Spartancrest

This is the first I have heard of this 'practice' I can't say I give it much credence, it seems a very limited use for an otherwise useful set of eating tools. Not wishing to offend anyone but some of these tales sound more like the result of 'Chinese whispers' [politically corrected now to "Broken Telephone", I must confess a term new to me.] - the story getting more and more embellished or lost in translation. We should not select however just what we think are the "facts" and dismiss documented alternative views written at a time much closer to the practices being discussed - too much of history has been re-written for various reasons and often with no evidence or for ulterior motives. Balance is always better than dogma.

A number of other early references to the uses of Kogai. The Japs at home. [1894] by Douglas Brooke Wheelton Sladen. "Sword ornaments, it may be mentioned, consisted of kodzuka [kozuka], the handle of the short dagger or kokatana carried in the side of the scabbard ; the kogai, or skewer, used for leaving in the body of a dead foe to boast who slew him." In lotus-land Japan by Herbert George Ponting. Publication date 1910 "The blade ; the tsuba or hand-guard ; the kashira or cap of the handle ; the fuchi or oval ring at the base of the handle ; the menuki or small ornaments on either side of the handle (to afford a better grip) ; the kodzuka or short dagger fitting into one side of the sword scabbard ; the kogai or skewer fitting into the opposite side (the purpose of which was to be left for identification in the body of the adversary slain)." The Springfield City Library Bulletin ... v.30-31 1910-11. [November, 1911.] Art Museum- Japanese Sword-Furniture: "The kogai, or dagger, which usually has upon its handle some pattern or model corresponding with the crest or monogram of the owner, is said to have a threefold use for the soldier. Sometimes it is employed to hold his hair in place; in camp it often serves as a chopstick; while in battle it is used to stick in the body of a dead adversary as a sign of ownership." This looks like a direct re-write from the THE SWORD OF Japan AND IT'S ORNAMENTS [1895] a not uncommon thing at the time, with limited access to other references. THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART COLLECTION OF ARMS AND ARMOR INCLUDING :THE WILLIAM H. RIGGS DONATION MCMXXI 1921 [Copyright January, 1915] "Here also are small "paper knives'' (kozuka) having flat, decorated handles, and skewers (kogai), the latter serving as hair pins. Both were tucked into the sides of the sword-sheath. The kozuka could be thrown with great precision and it is said to have been a formidable weapon, readily striking a mark, e.g., the eye-hole of an armor-mask, at a range of ten feet. The kogai, or skewer, it may be remarked, had a curious function: it was left with a slain enemy as a mark of identification, and later thrust into the ear-hole of the severed head, to serve as a handle in carrying the trophy. Occasionally the kogai is formed of halves and could be used as chop-sticks (hashi), not however for knife and fork, but as ceremonial tweezers, to handle ashes or incense." This description was later retold word for word in "Handbook of Arms and Armor : European and Oriental", Metropolitan Museum of Art by Bashford Dean [4th edition] 1930 These were incidental finds from articles written relating specifically to tsuba, so other articles are likely to exist more specific to Kogai research.

Hi Vitaly, have you checked the size difference if any? You might have the Daisho pair to the Ashmolean Museum piece wouldn't that be nice! It looks great to me.

Two mentions of the uses for Kogai. The first from 1895 and the second from 1908. THE SWORD OF Japan AND IT'S ORNAMENTS by THE COUNTESS ANNIE DE MONTAIGU Illustrations from notable examples of ancient sword-guards. Source: The Monthly Illustrator, Vol. 4, No. 13 (May, 1895). "TSUBA - The sword occupied the place of honor in the middle slot; on one or both sides was the ko-dzuka, [Modern-kozuka 小柄] a small sharp pointed knife whose blade reposed in an outer furrow of the scabbard. When a single ko-dzuka was carried, an iron hair-pin designated koghai [Modern-kogai 笄] was slipped through the other aperture. This koghai was a highly useful implement. It fastened the cap of the soldier, was used as a fork to pick up grains of rice at meals and in the course of battle was stuck into the body of a dead foe to lay claim to its possession." THE WARRIORS OF THE SUN FLAG. Source: Bulletin of the Detroit Museum of Art, Vol. 2, No. 1 (JANUARY, 1908), pp. 12-16 "The skewer usually has upon its handle some pattern or model, corresponding in some way with the crest or monogram of the owner. Its use is threefold to the soldier. Sometimes taken from its place and put in his hair to hold it in place. In camp, it is often used as a chop stick by him. In battle he uses it to stick in the body of a dead adversary as a sign of ownership."

Thanks Richard - the same auction on Jauce and Buyee for anyone who uses those auction houses. https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1088359151 https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/t1088359151

A similar discussion found here: Along with close examples like yours.

Just posting the image before it becomes lost forever.

Perhaps the early writers were getting confused with umabari (馬針)? They certainly have a sharp point. Regardless of the implement I still see problems using them to identify the body, it limits how many enemy you can claim in a day.

https://www.nihontoownersclub.com/tsuba3-1

If I have one 'problem' with it, it looks too good? Except for the paint job? Would an artist make this bad a mistake when applying the gilding? I know another Nagatsune - [Minamotono Nagatsune] a design that has been widely copied and mass produced, it has fooled museum "experts" for years. https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/231724343316551362/ https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/Japanese-tsuba-oni-and-priest-large-katana https://www.eldreds.com/auction-lot/inlaid-iron-nade-gaku-hokei-tsuba-by-sekizan-depi_75E43C99FB - This Fake sold for $1,300.00 https://www.catawiki.com/sv/l/63441801-tsuba-jarn-Japan-edoperioden-1600-1868 - this one sold for €500 https://www.ebay.com/itm/175279807811 - the basic un-coloured version For the Italian speakers out there - http://www.intk-token.it/forum/index.php?/topic/7940-unaltra-tsuba-e-un-pò-di-più/ I hope the facts don't upset the owner too much! Anyone interested I can find you twenty or thirty on ebay, Jauce, Buyee - you name it!

