vajo

Ha is that the computer corner I develop games. Last one was silent depth ( a submarine simulation) for smartphones.

Thats the point for me Jussi. "Are you buying what you really like or are you buying a sword that the community thinks is good?" For me I buy only what i like to look on.

I found something out. The Kozuka with the rat shows the Buddist monk Raigo (later Tesso) the iron rat. The mask shows Ko-beshimi the deamon of petulance. And the instrument is a den-den daiko (symbol for a child) And here the tale: Emperor Shirakawa promised Raigo vast rewards if he could use his spiritual powers to give the Emperor a son. Accepting the offer, Raigo threw himself into meditation and prayer and magic. Soon enough a son was born to Emperor Shirakawa, the Prince Taruhito. The Empero break his promise to Raigo. Raigo went on a hunger strike and died after 100 days. A figure in white was said to have appeared beside the cradle of the 4-year old Prince Taruhito, who died soon afterward. What Raigo had given, Raigo had taken away. Raigo used black magic to ensure he was reborn after death as a dread yokai. He twisted his body into the form of a giant rat as large as a man, with a body as strong as stone and with claws and teeth or iron.The newly-named Raigo the Rat invaded Enraku-ji with an army of rats, devouring their rare and valuable Buddhist scriptures, and even eating statues of the of the Buddha himself. This reign of rat-terror when on until a shrine was built to appease Raigo, transforming him from a deadly emissary of vengeance into a protecting kami spirit.

Hello Could someone help identify the motif of this two kozuka? The first one is a rat wearing a kimono. Maybe it's a procession? Is there a tale for the motif? The second is a castle. Is it possible to find out which castle? Sorry for the bad picture i made it with my phone. Thanks Chris

Very good article Peter. Thank you for sharing it. (can't read page 2 and 5 like Brian sayed) Chris

I'm in contact with a collector who is near the 80s in germany. He collects from the end of 60s and none of his childs or grandchilds are interested in that collection. They don't like it. He said to me in the 70s and 80s there where a lot of nihonto traders in the big cities in germany. Today he think there are only 60 collectors in germany who are active. A lot of his old friends are died. But he think that this kind of art will come back. Maybe it needs only a good movie (e.g. about a smith and his story) and the interest is back. High class tosogu and swords will be pieces for the rich.

Ted this Tsuba looks fantastic.

It's one piece or not? Sorry but i look often on that piece and i can't see the worth. It's a Kogatana in Namban Style.

Very nice work Salvatori. Nice Koshirae.

Is it correct Nanban or Namban? 南蛮貿易時代 namban bōeki jidai

Found Netsuke with the same theme. The dutch in Japan. I found a text that 1782 80 javanese are slaved from the dutch as sailors on their ships. They where ongoing to Japan. Maybe the foreigner is a javanese (dark skin,...) I search further. It's thriling

I have this Iron Tsuba with nunome-zogan decoration in gold. The motif is a dragon in clouds with pearl of wisedom. The edge is hammered. The tsuba is black but in the light the patination shinning red (i have a Nara school tsuba with the same effekt). I thought the school could be shimizu-jingo but there work is different so i'm wrong. What you think?

The secret is solved now. This piece comes from Nihontocraft. Its not a copy and not cast. Thanks to all who take part in this thread. The F/K looks incredible a very nice set.

I found now a Kozuka in the Carlo Monzino Collection Book. On site 80, lot 342. "Foreigner standing blowing a flageolet while a dog walks at his side,.." Looks like a similar motif.

Hello Jean, i know that it is the Rattenfänger von Hameln. I didn't meant the Rattenfänger but the Flute. The Flute is not typical Japanese in my opinion. Maybe the "Hunter" is a portuguese?

No with Choij oil because they where rather dirty with dust. (Ne mit Choi weil sie ziemlich schmutzig waren. Staubverkrustet. 40 Jahre lang in ne Vitrine gelegen. Des Speckige geht wieder weg )

Hello Jean, could you explain what you mean? I took a (maybe) better picture of the mei. The flute looks like similar to that one. I didn't found a medieval Japanese flute like this.

Hello i've got these 3 Tsuba. Could you give me some oppinions about if i'm right with my appraisal? First one i read: signed "Masanobu" I think mid Edo period. Motif Gama Sennin. Wakizashi size tsuba Second one i think: signed: "Toshi (to) Nami or Thoshitomo" i cant read the last kanji. Motif: I didn't know. Someone with unusual cloth, dark colored skin, playing a medieval flute. Katana size tsuba Third one: signed: Mumei I think Mito School. Motif: Old man with child filtering milk? Wakizashi size tsuba I would be happy about ideas on these three pieces. Chris

Bronze Sword

Wow Timur this is real art. Thanks for sharing. Chris

I wonder that none speaks about the huge sori. As i start collecting some give me the advice not to buy swords with a unusual deep sori because.... The blade looks unusual for my eyes. But maybe it comes from the photos.

Whats happened with that Fuchi?

Why I? Read my first posting. I only wanted a opinion if that set could be a copy or cast or genuine. Thats why i ask if the artists make copys from a piece. All the other things came from the discussion. Not from me.

No Pete. It is not a cloud saved screen. Look at the webadress. It is www.nihontocraft.com/... The site exists on the nihontocraft website.

George Please. I didn't have that pieces in hand. I had only some phones with him and emails. And i want buy some pieces more from him. So please wait. That is all i have and the picture above. If you go to google and give turtle fuchi in the picture search you will find that from nihontocraft 4th row, first picture... (I do this with every piece i buy to see what it is and where it possible come from) The price i pay is near that from nihontocraft.