watsonmil

FINALLY, ...... I hope these come out clear enough. In photograph 1, ..... NOTE the round hole in the bamboo shaft on the faked specimen. In photograph 2, ..... NOTE ( the Nakago ) .. the sharpness and lack of patina on the fake example to the right. Also NOTE the bits of model glue still adhering to the tang ( white stuff ) on the right hand example's tang. ...... Ron Watson

I recently purchased a supposedly genuine yanone of a somewhat rare type from an antique web site. Upon receipt, ... I noticed it was NOT exactly as pictured on the site. Now for someone to have more than one of a rare type is quite possible, ... but to have two heads exactly the same ( virtually impossible ) and still retaining their bamboo shafts, slight differences only, ....... not a bloody chance. If I had not noticed the slight difference in the " pictured " example from the one I received, ... I would NOT have suspected anything wrong. THAT IS DAMNEDABLE good work when a suspicious old collector can be fooled. I gently wiggled the projectile head, and pulled. It came free of the shaft without difficulty. Here's what I found: 1. The tang had minute traces of what appeared to be model glue. 2. The opening on the arrow shaft where the tang enters was ROUND instead of square ( one finds this on TARGET ARROW shafts that have had the cup shaped target head removed, and a drill bit inserted into the bamboo to make an opening in which to insert an yanone tang ) The forger rarely takes the time to make a square opening, but rather forces the square tang into the round opening. 3. The yanone tang was crisp ( like new ), ... no sign of rust, ... and the edges absolutely sharp as if made yesterday which it probably was. 4. The tang still had that frosty look of new steel. Now then, .... I had paid via PayPal, ... and promptly filed a complaint. I reported to PayPal the reason I did not want the item, ... and asked them to investigate. In due course I received my monies back, ... but as far as any punitive action, .... I see the same item available again. This is an example of where the unwary will add A VERY GOOD COPY ( partially original in that the shaft is old ) to their collection. I ALMOST did, .... and I have some experience. I cannot say that the dealer in this case is dis-honest in any way. He may well have been duped into buying what he believed to be genuine items. I attach a couple of photos I took to illustrate. ...... Ron Watson NOTE: I HAVE TRIED TO ADD PHOTOS, ... BUT AM FOR SOME REASON UNABLE .... My apologies.

Dear Randal, The one Menuki depicts a " Kirin ", .... a Mythical animal, while the other depicts a " Tiger ". The qualiy and style of work are quite different, .... and are therefore mismatched. This is not terribly unusual to find on tsuka. One or the other may have at one time been lost or damaged and simply replaced with a menuki that was handy. I know of no reference where the Kirin and Tiger share the same story in Japanese folklore. The Kirin is an auspicious omen, heralding peace and prosperity. The Tiger symbolizes one of the dual forces , .... the dragon rules over water, and the heavens, while the tiger rules over the wind and earthly things. He is sometimes depicted with a Hatara Sonja , a bandit hero who supposedly killed a tiger ( which I think your one menuki may represent ). ...... Ron Watson

Dear Gabriel, Back in May, .... you posted some photos of a sashikomi polished yanone. I mentioned in that thread I had a twin to your yanone .... signed Kiyotsugu saku. I beleive it is of the Nio Chosu School and the smith from Nagato Province. Circ. 1688 - 1736. The point on mine is 2.5 inches, ... Nakago is 5 3/4 inches. Other than the very slight difference in Nakago length, .... as I said previously they appear to be near twins. Since my son was out today, I got him to take a couple of photos for comparison. .... Ron Watson

