hddennis

As requested here are the netsukes I obtained. I realize they are not old great works but they are hand carved ivory and as such will be added to my collection. Translation assistance greatly appreciated. Howard Dennis

Your example is the same subject matter as mine but has a lot less detail and the bottom is typical resin with no finish just cut off. I'm beginning to think mine might be some type of horn. Can you find me any examples of resin or plastics that resist red hot pins? I'll have to get the netsukes out and photograph them. Howard Dennis

Just picked up two netsukes and an okimono. The netsukes are definitely carved ivory. The Okimono has me stumped. It has some weight, makes a clacking noise when stuck and appears to be hand carved. It looked like it could possibly be resin but a red hot pin has zero effect on it leaving no mark at all but curling the pin tip back on itself. Is there a modern material that would do this but look like ivory? I positive it isn't cast as there would be no way to get it out of the mold. Any help greatly appreciated. Howard Dennis

AntiquarianCat, Thanks for your response. I'm pretty sure this tsuba isn't cast. I base that belief on it's current condition. As I mentioned I believe it has gone through a high temperature fire based on the flaky scale on it's surface. Every casting I've ever seen doesn't show this scaly surface after being burnt. Howard Dennis

While I have no doubt whatsoever over the tsuka I would welcome opinions on the tsuba. It's appears to be old iron with some type of thin copper wrap on the rim. It is magnetic as a magnet sticks to it. My pictures seem to give a sort of gold or brassy look to areas on the faces but it is actually very shiny black scale as if the tsuba was in a very hot fire at some point.

Well it's taken me several days of hunting but I finally found it. When you guys said the blade was probably Chinese I figured if it was I could probably find one like it for sale somewhere online and this morning I found one on eBay. Longquan China manufactured just like DoTanuki yokai said. My problem was I haven't kept up with what the Chinese were making so the last Chinese blades I was exposed to were very crudely made, guess that's changed! I was in a rush, out of town and looking at a dirty oily blade I couldn't clean nor dismount so based on the old mounts and what I thought I saw I grabbed it. Luckily the old koshirae will make the lesson less painful. Thanks Again for all your help, Howard Dennis

Well Thanks to everyone for responding. With no visible hada it would seem that the opinion of it being a modern Chinese copy is the correct answer. What really scares me is how good they appear to be getting at replicating antique swords. The geometry of this blade is flawless for an ancient naginata polished down to it's last glory. The only giveaway seems to be the lack of hada and that terrible tang which I believe must have looked a lot better when the Chinese smith was done but was trashed when someone else ground it to fit the tsuka. For those worried that I was ripped off I only gave $300 for it and I believe the Koshirae was worth that. Thanks again for all the responses. I can always count on you guys to further my education on this addiction we all suffer from. Howard Dennis

This is the best picture my meager camera skills could get of the hamon. Howard Dennis

With a Hamon? I've never seen that before. Howard Dennis

After you guys helped me out with my latest Yari purchase I decided to visit the local antique mall and purchased an unexpected surprise there. A new dealer had two swords and other unrelated military items. The first sword was half reproduction mounts on a trashed original blade. The second sword I purchased based on the original tsuka and the blade portion I could see as I couldn't dismount it there. What I found when I got home and removed the handle was totally unexpected. The blade Looked great but what is going on with the tang. It looks like it was butchered yesterday. Would something like this be done in Japan ? Luckily it was so cheap I couldn't leave it as I knew it was worth that but was sad to see something like this done to what could have been a nice survivor. Has anyone ever seen anything like this or know why it would have been done? For the price I paid it doesn't seem like it was done for profit??? Hope to hear your thoughts. Howard Dennis

Bugyotsuji and Ray Singer thank you both for taking the time to help me to better understand my latest purchase. The seller also sent me pictures of the Japanese registration papers. Do these usually include when the weapon was made? Howard Dennis

Ray, thanks so much for your rapid response. Is this signature just stating the forge location and school? If yes, any idea why the name of the smith would be absent?

Just purchased a yari online and wonder if I could get a translation of the signature sent to me by the seller? Thanks, Howard Dennis

Thank you Steve M, In your opinion would this be read as the case was made by an artist named Kobe working at the Komai workshop? Howard Dennis

Just acquired another Komai cigarette case and would like any information I can find. I think the inside seal represents a branch of the Komai makers family that I haven't been able to pinpoint yet. On the outside back is the initials of the original owners and below are Japanese kanji I don't know and wonder why the case would have multiple signatures. Thanks in Advance for any help, Howard Dennis

Here's two better pictures showing the bird. When I first looked at this I thought she had a bird's head ornament holding her hair up. I now can see it is a complete bird sitting on the back of her hair. Howard Dennis

Thanks John, I'll try to get a better photo of the bird. When I first acquired this I thought she just had a messy hairdo but then realized it was a bird in her hair and thought that was odd and maybe represented something symbolic. Appreciate the help, Howard Dennis

Just acquired this ivory carving with rosewood base. I realize it is probably Chinese but wonder if I can find out what the artist was trying to depict. Is she supposed to represent a specific female. Does the bird in her hair signify anything? Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis

Thank You SteveM and Baka Gaijin, appreciate the help. Howard Dennis

As I was putting my latest find into the display cabinet I realized the very first pieces I bought over 40 years ago have never been identified. They are a set of 3 cups and saucers that I just feel in love with because of the unbelievable detail. It's high time I knew who did them and how old they are. Thanks in advance for any help, Howard Dennis

Bugyotsuji and SteveM, Thanks for your assistance. Do you think my assumption that the artist depicted a couple going fishing is correct? Howard Dennis

SteveM, now that you've written it out I see it but at first when I checked this link before posting, signature was just a little too stylized for me to pick it out. Thanks for the assistance, Howard Dennis

Just acquired this okimono couple and would like to know the name of the artist and age please. I'd also like opinions on what the man might have been holding in his right hand so I could find a suitable replacement. I believe she has a lantern for night fishing and it's my opinion that he is holding a fishing basket so maybe he held a pole in his right hand? Howard Dennis

Just acquired this Satsuma vase and would like help in translating mark and time period please. Howard Dennis