watsonmil

Dear Randy, I would say, ... the first definitive example of a Kubikiri tanto ( head cutting dagger ) that I've seen. Vitually all other so called kubikri tanto pictured are most likely pruning knives or some other tool type implement. ... Ron Watson

Dear Jacques, As you probably know, ... but not all of our members will, ... on some of the shodai's works, the kiku-mon petals are cut from left to right, while on others the petals are cut from right to left. Perhaps someone here can give a photographic illustration to better explain. An illustration is better than a 1000 words. Examples of each can be found on pages 49 and 50 of the JSSUS Volume Seven, Art and the Sword 1997. ... Ron Watson

Dear Edward, Jacques ( a man of too few words ) has posted a couple of images of genuine signatures for you to compare with your wakizashi signature. The differences will be quite obvious. Also compare your wakizashi signature to the ones posted by Matt. ... Ron Watson

Dear Edward, The signature does not match ( or come close to ) the First or Second Generation Hisamichi, and since the Third generation and onwards used an eda-giku ( chrysanthemum and branch ) rather than a kiku-mon ( just the flower ), and the signature still does not match the third generation, ... one can safely assume this is a gimei of the first generation. The second generation made many ghost works signing as his father and is known to have used both the kiku-mon and the eda-giku but the signature on your blade is way off in my reference books. As well as the above, ... the kiku-mon appears to be poorly carved which on correct blades is never the case. ... Ron Watson

Dear Steve, You said : " No-one could ever tell. " I beg to differ with you the most important person who would know, .... would be YOU. ... Ron Watson

Dear Jean C. " To sum this up I suspect the Chinese fakers do not at all feel bad about their business. They might even not feel guilty when they are caught selling pirated products. To an extent this could be a question of Asian mentality. " After having been the proprietor of one of the largest Antique and Militaria store sites on the Internet, ... selling high end items all over the world and dealing with many major museums, virtually all movie studios, governments including the US government ( Library of the Congress ) and White House, the government of South Korea ( South Korean Secret Service ) to name a couple that come to mind, as well as the wealthiest of private collectors to the average client with a limited budget, I think I can speak with a little authority on the mentality of the Asian when it comes to business. All Asians treat business as war. Unless they can beat you down to a surrender of any profit, they feel they have not succeeded. The Art object is not the begin all end all with them, ... it is the game of negotiating at any cost the best deal. I once sold a WWII Enigma Machine to the South Korean Secret Service for display in their offices in Seoul. The negotiations went on for months, until finally they crossed a line and I told them to F off and never call me again. This suddenly threw them into a panic, ... and speaking to my wife by phone ( I would not take their call ) they lost everything they had negotiated with me and I now dictated the terms of the deal and I was not easy. In yet another example, ... I was in Chicago attending a sword show, and a group of three Japanese dealers ( one is the spotter, one is the negotiator, the last comes in for the kill ) wanted a sword I had. I was wined, dined and offered the services of two lovely and very young Japanese girls. I accepted the wine, the food, but dared not accept the girls as then they would have used that indiscretion as a bargaining chip without doubt ( even morality was a tool in their arsenal ). Yet, ... I must say virtually every European government or museum I have dealt with have been good to their word and although negotiating on high priced items is to be expected, I always felt good in the end. The one exception has been my own Canadian government who have used everything from threatening invoking the Heritage Act to out right lying in my dealings with them. They lost big time by the way. ... Ron Watson

Dear All, The Mishina School, .... any and all of the Five Smiths of Kyoto [ Kyoto Gokaji ] . ... Ron Watson

Dear Guido et al, Doing a bit of research, I did come up with this photo of a couple of Chinese made jars for the Portuguese Colonial ( China ) market circ. 1860-1870 showing that the Jesuit Symbol did not always depict alternating straight and curvy spokes. Just a bit more information, but certainly in line with the rays on the Tsuba depicted. http://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/906.html These photos were posted on the Google Image page so I think it will be alright to post the link. ... Ron Watson

Dear Guido, I too notice that none of the alternating 32 rays are wavy, ... and wondered about this as being unusual if they were DIRECTLY copying the Jesuit Symbol. Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that by 1597 Hideyoshi was already persecuting the Christian faith a mere 48 years after its introduction to Japan and that although the Tsuba makers liked the design rather than the religion, modified the rays in such a way as not to be to conspicuous to the authorities and/or to fill orders for Christian Samurai who preferred ( wisely to keep a low profile ). The latter would certainly be a reason for leaving the INS and the nails off the design. We definitely do know that in spite of the edicts against Christianity, and the outright ban from 1626 to 1854 that there were many secretly practicing Christians in Japan and a goodly number of these were Samurai. I have in my collection a Naginata with an unidentified stylized cross mon on the shaft and although I do not feel it represents a Christian Cross, I could easily see the authorities in Edo Japan questioning the symbol if they wanted to be sticky. Perhaps they were not as stringent as we all surmise and unless a blatant Christian Symbol ... passing it by. This of course is all supposition and I have no solid ground to stand on. Although I am far from definite in stating the 32 pointed rayed tsuba was in indeed owned by a Christian, I would strongly argue that the design is inspired by the Jesuit symbol. To me at least it is just too much of a coincidence. I suppose we will perhaps never know, ... but I feel it has been a good exercise in thought and research at any rate. ... Ron Watson

