Randy McCall

At the request of a couple of members, concerned that their work on the Oshigata Notebook site might be appropriated without their permission, I've enable several security features which prevent users from copying content.

Two items of note have come up in my research on the notebook: In double checking the manuscript, I discovered several pages stuck together, meaning entirely new oshigata have been discovered. I'm photographing them and adding them to the Notebook Kantei website, which will become the definitive collection on the notebook. These brand new pages will be marked with an asterisk * in the page title to make them easy to locate This is also causing me to do an oshigata recount, so I am in the process of renumbering them and updating the pages to take into account the new additions. This will be a work-in-process. The page marked "Last updated count page" is the latest page I've done the recount; that page and earlier are good to go. Interestingly, my closer inspection of the notebook also provided some new insights. A number of pages have oshigata which actually run off the page edges, either continuing well into the spine binding area, or running off on the outside edge of the page, with characters and details cut in half. Certainly the binding area would not have been available for the rubbing process, nor does it make sense to preserve half-a-rubbing, with unreadable characters. This strongly suggests that the contents have at been rebound, likely from a slightly larger and older format book (accordian fold), with additional possibility the book is actually a conversion from a scroll format (both were commonly done in the Edo and Meiji periods). As the book has a Meiji-Taisho era cover, it now seems very likely the contents are much older.

Two items of note have come up in my research on the notebook: In double checking the manuscript, I discovered several pages stuck together, meaning entirely new oshigata have been discovered. I'm photographing them and adding them to the Notebook Kantei website, which will become the definitive collection on the notebook. These brand new pages will be marked with an asterisk * in the page title to make them easy to locate This is also causing me to do an oshigata recount, so I am in the process of renumbering them and updating the pages to take into account the new additions. This will be a work-in-process. The page marked "Last updated count page" is the latest page I've done the recount; that page and earlier are good to go. Interestingly, my closer inspection of the notebook also provided some new insights. A number of pages have oshigata which actually run off the page edges, either continuing well into the spine binding area, or running off on the outside edge of the page, with characters and details cut in half. Certainly the binding area would not have been available for the rubbing process, nor does it make sense to preserve half-a-rubbing, with unreadable characters. This strongly suggests that the contents have at been rebound, likely from a slightly larger and older format book, with additional possibility the book is actually a conversion from a scroll format (both were commonly done in the Edo and Meiji periods). As the book has a Meiji-Taisho era cover, it now seems very likely the contents are much older. Recount and re-pagination aside, approximately one half the notebook is now posted.

Rob, PM me a username and email address, and I'll get you registered on the Notebook Online Kantei site. You'll also want to read the following note...

A free online course examining the development and uses of scrolls, manuscripts and woodblock print books and their effect on Japanese society, developed by Keio University professors, is available at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/Japanese-rare-books-culture/ The course "Japanese Culture Through Rare Books" includes with video lectures w/ downloadable transcripts, background notes and graphics on scrolls and books, their manufacture and physical qualities, their content and uses.

Coming up for auction: 1855 handwritten manuscript of battle formations, with colour illustrations. Obviously a post-Perry document, as the words "Perry" and "America" are noted. Perry's visit ignited a "protect the homeland" mindset within the Shogunate, and many such reports, papers and items from this period can be found reviewing military strategies and tactics 112 pages Condition: Fair - aged, stained, wear, wrinkles, minor insect damage Auction ending: September 24 http://www.ebay.ca/itm/19th-c-Antique-Japanese-Hand-written-Book-Samurai-battle-formation-painting-600-/131938710460?hash=item1eb828f3bc:g:sxcAAOSwzaJX2PHc

Another 10 pages have been added (pages 26-35), bringing the total number of oshigata to 133. Many of the new oshigata include rubbings of horimono.

I've resent the welcome mail, Brian; it should be in your inbox by the time you read this (the system already emailed me confirmation). Most people haven't had an issue, but there was one other person who this happened to. The message I resent to them got through. I wonder if you could check your email spam filter to see if the message was classed as spam? Addendum: I had tested the site with some dummy accounts before launch, but as I've added some plugins -- and as we know, new plugins can cause system conflicts -- I just ran a retest. All the initial welcome and all resent welcome emails got through to the different email accounts.

