible quick, Veli! A million thanks. The old guy was right, then. 1556, in the smack middle of Sengoku period. Well balanced and perfect for hand to hand combat. Well, the Yoshimitsu´s was famous for their tantos and the straight hamon. The Yoshimitsu´s I´ve seen has always had a two kanji mei. Never seen one with a date before. Thanks again, Veli and Chris! Jan

Hi guys! Bought this tanto from an old man in Japan a couple of years ago. He told me it was a koto blade made by Yoshimitsu. It has a date, but it´s very hard for me to read. Cutting edge is 23 cm. Resting in a nice koshirae. Would be great if a full translation was possible. It took me over one hour to produce these pictures It´s the best I can manage. Thanks a lot!!! Jan

Here´s my small collection of the Shinsengumi. Notice how I placed Serizawa Kamo (with the cannon) in the back. I mean, he got assassinated on Kondos order, so where could I have placed him :D Acctually visited the Shintakuji temple (called Mibudera temple today) a couple of years ago. Had a nice chat with the little woman in the ticket stand. When she heard I came from Sweden she let me in for free. The statue is of Kondo Isami. Jan

I would go with Kondo Isami, commander of the Shinsengumi :D Jan

I´m somewhat of a castle freak. Been all over Japan to watch the twelve original ones, so def interesting, John And spot on, Malcolm!!! Just wonder what the meaning of that "arrow" is. And also of course which clan used it. Were getting there... Jan

It looks a bit like an arrow, Keith. I had a much better picture but that one seems to have gone with the old computer And I don´t remember the details from that one. Perhaps this is one of those "group-signs" that You often come across especially on jingasas? Thanks John for that piece of interesting info. Def worth following up a bit. Ja

Here´s a picture of a Ikko ikki battleflag. You are on the right track. The mon looks a bit like a headstone. Mmmm.... Jan

Hi guys! I have seen this mon before and now it popped up again. Last time, If I´m not mistaken, was on a jingasa. Sorry for the bad picture. Any clues??? Thanks! Jan

My friend and fellow member of the board, Anthony, has a rather special teppo in his collection. On the stock is two kanjis branded. Would be great to hear what they stand for. Thanks! Jan

My reply seems to have gone missing in cyberspace... Thanks again, Morita-san. What would I (the forum) do without You? Piers, the horse looks happy...I think :lol: Jan

One quick follow up question, Morita san. I have one translation that reads the "suke dayu" as "suke no kami". The kanji is 100% the same. Is there a difference? Thanks again! Jan

You are a treasure for this board, Morita-san Domo Arigato!!! Jan