Randy McCall

I purchased electronic copies of his translation last year. Just email him at the address on his web site: AFU@AFURESEARCH.COM

Barry, I'll PM you a member's contact link. They are involved in the 3d printing business professionally, via an international company. They personally are located in Japan.

Volunteer Classical Japanese translator Curtis Abu has now completed translating the first three pages (out of 14) of the 1854 copy of the Heiho Yukan text on fortification , as well as all five pages of labeled illustrations of fortifications (Pages 5 through 9). A few labels are still untranslated while Curtis researches unusual characters to make sure of their meanings. Project home page: http://hidensho.com/1854-heiho-yukan-manuscript/1854-fortification-background/ Curtis has been using the Member's Discussion Forum on the site to diary his research and work: Direct link: http://hidensho.com/hidensho-member-forum/?view=thread&id=2 He has also started a separate discussion on the characters and terms found in this period work. He invites any interested translators to read or take part in discussions. He writes: "The objective of this is to give a deeper insight and understanding of some of the words and vocabulary used in regards to castles, forts, and preparations necessary while out in the field. As a subject matter as such, this could even turn into a discussion which, anyone who is interested or has knowledge on this, should feel free to participate." Direct link: http://hidensho.com/hidensho-member-forum/?view=thread&id=3 Of course, you must be registered on the Hidensho.com site in order to have access to the Member's Discussion Forum. To apply for registration, use the online form at: http://hidensho.com/application-for-registration/ or you can PM me here (include name, preferred user name and a contact email address)

My poor Japanese isn't up to it, but I can recommend a research text: Identifying Japanese Seal Script by Markus Sesko (hardcover, paperback or e-book) https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=+Identifying+Japanese+Seal&sorter=relevance-desc You may or may not also find this connected text useful: Identifying Japanese Cursive Script https://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=+Identifying+Japanese+Cursive&sorter=relevance-desc

That is a terrible shock. In our few private conversations, Thierry was a consummate gentleman, kind and helpful. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts go out to his family and close friends; I can't imagine how they're dealing with such unexpected news.

Translator Credit Volunteer translators using the Comments feature of the Hidensho site automatically have each line / section they enter credited (and searchable) under their name. To give proper credit however, volunteer translators will now also be listed on the “Background” page for each project they work on, at the top-left of the page. These listings are in alphabetical order. If volunteers want their names linked to their Hidensho user account (so displaying background information or links to their own websites), please contact me. The list of volunteer translators on the Nakamura Oshigata Notebook project, most of whom are NMB members, can be found here: http://hidensho.com/nakamura-oshigata-notebook/nakamura-notebook-background/ Heiho Yukan http://hidensho.com/1854-heiho-yukan-manuscript/1854-fortification-background/ Curtis Abu is tackling the 1854 Fortification manuscript in a big way. He has completed translation (with background notes) on pages 5 and 6 (fortification diagrams) of the manuscript. He’s in the process of working on the first large block of text, presenting it in the Fortification manuscript area of the Member's Only Discussion Forum. He is looking for peer review of his translation, as there are a number of obscure characters not easily recognized.

Hello all, Just a quick update on translation projects on the Hidensho.com site: At the request of some Hidensho members, I've added a light discussion forum to the site, accessible to members only, where members and translators can share ideas, compare notes, post information or research on the items / documents in question, etc., in private. The Nakamura Oshigata Notebook is now 90% translated / identified. I may be asking for some help on cleaning up the publicly available text on the main pages. This would essentially be editing work to ensure homogeneous format and content. I'll desperately need help with the Japanese text. Should anyone be interested, please let me know. Credit for translations and editing will be given on the main background page for each project. A couple of volunteer translators are now tackling the 1854 Heiho Yukan (Paragon of Military Strategy, originally penned circa 1645) Fortification manuscript, whose title as given by the manuscript scribe is: "Secrets of the Paragon of Military Strategies: 5 Methods of Fortification". One of the translators has posted a rough translation of the first page in the private discussion area, and is asking for help or comments from other translators. The text apparently includes a number of unusual or abstract characters which he cannot identify. If you're already registered with Hidensho, you can see the discussion here: http://hidensho.com/hidensho-member-forum/?view=thread&id=2 if you are not a member of Hidensho and wish to comment or contribute, please register here: http://hidensho.com/application-for-registration/ Question, comments or suggestions welcome! Thanks

I like the concept of a silent auction and anonymity, but it does need some help, both for the security of the seller and bidders, and to prevent any NMB issues. I've seen similar auctions held online which use "auction monitors". These are non-bidding, selected volunteers who oversee the process and can confirm its legitimacy without breaking privacy. It would work this way: The seller announces an item for auction (with any details NMB demands). Then one or two auction monitors are assigned. Any bids PMed to the seller would have to be cc'd to the monitor(s) as well to be legitimate bids. When the auction period ends, the seller confirms the winning user / bid with the monitors, then publicly announces the auction is concluded. If any other bidder questions the auction, the monitors can confirm the legitimacy of the auction process. Brian and some of his helpers already have access to much private information on NMB and haven't spilled any of it, so we know honourable people can be found To prevent any conflict-of-interest issues, monitors of an auction would not be allowed to bid. If we can find a small pool of volunteer monitors, then only those not interest in bidding would be assigned. Thus the load would be off Brian, no single volunteer would get overworked -- really, receiving maybe a dozen or two PMs regarding the auction shouldn't be an issue -- and members get a peer-overseen system which keeps prices / buyer's names private.

