myochin

Very nice hoshi kabuto Guy, congrats. I see that you wrote Nagamichi with 長道, shouldn't it be 長途 ? or am I getting mixed up here. Very nice Luc !!! Paul. PS: Guy, is the signature on the back plate ? I didn't notice an opening in the liner to view the signature ....

E-mail me Ron (paulgill@softek.fr) Paul.

Just finished reading my copy and this is really a MUST for any library. It gives clear explanations, descriptions and evolutions of all the different styles of koshirae that have existed, with many illustrated. An excellent reference. Many thanks for the great work Markus !! Paul.

Cheers Dave !

A "little" further south than Ian, keep going, cross the channel and head east for about 700km !

Hi Dave, I would be interested in a GB version of KBK. Paul.

I received my catalogue today, its a huge hardback edition with great pictures (full page, multiple views) and for only €25 !!! Fully recommend. Paul.

Thanks Ian, this does explain the discripencies in the descriptions. Paul.

DaveT's previous thread got me wondering on what is the difference between a Shii-Nari kabuto and a Topai kabuto. At first i thought that a shii-nari was more rounded-shaped and pointed (often with a tehen, but not always) and a topai more conical and taller, but looking through catalogues it would seem that the terms applies as to the fancy of the author. Does anyone have any comments to share on these two terms ? Thanks. Paul.

Hi Dave, Very nice helmet indeed. I have browsed through most of my catalogues and could not find this one. I am asuming that the picture itself was taken from a catalogue. Paul.

Fantastic read Guys, many thanks ! The only reference I can find that mentions Higo koshirae is the following article: Uchigatana Koshirae (Fred Weissberg), To-Ron Sept 2007 Paul.

Many thanks Barry, great pictures ! Does anyone have a good, side-view, picture of the Hôrai menpô (p52 of the catalogue) ? Thanks. Paul.

Cheers Ford !

Hello, The NBSK usual display the results of their " Sword Craftsmen Competitions". I can't seem to find anything on their web site for the 3rd competition (nor any pictures either). Does anyone know where they can be found (I know there is also a catalogue available). Thanks. Paul.

Hi Luc, Very nice !! There was an incidence when the Toyotomi had a new bell cast with an inscription (forgotten what) which Ieyasu used as an excuse to attack (1st Osaka campaign) & destroy them (2nd Osaka campaign). There is also the legend of a monk being terrorised by a woman (!!) and who hid inside a bell, the woman out of rage turned into a demon a breathed fire on the bell and the monk died Paul.

Sorry Eric, I don't. I was shown a helmet with such a feature. I will see if I can get pictures. Paul.

On some helmets the ukebari is removable by simply unclipping a metal rim that fits around the koshimaki and generally sits on the 3 rings that the helmet cord is thread through. Does anyone know if this "ukebari ring" has a name ? Many thanks. Paul.

Dear Gary, I would be pleased to know more on this issue as I placed (& paid) my order for a copy of "Kodogu Part 2" on 27th July 2001, and I am still waiting !! Thanks. Paul.

You may have received an e-mail from Toraba, Volume II has been canceled ! For those whose don't have Volume I yet, they will be shipped on tuesday. Paul.

Any possibility of sharing the pictures as I am curious. Might be worth subscribing back to their magazine... Thanks. Paul.

Hi Elliott, I found the following reference (from a very sure source), with a different published date: Sasano Masayuki: Akasaka Tsuba, 18.5x26, 44p, Tôken Kodôgu Ten, Tôkyô, 1966 My guess is that your reference simply had a typo. Paul. PS: I didn't know that Sasano had a son, he does have a daughter though.

Ludolf, I found the Haynes reference (H02135). I suspect that you have found another example of the same signature (yours is not a copper-red plate and there is no shakudo inlay). Paul.

Ludolf, the tsuba I scanned is the one illsutrated in the 1913 catalogue and correspinds to the description for item 1386 (there are only a total of 3 tsuba illustrated in the whole catalogue). In the scan I posted you can't see a mei (unless it is on the ura), in the description it states: Jo-i Nagakaru tsukuru / Bujo Akasaka Inshi Raku. I wonder if there is a mistake. Can you give me the Haynes reference. Thanks. Paul. PS: the whole description says: oval shaped tsuba of red copper, inlaid with shakudô & gold, showing Hotei on a horse admiring the moon.

David, the photo dates to 1913 ! Sorry, can't do any better. Paul.

Infor from the first page of the catalogue: Arthur Kay (from Glasgow) Collection of lacquer, sagemono, netsuke, Chinese bronzes, Japanese bronzes, tsuba, paintings, prints Auction sale dates: 20 - 26 November 1913 Paul.