Matsunoki

I also “saw” Kunimitsu. Very tricky.

Just a guess…..personal “pomander” ie fragrance container?

https://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product-list/13

Looks right to me. Quite a creative “badger tea kettle” design (that’s what we called that subject back in the dark ages🙂). But just to hedge my bets, my eyes aren’t what they once were.

In addition to the above…..ask the seller if the koshirae actually fits the blade properly. Make sure it’s not a “near enough is good enough” job. If it has been fitted correctly then fair enough.

Possibly made for one of the tsuba competitions in Japan?

Definitely reeds…..

Depends how old you are. I’m officially “old” and far closer to the end than the beginning so I have just sold my sword collection and enjoyed it all nearly as much as buying them all. Also I didn’t want to risk losing my marbles so that I became incapable of handling things. Yes I have a gun collection to sort out and I’m about to start that. Of course I agree if you are young it’s different and there is always the proverbial bus that could scupper plans but Nihonto is such a specialist field I think it’s safer to handle the dispersal ourselves…..when we approach the end of the line. I also think the tax implications are often forgotten about if your estate is considerable. Selling stuff before departure means you are only looking at capital gains (or capital losses!) whereas after departing it becomes full inheritance tax liabilities depending on whatever your local taxation requirements are.

Why leave the dispersal of such a specialised niche collection to chance? Why burden anyone, especially loved ones with such tricky responsibilities? Dispose of them yourself before you depart the planet. You then know where they have gone and you haven’t lumbered anyone else with the task It can be quite enjoyable (speaking from recent experiences) (and don’t forget potential death duties/taxes if you do leave it all behind) (maybe keep just one favourite item?)

Agree, a little on the large side at 9.0cm! Many thanks Steve, greatly appreciated Thanks John, I’d been watching it (and the monkey item) for a while on a gun dealers website (at huge prices) but then he put his whole collection into an auction and bingo! Both the above came from his dispersal at slightly more realistic prices! Personally I think the pine tree and moon item is utterly beautiful and in pristine condition. ….and here he is in Haynes THANKS GUYS!

Hi John….here goes….

@ROKUJURO @uwe Many thanks for your help! It has enabled me to track him down in Haynes……this is he (but no guesses on the other one?☹️) This is the tsuba…. Greatly appreciated!

Two recent tsuba purchases. Please may I ask for translation assistance? Many thanks in advance. All the best Colin

Thanks Lewis, thanks Uwe. Uwe, just to quieten my annoying brain….are you saying in your opinion this is made in the Edo period as a revival of an earlier style or made post Edo as a revival of an Edo style? re the rust in the interior, should I gently start the linseed oil and white spirit preservation process? I guess it will just keep rusting if not?

Lewis, can you elaborate please? What catches your eye? I think those split rivets are what secures the decorative “arrow like” features on the external. There are many of them and all seem to correlate to the location of those features.

@Lewis B Thanks Lewis, appreciate your observations. There is so little research info available on this subject (unlike swords) I feel I may have slipped down an even darker rabbit hole! Still, I love a challenge! I’ll have a closer look at the tehen, but it’s tricky when you don’t know what to look for!🙂 All the best. Colin.

I’m guessing I’ve inadvertently said something to offend you all as it’s gone very quiet. My apologies, no offence was ever intended. The Bachi came from a dealer in Japan who appears to split up old armours and sell the component parts, not that that makes any real difference. Anyway thanks for your time and assistance.

My final say on the subject of “behaviour”……. If the line is truly drawn at personal attacks (doubly so when factually inaccurate and totally malicious) then I look forward to receiving no further such crap from Rayhan. Given the culture that surrounds Nihonto (and of course the general culture of Japan) hopefully we can bring some respect back.

