Barrie B

Dick, Wow..! That Kiseru is gorgeous... High quality and definitely a keeper. Well done. Barrie.

Markus, I (genuinely) am not concerned with the delay. I love the books and would like to see them in my library as a complete set, in whatever form that takes.. I must say that I am not a fan of having a PDF copy though. I fully understand and appreciate your efforts, in order to assist non Japanese readers in this field. Please do not stop. I too would be willing to pay any 'bridging' cost for better quality printing, if that was where you thought this project needs to go, to see it to completion. Although I paid up front already, it was pittance for what we received (in all fairness), so I feel this additional cost to help, would be worthwhile. I hope others feel the same way as well. Barrie.

Hi Markus, I was doing a search in the NMB for Volume three (to see if it had been released yet) and came upon this very old thread from 2018, so please forgive me if this is dead and buried. Looking through my (Vol 2) book, I notice that I have the same/ similar issues with my book in Australia; however, as Guido stated, I am more concerned with the 'English' text, than the high res pictures. Barrie.

Ian, Does that book have an english translation? I would love to get a copy of that..! Barrie.

Hi Mark, Someone with better knowledge may chime in and provide better insight, but my understanding is that when there are two Kamon placed together, it could be a commissioned gift to acknowledge or celebrate a marriage - as you say, - or maybe a gift to strengthen an alliance between Daimyo, or I have also heard that Samurai families had a 'main' Mon and a 'secondary' Mon.. So the main or dominant Mon would be displayed more prominently on the Omote and the secondary Mon on the Ura. This rule also applies if it was for a union or marriage.. The stronger family's Mon would be more prevalent or conspicuous on the Omote when worn. You often see this with Menuki.. The Omote will have two Mon on the outside and a single Mon in the centre, and that is reversed on the Ura Menuki.. So making the number of Mons 'equal' but at the same time, not displayed that way.. This can also be done by using Gold and Shakudo when displaying Mon. Gold being more visible. I have read somewhere that the free use of Mons got out of hand (unfortunately) by the end of the Edo Period, so trying to chase genealogy or provenance through the use of Mons can sometimes be a waste of time. Barrie.

It's probably the reason why we see a lot of Kamon Fuchi without Kashira. The Kashira was not lost; the Fuchi were intended to be fitted with a horn Kashira. Its also why they do not have metal Kojiri as well (on the Katana).. Barrie.

Banzashi Daisho (and other swords worn in within Edo Castle) had to have horn Kashira, IAW the Tokugawa edict. This is totally in keeping with this Koshirae; no problems there.. Barrie.

Hi Robert, Not I, but a nice pick-up in my opinion.. Not sure why the Fuchi is on the wrong side of the Tsuba, but hey.. Thats what we are here for - to put these things right. Certainly a nice project to complete.. Finding the right Menuki will be the trick. Should be (two) mons for the Wakizashi, but probably any Shakudo/ Gold Menuki would be okay under the ito, or even plain Shakudo to be more subtle. I wonder if it was part of a Banzashi Daisho at one time..? I don't think I I have seen that 'moon' Mon previously either - if it is a moon..? Congrats to whoever won it, Barrie.

Steve, Thank you; much appreciated. Sincerely, Barrie.

Hi Guido, Thank you for your explanation. I am most grateful and very appreciative. I like koshirae anyway, but this saya was different.. As Tom stated, it must have been a devil to apply - but I am guessing - once applied (and cured), the final product could then be 'worked' back to obtain the final even surface and shape.. It looks like Kusune to me (in the triangle hollows), but is probably black ishimeji, as you say. Thanks again.. Barrie.

Hi Peter, I can't access that site.. It says 403 Forbidden. Access to this resource on the server is denied! Barrie.

Hi all, I do think it is nice; in fact I like it a lot. Even the Shitodome is nice..! Some more picks of the Koshirae, but I am really interested in learning more about the saya.. Barrie.

Hi all, I have an unusual saya and would like to know if anyone knows what it is called please. I am guessing it is pine needles (?) that were all cut to the same length and then painstakingly arranged/glued in the pattern we see, before lacquer was applied and finally rubbed back..? The look and texture of the saya is amazing. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thank you. Barrie.

