Bugyotsuji

Is that a digital image that they own, or do they have the actual object, Malcolm? Today we had an unusual study meeting with a lecture on Gibutsu, the types, the history and the reasons for. Following that, some examples were laid out for us to handle and discover what the problem was. Then we visited the Sano Collection which is on loan to the Osafune Token Museum until June 12th. If there are any foreigners still in Japan and mobile, this is worth a visit. 45 blades in total, of which one Kokuho, one Tokubetsu Juyo Token, 18 Juyo Bijutsuhin, 10 Juyo Token, and five Juyo Bunkazai. The Kokuho is a 13C Bizen Nagamitsu Naginata. There were three Heian blades from the 11 to 12C, and two Muramasa, one of which was unpapered.

Thanks for starting this thread, Ron. You are quite right. We need to see good examples of what was once vital equipment.

Read his blog. Seems to be a friendly enough sort of chap...

From the way he keeps changing the subject, he sounds as though he is not really sure about anything, including Samurai 'sabers'. Probably relieved that he has a 'Wow!' captive audience.

And here are some more Netsuke for lighting tinder, and for use as ashtrays.

Here are some bits. Two tinder containers (Gamaho-ire) with steel strikers. Three household steel strikers of various sizes, one missing its blade, the small one held by bamboo.

Quick word of warning for anyone wanting to own one of these. The antiques markets in Japan will have these sets for starting fires, in various combinations, but many will be from the continent, eg Mongolian. Often they will be very rough. Ron's example above is more refined, with a good working Netsuke and Ojime. The Himo string looks replaced, naturally, as most have perished. When I can get my systems up and running I will add a pic of some of my bits. The only ones that I can be sure were for lighting matchcord, though, are the ones with a ballbag attached. Otherwise I think they were for more general spark and tinder use, most often for tobacco.

Am I seeing 　? http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89% ... 7%E8%BF%91

Definitely shades of... uncanny how plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. Good spot, Ron.

Talking of apples, there was a bowl of them on the table on the verandah, but I cannot recall seeing anyone giving one to him. Old 'Milky' chomped constantly at the bit, and at one point was hoofing back the sand with his foreleg as if to charge the cameraman. The long photo shoot must have been a bit harsh on this 18-yr old veteran.

What, this?

And from the pot, the shot you have all been waiting for.... WAIT FOR IT!!! (Maybe he didn't like the apple?)

Experiment 3. One ImageShack size larger again.

Experiment 2. One size larger.

Thanks for the thoughts, 'Renzo! Well, here goes. This is an experiment... one photo at a time.

They are very well known here in Japan. I have friends who have had new stuff run up for them and they seem to do a good job. Not able to comment on their restoration work per se though, but I could ask around.

Well, this seems to have generated some interest and amusement here, so to fill you all in, the day went ahead roughly as planned. With an 8:10 am start and a heavily-laden van we picked up various members and headed for the hills. Stopping at a large hospital we met the rest of the convoy and the chief doctor who led the way through winding trails to the little parcel of land up in the morning mists, the 'Forest Horse Club'. Three of our members and the owner of the stables were to dress as Ashigaru and stand with the horse and rider. Three of us were to help these doctors and professional types put on some quite fancy examples of armor/armour. Early on I began to sense that my turn would never come, so it was easy to let go and focus on helping people. As the main dignitaries finished their turns, the poor old horse looking more and more exhausted with all this posing and camera work, it became apparent that they really did want us to join in too. So we three did a lightning job of preparing for battle and finally made the cut. There was a professional photographer there. Managed to sneak some private shots myself but the computer is dying. Will attempt an upload in a minute... (Edit. The pics are slightly too large, plus ImageShack is playing up. Giving up for now.)

John it's a warning as to how you must keep the registration with the object at all times and what you must do if you lose anything. This must be returned to the Education Committee of the stated town/city. An older example of a registration paper, the full regulations not yet being completely fleshed out at that time.

This spear has a good feel to it, Ian. Thank you for showing this. Is it a museum piece or something in your own collection?

Ron, I cannot decide whether to call those lovely or beautiful. I have seen some that leave me cold but these hit all the right notes. Thanks for sharing them. The pattern is also used in Mon/Kamon. Hexagonal Rok-kak-kei shape. Turtleshell = 亀甲　Kik-kou, 亀の甲羅　kame-no-ko-ra.

Very beautiful. Congratulations. (PS Just in case any new readers here are now tempted to go out and buy lacquer, it is a very tricky area for a number of reasons. Don't buy until you are pretty sure of what it is you are holding. Learned the hard way: Rule-of-thumb Kit, Lesson One. Sounds simple, but check to make sure it isn't plastic or resin, covered in lacquer. How heavy is it? Can you see evidence of wood rings under the surface? Lesson Two. Is it old? Is it new? Be aware of how lacquer changes color/colour as it ages... etc.) I love lacquer.

This thread has cheered me up immensely. Many thanks for your surprising revelations of further hidden talent, knowledge, humor/humour and understanding of horses' feelings! Definitely better prepared now.

Back to swords for a second after all the finery! The little Chigo-zashi came back from the Togi-Shi and I listened to how hard he had said it was to do a professional polish on a tiny katana! The returning blade was pronounced, by one person whom I totally respect, to be forged in the Yamato style in every respect. An antiques dealer on Sunday however, whom I also respect, offered a different opinion. He said after peering at it for a while in the sunlight, that the Masame in the blade suggests Yamato, at first yes, but more so Mino, particularly the work of Jumyo, around the Bakumatsu period. Now this fits quite well with background information I have been collecting on this boy's sword, so I am inclined to take all of this on board. Now, when will I be able to step in and make a definitive judgment myself, I find myself wondering.

Thank you

A well-written article on the wisdom of our ancestors: http://www.japantoday.com/category/life ... -ancestors