I suppose I will be the dissadent voice here on this thread. In the area I come from were many members of the Winnipeg Grenidiers. These very brave men fought a courageous battle against overwhelming Japanese Forces. They witnessed the murder of patients in the hospital, .. they watched the systematic gang rape of the nuns and nursing staff, .... and then after an ardeous trip to Japan in an over crowded ship hold where many more perished they landed in Japan to become slave labour for the duration of the war. These men suffered malnutrition, were subjected to continual beatings, summary executions for minor infractions, .... were deprived of medical care, medicines, and even the Red Cross food parcels were stolen by their Japanese captors. They survived by eating rats, worms, snakes, and what they could barter for or steal. Upon learning that the war was ending many others who had endured the disentry, beri-beri, pneumonia, physical abuse were murdered out of revenge or spite. I personally knew 3 out of many from this immediate area who survived to return to Canada. One gentleman recently passed on, and the only souvenir SWORD that he returned with was a Japanese Riding Crop belonging to one of the Japanese Commandants. This Riding Crop or some might refer to it as a swagger stick contains a hidden blade. On their FIRST day in camp the Commandant struck one of the Canadians across the face for no reason, .... the young man instinctively grabbed the crop, and of course the blade was then freed and was immediately driven through the man's heart. He was baited so as to show an example to the rest to tolerate all that might be dished out. Before any of you start feeling too much sympathy for those officers surrendering their swords, .... give a little thought to what transpired. Perhaps you will not feel quite the sorrow or pity for these Sword Surrenders. By the way I now own that Riding Crop, ... but have hesitated to post it UNTIL now. One must remember Japan although now an ally was far from it when these photos were taken. I mean no disrespect to any NMB members, ... but history should not be whitewashed. Respectfully submitted .... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, You triggered some memories of shooting at the Canadian National Matches at the Connaught Ranges just outside Ottawa here in Canada. We were scheduled to shoot the prone matches, and it was pouring rain. Since there were at least 90 of us shooting in three relays ( about 30 to a relay ), .... we had no choice. Either you shoot, or forfeit your entry, .... weather be damned. Laying in 2 - 3 inches of water with rain pouring down is not ideal for serious competitive shooting, ... but you do it ! As soon as we finished, .. the next 30 or so took our places and we of the first relay took our gear back to our tents to dry out ( a couple of hundred yards from the line ). The second group finished, and like we of the first line withdrew to shelter. The third relay had gotten about half finished when it began to hail instead of just rain ( hail is bloody balls of ice ) for those who don't know. The hail was about the size of marbles, ... and the poor buggers still shooting couldn't take the beating. The ground between the firing line and the shelter of our army tents looked like a battlefield strewn with rifles, spotting scopes, and other gear. The guys caught out there were covered in nasty red welts from head to toe. It was ruled that since they left their firing positions ... they forfeited the match. It was just the way things were. Those of us who had finished our relay were not nearly so glum in reading our scores. At least we were still in the competition, ... and we were not in physical pain. We, ... everyone of the first and second relay to the man ... petitioned the range committee to allow the third relay to re-shoot the match. We prevailed, ... and relay three was allowed to re-shoot. Although they got the advantage of shooting in fair weather, ... and posted better scores, .... none of us felt bitter about losing in this a world class competition. One of the reasons I have always been proud of being part of the most " gentlemanly " of sports. .......... Ron Watson

I would agree with Paul, .... a tired old blade, ... with open grain in spots. Outside of the big name Smith and the rarity of blades from this period, .... it is my opinion that it has little going for it. ... Ron Watson

Dear Joe, & Brian, Firstly, ... thank you Brian for leaving Joe's post in place. It only serves if nothing else to underline why some of us have a problem with Hadori ( new style Japanese polish ). Very artistic indeed ! Perhaps it could be sent to Shinsa, ... one never knows ?? ..... Ron Watson

Chuck, You write : " Two samurai face each other with swords drawn ( rival clans ? a woman ? some arcane point of honour ? ) From what I've been reading regarding the Samurai sexual preferences, .... you can substitute " woman " and insert " boy ". If that doesn't shake your vivid imagination, ... nothing will In all seriousness, .... I think your Tsuba is very nice. Congratulations ! .... Ron Watson

Dear Commentors, I am pretty certain that the photograph is by Felix Beato. It would have been taken in his studio. Even more certain is that the Samurai in this posed photograph are NOT samurai at all, but people of non samurai class who were paid to wear Armours that Beato had picked up in Junk Shops ( thus the mis-matching, etc. ). At the time Beato or any other European were in Japan ( 1860's - 1880's ), .... but particularily the 1860's and 1870's, ... foreigners were so hated that one went about with ARMED Guard's and even then carried in PLAIN VIEW your own personal revolver. To do otherwise would have been inviting attack by the Samurai class in particular. The fact that these early adventurer photographers didn't get everyone dressed exactly correct is of little wonder. They remind me of the War Correspondents of today, ... risking their lives for the preservation of history. Even today as a tourist, .... try taking a walk around a Flea Market in Abuja, Capital of Nigeria without an armed guard and see how long you last. ..... Ron Watson

Dear Eric, Any indication of who the photographer was ? It looks to be in the style of Kusakabe Kimbei ( 1880'2 - 1912 ). Funny, ... I just commented on a wonderful photo that Thomas posted under the Tanegashima Hayago thread ! .... Ron Watson

