Davis

My apologies for poor quality images as I can't use my camera at the moment. Colin, the first image. Apart from the recent damage, it's how it was acquired. Yes, I think three leaves have been replaced and and another has been badly repaired using a filler and then shaped. Sharp eyes. Second image. When I bought this plaque the seller told me that he had paid to have it professionally restored. The losses to the standing warrior's leg's, the blades of the sword and spear were substituted with mother of pearl.. Howard, my opinion is that any adornments on the woodwork, if too elaborate would detract your eyes from the main focus of the cabinet, the panels.

Hi Howard, a nice cabinet. I agree with almost everything that's been said. The flower on this cabinet door was damaged last week exposing the original pitch like substance used to fix it in place. You can usually tell if a damaged piece has been replaced by a variation in quality and the type of adhesive used. This second picture shows a plaque whose losses have been replaced using shell, completely different from the original material but I think it works well. With regards your "flower", it's difficult to make a call without actually seeing in person but In my opinion it's original to the cabinet.

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the links Rohan, that's why I thought there might be a connection to the Nio school. Although my wife did think that they were bones too. The tsuba may have been switched Brian but it does appear to be en suite and the sword is in the same sleepy state as when acquired. Jean, the pictures are poor as I took them with my phone as my camera was not available. This one although also poor might give some idea as to shape. Uwe, thanks some new information and very useful.

This sword has been rubbed with abrasives at sometime. The resulting damage extends to the nakago, partially removing the patina and wearing down the signature, which I believe reads Nio Kiyonage. I know the story of the tachi that cut the chain to the temple door to save a statue from fire, So I can understand how the menuki might compliment this sword. I'm not sure if the tsuba might also be connected in some way? Opinions would be welcome. Thanks.

Much more practical Piers. Something like the "ceiling hooks" once used by British fire brigades. These were almost identical to a yari, long pole, spear shaped blade and with a small blade set at right angles. They were thrust into a ceiling and twisted, in those days ceilings were lathe and plaster and when the lathes were brought down whole sections of plaster would fall. Very messy! Another method of use was to find a joist and thrust the right angle blade against the nearest lathes working along the joist 'till all the lathes were cut. The example from The Lanes certainly isn't practical . As you say it might be symbolic.

Alex, At first glance it seemed to me to be a repurposed broken polearm. My second thought was a firefighting axe. However, it's too ornate and not robust enough to create firebreaks or hacking away burning material. I can't see that it would have any practical use in firefighting and would not last five minutes.

My thoughts too. Unfortunately there are no sources that I know of that can be referred to, judging by the large numbers that come to auction there must be thousands in the UK. As you say many have suffered losses. Subjects featuring Intact samurai and arms and armour are not so common.

Thanks Colin and Jean for your replies. Colin you are spot on, it is one of a pair I have the other. Unfortunately I left a bid on this one but didn't manage to get it. Thanks also for the link I hadn't thought of looking there. With commission this one went for just under £600. "Naito" seems to be a rather good artist but have often wondered if he did all the work on these pieces or just carved the faces.

This plaque was recently sold at auction. I have several similar but know very little about them and would like to learn more. I guess this type of plaque was exported in large numbers from Japan during the early part of the 20th century. The seals on this one might read Naito but that too is just guesswork. I would particularly like to see other examples that members might have or know of. Sometimes retailers labels can be found on the reverse, does anyone have an example? Can anyone help, all information welcome. Thanks.

Lockdales Auctioneers under the heading "About Our Auctions" state "Bladed Weapons: we can post bladed items now within the UK again" I'm finding it all really confusing. Colin, I agree with you regards the state of this country.

Another.

Alex, when I acquired this it was in a very sleepy state. Blade covered in thick grease, tsuba rusty, binding disintegrating. Very difficult to take apart without damage. Probably not much different from when it left Japan.

Dan, I don't collect tsuba but this one is on a sword that I have.

Thanks Dirk and Bruno. Book dealer Alan Bale once had the two volumes swords/tsuba and was asking £800, so obviously the "illustrated swords" is the rare book. Yes Ian, It's nice to have an original but as I don't want to damage it, don't refer to it much. Dale, you always have something of interest so thank you very much for your detailed reply. I am downsizing and wanted to know the value so I could fix a reserve when consigning to auction. Now that I know the value I will keep it. My collecting days are long over but I'm sure Martin ( In another post ) would be interested in the information you have, much of it new to me. I will let him know, thanks everyone for your help, it is appreciated. Mick

Hi Martin, I tried to provide that information but it wouldn't work for me...old age and lack of computer skills. In my post " Value of old German Book" Dale, it seems would be able to provide you with much more information, a lot of it new to me.. Also, I told you the wrong number of tsuba. Basically, it would seem, Rudiger the Baron of Biegeleben was selling his collection. Tsuba 607 - 725 were "linked" to the Archduke. Thanks very much Geraint, for some reason I had thought the blade was much older -perhaps I'm thinking of another of his swords mounted in that way.