Henry Wilson

The deliberate absence of inlay would be the requisite of a relatively high level of wabicha aesthetic. I think it would have been wasted on and misunderstood by the target customer (hey, I'm not buying this the inlays missing!) to be honest. So I would say that the Inlay was there but it got lost sometime. As far as categorising things go, the tsuba above have a brass colour inlay to be sure, but are they Heianjo zogan? I feel they are lacking something IMO. I would say Shoami based on what I see and my reptilian intuition.

A rap battle should settle the score. I can hear the tune: "A moment of patience in a moment of anger can help us avoid a thousand moments of sorrow" (Sorry. I am on holiday in Sapporo and spent the afternoon at the Sapporo Beer gardenl. Hic!)

The tsuba design has a very strong Rinpa school aesthetic. It is interesting that Rinpa worked in many formats (even kimonos) but as far as I know they didn't do tsuba. The wiki page is a good read: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinpa_school The Nezu museum does good displays of Kenzan and Korin, especially in spring when the iris in the garden bloom. I also have a bowl attributed to Kenzan!!! http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/en/sp/exhibition/past2018_n03.html

The sekigane suggests it has been mounted so I am not sure how you can conclude it appears to be not have been mounted The design is quite busy so some might say Tosho despite the rim. A possible Edo revival. But from Yahoo JP??? If it is cheap yeah! But otherwise I'd stay away!!! If that is what you are asking.

Nothing cringe about Freddy!!! Or angry lizards!! Concerning dragons, I think the story goes that further they are from China, the less toes they tend to have. No hard feelings David.

This page might help. Type of room 客室選択 has the price of ¥10,500 as cheapest option. I assume per person. There seems to be add-ons too. https://www.token-tado.co.jp/reserve/input_hotel.php?visitor_flg=1&yoyaku_sb=2

It makes me think Kamakura-bori but it would normally have a "Chinese" theme like sansui 山水 etc.

I was thinking the same myself https://makingawarrior.weebly.com/minamoto-no-yoshitsune.html

I think silver naturally tarnishes to black.

Contact Ford??

Thanks, Florian. It leads to the question, was seppa dai shape dependent on: -the tsuba design -the koshirae design, -both -something else I know this a potential hijack but my curiosity is getting the better of me.

Nice observations above. Would Kyo sukashi not be expected to have the koban-shaped seppa dai?

Mid to late Edo? Mainly coz they seem to be in good condition and seem to have been Mounted . I like the 2nd and 3rd in particular. The ears are nice. The 1st and 2nd rims are bold and makes me think Akasaka. Just some out loud thoughts over coffee to stimulate activity

Thank you Ford for the enlightening explanation. Might I add, books recommend by Ford are always a worthwhile read. The merit of copies and forges is an area that I find very interesting so I going to check out those books you list. Maybe some summer reading to be had.

I am deeply offend that I don't get a special thanks. I tried to bring some humour with the 'angry lizard' gag. ???? ???? ???? (Actually, its only a joke. I don't really care one way or another)

I suppose a love hotel for an otaku!! ????

https://soranews24.com/2019/07/20/this-hotel-has-one-of-the-coolest-katana-collections-in-Japan-and-admission-is-totally-free【pics】/

Samurai Mania! Explore Japanese Armor at TNM ／ Honkan Room T2 July 17, 2019 (Wed) - September 23, 2019 (Mon) https://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=1967

I agree. If polite comments are asked for, expect to receive them and reciprocate the same courtesy, is what I say. Assuming that the black and gold tsuba is more authentic than the copper coloured one, a comparative study is quite revealing. I can see the difference right away.

David wrote “Many of your guys grasping at straws”. All I am doing is offering observations from years of studying a broad spectrum of Japanese and Chinese art. The item in question is not my possession. Therefore, I have no horse in this race, so, dare I say that it could be you that is grasping at straws...

I say it is more 昭和時代 to be honest: Kidding aside, the carving is well done (wish I could do that) but it seems a modern execution and not that old. The workings of the angry lizard in particular is flat and lacks any kind of artistic energy that would be expected from bona fide tsuba, or any other genuine Japanese art. To me it looks cast / cookie cutter pressed... Also, I am not sure if two mythological animals associated with China alone assures that the item has Chinese influence. It's as much Chinese influenced, as Matsuya curry-and-rice is Indian influenced. For the uninitiated it seems right, but there is a lot more to it than that.

Tosogu no Kigen has lots to say about kogai. http://www.lulu.com/shop/masayuki-sasano/tosogu-no-kigen/paperback/product-6438122.html http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b675-tosogu-no-kigen

Great video. The comments on the seam of the fuchi is most interesting.

The 1810's period print by Hokusai is a textbook example of symbolic inversion says Katsuysa Hirano (2014). About the print entitled Privy, on page 113 he states "Hokusai tried to demonstrate the absurdity of the rigid ritualism and hierarchical values (of the Edo period) through this profane instant. In this illustration the retainer on the the left holds a travel trunk containing the lord's clothes. The middle retainer is the sandal bearer. The man in the black holds the highest rank of all, and is responsible for protecting his master indicated by his two swords. The iconography of the supposedly reverential behavior of loyalty to the master turns into that of ridiculousness, even irrationality... " A fine read which I recommend:

Picked this Kuro Oribe guinomi from Yahoo auctions for my wife to celebrate White Day. I love the fact that it is shaped like a tea bowl. She too is delighted with it.