Dear Curran, Yes, ... the swastika has been around for around 3000 years, ... but with an educated eye one can automatically tell those are not the Nazi swastikas, as the Nazi swastika is on a slant of 45 degrees. Speaking of getting back on track, ... the design we were discussing was the Jesuit symbol which we know was first used on August 15, 1534 with the founding of the Jesuits ... not 3000 years ago. I believe the first Jesuits set foot in Japan in 1549 ... a mere 15 years after being founded. Previous to the Jesuits I can find no 32 pointed symbol being used by any culture let alone the Japanese ( although the possibility exists, I cannot find a single example ). It would therefore to me at least seem implausible that tsubasa would suddenly come up with the design without Jesuit inspiration. ... Ron Watson

Dear Keith, I too am highly sceptical about many of the tsuba being given Christian attribution. On that point Guido, you, and I agree, ... but in this particular case I think given the albeit circumstantial evidence, .... one can lean towards a Jesuit inspired design. Not saying either the tsuba maker nor the samurai who bought/ordered it were Christian, ... but simply that the tsuba maker thought it an interesting design and so copied it. I doubt that we can come up with a better reason for the inspiration at least. ... Ron Watson

Dear Chris, Proto : Indicating the first or earliest or original, ... I doubt the Buddhists were either Pro - Nazi or Proto Nazi ..... ah ... never mind ... ... Ron Watson

Dear Guido, I don't think so Guido, ... the Nazi Swastika and the Buddhist Symbol differ in that The Nazi swastika symbol (卐) is a cross with four arms of equal length with the ends of each arm bent at right angle in right, whereas the Buddhist symbol ( not a swastika ) is a cross with four arms of equal length with the ends of each arm bent at left angle in left and signifying Auspiciousness and Good Fortune as well as Buddha's Heart. It has been in use by Buddhists for approximately 2000 years whereas the Swastika although similar but different to the Buddhist Symbol was adopted I believe by the Nazi's in the 1920's. as a symbol of the Aryan Race ( please don't quote me on the date ). Also as part of the argument for the tsuba design being derived from the Jesuits, ... I do not to my knowledge know of a similar tsuba design prior to the arrival of the Jesuits. Although prior to the 1500's might be a bit early for this elaborate a Sukashi style anyway. ... Ron Watson PS. Chris, ... Having had members of my family lose their lives to the Nazi ... I see no humour ... I strongly doubt anyone except a few Skin Heads are or were pro-Nazi.

Dear All, Upon doing some research on the ( European ) Jesuit Symbols, ... I note that the " rays " number each and every time 32. On the example that Thierry posted the number is 32 which would seem too much of a coincidence were it NOT a Jesuit Symbol. Yet the Tsuba posted by Sergei has 37 rays. I then went to Oriental Art Works ( mostly porcelains ) depicting the Jesuit Symbol ( without doubt as all also contained the letters INS ) and I noted the number of rays to vary from 36 to 66 rays. I am probably at least as much a sceptic as Guido, ... but in this case I must lean towards Fred Geyer's attribution that these are ( although not always correct in the ray count ) the Oriental depiction of the Jesuit Symbol and therefore should be classified as Christian Tsuba. As far as Clock Wheel Gears, ... Jesus that is stretching Artistic License to the limit, .... and Sun Rays as being of Oriental Artistic merit would be much the same as Kindergarten Finger Painting. Anyways that's what my little bit of research has found. ... Ron Watson PS. I must say I do like Thierry's tsuba more. PPS. Sergei, ... I don't think anyone gives a damn whether you're a Christian or not.

