Viper6924

Loving the box, Piers! Look at those large rivit-heads protecting the corners. It will be hard work carrying it around Tsuyama Castle. But it will be worth it. Can’t wait to see you firing the 50 monme for the first time. Oh, and let’s not forget the premier shot of the new 100 monme. Will def rattle the Cherry blossoms Jan

This is quite cool! I have matchlocks made by gen 1 + 2 Sukedayu. Now we can add gen 3 to that list. Really happy you managed to reveal the signature, Robert. Interestingly enough, my gen 2 matchlock was also made according to the Tazuke ryu school of gunnery, which shows how popular this school was during the 17th century. Jan

I agree with Piers. There’s a Kunitomo feeling to it when I see shape of the Hibasami (serpentine) and design of the sights. A very simplified version of a Tazuke ryu matchlock. If not Kunitomo, then surely Sakai 🙂 Jan

Was Sukekane a relative to Sukenobu? Jan

When I hear of the horror stories regarding the shipping for both of you, I get cold sweats. Piers; was that a picture from the 100’ you got from Europe? Gary; the seller was a proper nut, so I’m happy on so many levels that you managed to ”relieve” the gun from him. Now you must spend a weekend opening up all these lovely matchlocks and show the world who and where they were made I think this is the first time that I see a 1872 registration from Kyoto. Jan

Even if I try my best to translate the old kanji on swords and matchlocks, I often find myself at the mercy of Piers 🙂 When it comes to freeflowing waka, I’m totally lost. The man from who I got this waka, has a Japanese wife. She tried her best translating it. According to her, this waka is probably about people praying at the great temple of Ise Jingu. The waka was written by Daiko Sogen who was the head abbot at Daitokoji in Kyoto during the middle of the 19th century. I have highlighted ”Daiko” with a red circle. Any assistance will be highly appreciated, as usual. Jan

May I echo Piers by stating that I struggle to find anything said on those pictures 🙂 I think it’s a sweet little matchlock that still retains a lot of its original charm. I would probably only fix the ramrod and then be done with it. Let me add that if you feel to embarrassed owning such a matchlock, you already got my adress 🙂 Piers, I’m packing my bags as we speak...😉 Jan

Please do, Justin! I’m doing some research on the Hino style, so I like to see as many Hino-matchlocks as possible. Jan

Can’t you start a Hino-thread and post some pictures, Justin? Jan

Here you go, Brian! https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876830322 Jan

I just found this matchlock up for sale online. Asking price you might ask? Well, a cool $25.000 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Not so cool is that screen shots from this forum, ended up on the same sale page. When you thought you seen it all... Jan

Hi! I’m seing some Sendai in this matchlock. Even if doesn’t have the characteristic elongated holder for the fuse (kaiguchi), this matchlock reminds me of some examples I encounterd in and around of Sendai. Have you removed the barrel from the stock? I have a feeling it might be signed. Jan

The price is always right when you get someone to pay it. As Peter says, percussion conversions usually sells at a lower price compared to unaltered matchlocks. Partly because the original weapon has been modified. But the quality of the modification, also plays an important part. I’ve seen really bad conversion, that more or less ruined the gun. But I have also seen signed conversions of the highest quality. The latter is, at least in my mind, more historically ”correct” and warrant a higher price. The conversion on this specific gun is somewhat odd with obvious parts missing. But the major problem with it, is the fact that the barrel and stock is orginally from two different matchlocks. I can see this gun being ”brought together” during the late 19th century and used for hunting. The stock with the decorations, looks middle to late Edo period. The barrel, well, that can be pretty much anything. Jan

Now that’s some good-looking matchlocks, BaZZa! Just the way I like em’ They are very similar. Cool to have several guns from the same smith. Regarding the first post, I can hardly see a thing. Hope you can provide some better pictures, because from the little I can see, it looks interesting. Jan

Sean; what you have here is a matchlock converted to percussion use. The stock and all the fittings speaks of Sakai, but when I see the picture of the muzzle, I’m quite certain that the original barrel has been replaced with the currant one. The barrel is too short for the stock. Someone has done it’s best to recycle parts from at least two guns. Jan

Outstanding, my friend! All that information from a single vase. Like Brian just stated, sometimes it’s nice to just have a long read about something you find fascinating Jan

Dear Malcolm! Congrats to a very fine and rare scroll depicting Fudo Myoo. Being my personal guardian diety, Fudo Myoo holds a special place in my heart. As a result, I have gathered a small collection of intersting Fudo Myoo artifacts. Amongst them are two so called Ash-Buddha’s (not sure about the correct term in Japanese). These small tablets are made from the ash originating from the Goma fire-ritual, which is an important part of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. They have a connection to your scroll as both were manufactured at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Good luck with your research! Jan

Tony, let me put you at ease! You bought a genuine matchlock and a quite interesting one. We like to call these matchlocks ”cavalry-matchlock” because of it’s shorter size compared to the standard size. I’ve always had my doubts that matchlocks could be used from a horseback as it requires the use of both hands, but that’s another story From the looks of it, I think that this carbine might have some age to it. In good condition with only the ramrod and the rainprotector situated over the pan, missing. Looks to have two mekugi-pins which would render the extra brass-band obsolete. What caliber does it have (in cm)? Would be great if you could remove the barrel and look for a signature. Again, congrats to your first matchlock. You sure did better than me Jan

Regarding the use of tentsuki within the Ii clan; it was only members of the main family that was allowed to use golden coloured tentsuki. Others had to settle for silver. Jan

I took 10 minutes and went through the lots. On the plus side I like that they put some effort into the presentation. And they managed to put together an ”eclectic” collection of matchlocks, most of them late Edo period. On the other side, a lot of what is written is quite frankly rubbish. And just giving the objects a cursory glance, reveals a lot of ”alterations” especially to the stocks. The prices? As per usual, over the top. Jan

and one described as Awa... I guess the person writing these descriptions must have read a book that we both missed :) Jan

”Clear-lacquered full stock of Tosa type”... There is absolutely nothing Tosa over that matchlock. And the ”full” stock is more likely 20th century. I love these auction descriptions Jan

I agree with Piers that this matchlock got some age to it. The ”modifications” is most likely made in the West. I have seen some really ugly work done, orginating both from the US as well as from Europe. But this is nothing that can’t be reversed. We have a guy in Sweden that does amazing work with Japanese matchlocks. I think this matchlock def warrent a ”fix-me-up”. I wonder if it’s signed? Jan

Looks to be a quite complete list of teppo goodies. Something tells me that amongst us tepponistas, we can provide pictures of most of these items. I will check the old archives Jan

After seing the new pictures I’m leaning towards the fact that the stock has been refitted with some new brass work, withvtge possibility of the entire stock being new. The brass protector on the butt looks quite badly made. The brass around the mekugi pins looks very new with sharp edges. Still can’t find any major flaws with the barrel and the lock. The pan looks brand new, which in itself is not unique if the matchlock was made during the latter stages of the Edo period. This also goes for the shiny metal of the bisen-screw etc. I must admit that the bisen-screw looks brand new, which might point to it being replaced. Not having any hands-on experience with reproduction matchlocks, it’s hard to be too certain in this case. Parts of it looks genuine but I guess you need to inspect it ”in hand” to be 100%. Nevertheless a puzzling matchlock to say the least. Jan