Japan2112

#4. Onin - on hold.

Hi all, Thank you for some early replies. I am adding another image of the group. Mark C.

Onin images.

Hi all, Here are four nice iron tsuba that I wish to sell. If you wish for more pictures just ask. Please have a look. 1. Akasaka Musashino 71 mm (h) x 68 mm (w) x 5.6 mm (t) $450. 18th century -nice iron 2. Owari Tokei 67 mm (w) x 61 mm (w) x 5.2 mm (t) $400. Momoyama, I think, also nice iron 3. Yamakichibei Chou 80 mm (h) x 71 mm (w) x 4.7 mm (t) $450. kodai, maybe 5th? signed, yakite... 4. Onin Suemon zogan 78 mm (h) x 71 mm (w) x 3.1 mm (t) $400. trimmed, outermost row of ten zogan removed plus shipping and PayPal fees. Shipping from Florida, USA. Thank you. Mark C.

Boy, There are some great tosogu here. I am an iron lover, and so the Owari, Myochin, Akasaka, and Kyo all look especially fine for me. Here is an Akasaka (yondai) Tadatoki NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu. A standout in my Akasaka collection.

Barrie and Ian, A good start, and thank you.

I sure can see the koi likeness, but would expect a tail?

I will have to look longer into the koi pond.

I am used to seeing shadako nanako ji ita kogai with gold family crests. Many times there are three mon instead of one, or two differing mon (marriage pieces)? What significance is there, if any, of there being three mon? Also, did any other school besides Goto do these? This sounds like a basic question, but I haven't run across an explanation. I am hoping it is a cool one. Mark

Steohen, Very nice tsuba. I am feeling iris, but not the kakitsubata as is usually depicted. Koi..... maybe, but I would expect them swimming in opposite direction? A bit bold - Owari? Mark

Those catfish are terrific!

Joe, I think Edo is a good call for a few reasons - it is quite thick, the mimi is rounded not kaku mimi ko niku, and its sukashi placement with clean, sharp carving. Those are my first impressions. I couldn't take a guess whether early or not, but doesn't give me the feeling of an early 17th century example. Mark

Tom, the tsuba (handguard) for your sword looks interesting. If you have a moment please include a pic of its omote and ura (front and back sides). Your plain copper habaki (blade collar) is nice The ubu (unaltered) aspect of your sword is a big positive. I particularly like the kengyo nakago jiri (pointed end of the tang) in that it may help kantei. The pronounced funbari is also nice. Reminds me of Keicho (1596-1615) Shinto, but that is just an impression. Regarding restoration, please take it once step at a time. Do not try to improve the blade itself. Regards, Mark

My initial impression. Koto because of the smallish kissaki, what appears to be o suriage (greatly shortened), and straightness at the top of the blade. The handguard looks like Kamakura bori, although the design is atypical. It is cast - maybe?

The tsuba (handguard) looks pierced. Not really rare, but generally a step up from the standard issue. The nakago (tang) is not rusted and the yasure mei (file marks) are clear, mei (signature) crisp looks gendai. Please do not try to improve any of the surface.

Dear all, This weekend I learned of the passing of Ron Bonanno of Long Island, NY truly a good friend and master Japanese Sword Collector. I met Ron 32 years ago at, of all places, a gun show in New York. Through his knowledge and encouragement he became an early mentor to me and opened up new paths to my learning. Through his invitation I began monthly trips to the city to attend the then New York Japanese Sword Club meetings (now NY Token Kai). I was speaking to another sword friend about how Ronny stood up as a shining example of our community - generous with his knowledge, always helpful and, above all, a gentleman. I have known few others who have been so enriched by and successful in the "art of the chase." His finds from the "woodwork" have been really mind boggling. I will miss Ron for all of our entangled years, and will remember the last time I had seen him - in Atlanta at the Southeast Japanese Sword Show handling swords and smiling among family and friends. For those who knew Ron please take some time to remember him. Kind Regards, Mark

carbon pocket?

I like the look that Bernard's hitsu ana have - squared. Is that indicative of an age or sub school?

nice guri bori tsuba

I think the flower like punch marks around the nakago can be termed kesho kiku tagane (decorative chrysanthemum adjusting chisel). As Tom states, to adjust the fit of the sword. They are sometimes applied for a particular reason - like to an ubu mounting) not necessarily as a kantei point to a smith.

That is a nice video and testimony to Kunio sensei's contribution to NYC nihonto society at large. He was a kind soul and helpful artist. My last visit with him was March 31, 2019 at the Met in NYC as, I believe, this video was recorded.

The design is generally seen as one from Kyo Shoami tradition, with nunome zogan highlights. There is a current example on the Nihonto.us website.

Yes, I believe Onin. Not sure about the hitsu ana being original or not. It may just be, as the tsuba itself is not typical to what we see in Onin (other than some ten zogan and an archaic suemon zogan bordered sukashi) . It is very sparse not having inlay around the hitsu ana nor seppa dai. Anyone care to take a guess at the motif?

Hi Jean, Your collection is so cool. Wonderful to behold. I remember my first Chicago Sword show (1989) where a collector exhibited his Gokaden collection. At that time I was impressed by such a historic and artistic presentation and thought maybe some day I would achieve the same. Well, I did not but you did. Congratulations. I find it very instructional how different collections can enlighten one, and yours is a classic. Mark

Possible, although the sukashi walls look as old as those of the hitsu ana. I am not expert in this.