Yes Dan I have some old articles from the 19th century that state kogai were "often left stuck in the ankle of a defeated opponent" [with the head removed it was away of claiming ownership] - My only concern with this is, wouldn't you need at least a few spare kogai - you know, what if you manage to kill several of the enemy on the same day? Also how many kogai have family Mon or other identifiers on them so the family of the slain can work out who did the deed? I will wrestle up the articles, one I remember was quoting from the daughter of a samurai, but did her dad embellish his story to her? Interesting stuff and like most of this study it opens up lots of new avenues of research, thanks for posing the questions. I also remember there is a passage in "The Etiquette of Seppuku" that mentions the kogai was used to pick up the head of a victim.

There are a great deal of these rather poor reproductions, first thing is the Tagane-ato [punch marks] around the nakago-ana are all identical - this won't happen with two tsuba mounted on different swords. The nanako-ji [dot background] is patchy especially on the ura side. Also the ategane [metal fill in of the hitsu-ana] are not 'added' they are impressed in the design - try as you might you can't pop them out! Two versions are made one with one open hitsu the other with both 'closed'. Here is another to add to your image collection - a current auction of two guards [the rusty sukashi is the better buy!] https://www.jauce.com/auction/r1088277860 If you are looking for good Goto - avoid this pattern and really check the detailing. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385491016393 This one is overpriced by at least $200 US. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/394448725570 overpriced by $190. US. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/325609461020 overpriced by $340. US. By the way the Haynes version is also a poor copy as is Ludolf Richter's - the "experts" can't always be right. How in hell did Haynes not see that his example was crap? Was he trying to get more money for it?

Do you mind if I put up the auctions on your last two examples? They weren't hard to find.

The Japanese have a strong 'Gaming' culture - no surprise there are upgrades in some games with Tsuba! https://game8.co/games/Genshin-Impact/archives/337893

I think the motif is 'Snow on Bamboo' leaves, with inome. The two leaves could also be "芦葉 ashi-ba" reed leaves said to be the vessel used when Daruma-daishi crossed the Yangtze River. This one is snow on mulberry leaf https://tsubakansho.com/tag/leaf/

Number [2] has made an appearance. I guess we can be thankful that only four designs were released, there might have been a lot more to be wary of.

Try these links - same tsuba sold by two different companies: https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/r1081411806 https://www.jauce.com/auction/r1081411806 The same 'object code' can get you into other sites, just use the last section of the web address, just try cut and paste. [ /r1081411806 ] I have the same problem some European and Asian sites won't open for me in Australia. [Nanny State?]

I have my doubts on Aizu and the thin one Miochin? - They are guesses at best, I can't translate the mei, perhaps that might give us a clue? Then we just have to worry if the signature is authentic or added later! Fern is likely - the 'grasses' usually seen with this design don't grow with that sort of unfolding curl.

A thinner design like yours. https://www.flickr.com/photos/thekevinz/ They have described it as Myochin/Miochin Feelers are so thin I would be scared to breathe on them! The Yahoo auction says the design is Aizu. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r1081411806

It must be the crest of a wave going through now! https://www.jauce.com/auction/c1087876054 this one with some English https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1087868048 this one another more expensive version of one in the last post. This link has a lot of sword books as well - all in Japanese - https://www.jauce.com/user/raywind32?search=tsuba

Where is the love for cats? How about the love of cash! Wish I had some! https://www.jauce.com/auction/j1087841412 - Starting off at 195,000 yen

Richard you are so right, and they do come through in 'waves', likely some heir is selling off Dad's/Grandfather's collection. What I find a little funny is how some of these books go through the auctions without a single bid for time after time, are the Japanese themselves not interested in these earlier works? Or is it that they are partly in English? The few I have managed to get hold of were generally in great condition, covers a little faded, slightly musty smell the usual for 50+ year old books, but what strikes me most is the quality of the paper and the fantastic binding that most European books can't match. You might want to add these to your list [all in Japanese] https://www.jauce.com/auction/w1087777704 or https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/w1087777704 https://www.jauce.com/auction/o1087652227 or https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/o1087652227

I can recommend these two volumes, lifesize images with English captions - I also recommend you shop around as prices are all over the place and often much cheaper coming out of Japan directly. Marcus's book has been superceded by his "Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords" https://www.amazon.com.au/Encyclopedia-Japanese-Swords-Markus-Sesko/dp/131256315X It has all the same information as "Handbook" with a lot more added.

Great early piece Robert! I thought I would go a little 'Festive' with your image [hope you don't mind] Can you tell us the dimensions? It looks pretty big!

I stumbled upon this little gem? - Hidden away in the Ashmolean Museum, I hope you can make out the hollow pocket at the top of the guard. From the way it looks it has been made from an embossed thin sheet folded over and crimped at the sides. Although it is listed as a tsuba in their collection I wonder if it was actually a netsuke? The museum's site does not provide any useful information on the piece. Anyone ever see something like it before? https://collections.ashmolean.org/collection/search/per_page/100/offset/0/sort_by/relevance/object/108212 INTRIGUED!