I manage the Antique Japanese Manuscript Collector's group on Facebook, with a number of our members being Classical Japanese literate (including some from NMB). Even the most skilled of them note that a document written in sosho cursive script is one of their most difficult challenges. Not only does sosho tend to use simplified strokes for characters, making translation difficult, but you also have to factor in differences in personal handwriting style, idiosyncratic use of "shorthand" characters, and the use of regional dialect characters. A running joke among translators re: use of cursive, even in English...

Robert is wrapping up the oshigata he is able to identify, with the following: Page Oshigata # 72 296, 297 73 298 75 305 76 307, 308, 309, 310, 311 77 314, 315, 316 78 318, 319 80 321**, 322, 323 (** This oshigata's notes include details of a two-body test cut) It's interesting to note that almost all oshigata from pages 1 - 80 have been identified. It's only after this page that the rubbings start being too faint or too poorly executed to be easily identifiable; there is a noticeable change in handwriting and rubbing style around this point in the manuscript, suggesting the notebook had been passed on or inherited. Only 71 oshigata remain unidentified out of 424 individual rubbings.

NMB members with Classical Japanese skill who are looking for a bit of a challenge might be interested in the latest project launched through the Hidensho website. Images my 1854 Koyo Gunkan Fortification manuscript -- written and signed by the samurai owner in question -- are now available for translation. http://hidensho.com/1854-koyo-gukan-fortification-manuscript/1854-fortification-manuscript-background/ While this project is specifically directed at a group of Classic Japanese translators and manuscript collectors I run via a FB group, I thought some of our skilled members would also find it of interest. In order to contribute translations, you'll need to register on the site (only registered users can use the comment feature to add notes, translations, discuss technical points, etc). You can apply for registration at: http://hidensho.com/application-for-registration/ All text items in the manuscript (individual features and labels, as well as headings and blocks of text) are numbered. Go to the text below the image of each page; clicking on a line will open a comment box on the right side of the page for you to make entries. To reply to someone else's comment, just click on Reply (which creates a threaded discussion). Once a text item or text block has been translated and confirmed by the community, I'll add it to the appropriate main line number. The project is visible to the general public. Questions or comments are welcome.

(Reposted from yesterday, as the previous post disappeared with the database update) My Hidensho.com ( http://hidensho.com/) translation project site has new features in place, allowing me to now run more than one translation project at a time. Projects now appear on the left as collapsing lists. Click on any heading marked with a > symbol to open that list Nakamura Oshigata Notebook translation project - direct link: http://hidensho.com/nakamura-oshigata-notebook/nakamura-notebook-background/ New Ono Oshigata Scrolls translation project - direct link: http://hidensho.com/ono-oshigata-scrolls/ono-scrolls-background/ The Ono Oshigata Scrolls are two scrolls dated 1620, with the name of members of the Ono clan appearing in them (thanks to Markus Sesko). Scroll One displays the hamon of 41 blades, each with a label. Scroll Two has 120 oshigata of blades by many well known smiths While the pictures appearing on the site are useful enough for casual viewing, the resolution of these isn't high enough to enable close inspection of the oshigata mei and other features. These oshigata were very professionally made, and much detail is visible on close inspection. I have an Adobe Acrobat file of High Definition pictures of the scrolls which allows usesrs to "zoom" in. This fuke will be made available to registered members of the Hidensho.com website, where members agree to share any translations they make, or other information research might reveal, with site members (and thus the public) via Hidensho's Item Commenting system. If you would like to join Hidensho and thus be eligible to receive a copy of the HD file, PM me here with your preferred username, first-and-last name, and email address. Or you can use our online registration application form at: http://hidensho.com/application-for-registration/

Robert Mormile is continuing to work on translating some of the fainter, smudged, damaged and hidden (by the binding) oshigata. Page Oshigata 44 66, 167 45 176 48 188 52 199 confirmation 54 209 57 221, 224 59 232, 233 68 273*, 274 peer review requested 69 281* peer review requested Note that for oshigata #273 and 281, he is requesting peer review of his work, as they are extreme faint rubbings and/or the mei appears damaged.

