Bernard

And what do you think of these horses ? Good ? Average ? Low quality ? Best regards. Bernard D

I wonder if it is not the same castle...but no bridge on this fuchi. Bernard D

Ford, you found an almost identical one ! Here is one more pic, with natural lighting. Bernard D

Thanks to you Marcus. Bernard D

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année to all ! Bernard D

K Morita san, Many thanks for your help! Bernard D

Here is a new attempt for the signature. Bernard D

Thank you for your replies. Robert, your explanation is very interesting. Here are the results (front and back) of my efforts. I am aware that it is not impressive (sorry), but it's all I can do for the moment. Hope this helps a little... Bernard D

Hello everybody, My father purchased this engraved woodblock (25cm X23.5cm X 2cm) at a fleamarket. I think it was used to make a Japanese print (or a surimono ?).They must have been made in huge quantities, so I wonder why one sees them so rarely.Maybe because they have been destoyed or have no commercial value? Do you have a guess ? It would be amusing to find the finished print.Can anyone help in translating the inscriptions on it? (hope it is not Chinese !) Regards. Bernard D

Dear all, Many thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate ! Best regards. Bernard D

Hello everybody, I end my posts with pics of this tsuba ( 6.5cm X 6cm), symbolizing my wishes of longevity to the NMB. I always read your replies with the greatest interest. It was a wonderful experience to be able to share the small collection of my father with people sharing the passion and enthusiasm he had himself for Japanese art. THANKS to all the highly educated, generous and friendly members who replied my posts and helped me to better understand and enjoy these objects. As I do not consider, at least presently, adding to my father’s collection, this is probably my last topic, but I ‘ll continue to read yours and to contribute modestly to the upkeep of this great forum. Best regards. Bernard D

Thank you so much for your comments and informations, gentlemen. I'm pleased that you like this tsuba and to know, at last, its theme. Reading of Brian's thread concerning his fine tsuba confirmed that it was not so easy to guess... Best regards. Bernard D

Hello everybody, I suppose that this tsuba deals with rice culture, but I am not quite sure and don't really understand what it depicts. Do you have an idea ? Can you identify its maker ? Regards. Bernard D

Very interesting. I had never heard from Tonbogiri before your post. Thank you Robert ! Bernard D

Merci Pete ! :D Jean, here is a pic of the back of the fuchi; I think that Pete is right... Bernard D

As James has an interest in insects incorporated in Japanese fittings, here is another fuchi-kahshira, this one I think with a dragonfly on it. Bernard D

Thank you Stefan ! Bernard D

Hi Fred, Poor crickets... Bernard D

Hello everybody, Here is an "all black" fuchi-kashira, with some unpleasant beasts on it (sorry for the poor pics, really difficult to photograph). Can you help me to identify its maker ? Best regards. Bernard D

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your replies. Your help is invaluable, as usual. Best regards. Bernard D

Hello everybody, Here is my square tsuba (6.9cm). Probably not an example of great craftmanship, but nevertheless a pleasant piece, with its special form and shiny brass inlay. On the last pic, it is shown with my other iron/brass inlay tsuba. Do you think that the square one is also Heianjo school ? Any guess for the strange motif next to the nakago-ana ? Regards. Bernard D

Damned, I have been unmasked ! Bernard D

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for all these additional comments. Bernard D

Thank you, Piers ! I have just posted on this forum. Wait and see... Bernard D

K Morita san, Many thanks to you. I didn't know the theme. Very interesting ! Bernard D