watsonmil

Thanks Eric, ... now we won't have members standing on their heads to read the signature. Regards, ... Ron Watson

Geez, ... Brian you sound pessimistic. By the way I've always been pessimistic, ... that way I'm never disappointed ! I don't have a nephew named " Fred , ", .... but I do have a son named Raymond, ... and whenever I discuss my latest aquisition ... the words Ferrari, and Lamborghini pop up. I keep trying to explain the word is not Ferrari ... it's correct pronunciation is " Fuchi ", .... , and it's not Lamborghini, .... I think you're trying to say " Ha-agari kuri-juri ". Anyways he certainly is passionate about my leaving the collection to him. I am so very pleased at the sparkle in his eye whenever he looks at my treasures. So I guess I have nothing to worry about. I mentioned that they have to be kept clean, and he assured me he'd wipe them down and polish them every weekend ! Kind regards, ... Ron Watson

I'd better leave well enough alone. If someone wants to see the Tsuba right side up, they can print it and turn the thing around. I should be more careful. My apologies. ...Ron Watson

Oh God, ... I've gotten the picture upside down when I posted it ! SORRY ! My son will be out later this evening, and I'll see if he can correct it. ........ Ron Watson

Well guys, ... if it is a tobikuchi ... " modified to be a jutte ", ... then it is a jutte. John, ... please note the positioning of the kuchi on the Michael de Long example. It is on the opposite side from the kuchi, whereas on my example it is on the same side as the blade. Using the kuchi to hang my example from an obi is going to be somewhat uncomfortable with the cutting edge pointing inward. I am not saying you guys are wrong, .... all I am saying is we're splitting hairs here. If this were a fireman ( which it may have belonged to ), he was certainly unpopular. Whomever is more correct we shall never know. It is a most interesting tool / weapon at any rate. .... Ron Watson PS. Which is acceptable jitte or jutte ????

About 30 years ago, I was offered a very tired o-suriage Tachi ( cut down to wakizashi ). The Tsuba pictured below was on that sword, and it is the reason I sprung for the $ 75.00 asking price. The tsuba was covered in heavy paint ( not patina ) ......... PAINT. The features were completely obliterated with paint. Many many hours of cleaning went into the removal of the paint from all those waves and piercings. After taking it to an old Japanese collector who became my sensi, he quickly translated the one side to say : Shimomura Fukushige. The other side of the Nakago-ana read Oshu Province. A little research indicated ONO School .... early Edo. Measurements top to bottom 3 inches, side to side 2 1/2 inches. Thickness 5/16 inch. It is of course iron, and well forged. Sadly due to damage to the original patina by removal of paint, I had to re-colour it. I hope I got it relatively close. Anyways this item was the beginning of a most enjoyable and expensive introduction to the Arts of the Samurai. ......... Ron Watson

In response to Carlo, and Brian's input, ... I would find it difficult to accept the " catcher " being a hook to fasten the weapon and or tool to the Obi. It sticks out too far from the shaft, plus the flat ( wider side ) would be turned 90 degrees if this were the case ( flatter side against the waist ). As a blocking weapon, and if opportunity arose to actually catch a sword ( possible but masochistic ) ... ALL jitte were most likely used more for blocking than actual catching of your opponents sword. This example allows you to also go on the offensive rather than strictly defensive should the situation warrent it. ....... It is also possible that this item is sort of a cross between a hachiwara and a jitte, ... and that the ring is for suspension to the ring often found on the front or sides of armour. In other words a samurai's additional defence and offensive weapon. Anyways, .... it's interesting and bloody old. ......... Ron Watson

Hello Henry, Congratulations, ... Very nice to see a Daisho. As far as left hand , right hand ... I always preferred my left hand. ... Ron Watson

