Baka Gaijin

Hi Paris, The Circular seal says Kiwame (Approved) and occurs in prints pre 1842. It may be a Gyoji seal which is encountered between 1811 and 1815, and were used by wholesale publishers to indicate approval. Below it is, I think the publisher's mark is for Matsumura Tatsuemon active in Edo. Thanks to Dr Andreas Marks' excellent "Publishers of Japanese Woodblock Prints: A Compendium"

Hi Rich and Piers As the Dear Old Bean states, I Lurk, and sometimes make a comment, usually when it is inappropriate. I just changed my Profile name to Baka Gaijin during the Lockdown, as I felt it more accurate a sobriquet. Rich, you have a wonderful example of the Last Stand. However, as Piers would probably agree, of absolutely no merit or value, and would best be sent, at your expense, to either himself or myself, where it could be appreciated appropriately....... Tee Hee moment here, before the forces of International Internet Wokery cast their beady eyes upon my statement, and demand that I eat salads made with rattan shoelaces. Seriously, you have an absolute cracker, and looks to be in pretty good condition. Enjoy it.......

What is the difference between a Japanese Sword and a Japanese Art Sword? About £5,000.00 if you are lucky...........

Good evening Arnaud, As you are in Japan, perhaps attend the Meiji Jingu embu on Sunday 3rd of November. You will see a vast array of Koryu schools demonstrating their various arts. Its a great event.

Good morning Old Bean, Have you thought of playing the spoons or the washboard as well as whistling Dixie? People love a variety act. 古剣 Old sword? Is that a catch all Torokusho term?

At the top the Shimadzu Kamon as Piers says: The rest may be here..... Good Hunting https://gotheborg.com/marks/satsuma.shtml

Hi Henry Try researching Kobudo 古武道 The Meiji Jingu Embu and Nippon Budokan Kobudo demonstrations willl fill in the gaps.

Tachi and Kodachi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachi

Whilst we are with the Naginata ladies of the Chiyoda Castle...... Their tradition is ably continued by the ladies (and token gentlemen) of the Yoshin Ryu who give a spirited performance of their School's core curriculum.

My all time Naginata favorite Toyoharu Chikanobu The Chiyoda Castle Series The ladies of Chiyoda Palace c.1896 (The description from the MET sums the scene up: "The Inner Precincts of Chiyoda Castle,” Chikanobu imagines a world he never saw—the inner precincts of Chiyoda Castle—better known as Edo Castle—which housed the shogun’s mother, wife, and concubines. The area was off limits to all men other than the shogun himself or his young male heir. The Evacuation (otachinoki) described here probably refers to the Great Fire of 1844 that destroyed much of the castle. Female guards, garbed in black robes tied with a bamboo-motif obi, assist in the emergency evacuation, carrying naginata,"

Thank You Peter

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Nabe Buta (Pot Lid Defence) - Miyamoto Musashi attacks Tsukahara Bokuden with long and short Bokuto. c.1845

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Fashionable Octopus Games c.1840

Artist Unknown Various Mechandise fighting in a Dojo enclosure c.1880

Kawanabe Kyosai Children making shapes with a Fusa Himo including Yari Jutsu - spear fighting and a woman holding a Naginata. c.1865

Toyoharu Chikanobu The Chiyoda Castle Series Bokuto and Naginata Training c.1895

Utagawa Toyokuni Jujutsu c.1815

Hirezaki Eiho Bokuto and Naginata Practice c.1900

Utagawa Kunisada Tengu teaching Ushiwaka (Minamoto No Yoshitsune) under the watchful gaze of the Tengu King Shojobu c.1810

One for Piers Susuki Kinsen c.1900

Toyoharu Chikanobu The Chiyoda Castle Series The Last Shogun Yoshinobu watching Gekken practice c.1897

Just for the fun of it: From the Archive of the Edo Tokyo Museum: By Tsukioka Yoshitoshi The Dojo of Sakakibara Kenkichi c.1873