Mantis dude

Collin- I think you may be correct. I don't remember seeing an Iron covered mimi like this, perhaps because of the minimal color difference ( I'm partially color blind and sometimes don't see shades as well). Steve- interesting tidbit if true. I will have to pay more attention and see if this is true. As we all know though, there seems to be exceptions to every rule in this hobby. Thanks for the feedback!

Hi, I picked up this really interesting sukashi tsuba. My initial ideas of school changed when I got it in hand. Size is 7.4cm x Width approx. 7cm. Mimi thickness is approx .8cm & .6 at hitsu-ana. I was thinking possibly Choshu or Bushu. It is iron but i thought the mimi could be shakudo with its black coloring, however a magnet confirmed iron. Echizan Kinai popped into my head and then i found this "The Kinai made guards only, of hard and well forged iron usually coated with the black magnetic oxide" from http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/. The bottom of the mimi has some small damage but may actually show the black oxide coating ( tried to photograph it). Would appreciate all comments. Thanks. Ken aka "The Mantis Dude" https://mantisdude.com/

Hi all, I am looking into a fuchi kashira. I just wanted to confirm the signature. Nobu Toshi? Appreciate the help. Thanks Ken

Hi Curran, First off good.to hear from you! As I replied to Jay and put computer down, i thought something goto has to be waki goto but i fell asleep instead of looking it up. i didn't realize they actually papered to waki goto. I am used to hearing waki goto and then the branch but that is probably because anytime i looked up wakigoto it was in association with a particular name (usually a gimei lol). Thanks for the help. The story is an ancient chinese lore basically the king's chariot stopped with a praying mantis raising his claw to the chariot in middle of the road. The king said if i had warriors like that he would rule the world. The Japanese at some point turned it around and changed the lesson to don't be a mantis in the middle of the road (as brave as it is he would get crushed). I am not positive but that moral change is more modern i think. Thanks again. And hope all have good Thanksgivings if you celebrate. Ken

Thanks Jay, i should have been more specific., I'm really looking for the attribution "section". I want to know.who.they are papering it to so i can evaluate it from there. I didn't look at the seller but they way they are selling/ descriptions/ pricing that they aren't regular sellers of this category ( purely a guess on my part which could likely be wrong). Appreciate the input. Ken

Hi all, Just came across.this and was hoping to get some help with translating papers. I believe it says wagon wheels.or chariot wheels and ffigure of praying mantis. mumei. something goto? Maybe shakudo at end It.would take me.forever with trying to decipher handwriting. After the papers i need to.see if the price is crazy... If you didn't realize only interested in the mantis themed one. Appreciate comments thanks. Entire auction link is here https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/s1021830459?lang=en&rc=yaucc Ken

Usually i am way too far behind to comment or add things and i understand my limited participation these days on nmb i shouldn't be jumping in and commenting. however on reading this beware; i am wondering exactly what you are offering .... Sex for 2 70 yos? Do you except trades? Always looking for mantis themed fittings. Lol. You know you have a problem if you are becoming a street walker for fittings. Ok back to my cave.... However, i would prefer a trade with daughters of said septuagenarians... Depends on the fitting..

Coincidentally i just found this, although i didn't really look at the signature and compare how it looks to other mei. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n506844828

Hi all, Some additional potential names to cruise through. Wouldn't be the first time i just went through Haynes index, well in this case more names to go through. Something satisfying when you finally discover that first kanji in a name to solve the puzzle. Although very disappointing not to figure it out. Appreciate any more ideas, if they come to you. I'll share if i figure it out (actually did go through some of those variations although not completely). Thanks for the input. Ken

Hi Piers, Thanks for the input. No, there isnt any other inscription that i can see in photos. Always a curveball out there. Thanks. Ken

Hi Steve, Yes i agree this one is weird. Thanks for looking. Ken

Hi all, I have been trying to translate this tsuba. I am not sure about the auction translation of hide yuki. I see there is a small character above hide not sure what that is. I could use the help with finding who this smith is. I have been trying to figure out kanji, this is what I have but I know not correct "心英兩可" +kao. The auction link is https://www.catawiki.com/l/39045283-tsuba-shakudo-Japan-late-edo-period Thanks. Ken aka "the Mantis Dude"

Hi all, I have been slowly trying to catchup on posts but always get distracted and end up not "participating" in real time. Of course, someone was kind enough to let me know about this one. This is a well known design from the Shoami school (i know of a nbthk papered one). Design could be from early to mid edo, although have seen them labeled as ko shoami and they are repro'ing them currently albeit poorly.. Thank goodness. I can't remember but a museum has one online very similar and also have seen in a book (i think). I do believe this design is a representation of the famous Chinese fable of "mantis vs. Chariot" as Marius mentioned above. For more I refer you to https://www.freewebs.com/kamakiriken/symbolism2.htm All the best, Ken aka "the mantis dude"

I remembered I had posted a similar question many years ago and found it. Just to show you more http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/9427-fuchi-stamp-can-you-id-it/?hl=%2Bfuchi+%2Binside+%2Bkanji&do=findComment&comment=95654

Especially after the beer..... It had to be said:)