watsonmil

Short answer, ... NO ! If you cannot afford what is basically a rich man's sport, .... then you can still participate by buying books on the subject and enjoying the hobby from a students point of view. Not everone who enjoys Formula 1 racing owns one. ... Ron Watson

Dear Mark, Lovely Linens, .... :D . ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear Greg, What you have acquired is a Japanese Tobacco Pouch ( tabako-ire ). The striking feauture of your tabako-ire is the Clasp ( kanagu ), ... it appears to be of very nice quality. I would suggest your set is from the Meiji period judging by the craftmanship and style. I have no idea what the theme ( story ) of either the Netsuke nor the kanagu, ... but I'm sure one of our other members would probably know. The signature also will have to be read by someone other than myself. For a bit of background on Tobacco smoking and the accruments, ... please refer to : viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13257&hilit=kiseru ... Ron Watson

Dear John, I was told by the pharmacist that each should work for about a year before replacing. Apparently they are VERY absorbent even under abnormal household moisure levels. I've been using them for well over a year, ... but here on the Canadian Prairies we do not have the same humidity as say the UK. I just thought our membership might find them useful, ... if you care to delete my post that's fine. ... Ron Watson

Dear All, Bearing in mind the number of threads relating to RUST and how to prevent it from forming, ... I came across by accident a DESICCANT ( moisture absorbent ) that may be of some benefit for those of you who live in moist climates. I can see where this product may be of benefit to those who store Yanone in drawers, shelves, etc. and also Tsuba collectors who display in boxes, shelves or drawers. They usually come from your Pharmacist ( Chemist if in the UK ) enclosed in pill containers to keep out moisture. Each little desiccant cylinder measures 3/4 x 1/2 inch or for our European members 18mm x 14mm. Being an old geezer I have enough prescription drugs to adequately supply my needs, ... but for you healthy younger members a search on the Internet for Pharmaceutical Desiccants should bring up suppliers in your country. Perhaps some of you might find the above useful. Pictures added. ... Ron Watson

Dear Jean C., Although one cannot see the open pores in metal, my experience is that they are there. For instance if one takes for example brass bushings, ... which we have all seen, ... it is now common practice to place the bushing upon being in a finished state in an oil bath under great pressure, ... and although when washed off, ... the bushing will appear to the eye DRY and to the touch DRY and yet if subjected to heat will become first slightly oily, and if enough heat is applied it will actually start to smoke giving off an oily smelling black smoke. This phenomina absolutely astonished me, ... but an old machinist friend assured me that ALL metals share this same capability of absorbing oil . Because the brass bushing needs lubricant without regular hand application of oil, ... it is treated with pressure to force the oil completely through the " in appearance solid metal ". The application of oil by hand even if ONLY rubbing with the hand has shown to give a deep luster over time ( as the natural oil from the palms ) penetrates for example an iron tsuba. This is not a surface luster but a deep luster from the penetration of the oil into the pores of the iron. Strange and hard to believe, ... but true. The slight warming that I mentioned to David is to aid in the opening of the pores in his tsuba for the easier absorption of the oily wax. ... Ron Watson

Dear David, A VERY excellent and old tsuba, .. congratulations. I mirror Keith's advice, ... and were it mine I would not send it off for your percieved restoration. It is more a case of preservation than restoration. The wax treatment that Keith prescribed is excellent, ... and one which I have used. It is important ( since all metal is porous ) to slightly warm the tsuba so that a little of the wax penetrates the metal. Thank you for sharing. ... Ron Watson

Dear Adrian, I do not know if Magnolia wood is banned from export or not ( Japan ) . I do know that I have had excellent results using RED ALDER and YELLOW POPLAR ( often called American Magnolia ) for making saya. My dealings have always been with Woodworkers Source : http://www.woodworkerssource.com/ They are very helpful, and provide excellent service. I would order some of each giving the measurements that you require, ... and they will cut to length and provide fair pricing. You can then decide which you prefer working with. Hope this helps, ... ... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, Although I should leave this to some other member, ... yes, .. I believe it is made from the hoof or horn of a cattle beast. It is wonderful stuff to work with, and acts much the same as plastic when treated. ... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, It looks as though it could be used to clean the " touch hole " on a Tanegashima. ... Ron Watson

Dear Peter, Nothing wrong as a wall hanger, ... or decorative piece. In order to give the rust a little ( lot ) better appearance, ... get yourself some 3 in 1 machine oil, ... or some other fine oil like a good gun oil and wipe evey few days with the oil soalked into a piece of flannel cloth. It will take a few weeks of this before you get rid of that dry look. This will make it much more presentable. Hope all goes well. ... Ron Watson PS : USE the same flannel cloth over and over again .... no need to use a fresh piece of cloth each time. DO HOWEVER keep the oil soaked rag in a closed glass or metal container to prevent spontanious combustion danger.

Dear Peter, The type of rust / patina ? displayed on the Kusari is indicative of artificially induced rust. This is not the way 200 or even 50 year old rust developes or worse ... appears to the eye. Also if you look closely at the chain links you will note I think electric welding of the joins rather than forged joins. In my opinion a copy or forgery. ... Ron Watson

Dear Hoanh, From where you started to where you ended up was nothing less than miraculous. Perhaps a little more on the red rust. The brass looks fine and will develop a nice patina over time. ... Ron Watson

" Learning how to search Japanese websites can be a great search tool even if you don't read Japanese. Best of luck. " Only if you enjoy masochism ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear Sam, Hummingbirds are native ONLY to North and South America. They do not live in Japan or anywhere else for that matter. As far as Bonsai, ... I can honestly say I've never seen Bonsai as a subject matter on Fuchi Kashira, Menuki, Tsuba. That certainly doesn't mean such decoration was not used. Bonsai as an art or hobby has been present in Japan for more than 1000 years, ... so the likelyhood is in favour of there having been depicted. ... Ron Watson