Hi, I have a fairly normal (but nicely finished) Meiji period Sword Cane Koshirae that has some kanji on the bottom. Although I can read most of the kanji like hisa and tada, I cannot put it together to decipher if it is a maxim or the sayashi's signature. Any assistance would be appreciated, thank you. Barrie.

G'day Pete, Hozon paper was issued 30 Jan 1991 (Heisei 3). Unfortunately the paper does not say much else other than the obvious - Snake Gourd design, round, raised mimi, two hitsuana etc.. So I guess mid/ late-ish Edo jidai. Barrie.

Hi Mark, Nice Koshirae. Iron fittings, leather Tsuka-ito, metal Kojiri and ishimei Saya. I would go with Higo or Edo Higo.. Barrie.

I have a one sided Tsuba - if you want to call it that. I think mine is 'finished' on the back, (as in the Jigane) but simply has no design. (intentionally left blank). Mine is papered to Aizu Shoami by the NBTHK. Barrie.

Hi Grev, Nice tsuba. Is it mokume, or just acid etched to appear that way? I thought I read somewhere that Tsuba that were intended as gifts were often signed on the ura. I might be wrong.. Barrie.

Hi, Yes, it was posted on Facebook and I thought it might be a good read, since I like Koshirae and he purports (is that the wrong word?) to make Koshirae and Tsuka.. I know there has been some bad press about him recently and I don't want to get into that. FWIW, he is not replying to my emails either. I was just wondering if the book was worth having.. I am guessing no members have purchased this book. Barrie.

Hi all, Has anyone purchased or received a copy of Hans Koga's (Koga-bijutsu) book, YUHI - Mindset and techniques for crafts of handle-wrapping and Japanese sword furniture? I would be interested to hear back about the book please if anyone has received a copy. Thank you. Barrie.

I live in Australia and have used Kelly many times with oversize items like Yari Koshirae and precious DaiSho koshirae that I wanted care with. Every single transaction was perfect in every way - with lots of communication the whole way. I have also purchased a large Katana Tansu through Kelly, which was amazing. Contact Kelly if you have any hassles. Barrie.

Yup. I paid, but I wasn't trying to jack the price up; I actually wanted those items... Cheers Stephen. Barrie.

mmm... I thought I read somewhere (Markus Sesko maybe?) that Menuki were originally always placed under the palms when Tachi were more commonly used. With the evolution/ development of the Katana (and Wakizashi), (with the cutting edge now up instead of down), the Menuki were not moved, due to tradition maybe..? Although, of course, they are (orientated) the right way up on Katana (and Wakizashi) when worn, as opposed to being upside down. I am away from home at the moment so cannot check my books. Or I might just be totally wrong..! Either way, it is a good subject to discuss. As for extant examples of Menuki under the palms, I have - on one of my daisho - Menuki orientated in the Yagyu Ryu style. That is, with the Menuki placed under the palms when holding a sword for combat, and in fact, on the Wakizashi, there is only one Menuki. The other Menuki is not missing; being a one handed sword (sho), there is only one Menuki that resides under the palm when held - albeit by the right hand. These are not Yagyu Daisho; just the Menuki placement is in the Yagyu Ryu style. BTW, of all my Koshirae, these are the only ones with this orientation for the Menuki. So not very common.. Barrie.

I can reiterate what Ed has said. I have also chased items on YHJP that have not had a bid placed on them for days.. All of a sudden when the auction is ending and I bid, someone shill bids.. This goes on for a while until I think, okay, it is a fair price now, but when they get greedy, I stop. On several occasions 'the shill bidder' has won the auction. Like Ed, I know they have been caught with their own item. Occasionally though, the next morning I'll wake up to an email stating the highest bidder pulled out (surprise surprise..!) and the item is mine. Thankfully I didn't go too high and I actually wanted the item, but their blatant dishonesty is outrageous.. Barrie.

FWIW and if anyone wants to do a comparison, similar themed Tsuba can be seen in: ​The Isiguro School of Japanese Sword Fittings Artists (Ishiguro Koreyoshi) pp.68 and Japanese Swords and Sword Furniture in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (Natsuo) pp. 320 & 321. Barrie.