Chishiki

Thanks everyone for your help, it is very much appreciated. Mark

Thanks for your input Ian. Sorry to gravitate back to an old thread on another forum (link above) but I see my kabuto being very similar to the one discussed there, and indeed the one Yamabushi had previously, even down to the placement and look of the mei. To my eyes it seems the same man. I will try to get a copy if the mei on Yamabushi Antiques kabuto. Fair enough to say though that it seems very speculative when trying to verify a time of manufacture other than late Muromachi period. The repair to the crown of the kabuto fascinates me and as you say could have been done at the time of manufacure but I ask why? It is a very sturdy helmet at 2.5kg, not sure why it would need to be reinforced. Unfortunately the riveted plate is covering whatever repairs is/was there. I might take it for shinsa this year... some may say why? i know it is not a beautiful helmet and condition is down but it sure has a story to tell. All in the name of research.

Hi. Thanks Uwe. Here is the previous thread on a Munehisa. I believe my kabuto is probably the same man. I have also compared it to the kabuto referred to at Yamabushi.com and my kabuto looks very much alike in features. Here is the link. I should have provided this at the beginning. http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/thread/576/munehisa-kabuto Mark

Hi everyone. I recently acquired this 62 plate kabuto. I was very interested to see it had been repaired and reinforced with plates rivited inside. There were obvious condition issues to the lacquer. The photos were the only information provided other that the weight of 2.5kg. On receiving the helmet I found it was signed to the front plate with a three character mei ‘Munehisa Saku’. Amazingly the seller didn’t know it was signed so luck went my way. What you cannot really see in the pics is that the top front next to the tehen had been hit heavily and plates damaged. Clearly it was repaired and relacquered, but some plate damage is still visible unless it was damaged again after the first repair. The ring at the back of the helmet is also pushed in as a result is a heavy hit. When I first bought the helmet I thought it may be a project in the future to have the hachi relacquered but on receiving, finding the mei and seeing the period repairs I have decided to leave it ‘as is’, maybe relacing only. On another thread I have found some information on a Munehisa working 1532 to 1555. Does this kabuto fit with the known work of this man? Do you agree I should leave it as is and unrestored? Regards Mark

Hi Grev. Thanks for responding. I think this should be filed in the ‘too hard basket’. Originally I thought it was a little unique but searching around I found a number of tsuba with this large floral display. Happy to put this to rest. Thanks again. I did find this one Aoi Art had once, the technique of applying the design and gilt is similar.

Hi everyone. Recently received this tsuba which was inexpensive but I liked the design. Question. Is there a group of makers and time period it can be attributed to? 7.8cm x 7.6cm x3mm There was what looks like a 2 character mei that has worn away and unreadable. Thanks in advance. Mark

Hi Chris. Very interesting site and good read. The samurai on the tsuba doesn’t appear to be trying to capture them, but it was interesting to read about the way kappa behave. They had capacity to help people and it seems the tsuba depicts kappa having meeting with the samurai. Thanks for the great link. Mark

I doubt this depicts or has anything to do about a struggle with the kappa. Looks like they are in discussion about something. Somewhere, somehow, someone will have the answer. Mark

Thanks Steve and everyone else. I have a good base for further research. Mark

Thanks Steve, I have attached the english description of the above woodblock (the link you kindly posted). Do you think the theme of the tsuba and the woodblock are completely different? Do you think it is Rokusuke Keyamura on the tsuba? I see the woobblock depicts Sirafuji Genta. Appreciate your opinion. At the end of the day it is not a big deal whether I get it solved or not. Japanese mythology is alien to me but I do like researching pieces I come by. Happy to put this thread to bed. Thanks everyone Mark

Thanks Steve. I found this woodblock. I think the same situation as the tsuba although he is not wearing armour. Can anyone read the woodblock please. Regards Mark

Thanks Steve I feel we are getting close. There must be a samurai myth/legend where there is a meeting near water between kappa and a samurai or other mythical character. It would be nice to know what that myth is. Mark

Hi Jean. i wondered that too but the fact he has a club and not a naginata made me unsure. Mark

Hi Steve, no they are not. First I thought they were Kappa but not confident. Someone here will nail it.

Hi. I would appreciate if someone could please tell me the theme of this tsuba. I have had a look on the internet but cannot find it. Thanks Mark

Thank you Jean. I see it’s not a mei. It is actually written on the back of an Aori or horse side protector, which hangs below the saddle. Very fancy work. Mark

Sorry the quality of the pic is not great but it’s all I have. Donation to the NMB for this one thanks. It’s a potentially large purchase so any help appreciated. Mark

Thanks Ruben. Here is the link to the kendo video I watched. I would be dead in one second. https://youtu.be/kzhSVYSC5ds

Thanks, very interesting. There was a youtube clip following it showing kendo championships. The referees had a red and whitle flag. Do you know what each means? Goes to show that most sword fights would be over very quickly. Mark

Interesting info thanks. I will,set about learning more about yari. Never paid much attention other than obtaining a few examples. Mark

Hi, thanks for your input. Agreed the mounts are later than the yari. You are an advanced collector living in Japan so I won’t dispute what you say. The opening of the socket is only 19mm inside width, so considering that I thought it was made for a smaller shaft. On the battlefield i thought something more robust would be used for penetrating armour. I assumed this was an indoor, confined space yari. Live and learn Mark

Thanks everyone. Brian I find these interesting too, a friend has one on his wall and my eyes always gravitate to it. I had to have one. Generally I think yari are undervalued. I wonder about the construction method and why this type of yari was made. One online info says they were easier to remount if the shaft was broken. This doesn’t apply to this yari, it’s not a field weapon. I snapped this up off yahoo. So many hours searching that site, a few wins and losses from there. A minefield, in this case I was lucky. Mark

A few more pics

Hi folks. I just want to share my latest aquisition. I just received the yari and am so happy with it. Only small, overall about 138cm. Cutting edges is only about 11cm. Signed Suzuki Yamato no Kami Sukemasa (thanks for the previous translation help). The patina on the tang, the lovely mounts. I think a good find. Any just wanted to share. Mark

Hi. We plan another meeting at the RSL Sunday December 2 art 2pm. It would be good for each to bring something along to share. Please indicate if you can make it. Mark