FYI, I will be using the Hidensho website blog ( look in the left-hand CONTENTS column > Click on Special Pages > Click on Blog ) to track kantei updates, just to make it easier for people to keep up with the entries.

Some items have already had their smith identified w/ many thanks to Jussi : Page 3 Oshigata 4: 濃州関住兼友 Nōshū Seki-jū Kanetomo Oshigata 5: 和泉守兼重 Izumi no Kami Kaneshige Oshigata 6: 備州長船則光 Bishū Osafune Norimitsu Oshigata 7: 文明十年八月日 Bunmei jū nen hachi gatsu hi Oshigata 8: 近江守法城寺橘正弘 Ōmi no Kami Hōjōji Tachibana Masahiro Page 4 Oshigata 9: 備州長船則光 Bishū Osafune Norimitsu And may I say, Go Jussi!!

At total of 25 pages from the notebook are now uploaded, comprising 100 oshigata. This is approximated 20% of the manuscript. Thus far six NMB members have registered; I'd like to encourage others to join, if only to observe. One example page w/ numbered oshigata below...

As promised, I've launched an Online Kantei Site For Edo Period Oshigata Notebook, with details seen in a separate announcement thread I've just posted. If you've asked to see the notebook, you should contact me to be registered for the site, where you will be able to participate and to observe the opinions of others. To keep the users list to only NMB members, you will need to contact me in order to be registered on the site. You'll need to supply a user name and an email address. I'll enter those in the site database, then the site's automated system will send you a welcome message with details on how to change your temporary password. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hello everyone. As promised in the Releasing Digital Copies Of Edo Period(?) Oshigata Notebook thread, I've set up a website where interested members can examine the pages of the oshigata notebook and attempt kantei / identification of them. As this notebook contains oshigata of many Juyo class blades -- identified by NMB member Darcy over a few hours one afternoon -- it suggests there may be oshigata of other rare blades contained in it's pages. Various members have commented on how nihonto craftsmen often took the oshigata of blades they worked on; the fact this notebook has so many daimyo class blades in it suggests the author was a craftsman with a very exclusive clientele, likely to own with very high quality blades. The URL for the website is: http://hidensho.com/ The site is visible only to registered users. If interested in observing or taking part in the kantei project, please PM me your preferred user name and an e-mail address. I'll add you to the site's list of users; once entered, the site will automatically email you your basic log-in information, including allowing you to change your password. At this point of time only some 10 pages have been entered, with the oshigata images numbered for easy reference; I'll add a few more each day. Once you log in, the home page of the explains how the site functions (users of NMB shouldn't have any issues), Looking forward to hearing from you

A 52 page antique manuscript, dated 1984, showing oshigata with many hamon and blade images, plus lots of text. Calligraphy and oshidgata both executed in a very strong hand; lots of detail. Author unknown. The seller has presented cropped images, so page edges cannot be seen. Some oshigata with colour shading. Condition: Apparently Fair to Good - aged, stained, foxing, cover wear. No apparent insect damage Auction ending: September 16 (this Friday). As of this morning latest bid $127.50 USD http://www.ebay.ca/itm/142109064023?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I"ll take the next week or so to finish up the translation website and load the first 10 - 20 page images, then make an announcement on NMB for those who are interested in participating or watching the results. The site will be running on Wordpress; the content system requires you to register to be able to access the main working functions (for each user to provide translation / analysis, plus access to the page discussion area). To make my life easier, everyone who wants access will have to register... but once everything on a page is identified (or at least noted as unidentifiable), I'll post it to an area here on NMB. A quick explanation of how the content system works: Each page of the book will have it's own entry, with a picture of the page at top, areas below where each user's analysis will appear, and with a tab function allowing quick access to a general discussion area for that page, where people can comment, debate kantei, give references, etc. The system itself is pretty intuitive for use (a large number of online group translation projects use this CMS) but fairly bare-bones in appearance, looking and operating much like a wiki, so it won't be pretty. I'll post in a new thread when the site is ready. I'll use the same thread to post the finished kantei of pages.

