Edo Period Corner Part II

[Shugyosha]

3 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

On Sunday a collector friend at a monthly outdoor event said he had something in his car for me so we walked over and he handed me a bag with something boxy inside.

 

Today I finally got around to opening it. Five stacking trays for nine tsuba each, enough for 45 tsuba!
Have just sent him a thank-you message.

Looks like you’re going to need more tsuba…

[Bugyotsuji]

As part of the Golden Week display of Sanchōmō they were running a shuttle bus today to the old Nakazaki-Tei in Fukuoka Village next to Osafuné. 

Spread over three rooms were a display of Koshiraé (no blades), a display of Tsuba, a case full of Tōsōgu, and a display of Bizen guns and accessories, etc. The latter was my allotted corner. 
 

Not expecting anyone to visit our humble exhibition, I was surprised to see more than *a hundred people come through during the day, from all over Japan.

*Later confirmed as a daily record for that residence, at 110 guests.

 

What pleased me particularly (apart from the obvious interest shown by the visitors) was that I was asked to provide some Koshiraé, and everything that I had brought with me got added to the display. Seven Koshiraé! This is the very first time that my pieces have been considered worthy of their displays. No negative comments, all silently accepted. Made me all warm and fuzzy inside, it did.

[Bugyotsuji]

Some general shots of the place.

A

B

C

[Bugyotsuji]

And

D

E

F

[John C]

Dispalys are very nice, Piers. But I really love the setting. The building is gorgeous and sets the mood.

 

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

22 hours ago, John C said:

Dispalys are very nice, Piers. But I really love the setting. The building is gorgeous and sets the mood.

 

John C.

Agreed! It’s a wonderful old house. Looking out across the fields of young barley towards Osafuné and the hills beyond.

 

Saw this from the car window as I was about to drive home!

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Golden Week includes Children's Day on the 5th of May (formerly called Boys' Day).

 

This year our matchlock troop were asked to perform during the morning at the Kibitsu Hiko Jinja, head shrine for the Ikeda family of Bizen (Okayama) which is close by the dividing line between Bizen and *Bitchu provinces. The blessings ceremony was fairly elaborate. The Shojitsu Kenrikata IchiRyu Katchu Battojutsu sword group also performed, and we all provided entertainment for families and their children throughout the day. During the afternoon, still in armour, we sat for photographs with families, and displayed some of our swords and guns and accessories for the public to see and learn about. The day was special for me too with visiting family and friends.

 

*(Kibitsu Jinja next door is the head shrine for Bitchu and the Abe family of Fukuyama, now Hiroshima.)

[Bugyotsuji]

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

 

[Bugyotsuji]

 

Photo of our recently departed leader Mr Ōmori

 

[Brian]

Awesome pics! Thanks Piers.

[Bugyotsuji]

Unable to take part recently in the live firings with a bad knee, I have been able to concentrate on doing these static displays, and taking photographs.

 

This time we chose a few representative guns, and I brought some different accessories for variety. (If we show the same objects every year, things can get really stale.)

 

Although it is a Japanese shrine and we were ostensibly showing Japanese hinawa-ju related stuff, I included a couple of Korean pole weapons which Hideyoshi's troops would have encountered on the Korean peninsula. 'Bunroku-Keicho no Eki' in Japanese, and to the Koreans the 'Imjin Wars'. In the back of my mind was the possibility that the shrine priests might not approve, so I was prepared to take flak, but everyone accepted it in their stride with no negative comments.

 

Left foreground

Bronze 勝字銃 'Victory mark' 'Seungja Chongtong' hand gun, dated 萬暦 Banreki 11 (1583)

Three-barrel 'Sanyan Chong' gun, iron, 1590s(?)

 

[Gakusee]

Thank you very much, Piers. Wonderful photos and accounts of the events. 

[Alex A]

Neat display, Piers. That red table top seems to set everything off really well.

 

 

[John C]

Geez, Alex. "Set everything off" on a table full of guns...

 

John C.

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi Piers!

 

I see that my short barrel otsuzu is on display. I warms my hart to see it in good use.

 

I have a reservation though. It is always displayed with a fire arrow Bo-hiya. I think most can agree that the barrel is to short to build up enough gas from the exploding gun powder to push such an item to any lenghts.

My thought is that such a short barreled gun is more suited for scrapnel on a short distans, more like a shotgun. 

 

But that is just my idea.

 

Regards,

 

Anthony

[Bugyotsuji]

Anthony, it is so good to hear from you. Yes, your ‘baby whale’ is happily performing great active service, a new life for the wider community, no small thanks to you and Marjolijn.

 

As to the flaming bolt, what you say makes sense and I will convey your idea to the members. We have a 30 Monme with similar short barrel too, but Mr O was steadfast in his opinion that these were Hiya-zutsu, i.e. especially for firing Bo-hiya. I carefully said nothing. 

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi Piers!

 

I know that mr O had ideas that was hard to challenge! 

 

I have seen 50 and 100 monme guns with longer barrels with Bo-hiya and those make much more sense.

 

Marjolijn says hi!

 

Anthony

[Bugyotsuji]

On 6 June we will hold a meeting at Kibitsu Hiko Jinja for everyone to bring a photo and reminisce about Mr Ō. There will be obento for lunch. Mrs Ō has kindly agreed to attend.

Last December I made some video shorts of him and the teppōtai performing in the Budōkan. He was physically weak, but stood straight and spoke with authority. Little did I know at the time that this would be his last active role as leader.

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi Piers!

 

Good to hear that his memory will be cherished!

I have such a good memory from our interactions and I was saddened by the news of his passing.

Please send my condolences to MRS O from me and Marjolijn.

 

Anthony

[John C]

On 5/5/2026 at 11:56 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

few representative guns,

Piers:

Is that a disguised "fan gun" on the back of the table (last pic)?

 

John C.

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi Piers!

 

Mr O and I. Brothers from a different mother!

We looks so alike!

 

I will miss his influence on the community.

 

On the good side..you don’t need to hide your trasures risking confiscation 😁

 

Anthony

[Bugyotsuji]

14 minutes ago, John C said:

Piers:

Is that a disguised "fan gun" on the back of the table (last pic)?

 

John C.

Haha, no John, just a decorative fan with some martial exhortation written on it. Just in front of it though is a pill-lock squeeze gun, nigiri-deppō or kaihō-jū.

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi!

 

Piers, you can tell MRS O that I often carry the personal west from Mr O, with the Ikeda Okayama Kamon used by Okayama Teppo Tai, on a regular basis. (Even though she was not to happy when he gifted that and the Sashimono to me) 😁

 

Anthony

[Bugyotsuji]

Anthony, great shot(s). Might just show those on the day! 

[Anthony de Vos]

Hi!

 

Please do Pierce, please do. He is missed, and will be remembered also in Sweden.

 

Anthony