roger dundas

Hello Tony, Here is one similar I have and posted here for comments in about (Nov) December 2019. Opinions varied and I have no criticism of any of the propositions as it just shows how difficult it is to try and work out dates and backgrounds for some of these things. But I did very much like Bruno (Kurikata's) post above. Roger j

There may be no final definitive resolution to the question ? Interesting to read of the various and historic opinions. Personally, I'm happy with my wakizashi even if they aren't, in the end ushigatana. Again, thank you all. Roger j.

Thank you all again. So only one of my wakizashi swords might be(?) called a 'Uchigatana', signed by a maker working 1542 to 1548, with 53.3cm (21 inch) blade length ? The others with blades an inch or so longer would be termed wakizashi then, with similar shorter tangs etc, but 'mumei' and made whenever, another signed but made 1661-1675 is shorter at 52.1cm (20.5 inches). Thank you again, I quite realize these things are somewhat elastic but thank you all for your knowledge. Roger j.

Thank you all for your responses. It helps me understand what is what . Was it made for use as a weapon, or was it more a decorative(?) civilian item ? I have 3 or 4 'Uchigatana', around 22inch blades and wondered about the alternative name, Wakizashi. Again, thank you all for your comments. Roger j.

For all you learned collectors the following question might appear naive but I am just curious about exactly how and where a Uchigatana fits into the scheme of things as far as you experienced and knowledgeable Nihonto people are concerned. It can be somewhere between a katana and wakizashi in blade length but overlapping into both apparently but does it have as much kudos as a katana or is it not as appealing or not up there for status ? I hope some amongst you find time to offer your thoughts and don't dismiss my question as not worthy of a response. Thank you all anyway. Roger j.

Yes, I quite like that one, but few of the others posted here. They are not something that particularly appeal to me but that is a very personal thing and of no importance to others. Roger j

I am far from being knowledgeable about many things tsuba but these examples above are just a dreadful blight on the whole story and history of genuine tsuba making and collecting. Of course, the definition of the word 'genuine' is one of the keys to the problem. Roger j

This is a wonderful theme and any aspiring kodogu collector anyone interested in the subject should take a good look at these postings. Quite inspiring and generous of the members to share their top pieces. I have just spent more than an hour going through the display and am hugely impressed. I hope no one minds me saying all that ? Roger j

You are right Jean and thank you for the correction. I only get a little bit embarrassed these days when I stuff up otherwise I would perpetually have a red face. It hasn't always been like this and I do try to be correct. Regards, Roger Roger j

Steve I much appreciate your encouraging comment- thanks very much for that. Roger j

Hello members, hoping that the following photos are satisfactory and clear enough for you fellow Nihonto collectors to see what you want to see ? If not satisfactory then we are quite happy to try again . We appreciate the irritation of not getting satisfactory illustrations but it is our lack of skill and not our lack of caring. Aikuchi - 31cms overall, 20.5cm Armor piercing blade, I think, 9.6mm wide blade at hibachi. Signed : HIZEN NO KUNI TADAYOSHI ?17th or 18th century. Almost certainly a spurious signature and I was aware of that when purchasing it having previously had a katana with a similar, spurious signature to Tadayoshi (soon advised otherwise). Suguha hamon in fine polish I was advised. I purchased it because I liked the blade. Any and all comments will be welcome. Roger j

Thanks Uwe for clarifying that. There is a third mon on the scabbard which I will try to get a shot of. Roger j

I must be a bit slow here Uwe and Piers but you say Uwe- "One of the few occasions where an assignment can be made clearly".... and I think it might be the Yamanouchi mon and the 'mountain symbol' ? or was it just the Yamanouchi mon ? I often enough need things spelled out. Again thank you both for your interest. Just for your interest I bought it here in Melbourne at an Arms Fair in 2008 from a Sydney collector (non specialist but with a broad range of interests).First chance for me- our Arms Fairs are mostly about guns and rifles (many ex military) and have greatly degenerated over the years IMO. Roger j

Thanks for the comment John. Kind of you. Roger j

Hamish- who ever your comment is aimed at, then fair enough and a fair warning to all of us. There is a similar issue with tosogu. Roger j.

Thank you Hamish, $5,000US is serious money for a not too long period of chiseling. So that's where the word (chiseling) comes from? Roger 2

I know nothing, in fact less than nothing but would anyone go to that much trouble and effort to copy this mei-attribution ? And why bother. Just wondering. Oh, it's the extra value. Anyway I would be pleased to own it. Roger j

Thank you all, Piers, Paul, Geraint and Dave for your responses. Dave, it's 5.4mm wide at the widest, the habaki. Roger j

That is an encouraging response Piers and I really am grateful to you for that. It (to me) has a lovely slender blade, quite straight but the scabbard maker has chosen to make it with a shallow curve- a nice touch I feel plus the understated mon included in the lacquer finish. Why I like your comment is because I wondered if someone might say- just a run of the mill outfit. I find nihonto still somewhat elusive in understanding with any degree of confidence, particularly the worthiness of the blades . Roger j

44.5 cms overall, 22.3 cm blade . Is the maker's name ' Tsugu Fumi Iye' and if so, does anyone know if he is he a known maker ? Scabbard lacquer includes the Yamanouchi mon with two others. All over in good condition. The information about the mon etc came from the vendor. Are the photos adequate as I welcome any and all input. Thank you in anticipation.

This may be a little late, even unnecessary but going back to last Saturday when Dale commented about the features of a figure depicted on a kozuka- I didn't agree with his opinion but felt he was entitled to have his own take on it. I am not sure why I am getting in here but feel that Dale's research on duplicates and fakes and the confusion over just what is the 'real thing' and what is not has been a revelation and didn't Dale get this ball rolling ? Isn't Dale in fact the man who first brought the issue to NMB Tosogu adherents rather than someone accepting of spurious 'take offs'. I'm not wanting an argument here but felt that the depth of Dale's input might not have been realised by everybody? Yas too, of course and Ford, long term 'Protector of the Faith'. Just wonderful. One more unneeded comment- Dale is a fellow Aussie and we need to band together in times like this where our biggest trading partner is non too subtly putting the screws on our nation's exports. And they make lousy copies of tsuba. Roger j

Re shipping to Australia. Thank you for your replies plus your generous offer Bruce which unfortunately I can't take up this time. But as 'Hamfish' says, interest rates are low at the moment. Back around 1990 in Australia we had interest rates of 18% or so- maybe all the world did. Roger j

"DOES NOT SHIP TO AUSTRALIA". I have seen this often enough also on tsuba for sale in the US . Is there any particular reason for not wanting to ship here ? Roger j

Agreed, quite handsome. For my information I presume it has been chiseled and shaped from a solid iron plate rather than being a cast item ? I have difficulty recognizing at times the distinguishing features of cast as against crafted, tool worked tsuba. Would anyone care to comment ? Anyway, all the best for Christmas. Roger j

I am not sure anyone will be interested but on looking at 'Sasano' -'Japanese Sword Guards Masterpieces Part One' today it seemed that some of the Kanayama tsuba depicted sported battle scars ? Now, my eyesight is not what it once was plus (can I say it ?) some of the tsuba under this heading look like their finishing touches might have been done by (the tsuba maker) using a small tomahawk- not the more careful finish usually seen, so it just might be a condition matter ? I suppose I posted this to see if anyone agreed or was even interested ? Thank you all once again for your forum. Roger j