Fuuten

Hi everyone, Although manga is not a traditional medium, I think one could say its a (visual), derivative of calligraphy or the old painters (and thus worthy on this forum:). I would like to introduce those who aren't familiar with it to a graphic novel (chic words!), or manga about Miyamoto Musashi. Its a series that's been going for years and is still ongoing. Being a story its fiction but somewhat (and in the general theme a whole lot), related to Japanese history. Written by the creator of Slam Dunk (famous name from the Shounen magazine (if I recall correctly. )), Takehiko Inoue. I think for everyone who's interested in Japanese history, and especially weapons and the feudal era this series is very interesting. Although manga has a kind of negative undertone being something only for youth (outside Japan that is, or at least where i live), I think this series can entertain and interest people of all ages. The artwork is absolutely top notch and the story is at times action packed but overall a fantastic story, that's still not finished. For me personally this is one of my all time favorite and most memorable manga i know of and follow. Now a slight disclaimer as its simply impossible for me, and i assume most people outside Japan (except those who started buying and following this manga from the start in Japan), to afford and read all chapters on paper. Because of that i read it online. Please have a look/Begin reading! http://www.thespectrum.net/manga_scans/?preview=manga_Vagabond

Export souvenir or just Chinese?

Thank you Randy, And all this after all their clever inventions to avoid getting hit. This reminds me of the arrow catcher, quite ingenious and effective:)

I can't for the life of me remember where, but I've seen some battlefield medic book some time, where it was quite clear they knew how to handle injuries and were pretty good at saving people.

Good to hear this is one piece that wasn't destroyed. And all the more reason for people to do their research before shipping anything.

Sorry to revive this threat, but this is somewhat related and quite interesting. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/may/02/terrawatch-ancient-egypt-iron-meteorite http://www.space.com/33037-king-tut-blade-made-of-meteorite.html

The second Hankei popped up today. For your interest. http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/O109629_W2744_PUP_E.html I think this is the first wakizashi i see by him, tanto and katana i have seen.

I'm far from being a novice on these items, but surely that's not just some run of the mill pistol.

Well above average quality on the net I'd say. Excellent shot! Sharp and revealing. Edit: fantastic naginata too! Gorgeous sugata!

Blades that have been in fire, lose their tempering work. Those blades have been tempered during history, but i think having one re-tempered now won't be very good in a financial way. Lastly i think blades that have been tempered partly or whole in the past can receive papers.

I think its a pretty good way to find out. Compared to the price, the papering/shipping etc. costs won't be that high. Lovely tsuba and a nice thread.

Somewhat different, but really there are countries (ie. China), although not a great example, customs are highly biased and untrustworthy, not to mention carriers. I mention China since via work we happen to have mostly customers there, and even with a stack of the right papers stamped, signed etc, you can never guarantee anything unfortunately (then again, having someone at the border really helps, in which case it'll just pass without problems). I think the saying make it too much work is quite useful.

I agree with the crab claws, however it kind of looks like cut-through of a lotus flower.

Though its hard to say anything without translating the kanji. It looks like a wooden sake cup classic red lacquered with makie. Box if i had to guess ±50/60 years old. Looks just about right Edit: it looks almost chawan sized or maybe its the way the photo came out.

Well I'm actually rather content with what i have. I know realistically that doing what i do i won't make heaps of cash, so as far as i came now I'm actually very happy owning 2 swords:) Sure fantasizing about getting more is great, but unless i win the lottery (which i don't play), its just not realistic. However.. i would love to expand!

That really sucks.. It kind of reminds me of a low quality tanto i had shipped from Japan to the Netherlands, and even though it shipped rather fast, extra costs from Fedex were quite high, about 25%. To which i contacted the person who oversaw shipping in the Netherlands, and he literally said it were costs for fedex, that they just bounced foward to me, but in the end you have no choice but to pay. Then when unsheathing the tanto it was full of fingerprints from ignorant border inspection.. Its just terrible to ship these kinds of items.. but your story is even worse

For the sake of investment, i think one should advise to not buy unpapered blades, mainly because selling one is quite hard, or get a guarantee to paper atleast hozon. I think most people can attest to there being lots of fakes, remakes, false advertisements etc. Then again you can always make another topic about a blade you're considering:)

Who posted that great Baron L. Lirpa story? That was a good one

Although even on shinshinto pieces its quite rare, on a muromachi period piece, I'd think its even rarer!

I saw that video and disagree. He's not even close to be one of the real trolls out there.

Please add the pictures to the post, (attach image), makes it much more pleasurable to take a look.

Wow! That's fantastic! Is it your son next to you? (i can only imagine doing this with my dad! - awesome idea). Looking great, especially nice with the arrows, the paper and the swords drawn, any problems getting those blades with you? And maybe most important, did he enjoy it?

Every time i see a photo where the hamon is so clear and beautiful i can't help but imagine just what the smith's clay-work looked like in order to nudge it to become like it is. Just gorgeous!

Welcome Johny! The rims are 'sloppy', as where genuine tsuba generally are very detailed, and even simple designs executed well. Looking at the interior empty space its almost like a bend jigsaw..

I don't think i've seen this before. Chrysanthemum sure, crane no.