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Tonkotsu

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Everything posted by Tonkotsu

  1. Here is what I think is a Type 94 shin guntō. The sword is in excellent condition, however the tsuka is wrapped with blue chord which I think is unusual. Any information about this sword would be appreciated. Thanks, Dick
  2. I have had this Tanto for a number of years and I have no idea what it is or it's purpose. The tsuka and saya seem to be rosewood, all fittings are antler and the wrappings are baleen. The blade is steel backed by brass. I can not remove the pin without damaging the tsuka. The steel blade is razor sharp. Any ideas? Thank you for your help. Dick
  3. Thomas, Thank you for the information on Marutake Sangyo CO,LTD. I think that you are correct thinking that they made the armor. When I bought the armor I was buying a decorative piece not an antique since a date of 1912 for a Japanese piece is hardly antique. The auction catalog stated the piece was Taishō. When I examined the armor closely I did question some aspects of the decorations on the metal work. The decorations were die struck rather than hand engraved and chased and the box is made of plywood. The rest of the armor is beautifully made of very high quality. I am very aware of quality workmanship since I am a sculptor who uses many Japanese metalworking techniques and materials. The least expensive armor on the Marutake website is priced at more than twice what I paid for my armor so I am not unhappy. Thank you again for your information. Dick
  4. Here is a sculpture by Masatsune (late 19th century) a naturalistically cast bronze hawk perched with wings drawn in as it looks down with an intense expression in search of prey, poised to take flight. The raptor with details on the face rendered in gilt, silver and shakudo, signed in a rectangular plaque Masatsune chu, on a wood base. This signature was used by Masatsune Kimura (1868-1912), a well-known Meiji period Japanese bronze sculptor specializing in Birds. H-12”
  5. Gunnery Sergeant Sidney Asa Cook served for three months on Guadalcanal. Cook was in New Zealand from February 17, 1943 to November, 1943. He died on the first day of the fighting for Tarawa, Nov. 20, 1943. I posted below sections from his file to show where he fought the Japanese. Dick
  6. This Japanese sword was sent home from Guadalcanal by Gunnery Sergeant Sidney Asa Cook. The sword has been damaged by several machine gun bullets down the length of the scabbard. However, amazingly, the blade itself was not hit. The heavily worn sword has high quality mixed metal fittings and a silver Mon. The blade is unmarked. Gunnery Sergeant Sidney Asa Cook was a member of Company “E”, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sergeant Cook “Participated in, under actual combat conditions, in offensive operations against the Japanese Army, on Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, from November 4, 1942 to February 9, 1943, both dates inclusive.” On February 9, 1943 Sergeant Cook embarked aboard the USS American Legion and arrived at Wellington, New Zealand February 17, 1943. In November 1943, Cook was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Cook died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but Cook’s remains were not recovered. On Feb. 8, 1949, a military review board declared Cook’s remains non-recoverable. In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015. DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of Gunnery Sergeant Sidney Asa Cook's remains.
  7. Thank you for help with the Kuwagata and sune-ate. I was never under the illusion that armor was created for the Royal Family. I bought this armor from Mark Walberg who explained that it was made to be worn for a parade. Armor made in 1912 would be a reproduction of Edo armor. All of the metal parts are made from 18 Ga. steel.
  8. Here is a suit Japanese armor which was created for wear at the coronation of the Emperor Taishō in 1912. I bought this about fifteen years ago. The catalog listed it as made for the coronation in 1912. I believe the mon is Maru ni Ken Katabami ? Dick
  9. Thank you very much to both of you for your comments on my tanto. You are correct about the blade and the piece is Meiji. I bought the piece for the carving not the blade. The Habaki is soldered to the blade so it would be difficult to remove. The boxwood is beautifully carved and inlayed with horn and ivory. I traded the tanto for a large Tokyo school bronze. You were correct on both the blade and the late nineteenth century. Thank you again for your comments. This is a great forum! Dick
  10. Here is a Tanto with a dragon theme beautifully carved in boxwood.
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