Bugyotsuji

Sadly John, unsigned.

Still have not reached the Chinese New Year, so allow me to add an iron Tantō/wakizashi tsuba with a golden dragon weaving through the clouds. The rust looked active, so today I finally sat down to clean it up. First time I have given this tsuba a serious look, as it was just kicking its heels in the odd tsuba box. and the other side of the cloud…

Not sure if I ever posted this tsurumaru with three inomé…(?)

Crisscross Nanako effect.

Hmmm… if not, try Seki, Kanesada. 関　兼定

Today in a pile of old Japanese armor related bits I spotted a small plastic bag containing a lead ball wrapped in paper. Pretty sure this was a pre-patched ball. Not mine, but I took a quick photo while I had the chance.

ホ actually reads ‘ho’ with a short ‘o’ sound, like blowing quickly on a glasses lens. What it means is another question, but it could be related to which section of the army it was for. In Kokura, hosting a large army barracks, Ho could have stood for Hoheitai 歩兵隊, infantry. Ki stood for Kiheitai 騎兵隊, originally cavalry but denoting motorized armored troops, and ホウ Hō with a long sound Hōheitai 砲兵隊, or artillery forces. (Not definitive, but just throwing this into the pot for consideration)

For years on this forum no one (hardly ever) used the red down-vote button. The first time I saw it not too long ago it was actually shocking, that someone had not bothered to speak or reason against a position. It seemed so harsh and point-blank. Suddenly it has become commonplace here, for whatever reason.

Shoot with the tip of the Nakago facing towards us, and the inscription will be the right way up! PS At first glance with a cricked neck, it looks like part of a date.

Coins and tsuba both start with a metal pancake. Both are fascinating objects that can transport you backwards in time. An artisan once told me that a quality iron plate for a tsuba might cost US $250 today, even in its raw state. Tsuba are larger and more tactile in the hand, allowing you to connect with the maker and sometimes the user(s). Each Tsuba holds little clues, apart from any inscriptions on it, and part of the allure (besides the cameo-like aesthetics) is the hunt for the story behind it. Hard, indeed, but that in itself can add interest, sometimes taking years to narrow down. In some cases you may find an exact date (if a recorded smith added his/her age, for example), but in many cases smith lists will record their place of work (eg Edo) and rough working years (eg Bunsei). Some will remain a puzzle, but you can always consult people and solicit opinions to help narrow it down, if you like it enough. You will find that tsuba collectors may have found a particular niche. One of my friends for example only collects Bizen Suruga. Some are more broad, liking Edo soft metal, others iron. Horses for courses applies! (General thoughts, maybe echoing some posts of others above…)

This small tsurumaru bolo/loop tie turned up in an antiques fair the other day. (Silver-plated on copper base?) On the front it says 孫六 Magoroku. On the back 日本美術会館 Nihon Bijutsu Kaikan and 銀P (silver plate). Reverse

The Kamon on your gun is a version of 丸に抱き柏 Maru ni daki kashiwa ‘Embracing’ oak leaves in a circle. This was used by several families including the Tsuji Daimyō. https://irohakamon.c...runidakikashiwa.html

That really does look as good as dammit, Fabian. Good work. Some of my teppō have original pins, others were made later. Many years ago I bought a beautiful Hino gun at a sword-and-gun shop in town. The pin was missing from the pan lid/cover. When I pointed this out, the Bantō walked over to the Tanegashima which were stacked against the wall, had a quick look through, and casually extracted one for my ‘new’ acquisition. (Someone else’s problem from then on!)

Last name 陳暁 Chinshō, Chingyō? PS These Aoi Takezō smiths were active from Bunsei to Ansei toward the end of the Edo period. PPS The first photo shows the double helix method of barrel forging 二重巻張 Nijū Makibari

Some details to the reading of this name will need further research as this particular smith does not seem to be listed. Anyway the smith served the Kishū Han in Ise Matsuyama, (勢州 meaning　伊勢 Isé). 勢州大石青井丈蔵　… … Sei Shū Ōishi Aoi Takezō plus this further personal name.

Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka

Re advice. Do not polish the tang (remove the patination) any further.

Naomichi, (real name) Soda Matabei, used the 'Go' Nyudo Michinao, moved from Kyoto to live in Osaka. Around Koka period. Carved (chiseled) his own work.(?) PS I don't think even AI would be able to read that old style Japanese (yet), but I'd love to be proved wrong!

Modern up-and-coming smiths (and most sword-related artisans) cannot make a living solely from sales of their traditional craft. There is no such moneyed market in Japan these days. Many are forced to seek side jobs just to feed themselves. It’s a thankless task to carry on this tradition, but some brave few feel compelled to somehow keep it going. The Mayor of Setouchi City (where Osafuné is located) just returned from a sales trip to Paris for example, looking for rich clients to support swordsmiths in the Bizen area. (Lovely blade by the way!)

Stephen, pm sent.

If you want more certainty, you can formulate a set of rules for yourself, such as (somewhat like coins) only buying tsuba with NBTHK certification papers attached. At least until you feel comfortable with your own eye.

Yes, Stephen. A long convoluted story, but all’s well that ends well. Having paid rent here for over 30 years, we eventually got a deal on a house not too far away that was being vacated. We had some work done on it, such as fixing the roof and replacing unsafe floors, etc., and wifi was installed last week. There are said to be eight or nine million such ‘akiya’, a phenomenon which has appeared with the aging population. The wife is happy, so that’s 75% of the battle won, and I too reckon this will work in the meantime.

Moriyama Sama, 改 is what I thought it might... be, but is this a 'mistake' or an acceptable, alternative way of writing it?

Incidentally the word Sotoba is said to trace back to the Sanskrit ‘Stupa’.

It looks as if you are successfully narrowing down your focus. Both of those look ok at a glance. The most important thing to me must be this searching and honest question about your motivation: who do you want to impress? Yourself? Do you feel pride and pleasure every time you look at it? Others? Do you want casual friends to be impressed? Do you want armor experts to be impressed? Are you strong enough to take silence or (casual) criticism from others? Will you have a further budget in the future? You may want to upgrade, or even add to your collection, as your knowledge grows. Good luck and happy hunting!