Leaderboard

This one appears to be a Type 32 with a replaced Kyu Gunto hilt.

Maybe message Raymond Yan on FB. He seems to have a steady supply of them at good prices, and lists them on one of the groups. https://www.facebook.com/raymond.yan.950241

The attribution is to Sue-Sa 末左. NBTHK started adding 大左一門 in brackets around latter part of 2016 I believe. I think this was possibly done because people did not understand what Sue-Sa meant as an attribution and had misconceptions and thinking it was meaning Muromachi. Now perhaps in this style people will understand it better as a Nanbokuchō attribution.

We have separate thread for crests only? https://www.behance.net/gallery/41878025/5000-MON-Japanese-FAMILY-CRESTS p. 274

A question to ask yourself is "why do I like it?". It may be worth owning it to figure out the answer. Here are some common approaches that provide a focus to collecting and help sort out your direction: Category collecting (one example of everything) Collecting certain themes Collecting high quality Collecting certain time periods Collecting certain schools or artists Something that may be helpful is to track tsuba you like on Yahoo Japan to get an idea of price vs. availablility vs. condition. It is also a place to test your eye to see if you can spot the reproductions and modern fakes. Right now there seems to be a good selection of antique tsuba at reasonable prices. Finding out what you like is a journey or process. Discernment and taste will develop over time.

A fine Japanese cast bronze (presumed) double gourd (hyotan) bud vase with tasseled cords, a stopper and Noh Theater Demon Mask "Netsuke" well detailed around the sides with reddish-brown colored patina. The slightly recessed base is impressed with a seal mark of Mouri Motonari (元就, 1947–present), a prominent metal craftsman working out of Takaoka City in Japan, specializing in creating high-quality, handcrafted, and detailed samurai helmet (kabuto) figurines and traditional bronze, iron, and brass-based metalwork. These traditional Japanese handicrafts (Takaoka Copper Crafts) are frequently designed for display and commemoration incorporating authentic, detailed, and symbolic designs. The work is deeply inspired by Mōri Motonari (1497-1571), a famous strategist and Sengoku period warlord from the Chūgoku region, often depicting items such as the "Three Arrows" story or specific kabuto armor. In hope of encouraging three of his sons, Mōri Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage, to work together for the benefit of the Mōri clan, he is said to have handed each of his sons an arrow and asked each to snap it. After each snapped his arrow, Motonari produced three more arrows and asked his sons to snap all three at once. When they could not do so, Motonari explained that one arrow could be broken easily, but three arrows held together could not. It is a lesson that is still taught today in Japanese schools and the legend is believed to have been a source of inspiration for Akira Kurosawa when writing his samurai epic Ran. Height 9 1/4 inches X diameter 3 1/4 inches.

Nothing to do with what looks like a momumental crack in the ha then?

The scabbard is definitely from a Type 32. Can you show a better picture of the backstrap? Maybe the blade could be from a Type 32 as well?

Three eyed snake?

I believe this might be Kato Kiyomasa's mon... It can appear in a couple different forms and I believe this is one of them. https://symbolikon.com/downloads/kato-kiyomasa-Japanese-symbol/ The kamon is "Snakes eye" or "Janome" 蛇の目

Well all, my wife is going to kill me but I won the bid at 1,100. I’m figuring after shipping I’ll be in 1,400. I know it is a little high but I don’t think I’ll see another in this condition for a while! Thoughts?

Just came across this rather ornate hybrid of a gunto koshirae. It looks to be a kyu gunto-parade sabre mix. Has anyone seen something like this before? It has a supposed Gassan Sadakazu blade.

This gives the impression of being a Sue-Seki blade (late Muromachi period, 16the century, Mino province). While I do think this is worthwhile to consider for restoration, the condition is not abhorrent and it appears that everything can be seen and appreciated for the most part. So, you may want to consider keeping it in its current condition.

