Bugyotsuji

That the Daimyo should feel cold like the crab says something about political insecurity.

Cute. The theme according to a quick search is said to come from the words of the third Lord of Matsuyama, Matsudaira Sadanaga. 松山市で焼かれる陶器である。そして三代目藩主であった松平定長が「あな寒しかくれ家いそげ霜の蟹」と興じたことに甚く感銘を受け、それに因んで蟹の紋様を入れるようになったといわれる

彫有 on the Shirasaya put there by a dealer(?) simply means 'with/has carvings'.

Agreed. But why have a link if when you click on it the resultant photo is exactly the same size?

Tom, it's a Nozarashi symbol, of particular meaning to the Bushi.

It also says one Nakago Ana. Have you tried the internet for a translation of the boxes? (The top of these cards is for blades, and the bottom is for guns. On the right is the unique National Registration Number of your blade, and on the left you can see the date and official stamp of the Education Board of Shizuoka Prefecture.)

Re: Hokusai Manga. Love the little detail like the secret lovers' graffiti on the wall, and how he takes off his Zouri to step into the thunderbox, but keeps his swords tucked in!!!

Lovely collection, nicely displayed. Apart from those little extras, like boxes, lanterns, spears, swords, prints, the odd Netsuke etc., what sort of 'easter eggs' are you referring to? Hidden goodies, like a mannequin for example? PS You do not light that fire, do you, or are the swords only there for the TV crew?

Too many ads to see the photos...

Lovely object, with round mouth and no pouring lip. N.B. Japanese notes. 徳利 とっくり　　Looks like it should be Tokuri, but actually pronounced Tock-kuri, normally shortened to Tokkuri in English. See ROKUJURO's 'TOKKURI' above. 染付き　そめつき　pronounced Sommay'+tsuki, normally written Sometsuki in English = application of dye.

PS There are further clues in the paperwork, for example it suggests 加賀国 Kaga no Kuni on the left there.

Speaking more from a general knowledge of seal pushing in Japan, each organization will have a minumum number of authenticators on their board, equal to, or above which number, the article will be considered as having fulfilled the written testimony to the right. Naturally the less written there, the more likely it will achieve unaninimity. Thus it might not matter whether you have four or six seals there as they simply attest to agreement with the top dog who will be the final arbitrator. Disagreement will cause a serious problem with their ability to work as a team, so in the unlikely event that there is an argument, they will have some inner mechanism to resolve the issue, usually by a further process of blanding, ie removing the offending word or phrase, or in extreme cases allowing the board member to offer his resignation. Sorry for the long-winded reply, but you can see why once one judge has affixed his stamp, the others will fall into line; the actual numbers of seals means close to nothing, and all board members present on the day will have done his or her duty.

Is that a shot of the crack before the complete break? If so, it looks more than 'one small crack'! Either way this could be a great chance to try kintsugi, perhaps experimenting on something else first. (No need to rush this!)

oops!

Mei Sagami (no) Kuni Ju Nin Goro Nyudo Masahara Kore Tsukuru 銘　相模国住人　五郎入道正原　之造 NB See Steve's correction below.

Fantastic! Thank you Uwe.

That is interesting. Thank you John. If you have any photos of it, please PM me!

A fine kabuto. Zukin, Okitenugui etc. are kind of fun. I was wondering about the particular shape of the tip of the hoshi in that example, and which smith might have cut/flattened them in that tree-stump manner. Most hoshi were pointed to some degree, I believe.

Thank you for those extra thoughts. I have noticed a tendency for a signature to add interest in the general marketplace, whether or not it is Gimei. The same holds true in the Netsuke world, accounting for so many added signatures. Chris. A cheap(er) way to Shinsa? Hmmm.... how do the various courier services compare, I wonder?

Sure. Since all of these carved something like 摂州住 before their name, look under the barrel further up above the mekugi ana for any traces under the rust. (Ask Ian Bottomley for his magic rust treatment.)

Hi Fr, ( Frère Yamazakura) The Mei has five characters, but you will need to gently remove some more of that rust to reveal the full name. I can tell you that you are correct re Sakai/Settsu. The smith family were called Nakamizu 中水 and seven smiths with that name are listed. Sadly though none of them were in the habit of dating their guns. Probably first half of the 19th century. This gun is a good size calibre and fewer decorations mean more likely for military use.

That’s the one Luc. Many thanks. I have been searching for an example of those zaboshi. Is it signed, do you know? (The photo above did not show up on my PC but it’s fine on the iPhone!) :nuts:

Looks really interesting. Genuinely sorry I had to miss this. (Was there not a Saiga-style kabuto with with flat-headed zaboshi?)

Many thanks Luc and Paul.

Many thanks for the multiple photos Jean. What a wonderful exhibition. With Guido's warning above in mind, I am considering ordering the catalogue for this. (Was there a description regarding the large black-lacquer gun above?)