Davis

Hi Nick. I remember back in the early seventies Peter was working with another young man, much taller than Peter, I was told that it was his brother. At one fair I bought an Asano Kanezane from them for £35. I can't claim friendship with Peter, he was a dealer I was a collector. Just one of the many hundreds of people he knew, dealers, collectors and auctioneers throughout the UK. In my early days of collecting our paths would frequently cross. he had a great sense of humour and would sometimes greet me with a joke when we met, other times he would ask about swords that I had. He wasn't always friendly though. One incident comes to mind. I once attended an auction in the middle of nowhere. There was a sleepy aikuchi that looked interesting. Peter was there too. We both bid on it, within minutes the bidding went much higher than the blade was worth. Sanity kicked in and I stopped bidding. Peter was furious and thought I'd ran him up deliberately. Peter paid and picked up his prize and together we walked to the carpark. He offered to sell the aikuchi to me. I can't remember the conversation that followed but it hinged on whether the blade was signed. Back at his car, despite his best efforts the hilt wouldn't budge. In desperation he reached inside the car for a very heavy yellow pages telephone directory. Gripping the spine of the directory he began bashing against the hilt but still it wouldn't budge. He began whacking it harder and harder. I remember saying to him don't damage it, he stopped glared at me and then his face turned to a brief smile. At that moment we both realised how absurd the situation. I drove home having wasted a day, Peter drove off wondering how he was going to make a profit. The last time I saw him was at an auction viewing, where a large collection was coming up. He introduced me to the specialist there as his friend, which really surprised me. We then spent a couple of hours chatting and going through the swords. I thought he had mellowed and he seemed very relaxed. I still have several swords that I acquired from Peter, now stored away but I sometimes get them out and when I do I think of Peter. Each one has a different memory. Regards Mick

Hi Nick Something that was said about Peter in his heyday was "He would go out on Christmas Day during a blizzard with a thousand pound in his pocket to buy a sword". That summed him up. He certainly had his finger on the pulse in the collecting world and had the knack of searching out "fresh to the market" pieces. My first contact with him was in the late sixties. I was running an advert in the Exchange & Mart with a box number. I gave no contact details. It was published each Thursday and yet prior to publication on the Wednesday he telephoned me on my number which was ex-directory. He introduced himself and offered to sell me some swords. How he did it I don't know but he had tremendous drive and determination. I thought he was a top dealer.

I acquired this years ago as a study p[ece and because I liked the subject. Meiji, middle range export, 21"x15". I thought it was a one off but discovered a much larger version of the same thing sold at auction in the States.

I have zero knowledge on this subject but have always thought that the fine detail depicted in weapons was a clue to the quality of samurai bronzes. This is from Barry Davies's book. Miyao, Benkai subduing two foes.

Bruce, yes it is unusual to see an officer posing with his sword drawn. The reverse of this photo gives a lot of biographical detail and suggests he may have been in recent action. There is also a reference to his sword, John C. re the picture with palm tree background. I believe he is one of four friends who served together, probably military police, they were proud of their swords and took every opportunity to be photographed with them.

Fascinating.

Two more.

I feel these images are more than just men with swords. They are history, each with their own story. I don't read Japanese but know the caption on the reverse of the 1938 image of the boy refers to " Ishiki Officer Hirada Hajime"

Apologies I'm getting a bit tired.

This photograph of Vice Admiral Naomasa Sakonju was originally in a silver coloured frame and was gifted to me by an English woman friend of his.

Not sure if these are of interest. I have others and when I locate them will post.

Thanks for sharing Johnny, I have a few similar from this period would you like to see them?

Apologies for poor picture but I can't use a camera at the moment. This is the picture that Ian refers to. The other is a panel, screen really, that was sold at auction last year, that definitely originated in Japan. I've come across countless panels similar to yours depicting Japanese life, always on paper mache. I've assumed that these were a form of chinoiserie and probably French in origin. However, my knowledge is very limited and I too would like to learn more and will defer to others.

Hi Gerry I know very little about this subject but have owned a few ivory okimono. I tend to agree with Colin about quality. Hands and feet are a good indicator. The standing gent is poor quality and made from odd bits fitted together. The kneeling man speaks for himself.

I still have my copy of "cutting edge" and thumb through it often. I recall To-Ken members received a free copy as a large donation had been made by then to the BM. More to the point an event was held at the museum to coincide with that exhibition. It was held I think on a Saturday, Clive Sinclaire was on the door and there were a large number of swords on display. A Japanese expert talked about each sword, alongside him stood Victor Harris translating, sometimes frowning or raising his eyebrows at what he had just translated. It was a hands on experience but due to the large number in attendance members only had about a minute or two with a sword. In my early days of collecting I would sometimes take a sword into the London museums. The curators then were very generous with their time and knowledge. What they did have though was a very real passion.