Ojime?

[Mantis dude]

Hi all,

 

I am pretty sure I have a ojime in the shape of a cicada.  Not something I know about so I figured I ask for confirmation.  It is multi-metal: wings are silver: body copper?: and eyes? maybe Shibuichi?.  I also think that the inside has a metal lining.  There was a signature I think but it has been worn (bottom of bottom). Did I guess correct or any other suggestions?  Any opinions on it?  Age?  I have been looking and looking but can't find something similar.  It did come out of Japan with the other pieces I had posted in a separate post (thanks for input Geraint).  Other than the typical answer price is what someone will pay for it price.  What would you sell it for? I appreciate any and all help.  Thanks. Ken

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, it is a sweet Ojime, from perhaps around the beginning of Meiji. If it was mine, then I would not want to sell it. I probably would not pay more than 100-150 USD for it, but others might.

[TETSUGENDO]

Piers nailed it! Too bad the original patination is gone...it would have been much more attractive. Nice anyway!,are you expanding your entomological interests?

[Baka Gaijin]

Original patination gone............?

 

Worry not, we know a man who can restore it.

 

Name of Hallam, goes by the handle "Ford".

 

Shows up hereabouts on the odd occasion.

[TETSUGENDO]

Repatination not a major issue,simply a matter of cost.

[Mantis dude]

That guy Ford.... sounds familiar.  hmm.  can't google it or a car just shows up.  I'll figure out who he is, there are rumors of a guy that lives in an English cave and just plays with metals & potions all day, trying to revive true alchemy turning everything into gold.  A good guy to know if he ever figures it out. 

 

Thanks for the input everyone.  I was pretty sure I was right- I spent time searching but not my area of expertise.  You guys are awesome (always keep them buttered up in case you want to buy something from them one day).  Seriously I do appreciate the feedback. 

 

As for it being a cicada and not the king of all insects well the world can't be perfect now can it? .  I have passed up on some nice pieces, namely matching Kaga tsuba because there was no mantis. And while I do contemplate to branch out or not, I will for now continue my love affair of the Mantid.  If not I would need a new handle... can't be a Mantis dude without the Mantis I would just be dude then.  And there already is the dude out there.  I am reediting this as I might debate switching out a boring ojime for this one since I did succumb to a few tobacco pouches with of course mantis closures.  In fact, there are 2 on yahoo.jp right now I keep eyeing.  So many mantis so little time.

 

All the best and thanks again.

Ken aka THE MANTIS DUDE

[TETSUGENDO]

Your single-mindedness is admirable!  An inclusion of the "odd" insect ,on occasion, should not topple the throne.

[b.hennick]

HI Ken:

Mantis has to eat  - Cicada YUM!