Soshin

Just wanted to follow up on my original comment with a post saying that I like Bonhams and still register and bid on their Japanese art auctions even to this day. I like their commitment to Japanese art throughout the years and have always had positive interactions with their director Jeff Olson. I just registered for their current fine Japanese and Korean Art auction here (Bonhams : Fine Japanese & Korean Art). It should be noted that I selected local pickup only during the registration process. So, I should be able to avoid extra fees associated with shipping and handling of the auction items. I recommend all NMB members who bid and win at the Tsuba: The R. E. Haynes Study Collection Auction to pick up their items at the auction house directly if possible.

Good luck @kissakai! From my experience if an auction house subcontracts the shipping it will usually be very costly. I once won a Bonhams Auction during COVID-19 pandemic, and the shipping was very slow and expensive from New York, USA to Maryland, USA. The shipper also shipped every tsuba in its box. This resulted in many damaged wooden boxes. Fortunately, tsuba were all iron Ko-Tōshō and Ko-Kachūshi tsuba and were unharmed by the very poor packing. I later had the tsuba boxes fixed and customized for each tsuba in Japan when they were apprised at the NBTHK.

I don't collect Goto school work I just searched how much 11,000 euros is in US dollars and I was shocked. I am friends with Paul, and his father and was shocked to the point I didn't response on Facebook to Paul's post about the tsuba (this does have happen often). It really looks fake to me, but keep in mind I don't collect and not really interested in Goto school work but have seen some fine examples in hand over the years and this set of tsuba is far from that level of quality.

I completely agree with Curran and Skip will be greatly missed. Will also check out the Grey's website but will be especially looking forward to seeing what Grey and Mark bring to the Chicago show as well from Skip's old collection.

Don't really care about this auction per say so not a big loss in my opinion in terms of not shipping to the USA. This not an attack on Mr. Haynes, I am just not doing much active collecting of Tsuba now and what I am after is really nice in my subject opinion and can be obtain elsewhere. I did just notice now that Curran has a new website. I am going to check that out this morning before work.

Hi @Markus! Thank you for posting the index of volume #4 of Tosogu Classroom. This is really helpful. I decided to get this volume and have send you an email confirming my address as such, even though it contains many schools that I not really interested in actively collecting. The Suishinshi Masahide School is one school I would love to learn more about before collecting a few nice examples of their work.

Hi @Markus! I am sending you an email now.

Hi Ray, Some very nice books. I know you are dealing with many, many Japanese swords right now, but when you get some free time later this year. Please send a title list and prices via PM or email via my website (Tsuba Otaku | Reflections of a Not So Empty Mind) of the Kokusai Tosogu Kai Convention & Exhibition books you have. I have a friend who has a piece from his collection that is going to be in the next exhibition book coming out in 2026 so I will be tied up with buying this book right now. Thank you.

This is a really great local show for me. I would meet with remaining members of the old Mid Atlantic Token Kai. I had a really fun time the last five or six years I have attended on Saturday. Two years ago, I found a tsuba with design of matchlock pistol, fuse, and target. This year unfortunately the dates of March 21-22, 2026, conflicts with my lay Buddhist training schedule on that weekend at a temple in New York. Here is the picture of the tsuba I picked up two years ago at this show. For more information about this tsuba it can be found here on my website: Tsuba Gallery #3 | Tsuba Otaku. It is the second tsuba from the top of the Tsuba Gallery #3 webpage.

I booked my hotel and flights back in January. I did run into an issue with the discount airline I originally used, but fortunately I was able to rebook and resolve everything at no additional cost. I’m very much looking forward to the Chicago show. I’ll be attending all three days and staying for two nights at the Hyatt, where I was able to secure the special show rate. I plan to bring three or four tsuba from my collection for display, sale, or trade. They will be shown at the New York Token Kai club table. Each piece has been with me for many years, and I’ll provide a short write‑up for each tsuba on display.

Hi Jean C., @ROKUJURO Thank you so much for sharing such a nice YouTube video.

I am basing my assessment of age on the techniques and materials used to make the statue Fudō Myō-ō and other Buddhist statues I have seen. Just a quick introduction to early modern history of Buddhism in Japan after the Edo Period. There was not many Buddhists craving begin done generally speaking and some temples were being destroyed, and few new temples were being build. Buddhist were being openly persecuted within the Shugendō sect specifically and there was also forced consolidation of other Japanese Buddhist sects in Japan during the Meiji and Taishō periods. This continued and became more extreme during the Shōwa Period with the erosion democratic norms that lead up to WW2 in the Pacific Ocean.

An interesting Fudo-Myō-Ō statue, thank you for sharing photos of it on NMB. I really like all types of Japanese Buddhist Art like this. This standing pose of this wisdom king (personification of the Wisdom of Dainichi Nyorai) is not as common as the more common seated pose. To me it looks Edo Period in terms of age. I really nice find. He would have been part of a Buddhist temple alter, or part of a Buddhist home alter. It would not be part or associated with shrine because that would be Shinto and he is not a Shinto god.

It should be noted that cost of the reference books, monthly Token Bijutsu magazine from Japan via Airmail, discounts when visiting the Japanese Sword Museum, and Zoom and in person presentations at the shows are included in the annual cost of membership which is $250.00 USD.

Hi Nathaniel, Why? As a member (since 2007) of the NBTHK via the American Branch. The American Branch of the NBTHK current have some Canadian members and one adviser. I enjoy my membership and have gotten many free reference books via the NBTHK American Branch over the years. Here is a link (see below) their website for more information and all communication is in English. Not sure if they use spam filters on their email but I know many members there for many years so I can help you contact them. NBTHK - American Branch