Just a note to inform everyone that, thanks to the assistance of a NMB member, a letter was sent to high ranking members of the NBTHK some months back, seeking their assistance in identifying the author. Unfortunately no response has been received, so at this point I have to believe they are unable to help us. I am considering placing the images from the notebook on a site I am developing. The format of the site is designed to facillitate cooperative group translation projects, on a page-by-page basis w/ each page having an area for multiple translations and discussion of same. This should be easily convertible to group oshigata analysis. That is, if there is an interest from group members in working on such a project. If you would be interested, please let me know.

Ah, thanks again, Malcolm!

I haven't Malcolm, thanks; I'll drop them a note and see what they say. (A quick update: I looked over the site, and it simply a statement of a few points of etiquette... there's no contact information) I have a number of Classical Japanese fluent folk in my Antique Japanese Manuscript Collectors FB group, most located in Japan. Almost all of these members have a strong interest in this topic (most are authors, academics, or martial artists with their own followings). They unanimously agree there are no real English translations of the old Edo etiquette works, and that most of the authoritative works exist only in manuscript form. There are, of course, modern books in Japanese on formal etiquette, but little on detailed Edo period traditions, and just one or two basic books in English on formal Japanese dining etiquette, put out by various members of the Ogasawara family. We are talking about organizing a volunteer group to translate at least a few of these old manuscript works, if only for our own interest, and for the use of our associated groups. If anyone is interested (in participating or in the results) let me know and I'll keep you up to date.

For a research project, I am looking for English translations (or summaries) of traditional Edo period Ogasawara Ryu court etiquette, including instruction on everything from performing basic formal movements to ceremonial acts. While I've found any number of books in Japanese on both modern and ancient versions of the art, easily found English versions are hard, if not impossible, to come by. Any help appreciated. One nice visual reference I located was this older video, showing some movements related to Ogasawara Ryu kyudo...

Should anyone be considering bidding on this item: While not noted as being on the Important Cultural Property list, I've been informed that shipping companies may refuse to ship this item outside Japan, for fear of running afoul of Japanese regulations. Be warned.

For any of our members who may be interested, an extraordinarily rare Nara Perod (710 to 794) sutra text preserved as a kakejiku (hanging scroll) has been posted at auction. The Nara period text consists of a rectangular page with 9 lines of a sutra, attached to a scroll backing made of highest quality materials. Date of the scroll material itself is not given. Ascribed to the Todai-ji temple. The item was posted on a few hours ago, yet as of the time of my writing this there are already 32 bids, with the present bid being 40,500¥. Condition: Excellent, museum quality. Aged and some stains Auction ending: September 9 Auction house: Yahoo.jp http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w149725832

Somewhat surprising, but this item sold for $107.50 USD.

It might be, Malcolm... but I can't confirm the required pagination (sheaves of five) from the images provided. You're right on about the dimensions, though.

A quite unusual item is being auctioned on eBay; A hand drawn and illustrated manuscript book of tsuba and kodagu, dated 1831. The seller describes the item as being "A history of Kinko-shi". While I don't recognize the copying source document, the book itself is excellent, with the script and illustrations in a set of fine hands and eminently readable. Approximately 310 pages. Dimensions of the book are 9" x 7" (24 x 17cm), making it of the hashibon class, appropriate to the material contained. The wrinkle patterns on some pages, the appearance of insect damage in some areas but not others, and the placement of text / images running off the page, accompanied by a change in handwriting styles, suggests at least parts of this book may actually be pieces of an older scroll, cut and rebound into this format. Condition: Fair-to-Good - aged, stained, wear, wrinkles, broken binding string, insect damage Auction ending: August 27 http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Big-19th-c-Antique-Japanese-Hand-written-painted-Book-Tsuba-Menuki-Kogai-530-/142087367855?hash=item2115112caf:g:dT4AAOSw65FXsowF

I'll continue to keep an eye out for anything interesting...