Hi Carlo, At an angle the blade would strike the shaft of the Jitte, .... only the Shinogi-ji or Mune would touch the protusion ( if you're trying to catch your opponents blade ). Also not pictured are cuts on the back opposite the " catcher ", as well as several much further down the shaft nearer the end. I wondered about the possibility of cutting one's hand as well on the bottom blade, ... but if an object ( blade ) strikes the jitte it actually is going to push the cutting edge of the jitte blade away from the palm. In my hand when held in a defensive position, the blade does not interfere with my hand, and yet if I want to go into a offensive position, all I do is turn the front of the jitte away from my opponet and instantly by bringing the palm of my hand forward and upward I am now slashing rather than defending. Getting back to the angle of the cuts in relation to the " catcher ", all are in a position which would indicate the jitte was blocking the slashes of the opponents sword rather than trying to catch and break or hold the opponent blade. Catching an opponents blade in a serious fight would be a tricky move without the danger of losing ones fingers or thumb. You are more likely to use the shaft to block, ... which alignes the sword cuts perfectly in relation to the " catcher ". I would not want to use a jitte in a sword like position ( rather short and dull ) against a sword, but as a blocking tool which this item displays perfectly. ............ Ron Watson

Hello everyone, The forums seem a bit quiet so I thought I might start a new thread. In my collection is an unusual Jitte. Around the base of the jitte shaft a section of steel has been wrapped around and forge welded into place to form a single edged blade. Sharpened on the inside edge. A palm forward and upward thrust would bring the cutting edge to bear against your opponent. Above this is a grip of tightly woven rattan. Above this the sword catcher has been attached by making a rectangular hole thru the jitte shaft, and then either heavily riviting or forge welding to make a strong permanent attachment. The shaft then ends in a tapered flattened trois foil. A hole has been punched or more likely drilled from both sides. A split iron ring passes thru I suppose so that the jitte could be hung up when not in use. There are numerous sword cuts along the shaft indicating actual use in combat to fend off a sword. The depth of these cuts are more indicative of serious combat than a defensive practice session. The patina is such that I have no doubt it being original and not artificial. Even the sharp edges of the sword cuts are rounded off and appear very old. It would appear that this jitte has seen action in either the seedier parts of Edo, or in some Clan confontation. Now, I'm sure someone will say, ... a jitte in combination with a fireman's pick. I don't think so as this is like no other fireman's pick in my collection, or in any that I have observed. Overall length is 15 inches ( 38 cm ). Anyway, ... there it is. I welcome your comments. ..... Ron Watson

When the Tokugawa under Ieyasu finally unified Japan, ... Ieyasu began imposing tighter controls over trade with Europeans and especially Christianity. The restrictions continued under the next Tokugawa Shogun until finally in 1635 Japanese citizens were forbidden fom travelling outside Japan. By 1636 even the Portugese who first introduced the Matchlock Gun were restricted to a small island in Nagasaki harbour. Given that Japan had become a " closed " country, .... the scientific developements of Europe were not well known by most Japanese which of course included not only first the Flintlock, but later the Percussion system of firearms. Also since Japan was free of civil war, and allowed no contact with the outside world (which always temps foreign invasion) there was little need to improve upon firearms. Very few firearms were produced other than a sufficient number to satisfy those naturally lost or destroyed. It was not until Commodore Perry arrived in 1853, that the Japanese were forced to play " catchup ". They then realized that unless they adopted Western technology ( especially in the field of firearms ) that their beloved country might soon fall victim to invasion. The Matchlock immediately disappeared. ..... Ron Watson

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the translation. Kanji is NOT my forte ! I attach a photo of the whole gun for your enjoyment. Interesting that the front sight has a silver bead inlaid for better sighting. Although I have several Tanegashima, ... all are much more elaborate ( higher class ) guns. I particularily like this one as it would have in all likelyhood seen action ( where there any action to see ). If anyone has additional information, ... or wants additional information, ... ( unless it's translations ), ... feel free to contact me. Again thanks. .......... Ron Watson

Piers, ... Did you receive PM I sent yesterday ? .... Ron Watson

I have just finished restoring a Kunitomo Tanegashima. I am hoping one of you will kindly translate the kanji. Since the inscription is a bit long, I have split it up into two photographs. Thanks, ... Ron Watson

