Baka Gaijin

Good morning Sissara., You might find more opinions by opening a thread over on E-Budo: http://www.e-budo.com/content.php?s=6e2 ... a5917c9493 Cheers

Good afternoon Gentlemen., I agree with Eric, the rust patination looks too even. Cheers

In plan view: Are we looking at the Daimyo or is the Daimyo looking at us......... Is the Kake in front of the Daimyo as he faces his subjects? If so, front will appear back and left facing will appear right facing according to one's position. Think about it.........

Mea maxima Culpa guys., I was in Otaku study mode, not acquisition mode. Cheers

Morning all., Answering my own observation, so to speak, I notice in my snaps, that the general term for the lock mechanisms depicted is Karakuri. Here's an interesting aside to Karakuri and perhaps what happened to many gun mechanism makers during the Edo period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karakuri_puppet http://pinktentacle.com/2006/01/edo-per ... -in-Japan/ Cheers

Hi Piers., You might contact the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai at the Tokyo Budokan. Here's some footage of Donn Draeger and possibly Shimizu Sensei c. 1970 From 5.20 to 5.54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwKmcbdKKYc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of ... D-ry%C5%AB Cheers

Here's part of the permanent display at the Rekihaku Museum in Sakura:

Here's a selection of Mempo from this years DTI: Spot the School.......

Great work guys, If we can add Kanji or at least Hiragana to the terms it will make browsing the Japanese websites way easier.

Hi Mike., The pattern of the constellation looks like the Little Dipper not the Big Dipper, the bottom star (closest to the compass) is likely to be the Pole Star, you may find more info by researching Myōken 妙見 and Onmyōdō 陰陽道. Cheers

A few snaps:

Just back from Japan., DTI was again an excellent learning experience for me. Actually met Jean at Robert's Benkyokai, and his accent is best described as a suave combination of Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet, Jean Dujardin with a little Piaf.... On the Holiday Monday, one of the highlights of my trip was the Meiji Jingu Embu organised by the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai. A host of Koryu schools showing both their armed and unarmed forms. There was also a Yabusame parade and demonstration on a specially prepared track. Inspirational!! Cheers

Evening HJ Link works here in UK. Cheers

Hi Guido, what is a Monbusho investigator please? Google says no..... Cheers

Here ya go: http://www.thejapaneseconnection.com/mm ... e=Takazawa Cheers

Good morning Jimi san., I can't be much help here, save to say that two rectangles intertwined in a Kamon are sometimes referred to as Kumiawase. Cheers

Gentlemen., I'm drawn to this opinion: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (The other one, not the one in Titanic)

Morning all., Also the Tsuba is 1st pattern and the Saya has the early chape (Ishizuki). http://ohmura-study.net/957.html Altogether a rareity. Cheers

Good evening ZHANG., These work very well: http://www.tozandoshop.com/Genuine-Leat ... chi33s.htm Cheers Malcolm

Hi Johnny., Check that there is a small piece of paper (Torokusho) with the sword in Japan, unlicensed swords are illegal in Japan, it's a really big deal. This should help to explain the situation: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html Cheers

Good afternoon all Style and placement of numbers on Habaki is also another giveaway to it's origins.......as well perhaps where you saw it. Price? What you are prepared to pay for it. $15 - $20 sounds about right. Cheers

I think you've nailed it Guido

Could it be a Baku 獏 (Supernatural being that devours dreams and nightmares)? Cheers

Chris said 素晴らしい！　ありがとう、森田さん。。。 Ditto

Good morning Jorgensen Jimi - san., This should help you understand how papers are structured: http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_papers.html Most other Kanji you require will be here: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/index.html If you get stuck, ask again. Cheers