Dear All, And from old grouchy in Canada ....... HUMBUG ! May you all ( with certain exceptions of course ) enjoy Health, Happiness, and Good Fortune ! ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear Bill, I give up ! As for Brian and his " kudos ", .... Kudus live in South Africa. In this case if as Bill says the seller claimed it to be a Child's matchlock with Imperial provenance no less, ... I would think such rubbish could well be considered " misrepresentation " and grounds for returning it. Perhaps $ 1400.00 is pocket change to some on this forum, ... but it is far from pocket change for most of us. I retire to await those I may help, ... and YES as Justin so correctly pointed out a decent matchlock is still obtainable for under $ 1500.00. They are not common to find at this price however I will admit. A lot depends upon the country in which the matchlock is being sold, ... some countries have more interest. A good place to buy is probably a French auction ... just as a hint. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, Regarding the steel main spring. I personally have never seen an iron outside main spring. I will not say that they do not exist ( being too definitive with the tanegashima will get your fingers burnt ). I think in your case it is a replacement that someone has fashioned to operate the mechanism. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, The ugliness ( for lack of a better word ) of your matchlock does not stem from the barrel bands but rather the overall lines of the gun. They are just all wrong. The poor quality fitting of the trigger guard to the stock, ... the nailing of the lock to the stock. The stock butt shape is not well executed and actually looks clumsy to grip in a firing position. These are all contributing factors in my eyes. I am sorry but I cannot find any redeeming features on this matchlock. ... Ron Watson Dear Henk-Jan, Yes, ... I read the word hypothetical. Sometimes brainstorming and being hypothetical can lead a novice far from reality. This is the problem I have when trying to point out why a certain gun is just not correct or of sufficient quality to bother owning. There is nothing here in my opinion to learn but to ask advice before making a purchase ... not afterward. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, Henk-Jan, First I'll address Henk-Jan, ... I did not know of your expertise in the field of the study of the Tanegashima. Firstly such a rough looking specimen as this would NOT be used in a Norimono ( sedan chair ). Those who rode in sedan chairs would be carrying a quality firearm, ... not something as crude and primitive as this example. Secondly, ... no the stock on Bill's example is not typical, ... it is virtually straight with little or no curvature. In fact at one point the curvature is curving upward ! Bill, ... if you look at the quality examples of matchlock pistols that you posted, .... do you actually see anything more than a suggestion of the stocks of the posted guns ? If you do, ... then I suggest you take a closer look. As much as Henk-Jan or yourself for that matter want this gun to be something special, .... it is not ! One cannot make a Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, Definitely not military, ... at .28 cal. God alone will know its intended purpose. It is also not of the quality one would expect of a target firearm. Your gun is an anomaly ??? ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, The only sure way to date a matchlock is if it is signed, ... and the gunsmiths signature and working dated can be found. There is a somewhat incomplete listing in Japanese text only ... unfortunately. Some matchlocks ( pistols or muskets ) have an internal spring and others have an external spring depending upon the gunsmith and/or school. I cannot say whether your gun is all original, ... I have some doubts however. It has been fudged with somewhat I think, and may have been made up from a much different looking gun. I simply cannot answer you. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, On the tanegashima ( matchlock ), ... the main spring is pretty much always brass. By all means have a look under the barrel to see if there is a signature. Some tanegashima do have round barrels. It would also be of interest for you to post a photo of the barrel removed to see the shape of the breach plug ( bizen ). A photo of the pan area would also be helpful. It is a difficult little gun to figure out without having it in hand. It is most likely the ramrod is a replacement although some matchlocks did have iron ramrods. ... Ron Watson

Dear Bill, Well, ... Yes approximately 7/8 monme . Your matchlock looks to be slapped together by an amateurish gunsmith at best. The flash pan ( hizara ) appears to have a hole drilled right thru the center. This was sometimes done so that the pan could be relined, ... which does not appear to have had the job finished in this case. The pan cover ( hibuta ) is also completely missing as is the brass barrel protector ( amaooi ). Also, although difficult to identify the main spring ... it almost looks like steel rather than brass ... although this may be simply the brass having turned blackish. It is never the less NAILED through the lock plate rather than pinned ( not done on Japanese matchlocks that are well made ). The trigger guard is at best amateurishly installed and allows little if any room for the finger of even a child. The stock near the butt is in a shape I cannot assign to any school, ... nor have I seen anything quite like it before. The method of fastening the barrel to the stock using brass bands is known, ... but 4 ... actually counting the main stock ring ( dougane ) would be 5 on a barrel that is approximately 10 inches long ?? This is rather unusual if not unheard of before this example. I do not know what nor whom assembled this pistol or child's gun, ... but it was not a gunsmith but rather a blacksmith. I have been rather harsh in my criticism of your matchlock, ... but I think you want an honest opinion. Take note, ... this is my opinion and others may have a more favourable take on your gun. ... Ron Watson

Dear Peter, How very unusual to find two tuska with stone projectiles as menuki. I have not seen this previously and what is more unusual is that they both end up in the same persons hands ... coincidence ? I will relate what I consider a similar circumstance of strange coincidence. I was restoring a WWI Maxim MG08 Machine Gun. All I needed to finish the job was the Loading Block which was missing. Now MG08 parts are scarce to begin with, ... and I used to keep a personal " wanted " ad on my Militaria Internet Site. Of the many items I listed was ANY MG08 or 08/15 Maxim parts. Low and behold I got a phone call from a chap in Chicago stating he just happened to have one ( among other odds and ends ). I promptly bought it and when it arrived was pleased at the condition and so installed it. Now here comes the spooky part, .... the serial number on his Loading Block matched the serial number of my Maxim. The chances of re-uniting the gun and its original Loading Block after 90 odd years have to be astronomical .... yet it happened. ... Ron Watson

Dear All, Years ago, ... I was told : Women have two places in life and one of them is the kitchen. The second was obviously not museums nor antique shops/shows ! ... Anonymouse Ron