Shogun8

Brilliant writer and thinker.

Piers, Here's what's written on the back. It's strange because the perfect, mirror-like finish on the back makes it seem like the maedate is modern, but the excellent patina and detail evident on the front is definitely Edo. Another thing - the maedate is larger and heavier than most such maedate which are usually made of a very light, balsa-type wood. I wonder if this was once some kind of plaque in a Buddhist shrine. Anyone have any ideas? John

Thanks for sharing, Peter. Very interesting indeed.

Here's a box that a maedate came in with all kinds of inscriptions - on the box, the cloth case and the maedate itself.

Did anyone buy that box set with Aoi mon on Yahoo from a couple of weeks ago that purportedly was made to hold a sword/swords?

So very true, Ben! My childhood obsessions inform my collecting to this day: Japan, Bruce Lee, martial arts, dinosaurs...

Congrats Ben - that's beautiful! John

So very true, Chris. I still remember buying something at the Yohji Yamamoto store in Tokyo many years ago and they wrapped it, then boxed it, then placed it in a cloth bag and then placed that in a store bag. Then they folded the receipt, placed it in an envelope and then handed it to me with a bow. Here's one of my armour books: John

Now you're teasing me, Eric!

Sounds plausible, Piers!

Most examples of karabitsu have six legs and they were originally used to hold the so-called "Great Armours" - yoroi. If you look at images of these yoroi displayed, many of them are perched atop these karabitsu. Perhaps this particular example did not house an armour?

You don't!

Here's another box I've always loved. It's a tomobako for one of my jizai okimono - an iron grasshopper by Myochin Munenaga. Look at the quality of the box!

Piers, Karabitsu are those bitsu raised on legs (typically six legs but mine has only four) that you would find with ancient yoroi. Reputedly taken from a Chinese design, these are very rare - I've been looking for one for quite a long time and the ones that do come up are usually Meiji and very decorative. Muromachi period examples with the more ascetic designs are exceedingly rare. Here's the one from the Met. Mine's not as elaborate, but is larger. I'll post pics when I receive it, which unfortunately won't be for a few weeks because I have to retrieve it in NY.

Hi Bob, Late to the game here, but that lobster jizai is quite common and as James mentioned not of high quality. The price is in the range of what they usually go for. True Edo iron ones would require adding two more zeros. John

I don't know how I missed this thread - great topic and some great examples of boxes! I just acquired a daimyo-level jinbaori and the box it came in is very nice - thin wooden construction covered in leather and then lacquered. Aoi mon and interesting beveled shape too.

Very interesting topic and a job well done, Piers! I too, have always been fascinated by Japanese boxes. Coincidentally, I just found what I think is a Muromachi jidai karabitsu, somewhat similar to the one in the Met's collection! John

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Janssen a couple of weeks ago in Leeds. Very nice man and there are some truly superb pieces in his collection.

Agreed, Piers - which is why I think this could be his work, mei notwithstanding.

I have to say that when I first saw this post, I immediately said to myself "modern repro" or Ichiro. However, the workmanship of this kabuto seems very good and superior to your typical modern fake. Still, the condition is perfect and the ukebari is obviously recent. It seems that the interior of the kabuto is lacquered gold, with the area around the mei having traces of shu urushi. Not quite sure what to make of this kabuto.

Hi Jiri, Very interesting. I would like to see more pictures of the sides, back, top and interior views. I checked and there is a Myochin Yoshisuke listed as a Jo I smith working in the Edo period. He was reputedly the son of Myochin Yoshimasa (although which one I don't know). John

Love the kawari tempo tsuba! Let me know if you ever want to sell it. John

Hi Tom, I've sent you a PM. John

This is so cool - First Nations with nihonto!

My issue is not only that I have very specific aesthetic criteria, but I'm trying to square that with learning as I go along. For example, since my collecting focus is armour, I'm naturally drawn to katchushi tsuba, but also other unusual/"kawari" motifs like skulls, worm-eaten wood, etc. and wondering if such motifs are "correct" for the blades that I have. Then there are the questions about having koshirae made, etc.. My blades aren't important but I would like to complete them without spending an arm and a leg.