Bugyotsuji

That's the problem Greg, I owe him more than at present, though perhaps I can contribute in other ways. Malkz, to answer your esoteric question, I went round and confronted him. Sadly, it was nothing like you/we were expecting. In his application for the examination he described his publications, speeches and activities for the society. He then took the exam on 1st December last week. They gave him a sealed envelope with a 1,000-word essay topic inside, and a time limit of one hour. Something about what conditions allowed Bizen to flourish in the way it did. He commented that from long-term use of a PC, he has lost his ability to write the kanji that he is so used to seeing in the literature. Often he had to rephrase a sentence to avoid having to write the kanji he vitally needed, but which refused to materialize from his pen(cil). They then laid out five blades as at kantei, and asked him to comment upon them and attribute them to place and smith correctly. (No Bizen blades.) This he did and scored 100%, apparently. The result, ie pass, was given to him that day, but the detailed results have yet to be ratified by the 理事会Rijikai (board), of which he is one of the two 監事／幹事(?)Kanji. So he himself will end up with the responsibility of signing and sealing the board's conclusion, presumably at their next gathering.

Have to grudgingly agree. Pass some of that luck this way please, if there's any left over! Congratulations. Nice illustrative photography, by the way.

Thanks guys, I'll pass these on. At first I could not understand what all the fuss was, but a quick trip to the big W sorted that out. Malcolm, he will surely be able to answer your questions when I see him tomorrow. Whether he will be willing though, could be another matter.

My sword teacher has been recognized by the NBTHK with the title of "Okuden", their highest rank given only to very few backroom cabalists so far, apparently. We are all joking about how we must call Mr Koike "Sensei" from now on. What is it about him that has prompted this distinction, I wonder? He has several very special qualities. A blend of all of it, perhaps? Anyway, it is a privilege for me even as a wayward pupil, hoping that some of his 金粉 kinpun gold dust will settle on me too. From Wiki 刀剣保存技術に関する伝位制度(日本美術刀剣保存協会の例) 伝位 認定方法 奥伝位 論文試験と実技試験及び口頭試問 奥伝位待遇 論文試験と実技試験及び口頭試問 中伝位 論文試験と実技試験 初伝位 記述試験

Sweet. How's your grass script? The Netsuke reminds me more of a miniature Tebako 手箱 than a 文箱 Fumibako.

Perhaps aristocratic child's formal dress decoration for audiences with, for example, the Emperor. (?) Since they were normally no longer worn or used by then, could it not be an upmarket art object for the thirsty (western) appreciative eye? A lovely set. Can you show the back of the Netsuke?

My guess is that it is either Shoshin Mei, Mumei or Gimei. But it would be hard to fake that Harmon!

If anyone does not like the look of Bruce's visage above, then please send them to me!

Right, so presents sorted then? I'd like the iron tsuba, please.

Too casual for a 花押. 公 might be another part kanji, but probably inappropriate in this situation.

Long shot, but how about Den? 伝

Nothing to add to the comments above, and I also see what looks like fire damage, but I have a blade signed Minamoto Nobuyoshi, which added interest for me. It is clear from the styles however, that the two Mei were cut by very different hands.

Thank you for the update Guido. By the way, 門 問 words can often be shortened in that way by Japanese people, when the tick is central, a vertical cross. It is considered to be for strictly informal use. http://m.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/detail/q12117973032 These short forms are to be distinguished from the Chinese tick which is placed in the gap up at the top left. http://m.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/detail/q14129859884

Who is this Kobayashi San, and how many other experts work with him in this Teppo-Token Kenkyu (Shinsa-i-inkai), I wonder?

While we are wandering, here is something a little different again.

Juho Token Kenkyu Kai, never heard of them, except for this shop where they will charge you 10,000 JPY for writing one. Wakizashi example shown. You seem to have one of their two sheets. http://www.musasiya.co.jp/token.htm

Jim, what do you want to know? Do these papers look genuine or fake? The Norimune paperwork on the right looks right, although aside from the photo, the Mei is only recorded in pencil top left of the envelope, not in ink. ("Studied under Sukemune".) It does go into some detail regarding the blade itself and activity within. No mention of what organization they are. Further paperwork missing? Simply someone's opinion? The older paperwork on the left looks good to my untrained eye, though the -Kuni of Katsukuni on the envelope is hard to see, and I do not know this particular organization. 美術日本刀保存審査会 Bijutsu-Nihonto-Shinsakai. Cannot see any Mei on the nakago. The age, Kanbun, seems to fit, as do the dimensions. If it is a clever fake, then I need to do some more homework.

In this fashion

Yesterday at the sword exhibition in Soja we had three relatively close Wakizashi, a So-Shu Kunitsugu, then a Sue So-Shu Hirotsugu, and a Hiromasa.

Steven, many thanks for the kind consideration. I hate to leave things in limbo, so your encouragement is just the nudge I needed to get this tsuba sorted out. It sits quite happily on the tachi I wear for matchlock displays, but the wire brush effect and gap-tooth look is a real let-down. PS I was told yesterday that early Jingo have an earthy rustic feel to them, and that a longer tail generally indicates later work.

Dirk, many thanks for your thoughts. It is all grist to the mill. Today I was at an antiques fair and immediately recognized a Jingo tsuba, with the distinctive spade-shaped hitsu-ana and a somewhat similar dragon zogan up one side. My eyes have been opened! It was a good dark iron, but concave on the reverse. The dealer felt his was mid to late Edo.

Jim, yes, that is what I gathered from the original Japanese version. He leaves open two possibilities. Thanks for the complete translation!

Great to see you again Carlo. I have really missed your friendly and encouraging posts. Sadly my wife does not support my collecting habits, so they have been suppressed, or driven largely underground. Since I retired my meagre Japanese pension does not allow me to splash out, but the elves always find extra cash for me in times of need, especially if it is something quirky.

Ah, Bazza, you beat me to it. Very interesting, both the similarities and the differences! Thank you.

Tsuba shots for Dirk, from the tachi koshirae. Oh, and no I have not tried to clean it! Someone before me must take that credit... 8.2 cm x 7.8 cm, thickness at Mimi around 0.3-0.4