Lindus

While I was looking for a single malt my Neighbour found these in a "Car Boot" sale and thought it was better for my liver As you know I am not a Tsuba bloke and excuse the scans, untill I get the photographic system sorted, this it the best I can do, seem both pretty ordinary, one sukashi iron while the other is I think copper and signed. Please tell me they are worth more than a good Malt.... Thanks Roy {not a drunk for obvious reasons} PS. Both are boxed....is that to stop people laughing?

Ah well.....no point in going further than Burma Thanks folks Roy

Hi Folks I have a superb {I think} Gendaito by Sadaroku, can find little on the man but from my point of view it seems excellent although dated 1944. Was going to sell but think I will withdraw this as in four decades have not seen better....your thoughts on the man would be appreciated. Mounted in Gunto mounts with Mon'. Thanks Roy

Splendid Eric, I suppose that this can be translated into a vertical position?, will now set about finding the materials and contruction should be pretty streightforeward, had not thought about useing the timer a, the old cable release solved the problem of camera shake. Thanks for your help Roy

Will soon start to photograph arond two hundred Tsuba,Menuki etc,Having moved to Digital which I thought would be more easy....after a day of trying found it not so. Any suggestions would be most appreciated, Thanks Roy

Just read the thread, great fun, and I should say that I am not unaware of the current situation in the market place, but lets also be honest about this, there are still "Gems" out there. Recently a friend was browseing a Militaria dealer site, saw a Gunto described thus " Japanese officers sword,europen style mounts and a rather odd blade" the price was around £1000, picture not great but he called the guy and bought it. He now has a Kyu Gunto with a splendid shin shinto copy Kogarasu Maru blade in mint condition. Second is not such a happy story,Local collector bought an early koto blade with papers from a very well known US dealer,cost around £14000,decided to send it back to Japan as the papers were issued in the 70's. Reply from the same man that had issued the first paper stating that it was not of the period,school or smith etc. The daealer said that as he had sold it on the basis of the issued papers he had no responsibility. Just take from it what you will, all I was saying was have some fun, pay little as possible, avoid mark ups when buying with papers initially and when the confidence grows only then throw thousands at the hobby. It is a hobby? Regards Roy

OK.....what was the blade,cannot remember,so obscure school... Take care up there Roy

Many years ago i aquired a shin gunto along with several personal items of kit from a retired UK officer, this is the remaining item and I think very rare. Contained in a snakeskin bag, it is carved into bamboo . have no idea what it is worth....interested, mail me with an offer. Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Do not be rushed into buying a "Known" blade, swords with papers take all the adventure and fun out of it, buy books, visit museums and then when you feel like spending some cash wander around the Junk shops, Antique dealers and advertise in your local papers. I did this for many years,paid little and occasionally made a good find, but, in the process had a huge amount of fun. Try not to go the current way of just buying assured items at premium price, anyone can do that,its safe it is not Fun and I think many do take this "Hobby" far too seriously and pay a heavy price for status. Regards.old school. Roy

Superb Peter, thanks Roy

Chinese I would say.... reminds me of a night in the friendship hotel in Beigin, had asked our guide re Japanese swords surrendered in China, she arranged that nigth for some to be brought to the hotel. Late a chap turned up with a carpet roll, we adjorned to her room and it was the first time I saw these fakes...great fun and a night that is still a talking point a decade later. Roy

Question re Shira saya.. Over the years I have made hundreds of Shira saya and seen dozens of Japanese made, it is interesting to see that they are rated, I have never seen it as an art form more a simple wood working formula. Can someone explain... Roy

Thank you Morita san It is a splendid print and one of my favorites,is it good in your opinion good or indifferent?. Roy

I appreciate that this is a Nihonto based group so I ask that as I am just about to sell off much of my Japanese/Chinese collection of prints , paintings,Ivory and metal ware. what forum/group would you suggest as a good web site, would prefer to stay here, perhaps a section devoted to other art forms could evolve...let me know. example below. Thanks Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

SORRY PETER Wrote the other prior to seeing you informative reply. Thanks Roy

Yes I will go for that, the question is quality and rateing. I find it curious that in terms of craftsmanship menuki are up there with F&K,ojimi and certainly Netsuke....before you start on the Casting-v-carving debate which could given a glass or two of wine last for decades . I am sure that there are collectorof menuki, my old teacher(Sensei) had a large collection,sadly in later life he had many converted into bracelets as gifts to his female students(aside) he was a great ladies man much to my dissmay . { should add that my dissmay was not about his female likes but the Menuki braclets...phee.} From the old school of non educated collectors I saw them as only odd things attached to swords,now, perhaps too late they seem to be an almost ignored art form. I have a small collection of wood block prints, another art form more appreciated in the 19/20 century than now it seems, perhaps because of the web and vast availability of the subject{wait for the enslaught} but as with Menuki and Saya mono {Never been sure about why these were used, perhaps leftover menuki?} if their is a listing of makers and ranking for quality. Roy

Apart from the obvious in quality, is there a rating system similar to Tsuba and blades?. The two below are mounted on sam'e, quite worn but look as though in their day they were probably quite cleverly made,is it easy to ID school, does not seem much written on the sibject. Just interested, no panick if your having a BBQ or off surfing Thanks Roy

Brian & Ian This site and its people just get better, thanks again. Think that has put this one to bed. Regards Roy

Sorry folks it seems it is not going to happen,two replies from the Museum, one stating that the 600 Japanese items are not on view to the public, second saying that dfue to cut backs staff would not be available to monitor proceedings. Will try again but outside an email campaign from NMB members cannot see this will occur. Regards Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Thats great chaps, how could one own an item for so long and not notice it was signed . Next thing is to try and find out what age and where, have spent some time on the web but cannot even find similar let alone what smiths made them. Once again gentlemen, thanks for your time and trouble Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Ha, as once desribed by a dealer a long time ago as "A rare study piece not to be missed" :? no the one I reffered to is owned by a Scot and member of the NMB.....C'Mon Raay......... By the way and on the subject of Ha Giri, how is that feature seen on Yari?. Pity not more were shown in this thread, those that have are a real eye opener as to the quality out there, LETS SEE SOME MORE folks Roy http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com

Is this any better?. arent old flat bed scanners the bee's knee's................ Roy

After contact from a member about an arrow I found this one long forgotten,has a small inscription, cannot make sense of it at all, any ideas out there. Thanks Roy

OOOOOOOOOOps, I shall JOLY well slow down Brian Oh dear,but could not resist. Roy

Once again gentlemen many thanks and much appreciate the knowledge and time spent on this site. Regards Roy