Yes, John I realize there are a few of us, .... I was one of a number who was instrumental in getting a Private Members Bill passed in Canada's House of Commons to abolish the Long Gun Registry. The member who introduced that Bill is from my Constituancy ... one Candice Hoeppner MP ( Portage Lisgar ). This does not however change the fact that Politicians will pimp their mothers for one more vote. Unless people speak up and generally the Politically incorrect ( although a majority ) are intimidated by the few bleeding heart's that champion the cause ...... " well if it only saves one life it's worth it ". I can only assume this is what happened in Ireland then the UK with the " sword ban ". My God, ... to be honest the last time I was in the UK, ... I had to travel to France to find an Englishman ! With respect, ... Ron Watson

I sympathize with the collector in Australia. I operated one of the largest internet Antique Weapons and Militaria sites in the world dealing in many high end items. Due to the ever increasing slide towards Fascism ( control or ban everything ) of the so called Western World, ... I am in the process of shutting down. The worst offender countries for shipping to that I found were Australia, the UK, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Spain and Belgium and believe it or not parts of the USA ( California and Massachusets are good examples ). Now having said that ... my country Canada is no better as they wanted me to obtain an export permit for a cotter key if it was at all possible that it might fit a No. 36 Grenade ( Canadian Export Control ). The point I am trying to make here is that unless people take back control of their respective countries by lobbying your representatives who are supposed to represent you and quit showing apathy we will have no way to collect Nihonto ... it along with table knives will be impossible to import or export. ... Ron Watson

Dear Sir, As a collector of Mishina school, ... it is possible but not enough detail to be sure. The boshi is to my eyes completely missing ( perhaps the result of a terrible polish on the kissaki. It is also possible the hamon runs straight off the kissaki which would mean it has been shortened from both ends. I have never seen such a horimono previously. It may well have been an alteration to hide a defect. It almost certainly not a Chinese fake. I have yet to see such a complicated hamon on a Chinese fake. One should never criticize another's prices. If one is not comfortable with the price, ... simply walk away. One man's treasure is another man's junk. Personally buying off Ebay should be a RED FLAG of what not to buy in this field. Honest items do show up, ... but rarely ! ..... Ron Watson

My name is Ron Watson, .. I am Canadian. I am 62 years old, and for the past 35 + years have operated an Antique Business dealing primarily in Antique Weapons. Due to ever increasing Government Bureocracy I am in the process of shutting the business down. Where there were once hundreds of items per section there are now but few on offer. I also for the past 40 years operated a demolitions business removing all manner of man and God's creations with the use of explosives. I got interested accidentally in Nihonto about 30 years ago when I was offered a very tired osuriage tache ( cut down to a wakizashi ) with a heavily painted tsuba for $ 75.00. It was the tsuba that perked my curiosity and after spending many hours removing the heavy layer of paint, ... to my surprise what turned out was to be a very fine Ono school tsuba signed Fukushige. Since that time, I have added steadily to my collection of Samurai arts. In swords I have specialized in the Mishina School Smiths. I have not limited my interest to swords however, and have been fortunate to acquire a full suit of Armour, several Tanegashima, yari, naginata, yanone, gunsen, jingasa, Samurai Dolls, tsuba, and other Fittings, Hachiwawa, Jitte. Many woodblock prints, and a prized Bronze Cannon of the 17th century. My personal library on the subject amounts to several dozens of books, and periodicals. The Study of the Arts of Japan is both complicated and at times full of pit falls. It is not a game for the weak of heart or pocketbook. It is far better to own one or two good pieces than a grouping of the mediocre. My advice to the beginner is study study, ask, ask, handle, handle. My opinion of eBay for the beginner at least, is to use it as a RED FLAG of what not to buy. Better to stick to reputable dealers who stand behind their products, and more importantly their reputation. May you all find that special happiness in aquiring the best you can afford and the supreme joy in sharing with others. ....... Ron Watson