Some become Barbie :D ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear Keith, Bloody Australians .... more luck than brains ! In my humble opinion you stole it. Congratulations on what appears to be a nice addition to any collection. ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear All, Somewhat in response to Keith's last post, ... I own a very nice Kanbun period Katana sword which is obviously Gimei ( signature of the famous NoSada ( Izumi ( no ) Kami Kanesada ). On the ura side is an inscription which translates : Seki San, the owner of this blade presents to MatsuDaira Hanjiro of Noshu Province in the Town of Takasu this blade as a gift or ( main prize ). I believe I read somewhere and I believe the article was by the late John M. Yumoto that swords were sometimes ordered by individuals as gifts or presentation pieces for important individuals, ... and since it was important to give a valuable gift, ... the person ordering the sword would ask that the blade be signed by such and such famous smith. He went on to write that the recipient of the blade would quite possibly recognize that the sword was not made by the famous smith but would not embarrass the person presenting the sword, but would rather accept it as a most generous and precious gift and might well present it back to the gentleman who presented it at a point in the future at an appropriate time as a token of their mutual respect. I hate paraphrasing, but I cannot lay my hands on that article to quote Yumoto San's exact words. I give this as an example where removing the Gimei signature would be destroying a bit of history and culture. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there were many reasons for a sword to be signed Gimei. By the way, ... the sword is beautiful and flawless, and an example where the Smith who actually did the forging was a master craftsman. I only wish I knew the name of the actual Smith. ... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, Here I think is the article you are refering to : viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3813&p=28593&hilit=remove+barrel#p28593 ... Ron Watson

Dear Brian, Yes, ... I humbly take credit for keeping a lid on things and people in line ( Keith in particular ), ... so that while you were away no mud slinging, ... no political un-popular comments were tolerated and therefore no locked threads. Now that you .. Oh Great One are back at the helm, ... maybe we can have some fun again, ... albeit short lived ! ... Anonymouse Ron

Dear Piers, I have not had the time to watch the whole series of videos yet, ... but from little I have watched ... most impressive ! ... Ron Watson

Dear Andy, That is a very nice example. Someone has replaced the pin and brass loop on the bottom with a brass screw I see, ... other than that it looks to have come from the same workshop as the one I own. I would for replacement value ( insurance ) place a value of $ 1000.00 US on it. I notice yours also has a slightly smaller " sear release button " than the one I own. You had previously mentioned that the release ( hammer spring ) seems quite weak, ... since you nor anyone else will ever use it for it's intended purpose, ... leave well enough alone. A nice example in nice overall condition, .... be happy ! Any further questions please use my personal e-mail address : watsonr@mts.net ... Ron Watson

Dear Ruben, and Ian, I bought the above book, and since there was one other bidder, ... I'm hoping it was not either of you two. As you know or at least Ian knows I have a strong interest in not only Nihonto, but other Japanese Art as well. I have been after this book for sometime now, and since out of print the closest I've come was an offer to sell me a copy for $ 180.00 US. Should either of you wish photocopies of specific areas of the book, ... I will happily make them for you and send by regular mail ... that is when I finally receive the book. It is best to e-mail me at my personal address which is : watsonr@mts.net ... Ron Watson

Dear Junichi, I have bought many fine Japanese Antiques via eBay excepting swords, ... BUT .. before I bid I make damn sure I have a written ( e-mail ) from the seller that should I not be satisfied ( with reason ) that I may return the item for a full refund less shipping. This is in no way perfect but it has worked for me. Having said this I do as LITTLE business anymore with eBay as possible. eBay is a TRAP for the collector of Nihonto or most any other type of antique and one is much better off dealing with reputable dealers listed on the Commercial Section of NMB than trying to find the treasure everyone else missed on eBay. Granted I have found treasures on eBay years ago, ... and only recently as well ... but only BECAUSE the item was poorly described or found under an incorrect category. ... Ron Watson

All Auction Lovers, I am reminded of an auction I attended a number of years ago, ... being recognized as an Antique Dealer, and Collector of Samurai Arts ( I've never sold Japanese Art in all my years as a dealer however ), ... I overheard the comment while examining a Japanese Tanto ( with a very fatal Kizu ), .... " you're safe to outbid him as he is a dealer and collector and will bid within the parameters of making a decent profit ". Bad move, ... when the item came up for sale, ... the auctioneer who was more accustomed to doing " Farm Auctions " rather than fine art auctions started the bidding off at $ 100.00, ... which I quickly bid, followed by my unknowledgble competitor who bid $ 125.00. I then shouted $ 200.00 to which my competitor shouted $ 250.00, which I, showing feigned displeasure upped the bid to $ 500.00. He then bid $ 600.00, to which I really showed my colours and bid $ 1200.00. The stupid auctioneer almost pissed himself expecting the foreign dagger as he called it to have sold long ago ... asked for $ 1500.00 which my opposition quickly bid, ... with me following immediately with $ 2000.00. To make a long winded bidding war a little shorter, I noticed my oppositions bidding dropping back to $ 250.00 hesitant increments with me enthusiastically increasing the bid by $ 250.00. I finally let him have it at $ 2750.00. After a round of applause from the stunned crowd, ... the NEW owner of the Tanto came over to me and asked what he had just acquired and if I didn't mind ... what was it really worth. The look on his face when I told him quite honestly ... perhaps .. $ 250.00 tops and NOT to ever f... around with me again as to me this was MY Bread and Butter and not some game. I can only smile and hope he learned a valuable lesson ( which a great majority of our members had better learn ... and that is if you want to play this game of Nihonto and it's related Arts, ... do your homework first or leave it alone ). ... Ron Watson