TETSUGENDO

All things considered, there's a fair chance this is a 19th C. "revival" piece -S-

Nick, I think we're all struggling here because the maker of this F/K has produced an effective design, but has fallen a bit short in the story telling department......just not enough visual information present to convey the subject with clarity. Perhaps someone very familiar with the incident portrayed here will come along to identify it. As per the state of the figure on the kashira, It looks to me like a bit of awkward european perspective being tried on by the maker. The feet are present, note the shoes, it's simply some rather clumsy foreshortening. Sometimes we forget that the influence of Japanese and European Art flowed both ways. -S- p.s.- this artist is good, but he's no Tiepolo.

This website hosts a good percentage of "monkey business", it makes Ebay look "pure as the driven snow"! -S-

David, You must tell me how you manage to see what you want to....no matter what is before you, It's an ability that could be useful! I am quite "chilled out", thank you. I respectfully suggest that, in the future, you choose your words with more care....as no matter the situation, I find it makes for smoother "sailing". Cheers, -S- p.s- spare the kindling and we can make an end of this....enough, I think!

David, on the left is the "five" clawed Chinese sword guard (hushou) you sited for comparison to your "three" clawed version.....toe count looks identical to me. Also, please note the heavy patina on the unpolished part of the rim of the supposed "five" toed version. -S-

Thanks, the suspense was killing me! -S-

Do some research, you will find I am not mistaken. Denial is a treacherous river! Enjoy the show, -S-

David, The rim shape varies slightly, a couple are very much like yours. And, for your future reference some Chinese dragons DO have three claws, and four, and two, as well as five. An open mind is a sharp mind. Cheers, -S-

David, I don't see that any of the swords pictured have a guard that is contiguous with its hilt/haft. Respectfully, how can 19th century design/execution be present on an Azuchi-Momoyama period production....a couple of Jussi's examples are more than similar. -S-

Jussi got me thinking so I did a bit of digging. The type of swords he linked, are 19th century curios with untempered blades, they are purely decorative very liberal versions of functional 17th/18th century swords. They were made in China with facsimiles also made in Indochina and Thailand....so copy, and copy of copy, etc. -S-

David, Definitely NOT Japanese work, looks more Thai, Indian, Indonesian to me, Chinese possible. The workmanship has a "looseness" to it that is seen more frequently from these locals. Namban is a broad term that covers things from many sources, many which are in some instances still open to conjecture until we have concret evidence, IMHO. Cheers, -S-

Javier, Great quality, unusual to see an intact example of this type koshirae. -S-

Chris, Best thing is to have a good professional polisher evaluate them and go from there. Or if you don't wish to bother, because they hold little interest for you.....sell them on and put the money toward something you do want. -S-

Bruno, Interesting piece, wormwood, pine needles, and the "rays" of a crosscut softwood tree trunk. Or is it Amida yasurime?....or both! -S-

Very Fine piece Ray! -S-

ALL THAT READING......still FAKE.....still NOT NAMBAN! Reverentially, -S-

Jeremiah, Okimono are for looking at, they are something to delight the eye. They of course are meant to reference the seasons, an important holiday, or some other timely reference, but above all their lot in life is to be beautiful. This lovely bunny accomplishes all of these things! Cheers, -S-

Steve/Mark Shirafugi Genta does seem a "red herring" to me as well. As far as the Yokai in question, I can't see them as anything other than Kappa. I can't think of a classical reference that fits this depiction, none of the usual suspects seem to fit here (essential accoutrements are absent), unless there is some obscure story I'm unaware of. The "flowers" on the tree aren't, this is a classic stylized depiction of a pine tree, they are clusters of needles.....seasonal info it does not offer. So, we are left with many false starts and little concrete info to go on, curious to see where this all settles. -S-

Dan, This appears to be someone's doctoral thesis and is probably only available in this form. If you wish a "hard" copy for your PERSONAL use, print ONE. Read the terms use of this material and act accordingly. -S-

Mark, Rokusuke Keyamura is often pictured with multiple Kappa. Pinning down an exact incident, if the attribution is correct, isn't something that can always be done......though it would certainly be nice. -S-

My that looks perfect! -S-

Many are of that opinion. -S-

Dan, sadly I must agree with the others, you tsuba is a fake. It has nothing to do with Namban tsuba, I have included a photo of a Namban piece for your reference. -S-

Excellent result Chris, all your good work has come to a perfect conclusion....Bravo! -S-

"Buy the ticket, Take the ride". -S-