I recently picked up this set, and went down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to get a full picture of the details depicted. I thought that I would share what I have found. There are other posts referencing this motif, but I didn’t find one that gave details… Happy to have any other details that I have missed, and shares from anyone else who has tosogu on the same theme. The set The tsuba is almost circular. It is shakudō, with a nanako ground, and chiseled in relief with details in gold. The tsuba shows the race across the Uji River. The fuchi-kashira show samurai at a Shinto shrine. The Race Across the Uji River (1180) This set has the depiction of a scene from the 14th-century military epic “The Tale of the Heike” (Heike monogatari). In the telling of this part of the story the Taira army were chasing a rebel army that had been raised by Prince Mochihito. The two armies met at the site of a bridge across the Uji river. The following confrontation became known as the First Battle of Uji (1180). The rebels stripped the bridge back to its bare bones (see the top left of the tsuba) forcing the armies to confront each other in an archery duel, which tended to favour the rebels as they had warrior monks on their side who used powerful bows that could penetrate the wooden shields used at the time. The battle wore on until sunset with the broken bridge as a chokepoint leading to stalemate. As the sun set, a retainer on the Taira side suggested that they should try to ford the river or go around to find another route. The river was swollen by heavy rains, but Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue decided to lead a contingent of 300 samurai across the river to engage with the enemy on land. The two of them rushed to get across the river first with Sasaki Takatsuna cheating a little by calling out to his rival that his mount’s saddle girth was loose, allowing him to ride ahead while Kajiwara Kagesue checked to see if his saddle was secure. On the tsuba we can see Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwara Kagesue, racing to get across the river. The position and depiction of Kajiwara Kagesue on the right is very closely mirrored by this diptych held by the Walters Art Museum. We can see Kajiwara Kagesue holding his bowstring in his mouth in the same way, and his horse is twisting to his left too. Holding the bowstring in his mouth seems to be a common trait in depictions of Kajiwara Kagesue as he crosses the river. The reverse of the tsuba has a group of three samurai on the opposite bank of the river, with the bridge in the upper right. They are presumably the opposing army, and seem to be gesturing to their enemies across the river. It’s hard to say exactly what action from the story is being depicted on the fuchi-kashira. The kashira shows a samurai at a shrine which could be related to the fact that Prince Mochihito had stayed at the Mii-dera temple before moving his forces to Uji. The fuchi shows samurai (possibly the main characters) preparing or resting next to a tied up horse. This battle seems to have been a popular moment of the story for depiction on tosogu and other art forms, with examples such as those above (and many others that have been shared on this board in the past), and this kozuka in the MFA Boston also showing the beginning of the race across the river. This screen held at the Met shows another view of the start of the race to cross the river, with the broken bridge in the background. Sources: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/78537 https://art.thewalters.org/object/95.181/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Uji_(1180)

No, it dries like hard plastic. Not sticky or anything. The only risk would be getting some under a loose piece

I like this post by Tim. It sums things up well. I largely collect (school) + (High Quality) of Owari and Higo schools. The two general groups are about 80% of what I own. This doesn't mean that I don't buy outside of these groups. The other 20% does really fall into category collecting (one example of various schools) There are some that collect entirely certain themes. I've walked into households where there are 1000+ tosogu of a certain theme.

A photo for those without the book:

Yes, The tsuka looked like it was found without ito/menuki and was wrapped with some sort of other material. Seemed leather-like, but not sure. So, either a field repair of a not-too-bad Bubba job after the war.

Kabuto/Maedate kamon? Kuwagata Kamon?

Doesn't go through to the other side, but still a very ugly kizu

Really interesting. I believe Conway is onto something. The blade appears to be the precise length of the Type 32 Otsu (rather than the Koh). Both serial numbers align with the with Type 32 Otsu range as well. Maybe some close measurements would confirm or deny. Stamp on the drag may be: ホ = HO = 小倉陸軍造兵廠第一製造所 = 1st Factory of Kokura Army Arsenal Nick Komiya’s thread and photo on warrelics: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/how-type-32-sword-born-791000/

Howard, Google polymorph plastics. There are a ton of varieties. Usually warm water softens them, and as they cool, they get hard. Great for working out shapes such as missing brass sheet inlays on tanegashima etc.

Here are more pictures. Additionally, in handling, the piece feels heavy, but very well balanced. It is noticeably heavier than any other Kyū Guntō I own or have handled, with a distinctly overbuilt quality rather than crude weight. The mass feels deliberate and structural, again far more in line with European military swords of the same period than with typical Japanese examples.

Wrapped under kabutogane? Someone redone tsukamaki.

I did see that version and thought it was unusual. Apparently the Janome kamon also is believed to have some association with archery which might explain this. Keep in mind Dave that kamon were adopted and used by a variety of families over the years. It is unlikely that your naginata has any direct connection to the Kato family but rather is more likely from a late Edo Period family that adopted the kamon later. Still pretty cool though!