Dear Thomas, A great photograph, .... any idea the date it was taken. Thank goodness for some of the early Photographic Adventurers. Without the likes of Felix Beato, .. and the Japanese Kusakabe Kimbei, among others a large part of the history of Asia would only be Woodblock interpretations. Thanks for sharing ! ...... Ron Watson

Dear Thomas, You are quite correct, ... with only the wad holding the powder in place, or as Piers says after the first shot not even a wad, but just tightly packed powder, .... much is indeed expelled from the barrel, but most if not all will have ignited, providing lots of smoke and flame for the audience. Yes indeed the Bird's beak ball dispenser I have seen pictured in Japanese books. It looks to be in nice condition. A pleasure to see it, ... and know that it was in use in Korea as well as Japan. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing ...... Ron Watson

Dear Piers ( and ALL ), Shooting is a wonderful sport. It is sad that the " left wingers " in our society/world could not keep to their own bloody business of sitting on their asses in the mindless pursuit of watching .... " gladiator sports ", .... and leave others to enjoy participating in a the most Scientific and Gentlemanly Sport of shooting. Canada for instance the last time I looked ( admittedly a few years ago ) had over the years won more Olympic medals in the " shooting sports " than all other sports combined. I do not run over and grab their beer, and turn off their television, .... so don't bloody mess with my interests. Now that we live in a country of " woosies ", .... who do not have the ability to take a crap without government direction but have control of the " vote ", .... shooting has become Politically incorrect. Guns are associated with crime, .... but these are the same twits who would have us all believe that somehow taking firearms away from lawbiding individuals will somehow influence the criminal element in giving up there's ! I have to smile a little when I see some of these same individuals cringe, wimper and shudder in dis-belief when their " SWORDS " are threatened with confiscation. It all boils down to freedom, and whether or not you take the position of becoming a slave to the state or you remain a free man. ..... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, Actually, ... 10 grams is equivalent to 154 grains. Just as well you guys are just loading tissue. Put a wad-ball-wad down instead, .... and you'd have a real Tiger to hang on to. You see once you are propelling a wad-ball-wad, .... the resistance of the weight ahead of the powder causes a great deal of force to be exerted in the opposite direction of the ball as the expanding gas builds up ( instantaneous by the way ) and begins pushing the ball out of the barrel, ..... thus RECOIL. A large powder charge such as 154 grains is ALMOST twice what one would use in a gun of .75 caliber ( 10 monme ) should one actually be using a ball. Tissue = little resistance = little recoil, ... BUT lots of smoke, fire, and boom. A real projectile loaded firearm gives a " crack sound ", ... rather than a boom. .... " And the NIHONTO guys think they have to study " .. :lol: ...... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, There is a saying I heard somewhere that .... if you appreciate and truly respect Nihonto, ... the sword you are searching for will find YOU ! I actually believe this. I have been most fortunate in aquiring what I consider good swords by allowing them to find me. The trick is to recognize one when it does find you and not hesitate in extending the .... " welcome home ". .... Ron Watson

Dear Piers, The Butt of the gun rests upon the ground, ... with the barrel upright and resting in the crook of the left arm, thus leaving both hands free, ... the plug on the hayago is opened, ... the powder poured down the barrel, ... the barrel is now grasped by the left hand near the muzzle, ... the hayago is now placed flush over the bore with the right hand, ... the palm of the left hand grasps the muzzle, ... the index finger and the thumb of the same left hand hold the tube flush and against the bore, ... the right hand inserts the ramrod into the top of the hayago, ... and the contents are pushed down the barrel for about 6 - 7 inches, the ramrod is removed from the hayago, and is now free to re-insert in the bore and finish the ramming of wad-ball-wad down the barrel until it seats firmly upon the powder. It is a drill procedure and once practiced a couple of times becomes not only comfortable but very efficient. It is much faster than loading all components of a Muzzleloading firearm seperately. Unfortunately in Japan, ... the Japanese laws will not allow for you to use a projectile ( ball ), ... and since you gunners are using small squib loads with wadding, ... you would have to make up your own VERY SHORT hayago to be able to utilize the hayago at all. You could however take an empty hayago and still not only practice the drill, ... but you would then see how easy it all works. The ONLY criticism I have with the drawing in the picture you provide is that the person who drew it forgot the VERY NECESSARY wadding in picturing the hayago. He is however obviously correct in showing the ramrod being ready for insertion once the hayago is in place. He also forgot the necessary small bit of wadding ahead of the ball covering the top of the ball. This EXTRA bit of wadding was necessary because the Tanegashima being smooth bore really had nothing in the way of friction to hold the ball from rolling out of place in the barrel should the barrel be tipped down. If the ball had enough of a friction fit, ... this wad could have be illiminated. Certainly after one shot, ... the fouling in the bore would have given the ball friction enough that the extra bit of wadding would have been ( all right ) but un-necessary. KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY, ... Ron

