myochin

Hello, I got in contact with Mr Haynes to gather his input on seal's, go's and kao's used by Torigoe San throughout his life. Here is what he said. GO: His earliest version was copied from someone else (don't know who): 光堂 He then adopted his own GO: 香堂 (read Kodo - Kô meaning incense/fragrance) (Edit: thanks Nobody for the correction) In his later years he used 在耶 (Saro) SEAL: The red round "bird" (TORI) seal was used when he "flew away" abroad (either in the USA or in the UK) - placed in the upper-left hand corner of the box. On the right side of the box there is sometimes a round red seal used when authenticating an item in Japan. Also on the right you may sometimes find a red oblong seal which was used for Masterpieces when authenticating an item in Japan (rare). KAO: There are two types of kao: "bird" shape and "round" shape. The "bird" shape was used for pre-edo items: 1 dash for 1st class, 2 dashes for 2nd class (see attached picture) The "round" shape was used for Edo items: 1 dash for 1st class, 2 dashes for 2nd class (see attached picture) Hope this helps. Paul.

Hello All, Could someone sum up Torigoye San's art names over the years as there seems to be a little confusion (for me anyway!!). Thanks, Paul.

For those interested, this tsuba was part of the Alan Harvie collection that was offered for sale by Sotheby's in London on July 14th 2005. This tsuba was lot 705 (unsold). Paul. PS: there was a typo in the catalogue as under the picture they state lot 703 but the description is lot 705.

Nice tsuba Chris! The design at the top is a manji (卍文) mon. The bottom design is a suhama (sand bar), I understand that it was used by the Sanada family. Paul

Hello Ian, Hope my questions didn't keep you awake all night ! Ura-odoshi shikoro (back-laced shikoro) does seem to fit. Seems I was searching for a much more sophisticated expression when the more obvious is sufficient. I guess that this type of feature was not common. Do you have any idea who (ranks) or when this type of shikoro was used ? (being a rather elaborate kabuto I guess it was not used by a low-ranking samurai; on the other hand, an "important" samurai would most probably not encounter close range combat so there would be no actual use for an internal lacing - guess it was more for "show" than "purpose") Many thanks for your help. Paul.

Many thanks Ian for your time! Don't be ashamed, I have searched high & low for these two definitions. I have also queried a few "experts" to no avail. I thought I would try the NMB, you just never know. FYI, the 1st picture is from the Stibbert collection. Paul.

Hello all, I have two questions for the armour fans, but anyone can answer My first question: what is the name of a shikoro that has a hidden lacing. That is, the lacing is entirely on the inside to avoid being damaged in battle. See picture 1. Second question: what is the name of a yodare-kake that is in three parts. That is, with a frontal throat protection and 2 side parts (generaly) attached by hinges that fold back around the back of the neck. See picture 2. If someone can also provide the kanji that would be the cherry on the cake !! Many thanks for your time & help. Paul.

Hello, I have never purchased from armor8 but I do know that he has used pictures of armor from a reputed armour dealer in Kyoto and, while browsing the armor8 web site, I also recognised other items from another reputed dealer in Japan. I would be VERY careful before sending any money. Paul. PS: here is what one of the dealers has for a warning on his web site (Brian please let me know if I am allowed to do this): WARNING! Site by the name of armor8.com calling himself 'Black Samurai' has illegally downloaded text and images of masks and helmets from my site and is trying to sell them as his own. Other photographs of pieces he 'offers for sale' have likewise been plagiarised from other sites.The address he gives in Tokyo does not exist and his credentials are completely bogus. DO NOT Under any circumstances attempt to purchase from armor8.com as you will be defrauded of your money.

Dear Ian, Is this the "Katsuyori" mon you are referring to ? Paul. PS: for those who wish to find out more on this subject of "Diplomatic Gifts", there is a fantastic article written by Ian in the "Arms & Armour" journal, Volume 1 - Number 1, 2004

Dear Ian, Has anything been published on the "Guadalajara" suit of armour that belonged to Takeda Katsuyori. Can you show us a picture ? Many thanks, Paul.

Well Martin this tsuba in not illustrated in Toso Soran either! I will check other books to see if I can find it. Paul.

Hi Pete, Can you give me the reference on the sale catalogue of the Schneidman estate? Many thanks, Paul. Edit: was it the May 25-26, 1989 sale ?

Hi Martin, I believe the book you are looking for is "Tôsô Sôran". Privatly published in 1978, Okayama. I have a copy. Paul.

Hi Rich, Checked Haynes #2 but lot 25 i s Heianjo tsuba ?? Don't have the Moslé catalogue but I do have Izzard's catalogue of fittings from the Moslé collection (2004) but I can't see a Nobuie. Have you checked Iida Kazuo's book "Nobuie Tsuba" (1980) ? In the English version of the Token Bijutsu journal there are some Nobuie in the Materpieces section, check issue n°37 - 45. In TB n°4 there is an article on Nobuie. Hope that helps. Paul. PS: it is Haynes #1 you need. I will scan the pages later on but I am afraid that the pictures are of poor quality.

Well done Brian for the great work on the Raffle page. I will take adavantage to congratulate your country for a fantastic closing game at the Rugby World Cup. Well done. Paul.

Dear Henry, I understand that this was something quite common at the beginning of the 20th century. Collectors would carry a tsuba in an empty pocket. The idea being that the tsuba would be in constant friction with the cloth-lined pocket and therefore, slowly, create a nice (new) patina. Wether or not this applies to modern fabric I don't know (especially slim-fit jeans!). I have friends of the older-generation who sometimes still do this. They also leave the iron tsuba in a fridge for a few days and then either pop it into their pockets or apply a soft fabric (which is time consuming and painful for the arm). The fridge tends to "lift" the rust and help create a patina. Either way, it's a slow process that should NEVER be speeded up any other way. Paul.

My copies have already shipped. Should have them by Tuesday, no later. One dude !! Paul.

Sounds like a wild partying weekend !! Can't imagine what next saturday will be like. Paul.

Hello Brian, Being one very happy member who has learnt very much from the NMB I will gladly give 3 books for the raffle to be given as a single prize or 3 individual prizes. These would be books #1; #2 & #5 from my web site: http://www.gill.telmat-net.fr/ I will also offer air-mail anywhere (even to Switzerland [lol]). Paul. PS: French humour on a Monday morning is terrible !!

Hello Rich, Is there a web site for the Ichimonji exhibition ?? Thanks, Paul.

Thanks Ed for those fantastic pictures ! You definitely have mastered macro-photos. Paul.

Yes Sencho. I am wondering if this tsuba is a non-commissioned item that was later bought and (maybe even later) mounted onto a koshirae (which is evident by the kuchibeni in the nakago-ana). Ab Fab !! Paul.

Fantastic pictures Ed !! I am a little surprised by the top leaf overlapping the seppa-dai. I guess the tip of the leaf is engraved on the seppa-dai and not inlaid on top of it (which would be a nuissance for the fuchi). I am wondering if this tsuba was ever meant to be mounted; or that that it wasn't a custom-ordered piece at the time. Paul. (PS: received my results ??)

Dear Ian & Ford, This is very interesting. How deep will the colour affect the plate? What I am wondering is, if the tsuba gets scratched, will you see the original colour of the plate? Are there arny other colour techniques ? Many thanks, Paul.

Hi Martin, E-mail me (as I have mislaid your address) & I will send you the results. Paul.