Baka Gaijin

Broken blades in Musha - e (Warrior) prints are often treated as symbolic of the last stand, or the Nobility of Failure as the late Ivan Morris so eloquently described. The Utagawa group of artists often portrayed examples of swords broken amid a hail of arrows. The various renditions of the The Tales of the Heike, including The Last Stand of the Kusunoki at Shijo Nawate or the exploits of the Soga Brothers are good sources of research for this.

Maybe allow the dogsbody to practice cutting signatures......

You can always count on us 'originals' Stephen...we have got your back. Ditto that Oyabun

This article may be of interest: https://www.seidoshop.com/blogs/the-seido-blog/30-the-origin-and-manufacture-of-the-iaito#:~:text=Visits to the workshops Minosaka,enacted after World War ll.

It looks like the items for the old Tango no Sekku display, usually accompanied by a formally presented bow and arrow. Both supported on a Kake and meant to sit left and right of a boys day armour.

Mokuhankan is a marvellous shop in Asakusa. It is owned by David Bull. David is an extraordinary Artist and his creation of Mokuhankan is a peaceful and inspiring space amidst the hustle and bustle of Asakusa.

Hi Justin, There are opinions that it was lighter to lug around. Also some came with a leather or oiled cloth foul weather cover for the tsuka. Here's a mine of information for you to start digging: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html

Only just noticed that Kuniyoshi's depiction of Hazama Kihei Mitsunobu (Yama Kihei Mistunobu) has what looks very much like an Ainu Pattern Cowl. Kuniyoshi was known for his eclectic interests including Western Perspective, Dutch Old Masters and Cats Any Thoughts on this?

Hi John, Using my Acme X-Ray Spex There is a Mekugi ana visible just under the first crossover of the itomaki.

Hi Simon, Not sure I get the sense of the message to Jaques D Japan Sword Company is Inami San in Toranomon. Aoi Art is Tsuruta San in Shibuya.

A few snaps from the current Horimono exhibition at the NBTHK Hakubutsukan in Tokyo. Photography is allowed, just no Flash.

Hi Michael It's a bit like Christian Iconography and the attributes of the Saints. These usually relate to Fudo No Myo - o The two parallel horimono are referred to as Goma Bashi and represent metal chopsticks which are used in Shinto and some Buddhist Ceremonies such as the O-Goma Fire ritual which is still practiced daily at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is dedicated the Fudo no Myo - o. https://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/ QED

Here's a clue trail, but you'll have to search Kaga Kuji no In Habaki and Tsuba Talismanic Protection It's all here on NMB in articles over the years.

Feeling its Soul? As the late lamented Actor Richard Harris would say... "Ah..... Soul!"

A great weekend Saturday DTI Sunday Meiji Jingu Embu and DTI

It suggests a simpler way of fitting a sword blade to a Tsuka that matched the mekugi ana on the nakago, but was too long to the habaki moto.

But they are listening Maxime.......

12 1964 Wakizashi mounted in what some refer to as Satsuma Rebellion mounts £4 10 shillings (£4.50 now) The Katana was £5.10 (£5.50), but I didn't have that much. The Dealer wrapped in some Newspaper for the bus journey home. The Dealer I bought it from is still dealing...........

Here's a series of Bando Minosuke depictions, mostly by Utagawa Toyokuni I https://ukiyo-e.org/...rch?q=Bando+Minosuke