Spartancrest

WWII Armory marks.

It loses a lot in translation

So what you are saying is I should stop torturing the mailman? What do I do with him now?

There is an almost identical guard here on Jauce, https://www.jauce.com/auction/q429219730 Julien the identical placement of the tagane-ato punch marks is a very worrying sign - makes it very likely to be a copied fake. There is no doubt in my mind that both examples are copies at best - mass produced copies at worst.

Yas I would not sell my example for anything. 7,000 is a cheap price for such a long time tradition. Thank you so much for the extra information. The workers are very skilled. I don't know if the paperweights are still being made? Or what years they were produced? I see a lot of these “Compliments of NYK Line” souvenir of a cruise line circa 1920’s for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line. They were given away as advertising at the time - a hundred years old now. They are better made than the cast 100 yen piece.

Yas - it is a real wonder that a lot of 'no longer useful' metal objects survived those times - the world losses more than lives in all conflicts. It is a great pity that we can't seem to lose conflict. Ten more years and that paperweight will be an antique, but it already has much to tell. I have a small database of tsuba shaped paperweights, they are an interesting subject in their own right - if they are not trying to be fakes. Here is something unusual in a bad way https://www.jauce.com/auction/m475525520 Izarae (Lit. to clear/clean a cast piece) gone too far! [hardly an "Excellent Product"] Looks like it was worked on by an angle grinder! Back to paperweights I have one of these that I note turn up every now and again https://www.jauce.com/auction/371174105 Even though clearly a paperweight copy of an early Christian guard, I do enjoy having mine, as it too has a history behind it.

Well they just keep coming - another Nambu-tekki souvenir - https://www.jauce.com/auction/j712104332 I wonder what ridiculous price it will finally sell for?

I bough a 'better fake' if there is such a thing, same 'watered steel' and kanji in the wrong area, at my local market for $50 as a wall hanger - and mine says it was made in 1643 on the blade. It is alright for cutting weeds so its not entirely a waste of money. What does 'Unfurtunetly' mean anyway!

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Here is an example of having it both ways, the fuchi/kogiri fit together to form the 'split tsuba' https://www.jauce.com/auction/r461703084

Yas, any idea what this thing is? https://www.jauce.com/auction/s801847134 I don't think it could possibly be worth the $20 million US. they are asking!!!!! It must be a joke.

There is yet another take on the original design - https://www.jauce.com/auction/o454943394 The hitsu are again the main design feature - just what they represent remains vague.

Yas , I was thinking the same thing, just change the photo, and you would fool most buyers. Why would someone dump the certificate in the first place, could the attribution have been found in error? If so the certificate should have been destroyed not kept.

Earlier in this thread was a post about used storage boxes with Christies labels attached - well how about second hand Shinsa papers in bulk! https://www.jauce.com/user/vzmkp83951 This seller could supply you with a wealth of certificates for a much cheaper rate! I have said this before "what do you actually get when you buy papered pieces?" What are you paying the money for? The object or the piece of paper? Seems the paper is not worth that much really.

Hi Chris, At first glance there looked like casting marks around the rim - but on closer inspection I noticed the fukurin, nicely done at that, lighting is always a problem especially with old eyes. The crimping matches the iron rim, I bet it sets off the rest of the guard in sun light, I can't give a school but it looks some age and the skill level is excellent. Good find !

A few more designs thrown in - seems to be a popular theme, I am sure there are plenty of other utsushi out there.

Though unlikely to find their way down here I will keep my eye out on auction sites - I never forget a face! Lets hope they are sitting under a pile of yet to be delivered packages. Nothing is ever truly lost and with hundreds of lookers they will reemerge. THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE IS ON THE CASE!

Whilst most of the examples previously shown are low grade pieces, those that follow are all mass produced fakes and should not be confused with them. https://www.jauce.com/auction/l595056282 https://www.jauce.com/auction/j641163853 https://www.jauce.com/auction/o378651664 https://www.jauce.com/auction/j641725546 https://www.jauce.com/auction/m406413727 https://www.jauce.com/auction/q351538692 https://www.jauce.com/auction/g407382117

Well we here in Australia are lucky - only returned Australians and a few visitors, all in quarantine, have covid. We have had very little covid overall , Tasmania none at all now for 5 months. Shoki must be doing his job very well here! Arigato Shoki https://www.jauce.com/auction/k447588850 - He certainly gets about!

They still seem to go on forever - this one has a similar design of a fabric screen, as the one posted by Geraint above, but with no raised rim and maple leaves. https://www.jauce.com/auction/x756177582

Yas - Well it only took seven days for the Shoki and Oni to reappear, this time with a buy it now price of 180,000 yen https://www.jauce.com/auction/m472852406 - the Mei is certainly unconvincing - but the colours should turn most away.

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I think we have hijacked this thread No it is not a Christian cross on that guard, not even an orthodox cross. Tea room windows? Seller is trying too hard - nothing wrong with what it really represents. [Yas, you are right she is a glutton!]

Yas one sold last night - https://www.jauce.com/auction/p817342531 not as nice, the window is empty. I have pictures of 18 utsushi [including the one you posted and this one] Samurai must have loved a good cup of tea! I know of two sets of daisho as well. The set here is described as Bushu also, but has no signature - so it may be a guess. We already have one Bulldog to pat - if she would get out of bed!

I like the Japanese idea of driving out evil spirits with sardines - but I think my idea will drive next doors cats away as well! I couldn't find any Holly so went for a garland of Japanese maple branches.