Baka Gaijin

Good morning Chris and Geraint., Call me Ishmael... But, I can't help but wonder if this has anything to do with early Japanese Whaling??

Hi Klaus, it looks pretty close to the root Ma for Marishiten. This might shed some light: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kankiten-idaten-other-tenbu.html#marishiten Cheers

Good evening all, I think the term is Sanmai - Awase 三枚合わせ Awase meaning to clad. Sanmai being three layers.

Why not cover your existing stand with a square of white cotton and hey presto........ instant DTI!! http://www.sakura-japaneseculture.com/the-annual-dai-token-ichi-2014/img_8201/

Morning all, Looking closely, I think it reads Ni Ju Nen - 1945 Which may also explain the loose signature and late war mounts. The only Homophone I can find for Ichi Ju is "Ichi Ju San Sai" - One Soup and three side dishes.............

"Nude" by Murakami Kagaku, which was a controversial image in 1920 has recently been designated as an Important Cultural Property. It's going on view at the Yamatane Museum in Hiroo, a district in Shibuya, Tokyo: 31st October - 23 December for any of you going to DTI http://www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/ http://www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/#menu5

My pleasure Paul.

If it helps, Shiro Kasamatsu was one of the masters of the Modern Woodblock Print movement known as Shin Hanga. He was born in Asakusa in Tokyo and became a student of Kiyokata Kaburagi (1878 - 1972) at the age of 12 or 13. In the 1950's he decided moved from the mainstream Art World to produce self published works. His works are quite sought after. This should fill in the gaps: http://www.hanga.com/bio.cfm?ID=3 As an afterthought, would this be the image? http://data.ukiyo-e.org/jaodb/images/Kasamatsu_Shiro-No_Series-Girls_on_the_Shore_Fukuura_Fukuura_Hama_no_Musume-00030499-030201-F06.jpg If so, its from 1954 and is known as Fukuuru Hama no Musume - " Girl on the shore, Fukuuru".

Morning Piers., I'd hazard a guess he's plying part of his trade as swordsmith and signing with either your name or message of choice, small pieces of discarded nakago which are filed to a small protrusion, to be used as Mekugi nuki.

Hi Ken., I'm reasonably sure that Prefectural level designations can be granted to both the intangible and tangible such as persons or traditions, objects or places. I think they are decided by the administrative department of the cultural affairs office of the individual Prefecture and can be renewed or removed accordingly. On a national scale, it's part of the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT), these links may help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Property_(Japan) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Important_Cultural_Property_(Japan) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangible_Cultural_Property_(Japan)

Good morning all, This certainly is an interesting Kamon (If that is what it is) The elements could be referred to as: Maruni for the circle, Tsuki for the crescent moon, Mitsu Boshi for the three stars in the center of the Sun rays (Ashi) which look a little like the Kyokuko Kamon currently used by the Japanese Police.

Good morning all., I think the Kamon resembles one known as: Ishimochi Jinuki Shippo ni Hanabishi.

About 8 years ago, I saw a similar Zunari with the same green ground here in the U.K.. It was suggested that the green was a filler often used in the car restoration trade. It was further suggested that the source of manufacture was close to Kent/Essex by way of the Dartford Tunnel.

Hi Rob, can't say for sure, but looks like the Suya Sho Ten mark. Here's what's on the excellent Japanese Sword Index (With an accolade to Chris Bowen): "Located in Tokyo. This company was used by the Suikosha, or Navy Supply Center. The company made gunto koshirae. The owner of the company was Mr. Shimada. This company started back in the Meiji era and had a long history of making koshirae, including those for members of the Imperial family and many high ranking officers and diplomats." Here's the link to the page: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/logo/logo.htm

Hi Thomas., http://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/27466g1

Hi Dave, here's a full version of the Byakkotai Sword Dance from Aizu: This may be useful: https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue_ruin_1/4839619220 Here's the full text with illustrations: https://archive.org/details/storyofgeishagir00fujiuoft Cheers

The more one delves, the greater the use of a sword in Folk Dance and Religious practice can be found: This is called Oni Kenbai 鬼剣舞literally "Devil's Sword Dance": Where the division between Folk dance and Religious practice lies is a matter for some discussion I suspect. Cheers

Good morning all., 刀踊り Sword dance is also seen amongst men: This may also be referred to as Kembu 剣舞 Single version of the Byakkotai Dance: Cheers

Hi Dave., I think the Mon depicted is actually Gosan Onikiri i.e. 3 5 3 florets. More elevated forms of Kirimon and varients are usually Goshichi i.e 5 7 5 florets (As in the Official Mon of the Prime Minister's office which is Goshichi Kirimon). The difference between Kirimon and Onikirimon is straight forward, Kiri Mon have rounded leaves Onikiri Mon with slightly barbed ends to the leaves. I am told there is Kyushichi 7 9 7 version, but I have not seen one yet Cheers Malcolm

Morning all., Thanks for showing Nick., I've never seen a short Moroha Zukuri. That is really interesting. Cheers

Hi Ken: Plates 32 and 33 (which together make the full image of the tethered Horse and attendants). If you zoom in to the Horses face you will see the bit hanging to the left of its mouth as it has been removed while the Horse is rested (A strand of rope passes across it at about 2 o'clock). Also if you zoom in to the single standing figure on the right, (the one with his index finger extended) you will see he has the Horse Ladle handle in his obi, the bowl of the ladle poking out at the back as it were, like a mini sashimono. Plate 67 shows both, but you do need to zoom in. Cheers

Morning all: Hi Ken, to see a horse ladle and the bits http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2541624 Plates 32 & 33 (From Zohyo Monogatari ) Cheers

Good morning Peter: This may be of assistance: KINKO KANTEI HIKKETSU ( The Key To The Appraisal Of Metal Artisans ) by NODA (Shirobei) Yoshiaki $150.00 Kitajima Choshiro, Edo, Bunsei 3 (1820). Two volume set; vol 1 has 4 chapters of 45 pages, vol 2 has 20 pages. All double-pages well illustrated with woodcuts. Blue daiper-patterned paper wrappers, labeled titles, sewn in the Japanese style. Noda was a well-known connoisseur of the period. Noda Nariaki and Takase Tomohiro did the illustrations. A work on the Goto family, the illustrations show many works by the various masters, their kao, and the hidden or secret points of Attribution. 10 7/16" x 7 1/8" with new Japanese string binding. http://www.shibuiswords.com/Hikketsu.htm Cheers

Hi William., Lots of advice to be found here: http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/ Many members of NMB also, so you are among friends. Cheers