Chishiki

Thanks for all the positive feedback. Here is a photo of Colin cleaning one of the swords just prior to giving the talk. Regards Mark

Hi Adam, thanks for the compliment. it's appreciated. The Koshirae displayed are original, although some have had repairs. The way they are displayed is important, Colin custom makes a stand for each item you see. Presentation and attention to detail really make the display look 1st class and lastly all the items have to meet a certain standard. Regards Mark

Colin himself.

On Friday the 9th of September at 1pm Colin will be at the Art Gallery to give a talk about the items on display. Hope to see you there. I have attached some pics and have many more. For Members unable to attend who would like to see an item in more detail please ask. There is a list above this entry of items on display. Regards Mark

During the shinsa Colin will make himself available at the display to talk to interested members. A date and time will be posted later. This will be a great chance for members to discuss the swords and fittings. Items on view will be as listed above. Regards Mark

My 6 year old son says the string broke on their yoyo. I hope this solves the problem. Mark

Hi all. The nagasa of the sword and the hamon do not point to '1st generation Magoroku' or either of the next two generations. In my opinion. Also I feel the mei tries to draw you to a conlusion of 2nd generation Kanemoto 'magoroku'. I can speak with a little experience here as once I purchased a big katana, sombonsugi, (gold mei) kanemoto that was sold to me as being magoroku. I was about 75cm nagasa and osuriage. Subsequent Japanese experts placed this sword as much later, 5th generation or younger. I think your initial insticts are good and the blade needs appraisal/shinsa from NBTHK. Forget the gold mei and consider it a mumei o'suriage katana of which there are many in Japan. 2nd and 3rd magoroku would be a good aim, but many of these swords are tired, go for a healthy example. Mark

Hi Brian, can you post a pic of this tsuba if you have one, just in case we need to look around for a replacement. Regards Mark

Thank you very much for the translation. Kind Regards Mark

Hi all. I need some help to translate an inscription found inside a saya that is to be repaired. I can read the date but am lost after that. Just curious. Thanks in advance. Mark

THIS IS A LIST OF NIHONTO AND TOSOGU THAT HAVE JUST REPLACED THE OLD DISPLAY AT THE ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, COLIN MCDONALD WILL BE THERE IN MARCH 2011 TO CHECK THE DISPLAY, IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN A FIRST HAND VIEWING OR WISHES TO ASK QUESTIONS COLIN WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PIECES ON DISPLAY.(DATE TO BE ADVISED) TOP SHELF:- Left to right 1 MICHIMASA (MINATOGAWA JINJA TOSHO) 2 OZAKI SUKETAKA (SHINSHINTO) 3 MASAHIRO (SHODAI) (SHINTO) MIDDLE SHELF:- 4 YAMATO-MINO SENCHUIN (KOTO) 5 KUNITOSHI 6 OZAKI MASATAKA (SHINSHINTO) 7 SATSUMA TADASHIGE (SHINTO) BOTTOM SHELF:- 8 HAMANO (SCHOOL) (NIO MENUKI) 9 GOTO (SCHOOL) (SHISHI MENUKI) 10 WAKI GOTO (SCHOOL) (SHISHI MENUKI) 11 KAGA (FLYING CRANES) (KOZUKA) 12 GOTO TSU JINPO (TIGER&OGRE)(KOZUKA) 13 ISHIGURO ICHIJU (MON)(TSUBA) 14 HAMANO NAOYUKI (TIGER)(TSUBA) 15 JAKUSHI (CHINESE LANDSCAPE)(TSUBA) 16 JAKUSHI (DRAGONS)(FUCHI-GASHIRA) 17 HAMANO NAOYUKI (TIGER)(KOZUKA) SIDE STAND:- 18 CHU-MIHARA (TACHI) (KOTO) ITOMAKI-TACHI-GOSHIRAE (MEIJI)

Cudos to you Ford and to Bob Morrison. A leap of faith, helping keep the 'Art' alive. Mark

Any member who would like to meet Colin in the Art Gallery of New South Wales can do so between 3-5pm. A great opportunity to view/discuss good quality swords and fittings. Just introduce yourself. Mark.

Hi everyone, Advance notice the Colin will be changing the display at the Art Gallery on the 16th of December. NMB members are invited to meet Colin and discuss the displayed items More info to follow. Mark

Hi Ron and everyone. Would like to share these items with you. The fuchi gashira are lovely quality, and note how the owl's head is protruding above the kashira. Regards Mark

and a few more. Mark. PS, the blade is antique, traditionally made.

I would like to share with you this fantastic ivory tanto. The carving is exceptional. PS sorry if the pics are on the yellow side, artificial light! Regards Mark

Jean wrote... I think so many collectors had that dream when reading this book....me included. You summed up the book perfectly. We move on.... Mark

Hi Chris, From memory, and I am not 100% sure, but I think Han Bing Siong wrote an article for one of the sword societies. A number of the swords were 'not right'. As to Robinson and his book, at the time I think this was a real gem for collectors who were starved of information in english. I don't agree with people rubbishing this man and what he tried to do for the sword collectors of the time. The advice on repatination of metal work was unfortunate. Mark

2. Kanasugi Tomotoshi + kao. Yanagawa school. Regards Mark again please post clearer pics of mei. Thanks

1. Ishiguro Masatsune (the 3rd) + kao. Ishiguro school. Regards Mark Can you please post clearer pics of the mei especially the kao.

Here is a picture of Colin himself, admiring what was his 1st display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, way back in 2001. The display was called 'Heroes and Villains from Japan's floating world. The display showed an array of ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) school, and the sword display. This was a great achievment here in Australia and for the sword world in general. This presentation of the Japanese Sword as Art, resulted in such popularity with all, that the display has been ongoing since about that time. Cudos to Colin and please forgive the clown in the background, yours truely. Mark

A few of the fittings that Colin will display in the Art Gallery soon. Picture quality is not great, sorry. Mark

At best estimation I think mine dates to mid edo period, no earlier. In terms of tsuba it is an oddity, and the only reason I bought this one, was to study the theme, which we thought was a water way, and to look at its style of manufacture. Not mainline anything, probably country make. Maybe a garden or temple people commuted to and the tsuba were purchased as a momemto. (that's speculating) I wouldn't rate them as art pieces either, but a tsuba which is trying to portray a place on an iron plate, that's why they are so busy looking. A quirky tsuba, an oddity since the day it was made. Peace! Mark

Hi Joe, your timing is perfect. I recently aquired this tsuba. Regrettably a lot of inlay is missing from mine. The fairly consistant subject matter makes me speculate that it may be an actual place where people travelled to, and perhaps the local makers produced these as a momento. Is the dome like structure under the tree a bridge in the distance or some kind of shrine? Having said all that, I really don't have a clue. Mark