Pete Klein

Fuchi Kashira by Suzuki Ryouei: Headed to Japan for January NBTHK shinsa.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x589791710 It's not just tosogu.

Just call me Terminator...

Listen to Muttly again to get my opinion.

I feel your pain. I've been trying to go also and it always seems to be something.

I referenced Wakayama Toso Kodogu Meiji Taikei and they're all gimei.

Yeah - from a historic perspective it's like wishing Abe to drop dead...

'Could'!

There is a sign in the left corner with Yoshimitsu on it and his name is on the nakago so this must be the prize sword they are showing on the table.

Just a little reminder that the reason paulownia is used is that it helps to insulate from changes in temperature and humidity which helps to prevent condensation/oxidation. Depending on the environment plastic could actually promote condensation inside the case.

I use Post It Notes as the adhesive does not affect the wood and they are easily replaced.

John - I'm not so sure that is Kamakura bori work. It looks closer to a Hoan inspired tsuba by it's use of acid etching to get the design. The plate looks too dense to be KKB also.

Nice custom, especially when it will be funded in full by the gift givers... PS: I have nothing against any of this. If people wish to contribute, then good for them. I just have an issue with the math in that if 'no one' wanted to purchase it at lower costs then why should 'everyone' have to pay more? That's all.

https://www.seiyudo.com/me-050517.htm#movepoint1 Similar design by different school for comparison of construction. PS: I downloaded the pictures and upon magnification of the one of the ura (far right) it looks to me like the posts were reduced and the link was opened and fine soldered onto the old post/base. I had wondered if the post was modified but I now believe it was simply easier to do the cut/solder modification. As to attribution I would say Kyo Kinko with the possibility of a Goto ha call. They are very nice but the plate seems a bit thin to be considered by mainline or waki Goto. The facial carving is actually pretty nice considering the teeth and eyes. I agree with Franco that the NBTHK probably would reject them as they have been altered from their original use and therefore are no longer 'tosogu'. I also agree that the fuchi may be admissible as noted.

So, in other words after all of the other costs the sword is going to actually cost around $8,000,000.00!

They are all private sales so you'll never know. I know of one person in that league and he doesn't go into details. These guys know each other so you're either in or out, as they say.

I would say Shonai.

https://japaneseart.eu/portfolio_page/tsuba-kanshiro-shodai/?fbclid=IwAR0p3h6n1jXSjYuELqWFNV_0OWzWiefTsgsuEh18yJ49NwDyIypki353hMo WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Spoken as a true salesperson!

Brian - that would be Tom Cruise...

Oh brother! I guess two can play the same game then...

Here is a Kaga Goto Hozon kogai: The theme is salt production houses. PS: I believe the set of menuki which Curran Campbell was referring to above formerly belonged to me and is now in the hands of Fred Guyer and was included in a recent KTK catalog.

This is a set of Kaga Goto TBH shi shi menuki I acquired recently:

Paul - the translation was there several weeks ago and now I cannot find it so something changed. If/when I find it I will let you know and please do same for me. I should have downloaded it when I first found it, of course. DOH! I feel like the bird in the picture...