Chishiki

Thanks Curran. Would like to find a store where I can see the product if you know of one. Yours is a good back up. Cheers

Hi. I am in Japan for a short stay. Does anyone here know of an outlet that sells the cotton cord or tape used by the Japanese to secure the tops of their wooden boxes? Thanks Mark

Thanks Malcom. Reading that firearms are prohibited full stop! Correct? Is a teppo considered a firearm in the eyes of the law or is there an exemption for antiques? Mark

Hi. I have an okimono sized teppo pistol which is full functioning. A friend of mine residing in Japan dearly wants it. The question is. What is the best way of getting it there? Can I take it in luggage and declare it the way I would a sword? Or will I get machine gunned on the spot? Mark

Thank you Curran. That is a great compliment. Mark

Robert, thank you so much. Always amazed at the breath and depth of knowledge to be found on this site. I have always liked these prints and it's good to know more about them. Mark

Thank you. Maybe a different kuniyoshi?. mark

Why are the pics sideways? Sorry. Using the ipad, tried to edit but still cannot get them the correct way up.

I have had these for 20 years or so and know nothing about the artist, other than three are signed kuniyoshi. Your help would be most appreciated. Mark. Sorry about the glare as they are mounted behind glass.

Here is the update. I called the auction house and they couldn't work out how to remove the blade to make it shorter, however they managed to reduce the packaging length and came up with a new quote of $450usd to me. I gave them Stephen's zip code and they quoted $170usd to him via courier. I guess Stephen will have the same problems in that UPS wont touch it because of the length and fedex will not be cheap no matter what Stephen does. It seems i just have to pay the $450 usd and take the pain. Stephen i appreciate you so much. I am going to mull it over tonight as to how to proceed, i will let you know soon. Really....the shipping costs these days are rediculous. The initial quote of $1590usd just knocked me to my knees. Almost better to fly over and pick it up myself. The upside is that the auction house was very nice to chat with and helpful. Such a shame too that it is a low grade item.. no treasure unfortunately. Mark

Hi Stephen. Can you PM me your address please. Mark

Hi Stephen. I just called them and they are very obliging. They are going to get a quote from them to you. Problem is they don't know how to removed the blade from the pole. Auctions and booze don't mix. Mark. Btw.. of couse you add your fee. I don't want you out if pocket

Hi Stphen. I think they said the total length is 106". I have purchased naginata and yari before ane never been charged more than $300. I don't want to ask them to cut the pole in half. I will get a quote to your zip. Mark

I recently purchased a rather low quality naginata from auction house Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC 712 Morgan St Davenport, WA, US 509-725-5600 They have just sent me a shipping quote of $1500USD to send it via Fed Ex. Can someone please advise me what to do or who to use? Is there someone in the area who can pick it up and send it more economically? This is rediculous. The package is 106". I asked them to remove the blade and pack it alonside the pole. Mark

Here is a little youtube link to a short video of when we attended the Art Gallery to take down the display which has pretty well run since 2001 at various galleries, predominately the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Mark

Our last display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Our passion for presenting swords and armour as art. Mark

kudos. Merry Christmas and a great 2017. Keep up the great effort. Mark

The Curtain Has Closed. Well, Colin and I have just returned from Sydney having taken down the display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This particular display was in for about 1.5 years and all displays spanned about 15 years (since 2001) with some occasional down time. A great achievement presenting swords as art to the public. Watching Colin install and remove displays with pain staking attention to detail was a great personal lesson to me. No-one has done more for the 'swords as art' in this country than him. Well the curtain has closed for now. Thanks Colin.

Hi Greg. The Sydney display with the exception of some occassional down time has been an ongoing effort starting in 2001. I recommend you jump on a plane and go visit before in closes. You will be glad you did, it is International Level. Don't wait in hope that it will happen again any time soon. All swords displayed have been from private collections lent to the galleries. Like i said get up there. Mark

Hi everyone. Well the display of art swords and armour at the Art Gallery of New South Wales will close on the 8th of February. Please get along and see it if you can. Here is an instagram link which talks of the display. https://www.instagram.com/p/-Us6dYuYOs/ I hope the link works. Officially I want to thank Colin for putting on these displays spanning over a decade, I think since 2001, and the other collectors who generously lent pieces for display. Also thank you to the Art Gallery of New South Wales who have been supportive for so many years, presenting swords and fittings as art to the public. Also the National Gallery of Victoria for their display which was haled as the most popular temporary display on record. Also Benalla and Hamilton Galleries for their displays. Mark

Thanks Malcom, appreciated. Uwe I will try and pm you a pic. Regards Mark

Thanks Uwe. Much appreciated. Mark

It seems close to Takahashi so I will just work in that. Thanks anyway. Mark

Hi. I would be very grateful if you can help me identify this mon. I am trying to get as much info as possible on its origins. Thank you. Mark.

Hi. I have a roku mai dou (six plate) which is signed but I am need comfirmation of the mei. Does it say 'kashu ju tsurumi munezumi saku"? Does anyone have any info on this maker? Thank you. Mark