In my searches in some of the Japanese online auction sites, I came across an Edo period tracing / illustration of a blade with what seems to be a most unusual tsuba. Since I can't read the Classic Japanese labeling and text next to the image, thought I'd post it here for commenting by any interested members. Link to the document's auction page: http://page24.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q146557486 Tsuba image (presented as seller posted it):

For some time I've been considering trying my hand at this art of pottery repair with lacquer and gold / silver dust. For various reasons, this seems like an opportune moment. I am aware of the potential dangers of urushi lacquer, though I understand some sources now offer low-allergy urushi, or even recommend modern adhesive substitutes. Do we have any kintsugi practitioners here who might offer suggestions for someone just starting off? As I'm based in Canada, I'd also be interested in any North American sources for the supplies... shipping and duties on imports from Japan are starting to be killing, particularly considering the value of the Yen / Canadian dollar. Thanks!

Mine arrived yesterday as well (Canada).

For any who might be interested, the first four volumes of the Koza are up for auction on the Yahoo.jp auction site. The seller provides pictures through the link, and describes their condition as what we would call "lightly used", with yellowing of the paper and impact damage to the cardboard slipcovers. Early bidding is pretty brisk, with the latest bid at 10,500¥. Due to the weight of these books, insured shipping will be very expensive if you are outside Japan. Auction ending February 19 http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d219409582

Robert Mormile has added several new translations, as well as contributing to discussion on possible translations of a barely decipherable oshigata. Page Oshigata # p 11 35 (final agreement on translation) p 34 127 p 36 134 p 46 177 Tomonari oshigata (thanks for all the effort on this one, Robert!) p 99 386

On a separate note, I've acquired a set of oshigata scrolls dated 1620 (Genna 6). They'll have an initial inspection by knowledgeable persons late this month; more news if/when it is warranted.

Fascinating Robert, thanks! Suggestions from NMB members on how to proceed in investigating this would be appreciated.

Steven Miller has deciphered the oshigata on page 70 of the Nakamura notebook. Direct link: http://hidensho.com/page-70/ Interestingly, one omote / ura paired set of rubbings (#286, #287) bears the signature of three smiths: Harima-no-kami ? Takamichi (presumably the unreadable kanji is 源 – Minamoto) Awa-no-kami Taira Takamichi Yamato（No）Kami Minamoto Yasumichi A written note to the side of the rubbings definitely states this blade is the work of three smiths - 三作貮尺弐寸九分細直刃 San-saku, ni-shaku, ni-sun, kyū-bun, hoso-suguba: “Three smiths’ work. 2-shaku, 2-sun, 9-bun. Hoso-suguba” Oshigata #288, #289, #300 are all of one sword. #288 and #300 are of the omote / ura views. #289 is a rubbing of the mune of the nakgago, which -- unusually -- bears the date of forging. The way the date is written is very non-standard, making it difficult to be sure of the exact date. "天正拾ニニ年八月吉日 Tenshō 12 2 August Auspicious Day. Date literally translates as “Tenshō 10 2 2“, which may mean 10+2+2, or 22 or some other combination"

I found this on the Yahoo.jp auction site. Complete set of Token Meiji Taikan (Honma Kunzan; Ishi Masakuni). Far beyond my meager Japanese ability, so I'm passing it on to you folks. Condition: Pictures provided by the seller show the set in decent condition. The seller does mention it has seen use: aging, use, smudges (fingerprints, I believe), corner impact damage on some volumes, and something about a torn page with that piece missing. No image of the damaged page is provided... you'd have to check with the seller for details. Thus far 50 small bids have been made for the set, suggesting there's a lot of interest. As of the date of this posting bidding has reached 10,100¥. As always, the most fierce bidding will take place in the last few minutes of the auction. FYI, If you're not living in Japan, the best insured shipping will be terribly expensive. Fast insured shipping via EMS would be ruinous, but you'd know it would be handled carefully. Auction ending: February 8 http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x474715683

I checked page 355, 236 and 90, listed above. All match.

I've just added Steven Miller's latest work, and -- thanks to all our selfless members -- at this point we have 313 out of 424 oshigata identified (along with margin notes and some technical discussion among translators), leaving 111 left. Many of the remaining are faint, blurred or indistinct, or run partly under the binding area of the manuscript, making translation difficult. I'm in the process of reshooting close to 100 oshigata at the request of our translators (with thanks to Robert Mormile for his extensive list), mostly as closeups or focusing on specific indistinct areas of mei, using a HD camera. This type of camera produces massively large image files, but will allow our translators to zoom in to extreme close range. I'll also be using different camera angles and lighting to reshoot many oshigata running along (or under) the binding edge, hoping to expose either more of the oshigata or hidden margin notes. Finally, for a few of the very faint oshigata ( for example: http://hidensho.com/page-99/) closeups will be shot and these images run through contrast and colour filters in Photoshop, in an attempt to make the mei more legible. More news as events warrant.

Nope, just making those interested aware that it's available. Antique firearms are not my area of interest. Antique documents are, generally speaking... as well as nihonto, of course.