Pete Klein

Well, the fact that the signatures aren't even close but as for a 'kantei point' I'd say because the work isn't even close to Ishiguro craftsmanship. Once you've seen the real deal in hand it's night and day.

Here is a scan from the 'Shinsen Kinko Meikan': I would say gimei.

I would agree. What I am finding most interesting is that the rust on the seppadai is similar to that of the rest of the tsuba. If it was stored on the koshirae there would more likely be a border of differentiation. Perhaps it was stored off the koshirae and rusted there? The omote sekigane is also 'clean' while that of the ura has patina. Where's Cumberbatch when you need him??? LOL!

Looks like it had severe rust damage and was dropped which caused the mimi to separate. If you look at the kozuka ana area you can see it has been compressed and deformed.

Please, what is / are the kanji for the riding whip, muchi? And no, I haven't gone to see, 'Fifty Shades of Grey'... I have a kogai with one on the jita.

I believe it would end up being gibberish. Perhaps it would be better to talk with Marcus about a possible translation? PS: With so many people owning this book I would imagine there would be broad interest in having a translation done so the cost could be spread out.

Agreed. I have to wonder if some of this is internal questioning as to the veracity of previously held 'knowledge"? Could it be that there is a redirection to a scientific, more methodological point of view? I've often wondered about the rationales behind some attributions. But then again, who am I to question? (lol)

To my POV, anything made by human endeavor which elicits a response from our senses and therefore makes us ponder our observation, that is art.

Actually Stephen, I think I'd do better impersonating 'The Blob'... ROFLMAO!!! PS: and if you can get Steve McQueen to be there I'll oblige...

"Very difficult topic. I felt the NBTHK opinion was nigh infallable unt"... NBTHK Ninja got him. ROFLMAO!!!

Actually, Curran, I had forgotten about that piece but I hadn't 'processed' the timing of the paper anyway. I do remember you mentioning it now that you reminded me. If you look down the listings of tsuba here: http://www.touken-sakata.com/ you will see several examples of tsuba from the Mitsuru Ito Higo books available. Only a couple have papers. Now then this begs the question, 'Did they not bother to get papers due to the publications or did they and the papers come back outside the published attributions'? An attribution in these cases to 'Higo' would be very poor form, at least in my play book. Personally, I'm tired of getting 'Goto'. Wow, I think I sort'a figured that out all by myself, guys!

OR -- How about a mumei Goto piece with an NBTHK (same time frame) paper to a specific generation?

Yeah, well -- no. It's too much fun watching them foaming at the mouth later at the bar. Then, of course, that might be due to the beer...

It needs velvet...

When I was very young growing up in Chicago my parents would speak regularly with an elephant friend in New York. They, of course, would have to make a trunk call.

Arnold -- it was in reference to Steve's post, not yours. I think Chris just answered it above.

OH my, it's an elephant...

I'll be there and as always will have some hidden treasures. Say Hi -- I only bite when properly remunerated.

There is another point to the AOI auctions in that the item is non-returnable. Regular sales have a return guarantee but not the auctions. This is one reason there can be a dearth of bidding as it can be better to wait for the guarantee.

Good evening, everyone. I would like to introduce myself to the group. My name is Pete Klein, and I am... a fittings collector...sniff, wipe tear.

from: www.taibundo.com

What I heard at the Tampa show was that the move was due to weather problems, as in too many storms/typhoons in recent years. A holiday in one country probably didn't occur to them. If you make it later then you're into Christmas season and earlier you're back into typhoon season. Catch 22.

Well, I have no problem admitting I was one of those who thought it old, although I was on my fourth beer and looking at it in a rather poorly lit bar room. (LOL) Be that as it may, it did look old and does bring up the important question about the ability to replicate old works along with the implications to students in this field and others. It's a good lesson in humility and observation, both well taken.

The NBTHK shinsa team most likely attributed it to Kyo Kinko because it does not fit into any one school enough to be designated 'Den' xxxxx. There were so many independent artists working back in the day, copying styles from others that the number of works extant far outnumber those of definable schools/artists. PS: It is definitely NOT Goto.

NTHK shinsa is in Chicago in April so why not go there and ask them in person?