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Japan2112

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Everything posted by Japan2112

  1. Oh yes, always ready to visit a new samurai venue. Def will visit when opened. Best of luck with your endeavor.
  2. Just chiming in to add my support for Moses Becerra here in Florida. (nihontoantiques.com) He has done some polishing work for me with great results. His shirasaya and habaki are also very good. Best, Mark
  3. I really like that tsuba too, and the arrow theme. It gives an impression similar to old woodblock designs of a warrior amid a hail of arrows. What are its dimensions, and what makes this Aizu Shoami?
  4. Yojimbo is a good one. Pretty raw, but those were the times - living by your wits. In the Samurai book I mentioned The Magnificent Seven and A Few Dollars More do get compared as poor "remakes" of Kurosawa's originals. IMHO it's an apples to oranges comparison if one considers the vast difference between Japan's Sengoku jidai and the American Wild West. All good viewing, with John Sturges evoking the idea that... "imitation is the best form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness." Oscar Wilde.
  5. iphone with photoshopped background. Regarding the motif observations, Owari (but mostly Kanayama) will have that North/South and East/West presentation of complimentary objects- geese with fudo, gourds with ginkyo, temple bells with pine... The tsuba Colin presented has those suhama shapes (its name alludes me today) typically seen in Owari and, of course, the geese. Mine I think are fern bracken with hats. Both have tall seppa dai seen more in Kanayama than the general Owari.
  6. I will bet that most Nihonto enthusiasts have seen this film by Akira Kurosawa (1954 B&W, subtitled), but perhaps not all newcomers. It is just about my favorite movie and gives a lot in understanding the culture of Japanese society in the late Muromachi Period. I've just finished reading (again) my copy of Seven Samurai written by Joan Mellen published by BFI Film Classics. I think I may have gotten it thru Amazon five or so years ago . Anyways it is a very interesting commentary on Kurosawa, his film and viewpoint of Japanese society of the time. I highly recommend this enjoyable read. Best Regards, Mark
  7. Sorry I am late to this thread, but I wish to add my Owari vote. The maru mimi is a head scratcher but Owari (kanayama) will have such niku sometimes that it can appear almost a maru cross section. From your image it is a little hard to tell. Akasaka, even later ones, will reliably have nakadaka (higher in the center) but yours is dished boasting a thicker mimi. Kodai Akasaka were made small, but even then they were generally 7,0-7,3 cm where Owari (Kanayama, because yours reminds me of that particular production center) were smaller. And finally, most Akasaka makers had some version of yose tagane markings much different than yours. In fact, I rather associate those tagane marks in yours with Kanayama, because of those I own that is their look. Won't typically see those in Akasaka. My 2cents I have attached an image of a small Kanayama tsuba displaying those typical tagane marks. Best Regards,
  8. Thank you for posting such interesting photos of your trip to the SF show, and congratulations on your haul. Books are such an enjoyable portal into sword study.
  9. Hi Dan. I would make every effort to attend - for me, just a 6 hour drive. As Mark had said, start small as Bob Elder had done in Orlando. BTW that show is likely to move to February and so an October or November date before the holiday season commences seems workable. A show start up is full of logistic/operations issues BUT, in my view, marketing a new show is probably the top concern. If there are other antique/gun events to provide synergy to a first show that might also be helpful. Wishing you success. Mark
  10. Thanks for posting the nice pics of your swords. Ben. Nice o hear that the show was well attended. Mark
  11. Someone please take some pictures and post what you will. A great opportunity for everyone attending this week's show.
  12. Chris, your re-do is impressive. I like the results of your mild and careful cleaning. What I have come to learn is that too much rubbing can be harmful to a patina that is close to what you want. In your case the project was warranted,
  13. Japan2112

    Daisho?

    Very nice design - a "married set"?
  14. Nice one. Not your typical "cute bunny".
  15. I appreciate the comments, all. Two colleagues whom I respect for their knowledge both came in as "katawaguruma" - "wheel in a flowing stream"; a tradition taken from Heian times of wetting the Imperial ox cart wheels in a stream at Spring time to prevent cracking from the dry winter's inactivity. I am going with that now that I've seen the design on lacquerware... something of a tribute to the Kyoto court, A hakogaki on its box simply says "midare sukashi", but includes "Edo Shoki" (early Edo"). Grey's example is younger, I think. Yes, the kogai hitsu is very unique - reminds me of the sandai, Tadatora. Thanks again.
  16. I posted this question in the NMB Sword Show section but thought it would be better placed here. Any ideas on this tsuba's design other than midare sukashi? It is mesmerizing, but confusing - maybe horse harness, ribbons of some meaning...?. Thanks in advance. Mark
  17. I picked up a few nice tsuba at the Orlando show this weekend. Here is one; an early Akasaka. Any ideas of motif? Thanks in advance. Mark P.S. - very nice show, although I took no pictures - around 55 tables, several Juyo token. More swords than tsuba. A nice Sadamune tanto (sayagaki and TBH) sold to a friend. He saw it first. Thanks to Bob Elder for organizing this show.
  18. Beautiful tsuba and the tiger pawing over the mimi is great! The storm is clearly annoying him.
  19. I do like the size and the hammered (not aged) irregularity of the iron. The sukashi seems a little off in its presentation and the plug in the hiitsu ana is not fitted as well as is usually seen. I go with a modern piece, also.
  20. The Onin tsuba looks nice and are not very often seen. See Shoubudo Ltd for a similar offering. Its ten zogan (brass dots) loss is unfortunate and will affect its value. The Akasaka Tadatoki signature does not look like the yondai, or his work. In my opinion, it will most likely 5mm thick and therefore, kodai . The signature reminds me of the hachidai too bad the "Tada" kanji is so rough.
  21. Japan2112

    Up cycling

    Those are all nice projects and show the value of re purposing. Thanks for sharing, guys. Mark
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