Lindus

Request for information and photographs. I have a Kai Gunto aledgedly presented to Korvetten Kapitan Wilhelm Spahr of U178 by Admiral Ichioka at Penang naval base,1943. Aquired from Angela bassett , widow of a British intellegence officer who followed the advance through Europe and retrieved this in the U boat pens at Bordeux late 1944/45. The Uboat sailed from Penang to Bordeux May 25th,1944......my request is that if any of the German or Japanese members could supply details of the Penang and other far eastern Uboat stations,dates and photographs it would be most appreciated. The kai gunto is fairly good with Sam'e saya etc, blade unsigned and obviously late in construction, it comes with a tachi style stand that has applied silver Mon in both German and Buddhist swastika type decoration and some Japanese characters in a white metal. I will not publish photographs for obvious reasons, eg swastika and legislation etc. The request is for information on the garden party held at the Japanese base prior to the sailing of the Uboat. Thanks Roy

Again, clearing out the contents of an old box in the loft, found these two small Japanese Bronze vases, 10cm x 8cm, nothing about them that shouts quality but both have what appears to be silver Mon on the base. These have no great value and am just curious if any of the membership could ID it as it seems odd on such ordinary pieces. Thanks Roy

Thank you gentlemen Would this be a modern metal worker?, it does not seem to have age but could well be mistaken on that. The vase is quite large and has a not unskilled design. Roy

Thanks Both,appreciated. Roy

Had not thought of that, certainly not in the European style as this is carved out of wood and the interior is quite rough, but the features are not Noh like and disturbingly lifelike. Did Japanese do "Death masks".? Roy

This came from my old teachers collection,always thought it a Noh mask but now cannot see that it could be worn as the interior is not suitably carved, any idea what it is.?apart from the obvious Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Have had this for a while,never been able to translate...help. Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Just clearing out some old photographs when I came across this, in one of the very early car boot sales was this monster of a tanto mount. in wood , black lacquered with a Dragon carved crashing through waves or clouds. The Dragon highlighted in gold leaf it looked like a fairground prize, but as the asking price was £12 {$15} ish, it seemed like an ok buy. The tanto is now in the US, if the owner {lost his name and address} is a member I would like to hear from him. The picture of blade and mounts I have are poor but it does show that dear old time ebay{long gone} allowed collectors to spread goodies around the globe at a reasonable price. Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Ex gunto mounted sword. Opinions please. Mei looks odd related to Mekugi ana. Roy

Agree but always worth posting, I remember Ron Gregory had a sword, saya covered in sea shells,the Tsuka was a Shin gunto but the blade a Dha. Story, A USAF officer took from a dead Japanese :? Mind you Ron also had a minature Gunto that purported to be that of a Japanese Pilots,short because of the cockpit confines.........that another story Roy

I have posted this in answere to a question re swords from Japan but think it worthwhile here too. Recently had a panic re a valuable sword gointg to Australia, full insured post cost £140, described as "Oriental ornamental metaware" this an option suggested to me by a helpfull lady at UPS, used a number of time with no problem untill when this item came up was told by UPS that damage was no longer covered total loss only. Odd as they use there own people through out the process.............So sent via RM Global express, a good tried service previously, checked all the pages of contract and exclusion so was happy. The panic was caused by the system that applies a new tracking number once the parcel leaves the country,as it showed that it had been delivered the recipient mailed me and I returned a claim. Several weeks later I recieve a letter stating that as the item was not within the guidelines it waqs not covered and no compensation would be paid. Below is the new section of the exclusion for compensation,apparently this applies to UPS,DHL,RM and others............. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes without limitation, items such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statues, sculptures, collector's items, customized or personalized musical instruments or similar items. Film, photographic images, including photographic negatives, photographic chromes and photographic slides. Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage, or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain. Where do we go from here?, I think NMB member Kevin has found a courier, it would be good to hear from him on this Roy

Slightly off topic but an also beware comment. Recent scare on a parcel going to Australia,insured for £2500,£140 postage and due to a new system of two tracking numbers a claim for loss was applied. Several days later I had a reply that the parcel was not insured as it was no an appropriate item, the new regulations were applied to a parcel described as containing "Oriental ornamental metaware" eg, Sword. exclusions shown below "Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes without limitation, items such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statues, sculptures, collector's items, customized or personalized musical instruments or similar items. Film, photographic images, including photographic negatives, photographic chromes and photographic slides. Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage, or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain." Apparently this is now used in similar form by UPS,DHL,RM and others and avoids any claim, in fact when you read the full exclusion list pretty little is in fact covered.Also it seems that UPS,DHL,Fedx now will not cover for Damage only total loss.....if you are lucky. Roy

Thanks Stephen I have had some good results with blades by photographing with a natural light source,along the blade and using a UV filter. See attached. It is the fittings that are causing a Lighting problem as they have to be taken at the Museum so obviously I cannot Take either the scanner or my photographic set up. Have made a mobile unit up and tested at home but 40/60watt household bulbs are causing a problem. Roy

OK Stephen, but am struggling with thee phot set up also I thought that the plain white background was the more acceptable. Have downloaded Picasa as Mark suggested, I will see how that performs. Roy

Thanks David Roy

I have just parted company with a sword by Nagamura Kiyonobu,hated to see it go as it was so interesting that way back in the 80's I had Ford make a complete set of Kosherei for it. During my collecting life I have had six by this smith,five were pretty much life less while this had all the things that a showato should not have,utsuri,ashi et al. Supposed that this was his master piece or perhaps just luck, anyone with similar on this virtually unknown smith?. Roy

Hallo Chris Best I can do on the flatbed. Roy

Haveing studied the pages, two problems have arisen, first the system has to be mobile as I shall be photographing a collection in the museum, second is that I have made up a portable idea but am having trouble with the light source. Help please. Roy

Thanks gentlemen, very interesting and appreciate your point re hada Chris. I like it very much and perhaps if the Hada was as Chris shows it would not have quite the same appeal for me, still do not see the reason for the gold leaf or lacquer, any idea why this would have been done on such a late blade? Thanks folks Roy

Nice one Grey I will take a bottle of Mortlach,70 year old Speyside please,you can snap up a 75cl bottle for around £10.000, too much?, well they do a 20cl for just a bargain price of £2500 Roy

Now thats odd, just found this pic of a Daisho Tsuba set that I had with the same design... would that have made it a "Triasho" Roy

Thank you Chris, as is, as far as the polish is concerned,"Middle of the road", why not show examples of the top of the road....would be interesting I think. For many of us the difference may by major or subtle, Hamon wise...Kokioun...Kakahan?. this is inlaid with what appears to be gold leaf. The sword came from Burma, and is untouched. Roy

That was my bloody Showato and in my patch you swine{Nicest possible Pig reference} and I still only have the rotten picture that I took on the carpet when we all got horribly drunk that night... Good one though Roy

BRANDY SIR are you some sort of degenerate, or perhaps French.....oooops LOOL Roy

Stop bickering If you want a good story check The tosugo section, two tsuba gifted for repairing a "Wheely Bin" "When a hobby becomes a point of conflict....ditch it" Roy