It's clumsily worded but the listing says "Sue Sa / O-Sa School" and the O-Sa School is precisely what Sue-Sa is.

At a glance many of the swords look too good to be true, when you examine the pictures closely you'll quickly see why they're so cheap. That being said if your goal is to simply own one genuine Japanese sword that's papered I doubt you'll find a more affordable source.

Thank you @Jussi Ekholm as always for your encyclopedic knowledge 🙏🙏🙏 With that said , I really like this blade. I would be bidding away if I had the funds 😭

Both of your replies are incredibly helpful, thank you so much. I am very pleased to be the steward of a Kiyomasa naginata.

I wonder what happened to the menuki? The ito wrap does not look loose.

Was a bit too young in 2009 to enjoy this! thank you for the pdf!

Hi Damon, your tsuba looks signed 越前住 記平 - Echizen jū Kihei (?), which is unusual (at least not the common Kinai). Do you have any hints about that tsubako?

Hi Howard, a nice cabinet. I agree with almost everything that's been said. The flower on this cabinet door was damaged last week exposing the original pitch like substance used to fix it in place. You can usually tell if a damaged piece has been replaced by a variation in quality and the type of adhesive used. This second picture shows a plaque whose losses have been replaced using shell, completely different from the original material but I think it works well. With regards your "flower", it's difficult to make a call without actually seeing in person but In my opinion it's original to the cabinet.

This veneer is about 0.3mm thick and very difficult to work on without shattering or cracking. Also it would give you just a flat surface whereas the missing flowers will be several mm thick with quite deep carving. Moulding from an existing good flower will give that depth and detail and probably give a better impression than just a flat surface. Also beware inhaling the dust when grinding….

I have a single signed Echizen piece with a similarly constructed seppa-dai: Certainly uncommon for pieces from this area, though, so not suggesting yours could be Echizen. Damon

I have a piece with a similar wavy shape around seppa dai, but not the hitsu anas. One person mentioned to me mine was possibly Nanban with a bit of Hizen influence if that makes sense… Jason

Hizen is a good call, in my opinion.

I like the quality of the craftsmanship. And once again, it seems to me that it is the Mito school or its influence…

I first was thinking the bling was hurting your eyes, as it does many...but still I enjoy Inside is a very sturdy nambokucho blade with a length just a hair short of katana. The nakago is a keisho style o-suriage.

https://www.czernys.com/catalogues/

Both 来助 and 求助 are old-fashioned names, but I think that both could be possible.

see you all next week. Stop bye and say hello to Grey and I Mark

Kinai or Kyo-shoami? Much more refined work than cast pieces. 79 X 79 X 4.5

These are often described as "Abalone" design most are not signed and as you already speculate, a signature by Nobuie is likely gimei. The tsuba is featured in the movie "Ichi" - blind swordswoman 2008, image is poor resolution [how is that for trivia ] https://www.ebay.com/itm/296923445362

@Curran can probably tell you more, but there were numerous groups signing Nobuie that are considered legit, but not by THE man or his workshop. Perfectly legit tsuba, but you need to delve into the whole "wide spaced mei" and other variations, and it's a whole rabbit hole.

A very famous scene that appears throughout the Edo Period in Tosogu pieces Justyn! You see this motif a lot on fuchigashira and on the occasional tsuba as well. Here is an example from my collection that I acquired not too long ago signed "Hamano Noriyoshi". You should hopefully recognise similarities from your own such as the bow in the mouth of the riding samurai on your tsuba! The samurai should be Kajiwara Kagesue riding Minamoto no Yoritomo's horse. Here is a woodblock for comparison:

The Kanji 造兵廠 is not very common, but it pops up from time to time. I have a few Zōhei-tō have these Kanji on the tang.

It has 造兵刀 Zōhei-tō blade.The mark 造兵廠 セ indicates the blade was made in 小倉陸軍造兵廠 第二製造所 Kokura Army Arsenal Second factory.

Noah, It is Field grade Type 19 cavalry sword. From Dawson, pg 101: "On July 6, 1886, the Japanese army introduce a new sword for the exclusive use of cavalry officers." Field grade examples on pg 106-7. The one you've posted is a nice example. I like the arches at the top of the wire wrap. Don't know pricing, so like guys already said, you have to know how much you want it and stick to your high-bid limit. Twice, over time, I've paid way over market value for gunto, but I REALLY wanted those particular ones for my collection. To this day, I'm still glad I over-paid to have them.