Dear Piers, The term " Bandolier " ( after the disappearance of the muzzle loading firearm ) was transferred for lack of a better word to the collar or leather belt containing loops for holding modern brass cartridges, .... thus the image of the Mexican Revolutionary " Pancho Villa ", or the ridiculous looking movie images of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Taicho may be correct saying that the Hayago did not appear in Japan prior to the latter part of the Edo Period, .... I just do not know. Perhaps an old woodblock print or book may yield an answer. I must however disagree strongly with your Taicho's ( shooting boss ) idea of the makeup of the Hayago's having the hole in the bottom when he says this was not for the ramrod. Just for the hell of it, ... I took a ten monme tube ... the type I illustrate in Figure 1, .... and loaded it according to his description. It held a load of exactly 490 grains of FFG black powder using the ball as a stopper, and 470 grains with the ball enclosed .... and a cloth covered stopper instead. This experiment using an original 10 monme hayago. ( THAT IS ONE HELL OF A CHARGE ) NOW, .... loading the same hayago as per my Figure 1 with .... wad-ball-wad-powder, ... and sealed with the cloth covered stopper the same hayago held exactly 90 grains of FFG black powder which is the correct load of powder for a .75 caliber ( 10 monme ) gun. The type of Hayago WITHOUT the ramrod opening is much shorter as is pictured in Figure 2, ... and therefore holds a correspondingly less amount of powder. In fact the length of the tube dictates the type of Hayago one is dealing with. Again it is one of those instances where a " word " or " catch phrase " , ... or as in this case " mis-information " becomes engrained to the point it is accepted as fact even though it can be proven incorrect. ..... Ron Watson

Dear Ian, Was that " Mea Culpa " .... or " Mea Maxima Culpa " .... . Me just being a bit silly there ! You are quite correct by the time of the English Civil War of 1642 - 1651, the English had pretty much replaced the word Bandolier and substituted the word " Box " . I suppose the English could not stand the Continental sound of the word. I did not allow for this synonym in my article for fear of adding confusion to an already confusing nomenclature. ... Ron Watson

