Lindus

In a box of bits bought at auction I came across this!, now would like the rest of the sword,just feel daft when it come to Iai & Tamegashiri class starting soon....so who's got it {Bushu Shimohara Hiroshige..1716-80} Regards Roy

It'll need quiet sometime as I'm currently getting professional translation of the new material and then I'll re-elaborate the whole thing. But you can begin to read the old version : http://www.webalice.it/tsubame1/ First let me thank Carlo for all the information supplied. since I have scoured the web on this subject and added a page to my web site on the Warabite. It has ignited what I thought had left me, a renewed interest in Nihonto, so the concept of owning an Ainu blade slide under my radar...... Contacted Sumie Kashima who has been a source of what seems to be unbiased help in the pass although I could not afford the price of any on her site, this is the reply to my question...... Dear Mr. Roy Lindus. I have never seen a warabite-to in market. They are almost in museum. Probably it is very difficult to find one. If some appears, it must be expensive even in poor condition. If you like warabite-to anyhow, to order new one may be a realistic way. Sincerely yours. Sumie Kashima, operator of Usagiya. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/ Hay Ho,another dream turns to dust but at least my friends gift is golden Thanks to all PS...should any member have any Ainu sword I would be "Now" very interested. Roy

ebay are not interested in this small market, want volume sales and use of their expensive paypal, check out web sites, more interactive and more likely to buy genuine items. Having said that I sold almost 500 Nihonto items from my collection via ebay, much going to the USA. Since found that most buyers had a "Very" good buy due to my lack of knowledge re value of the items, but was happy at the time so no problems. Ceased useing them when some Shunga prints from the Turk collection were sold to a chap in Spain who questioned my description and paypal refunded the total....he now has both my prints and money. They have moved on and so should we, at least buying via the Nihonto message board and web sites with some history may take out some of the "Treasure hunting" but assures communication and satisfaction. Roy

I have wondered about this Tsuba for many years, mounted on a first generation Echizen Shigetaka wakazashi aquire in Barnstaple ,North Devon in the 80's, it is {to me} unusual in having copper integrated into the sukashi design. Sadly by the time it came to me some of the iron work had deterioated badly. Boiled in a bath of bees wax at the time seemed to have stopped the active rust. Any ideas of school or period? Regards Roy

Thanks to bothe the above. Is Stanley Kellert still about? perhaps he might like to claim this paper as I have no use for it. Roy

No problem Robert,thanks for the interest. Roy

Fianal to this is that for me it has been enjoyable and am now pretty much certain that this was inscribed for the following. Thanks to all for your help Roy Major Edward Feetham COATES, M.P., J.P., D.L. Tayles Hill, Ewell, Surrey, and Helperby Hall, York Eldest son of the late James Coates, J.P., D.L., of Helperby Hall, Yorks, and Elizabeth, only daughter of William Sayer, Yarm, York; born at Clapham, February 28th, 1853; educated at Marlborough College. Alderman and Chairman, Surrey County Council; Member of Parliament for Lewisham since 1603; contested Elland Division, Yorks, 1900; Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey; Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire; one of his Majesty's Lieutenants for the city of London, 1900; on roll for High Sheriff, Surrey, 1906; late 3rd Batt. (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment; patron of the living of Burton Agnes, Yorkshire; was in Marlborough College Rifle Team at Wimbledon, second for Spencer Cup in 1868; a collector of old prints and pictures. Recreations: yachting, shooting, hunting and coaching; Rear-Commodore, Royal Southern Yacht Club; for five years drove the Hertford coach. "The Old Telegraph". Married, in 1878, Edith, eldest daughter of Captain Phillip Woolley, of Gravenhurst, Sussex, and has issue one son, Captain Edward Clive, 15th Hussars, A.D.C., to the Earl of Aberdeen, Viceroy of Ireland, married, 1906, Lady Celia Crewe-Milnes, second daughter of the Earl of Crewe, Lord President of the Council; and one daughter, Dorothy Anne. Clubs: Royal Yacht Squadron, Carlton, Junior United Service, Wellington, and Yorkshire.

Legs properly smacked....just took my mates emailed pic's without checking.... Roy

Did not know that,am sure it was not me that put it up. Regards Roy

Once again many thanks Roy

Many thanks Morita San, most appreciated. Would that be the man working around 1780? Roy

The second of the pair of sticks,thought to have been made for the wife of previous. It would be interesting if the mei other than Kanenaga could be translated,it would be most appreciated Thanks Roy

As she who rules has let me out of the cage again for a while, could I ask if any could translate and give and idea of period on this Habaki ?. Had it for a while, for an Hira zukuri blade and is of base copper with Shakudo/Gold foil. Thanks Roy PS, Has been mounted at some time.

Just sorting through a box of old junk I found this,marked in pencil is the name "Stanley Kellert". Why this has been descarded and what the paper says I have no idea. Should the current owner of these Menuki require the paper let me know, would be pleased to return to him,no charge. Regards Roy

Sorry Peter,no longer considered a friend,three strikes and out..... Regards Roy

Ah Ray,fooled you too.........anything would rust in Scotland. Regards Only not a plumber

Hallo David Have tried without luck to both scan and photograph the mimi,sorry. Regards Roy

Hallo Uncle As below, the plate was Shakudo with gold and silver overlay. As you may remember it was thought by an "Expert" at the time to be Ko Mino copy........... Hows life in the North...still hoarding treasures? Regards Roy

George, Hobbits or dwarves??? Ask Granny about the Bretons, Brittany is about the same..............but we do have a good Ko Katana or two dont we.........................

Ha d call from an old Tsuba man, I quote.... "Half pierced Chrysanthemum,half Kamakura bori,Saotome & Bori work,Good." Dont know, does that sound fair?. Roy

Ooooh'Suriage and mumei,do you think it worth contacting Kenji Mishina?. Roy

I am sure you are right, as these are so rare that most collectors would descard the concept of study as the know that the likelyhood of owner ship is virtually nill. Having said that for me at least it has opened a dorr into a new aspect of Nihonto,previously Chokuto and Ko Bizen et al were a possibility and most of us have had at least one from the early periods. I for one look foreward to reading your article. Thanks Roy

Last post for a while,promise. Attached are a few of the Mon on swords I have owned, the one with a Parachute was as I remember on a showa sword by either OkiMitsu or Masa of Oki Island, like many of my collection these are around the world now, if you have any let me know. Regards Roy

I have been told by she who rules that for fear of annoying pretty much everyone because I have time to spare , that I have to stop posting,so be it but just had to show these. Had a call from a chap who said he had some bits of a sword that when clearing his garden to build a shed had found this in the foundation.........For your amusement. Roy