Bugyotsuji

Returning to the sensible world for a second, it would not be diplomatic to reveal the name of the lady who owns the Sanchomo in the Okayama Prefectural Museum and the 4 oku that she paid for it.

Guido, maybe he said 800,000,000 Won?

The Yamatorige (Sanchomo in Japanese) Ichimonji changed hands a while back for 400,000,000 JPY, and 7 Oku was offered for another 400 mill sword that the owner refused to sell.

Christian, he is using old characters. As I posted above, "Maybe 刀剣実證鑑定法 by 清水孝教, published by 太陽堂" "Token Jissho Kantei Ho" by Shimizu *Takanori? (*His first name is difficult for me to read), published by Taiyo-Do

Maybe 刀剣実證鑑定法 by 清水孝教, published by 太陽堂

Someone I thought was a trustworthy source told me Ichi Oku = 100,000,000 and then someone else who also knows his onions corrected me and said no, it was actually 2 Oku. I believe 6 Oku is the top price paid for a sword, Guido...no?

Part I has finished and I missed it. Part II runs from Nov 22 until Jan 12th, if anyone is in the area. The castle was lit up this evening. The museum is in part of the former castle grounds. 17 swords, 2 sets of old armour, some scrolls, some lavishly gilded sets of pristine lacquerware, wedding dowries, and some decorated porcelain dishes and bowls. ********************************************* The first 5 Tachi, all Jubun, (Juyo Bunka Zai) were Yoshikane, Chikakane, 2 x Masatsune and a Mei 一. They were carefully chosen to show progression in the development of the Hamon and Ji/hada. No.6 was a Kokuho Tachi by Yoshifusa, who started to get Nioi right and produced rounded and balanced Choji hamon. Three Jubun followed, ie a suriage Fukuoka Ichimonji Katana, and Tachi by Sukezane, and lovely Mitsutada (father? of Nagamitsu). Sadly Nobunaga collected Mitsutada and had most of them suriage'd. No. 10 was a long-Mei Kokuho Nagamitsu, massive Tachi. No. 11 was a Jubun Tachi, another long name Nagamitsu, dated 1289. 5 more Jubun Tachi followed, by Suemori, (Bitchu) Masatsune, San Jo Yoshi-ie, Kikugyo, and a Takamitsu of 1324. Finally another pride and joy, the Kokuho Meibutsu 'Kuki' Masamune Tanto which is rumoured to have cost them 200,000,000 JPY. (Which would be, erm... about 150,000 USD per inch.) List translated by me. All errors are thus mine.

Thanks, Peter, I enjoyed those.

Three hishaku 柄杓, but not the bigger horse ones.

Kutsuwa 轡 handed down in the Mori family (Mori Ranmaru etc., not Mohri), belonged to Mori Nagayoshi. Christian Daimyo. Your Kozuka reminds me of 'Rusu Moyo' that you get with Netsuke. Objects lying around give a strong impression of something not present, in this case a horse. Romantic notions! What kind of splendid horse might be worthy of these, the owner might wonder?

Not that it makes sense, but the top kanji looks to me a bit like Mori 盛 and the bottom like Fuku 福... (?)

James, you have obviously tried to get the definitive shot, but can you get another couple from different angles in different lights? Thanks.

Sorry Ron, yes you are right. I was using it in its modern terminology; these are advertised on Japanese websites as Netsuke straps or pendants, (not acting as traditional Netsuke, which were in most cases not pendants), but as trinkets to hang from your key ring, mobile/smart phone etc.

Came across it in a drawer of bits the other day. It was given out at a dinner for the gathering of the clans at their five-year festival over there on the Japan Sea. The blurb says something about Yamanaka Shikanosuke (Yukimori) being born in 1545 in Izumo (present-day Hirose Town in Shimane), was retainer to the Sengoku Daimyo Amako (Amago). Attempted to restore the main house, something something, er... motto was "Give me seven difficulties and eight agonies". Possessor of great bushi spirit, also know as San-in no Kirinji. Moves are afoot to have an NHK Taiga Drama made about his life, etc. Thumbs up to the tacky bit! :D

The answer? Yamanaka Shikanosuke lasered (?) inside a Netsuke pendant, smaller than a push pin.

Horse bits and horse-ladle, spot on! (Very nice by the way!) PS Did you mean, and, add or any...?

And the answer is... roll of drums, Tadaaa!

A ghost?

Steve, play with what I offered above. It may be the best you'll get. Could the final stroke ノ be the tip of the first stroke of the top of 介 Suke? Settsu/Sesshu means the larger area (especially north) of Osaka. This is where the smith was living and working. If there is a town or village name, like Hatakeyama, this narrows it down further for you. Then comes the title, like Guardian/Protector of Yamato, Yamato no Suke, and finally the smith's name. Think ... 'New York, (Greenwich village) resident, "Guardian of Gotham" Steve Fortiate'

You will need to have a good reference book to do this. You will also need extra patience as these English renderings could be one of several Japanese Kanji, such as Masa, Suke, etc. Incidentally I did come across a slightly longer Mei with 畠山 in it, ie 摂州住畠山大和介正次 (Masatsugu) listed as Osaka, Tempo era.

Despite my double misgivings over the soundtrack and Beat Takeshi, that was well worth watching. Good find, Pete.

Informative and yet heart-warming message, Peter. (Love the RIP at the end!)

Met the good lady who wrote the original descriptions and put this book together, today at our regional NBTHK meeting. (Chief Gakugei-In at the Token Museum.) She was carrying a bag full of Ichimonji and Kobizen swords for our further education. Collectors in this area had brought along some interesting tsuba in an attempt to draw gasps from her. I definitely heard her say 'Oh, Ohhhhh.........' so I think she was impressed.

These pins were also tapped from the other side to hit the underside of the plate and jig the angle of the fitted lock plate into the optimal plane/position for smooth working of the serpentine. (Fine tuning)

Brian, thanks, and here is a shot from the original window opened up last week.