Matsunoki

I didn’t know there was a buyer for souls. Got his email??🙂

Yep. Yep, every time Both Nope.

Hi Frank, Do you come to the Birmingham Arms Fair (June 22nd)? I will have a few Tanto. Mounted and shirasaya. Might need to stretch that budget a bit to get anything worthwhile. Always best to deal face to face with the sword in your hands. You’ll know exactly what you’re buying. Colin

Herewith…….all further views most welcome. Thanks for looking

Thanks Piers, I’ll sit down and translate all this later🙂 ……whole new vocabulary for my old brain to attempt

Hi Piers……seems Manji has more than one Kanji for “Man”??? From this Forum… Now I’m confused again!🙂

@uwe That has all been extremely helpful. Thank you. It has explained a lot in a short few words. It’s nice to start a new journey, armour seems quite challenging!

Thanks again Uwe Why would this be dated but not signed? Whilst my knowledge is minimal, this looks a well made hachi worthy of a Mei?

Thanks again Uwe. Top view….

Honestly Howard…..I don’t know. I would assume so but I only reached the conclusion that they were Ainu because I couldn’t find another explanation and have never come across any myths or legends that would explain the subject matter. I wonder what @Bugyotsuji thinks?

@uwe Many thanks Uwe…..I was hoping it was older but as I know virtually nothing yet I’m not surprised to be hundreds of years out! Purely for interest here is the Bachi…..anything special about it? Appreciate your time and help!

Hi Howard Another lovely quality okimono. I think the Mei is Naomitsu…..as mentioned in your other piece, hardly any records exist for these talented carvers….there were hundreds of them. Probably the best carvers that have ever lived. (Imo) I think the subject depicts an Ainu man and his wife making rope. It’s not a subject I’ve ever seen before.

Sorry Howard, I’m crap on signatures…I used to focus purely on quality but I’m sure if you put the mei into the translation section someone will tell you. There were hundreds of amazing ivory carvers in Meiji, but virtually no existing contemporary records of who they were. However did this was top drawer.

Please can someone help with this Mei purportedly on a Muromachi Kabuto? I’m trying to learn about armour! Many thanks. All the best. Colin. EDIT….is it a date? Manji? 1658? I can see the kanji for day and month…..I think

Had a bit more time….. https://www.bonhams.com/auction/16717/lot/461/an-ivory-kiseruzutsu-pipe-case-19th-century/ https://www.bonhams.com/auction/10241/lot/489/a-very-fine-komai-style-circular-dish-by-inoue-meiji-period-46cm18in-diam/ https://www.bonhams.com/auction/14899/lot/7/a-stained-ivory-okimono-of-riujin-dragon-king-of-the-sea/ etc etc!!

Meant to say it is almost certainly a panel from either a table cabinet door or an upright two-fold framed table screen. On the reverse you can see the shadows of the frame. The recipient of the pearls would probably be depicted on the confronting panel. Meiji period, superb quality.

Didn’t think you believed in Gods…..let alone human Gods?

Just an opinion…..but my understand is that a Juyo judgement is not based solely on the quality and attributes of the sword under review but is heavily dependant also on how it fares against other swords in the same Shinsa ie it’s a competition. Yes I know it’s their game their rules but does anyone else think that is a bit illogical? Either a sword merits Juyo or it doesn’t surely?

Hi Howard Your plaque depicts the Dragon King of the Sea (or an emissary of) and an attendant presenting pearls. It’s a famous legend. This should get you started…….scroll down a little bit. There will be tons more on the web. I think his name was Ryujin but haven’t checked! https://blog.dma.org/2016/04/20/mother-of-dragons/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/388277390459

Looking again at the perspective. I believe the artist is asking us to stand on the high ground in the foreground and look down on the flood. The bridges could be across a raging river valley that is feeding down into the flood. Mist does not explain the toppled Torii and the small boats appear to be fully visible and floating, not hidden. Anyway, it’s thought provoking.

Bizarrely sweeping generalisation that adds nothing constructive to the discussion……as is often the case.

The angle of the Torii could be suggesting that it has been toppled in a flood. The presence of the two small sailboats suggests we are looking at water…..but the distant perspective is a bit confusing/challenging. The fact that just some the treetops are “above water” is significant? I’d vote flood but wouldn’t bet my home on it.

@Luc T @uwe Thank you so much for your help. I do not own this one (yet🙂but hopefully…) and as I am totally ignorant on armour I just want to avoid the awaiting pitfalls and bear traps…..having seen some of the pieces discussed on here that are modern/fake (but that looked old and good quality…to me) it is obvious that Kabuto and menpo suffer also from the attentions of fakers, albeit very talented ones. This one looked very well made to me in a fairly simple style ……but then what do I know? These are the only other images available at the moment……do they suggest anything else? Would I be right to think the throat guard is of lesser quality? …..and can you point me at any decent reference books (in English) that can assist my learning? …..and thanks again! All the best. Colin

Having nearly sold my whole sword collection I am now just starting to become more interested in armour, especially Kabuto and Menpo in russet iron. My knowledge is currently pretty basic but this piece has crossed my path and I would be really grateful for your opinions on quality, age, school…..anything that’s relevant really that would assist a total novice. Many thanks for looking. All the best. Colin