Back to the sword. Had a go at improving the image of the dragon horimono. Whilst its placement may be a bit unusual to my eyes it looks well executed. Before I’m jumped on I’m not saying it’s a really fine example but from this single image it looks very crisp with good detailing and flowing movement. The way the scales are carved can be a giveaway but these look correctly defined, not just cross-hatched like many lower quality examples. Also worth bearing in mind that the Horimono were quite possibly added later as already mentioned….late Edo or even Meiji when times were largely peaceful and when image and bling were becoming more important, possibly more important than correct placement. Horimono artists (probably) didn’t come cheap so this would have cost some money. Also some collectors would happily buy this simply for that horimono….a decent example of a related craft, albeit on a blade that is past its best. There is nothing wrong with that. Anyone else see what looks like a wide choji hamon in some of the images?

Most of us on the Forum happily accept that people derive great enjoyment from collecting a wide variety of Japanese swords for an equally wide variety of reasons and at hugely different price points. We adopt a “live and let live” attitude without judgement, accepting that people buy things that maybe we would not but we calmly accept that they collect in a different way with different objectives. One person in several of these recent topics/exchanges seems not to accept that philosophy and prefers to tell us all what we should do and what we should spend our money on as well as resorting to combative insults and assumptions when a contrary view is put forward. Is it any wonder that this attitude and behaviour is seen as inflammatory and causes a reaction amongst those of us that see it as damaging this Forum? Sadly such behaviour is also likely to immediately deter anyone who is considering entering this hobby. …..and just my opinion but this is not a “bad sword”. It would still behead you with ease which is its primary function. It is a sword that was once made for a purpose at whatever the budget was. It is now obviously somewhat tired and damaged but it is still interesting and it is still capable of teaching us something. ……and a word about bo-hi…..their geometry can be heavily distorted by inappropriate or poor quality polishing thus creating the impression that they were badly cut. That may be the case here, who knows? We haven’t got the sword in our hands. and finally Rayhan….facts… 1. I am not a sword dealer and never have been, 2. I am not an expert and have never professed to be one.

Can we please see the whole netsuke? The immediate impression is that it is dubious irrespective of the apparent mei.

@uwe @Luc T @Bugyotsuji The hachi has now arrived via FEDEX (as usual an excellent service). Ignore all colours in the images. I have used an led torch. Whilst I am an absolute beginner when it comes to Kabuto I have handled a lot of Japanese metalwork including pieces in iron and the first thing that struck me when I unpacked it was that it is “substantial” by that I mean heavy and solid and apparently very well made.(of course this is just my uneducated opinion!) The “stuff” that was apparently oozing out between the edges of the plates is in fact layer upon layer of rust that has built up under the overlaps and in places is forcing the plates apart. The whole of the interior is covered in varying degrees of rust (ignore the colours in the attached images. The interior is a dark orange rusk colour all over) This contrasts with the exterior condition that looks very well cared for and preserved. The tehen Kanetomo appears to be made from several different layers but very firmly fixed together. Nothing spins around. I can see “gaps” between the layers I think. One layer has the remains of a black patination. The downward facing “arrows” on the exterior look well formed in copper and sit upon a plate that seems to be bronze that has acquired a pleasing mottled patina. That bronze plate sits on top of the iron plate beneath it. There are remnants of silk lacing where a shikoro was once attached. To me it looks like the exterior has been very well looked after whilst the interior was slowly deteriorating presumably hidden by the lining. The degree of layered rust inside does not suggest to me recent manufacture. Please see attached images. PLEASE! I really look forward to what you all have to say. I’m sure I’m wrong but I think it’s best to “have a go”…..I learn quickly from mistakes🙂 Many thanks. Colin

Couple of kinko kozuka. The duck on the boat is Goto.

Couple more kinko pieces

Then it is wrong. See Handaka Sennin (aka Handaka Sonja)…. Handaka Sennin (also known as Handaka Sonja) is a rare depiction of a Buddhist Rakan in Japanese folklore, often mistaken for Taoist Sennin, who conjures a dragon from his alms bowl or a censuer. This figure is associated with wisdom and a pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and sometimes depicted on Japanese tsuba, okimono, and netsuke with a dragon.