Tanegashima Hayago Photos & Drawings ... Ron Watson

Although it is impossible to give an exact date for the first use of the HAYAGO ( quick-loading tubes ) in Japan, we do know that the first introduction or a better word ... adoption of the firearm in Japan was 1542-1543 courtesy of the Portuguese. The quick-loading tubes ( again a misnomer ) if not introduced at this time, soon followed. The reason I say " misnomer " is that the Hayago was much different from the European variety of quick-loading tubes. The European quick-loading tubes were called " Bandoliers ". They differed from the Japanese ( or at least the variety that we know ) in that the European quick-loading tube contained ONLY the correct charge of powder for one loading. It did not contain wadding or ball. The wadding and balls were carried in a separate leather bag hung from the waist. The European Bandolier was made of either wood or leather. The whole being a leather belt with the tubes attached for quick removal was called a " Collar of Bandoliers " The Japanese at some point improved upon the Bandolier including in the tube NOT ONLY the powder, but also the wadding and ball. A misconception is that they were the earliest Cartridges. This is incorrect as although a Cartridge is somewhat similar to a Bandolier, and even MORE similar to a Hayago in that both the Cartridge and Hayago contain the powder and ball for one shot, ... the similarity ends there. A Cartridge is COMPLETELY consumed ( or as in the case of modern brass cartridges becomes if only for a split second an integral part of the gun ), whereas the Hayago or Bandolier is never consumed upon firing the gun, ... it is simply a convenient and faster method of loading the gun. It is interestingthat the first true cartridges appeared in Europe in 1586, ... being a paper tube containing both powder and ball. The bottom end of the paper tube being bitten off, the powder poured down the barrel followed by the crumpled paper ( acting as a patch or wad ) with the ball still enclosed. This being rammed down the barrel onto the top of the powder using the ramrod. It is amazing this primitive cartridge remained in service in Europe and North America ( later of course ) virtually unchanged from 1586 up until the 1860's when finally replaced with the metallic cartridges we know today. Was the cartridge used in Japan, ........ I do not think so. By the time the cartridge was in general use in Europe, ... Japan had already become a country isolated from the rest of the world. We know also that the Hayago ( Bandolier ) continued in use in Japan right up until the Meiji Restoration of 1867, long after it's disappearance from Europe. It is therefore safe to say that the Japanese never did progress to cartridge technology during its 325 year love/hate relationship with the gun. The Japanese Hayago were produced in a variety of calibers with the largest being about 10 monme ( .75 inch caliber ). This coincides with about the largest caliber of gun an individual would normally have carried into battle. The variety of materials used to make the Hayago tubes include: heavy wrapped paper, leather, bone, wood, and of course the all enduring bamboo. Virtually all were lacquered, and some had a leather belt encircling the individual hayago so that several hayago could be strung from a longer cord, and worn as the European Collar of Bandoliers. Others without this encircling belt but rather left as a simple tube were carried in a leather pouch/box attached to the obi or waist belt. There appears to be only two distinct types of Hayago. The FIRST having the ball enclosed in the bottom of the tube resting upon a small amount of wadding above which is a thicker wad, ... then the appropriate measure of powder, ... all then sealed in the tube by a cloth or leather covered stopper of wood or other material ( SEE FIGURE 1 ). When ready to use, the gunner simply pulled out the stopper, ... poured the powder down the gun muzzle, and then holding the end of the hayago over and flush with the muzzle inserted a ramrod from the top ( usually a permanent opening in the hayago ) and pushed the wad - ball - wad down the bore and seated all on top of the already loaded powder. The SECOND style of hayago I have examined had the correct charge of powder in the tube followed by the ball ( having a wad already glued to the bottom of the ball ) acting as a seal between the powder and ball. This ball and attached wad served as the stopper seal for the hayago. When ready to use, the gunner used his finger nails to pull the ball and wad stopper free, and then poured the powder down the muzzle, ... then inserted the ball with wad attached ( wad down ) into the bore and rammed the ball down with his ramrod. In this case no top wad was required to hold the ball in place in the barrel. ( SEE FIGURE 2 ). Personally I think the second type would be much easier to use and yet the first type appears to be the more commonly found. ( FIGURE 3 ) is a paper cartridge as used in Europe from 1586 to the 1860's but to the best of my knowledge never adopted in Japan. If I may, ... I will strike off on a bit of a tangent here : Both Ian and Piers ( among others ) have referred to the Hayago as being called APOSTLES in Europe. To the best of my knowledge the term " Collar of Apostles " is a romantic nickname that is found in most every piece of modern writing on the subject. The correct term should be : " Collar of Bandoliers ". It is my understanding that current research has been unable to come up with any documentation supporting the term " APOSTLES " as having ever been used during the time frame in which this item was used in Europe. They were always known as a Collar of Bandoliers. In fact the term used in the Scottish Ordnance Papers of the period specifically use the term " Collar of Bandoliers ". It would appear that the term Apostles in referring to these artifacts is simply one of those times when a " catchy phrase " is used so often it becomes accepted as history. If Ian or anyone else could please point out documentation of the 1600's or 1700's where the term Apostles was actually used I would be most interested and of course stand corrected. Respectfully submitted for the study and enjoyment of the NMB members. ..... Ron Watson

Stephen, Viagra from Canada, .... you old Dog you Hell old guys in Canada don't use Viagra, ... We ( I mean they ) .... just wait for winter and -30 F to stiffen things up ! ... Ron Watson

Dear Robert, I think the proper Japanese terminology for that type of Bohi is: " Sake-bohi " :D ... Ron Watson

Dear Keith, Why not get yourself a bit of white alder, ... or magnolia, ... if traditional Japanese saya wood is unavailable. A wood with very little or no acid. I never thought I could make a shirasaya until I tried. It is a wonderful learning experience, ... and with patience, book direction, and a minimal of wood chisles you might be surprised at what YOU can do. Having said that, ... if not interested, ... I've heard of lightly oiling with clove ( sword oil ) and wrapping in oil cloth. Store in a dry area. Perhaps other members have a better method, .... but I live in a semi-arid ( although you'd never know it this year ) part of Canada, ... and I assume where you live is even dryer. I just noted Louis's suggestion. A word of caution ... most paper contains acid, ... but any art store would have acid free matting paper which would suffice. .... Ron Watson

Dear James, The depth of the rust spots have exposed the core steel. There are also to major cracks extending from the ha thru the hamon. It is beyond repair, ... and not even a candidate for shortening to wakizashi. It is best left alone. ....... Ron watson