manfrommagnum

Would you accept historical accounts of the westerners during and after Admiral Perry's arrival? I can see if I can find that stuff again. It referenced historical accounts of Christians coming out of the woodwork and finding communities of Christians. Not sure how many were Samurai or former ruling class.

Ford, I agree with your assertion that since they did not sign their name does not mean they were hidden Christians. However, your assertion that people would not be wearing the sword guards or that there were no christian samurai with sword guards at that time would be equally unsubstantiated. Many years after the edict there were christians and even catholic priests in Japan. They were not found out because of their tsuba or even their religious objects in their possession. Rather they were found out because Caucasians were found hiding in their homes, as with the incident in Goto in the 1600s. And while the government had several events over a 50+ year span to try to stamp out Christian followers, there is plenty of evidence that it was ineffective and produced varied results. results at best. That is my point. They could have been using them and it is equally likely that they were as they were not. Granted, what they posted was not scholarly, which i also agree with.

Ford, You should be careful not to judge other cultures by your own standards. In the 1500's in Japan the number of Catholics was well over 300000. Omura Sumitada and Otomo Sorin paid the price for being Christian, including one of them losing their domain and many samurai did die for thier faith. This also included many men, women, and children who were tortured and buried alive for not rejecting their faith. Christianity was in Japan for over 100 years before it was fully pushed out and under ground. I am very surprised that someone who has been involved in this activity for so long was unaware of this. There are several books written on this subject. While there were many samurai and commoners that lived for generations after the various edicts in the domain of of Arima Harunobu; many of the tsuba were likely made between 1540 and 1584. To this day most Japanese have zero idea what christian symbolism looks like (and they have the benefit of the internet). While it is my opinion that some of the tsuba were unlikely hidden Christian and more like Christian of the 1500s, they were no less Christian and likely passed it down in hidden symbols based on what hardships they were willing to endure. It would not be difficult to hide the symbols from the Buddhists. Half of Japan new nothing of Christianity.

Awesomeness. Thanks for the quick reply.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/262457965168

The chest is most amazing!

My assumption was that it is for a multitude of reasons: 1 cruiciform 2 32 points matching the Jesuite IHS 3 the six major points like the IHS rays Now the question is...what school and what era??? Owari? Not sure what school made stuff for Omura or Otomo.

How would I know what era?

Here are some pictures. . Mike

Having pay pal issues!

Thanks again! Mike

I am working on yet another sword project and need some help. I want an idea of what FK fittings would look like from 1550-1600 that were made for samurai in the domains of Omura, Higo, Bungo, Hirado, Arima, or Otomo. Please post some pictures if you have something from that era and location (s). Thanks! Mike

Thanks everyone MIKE

What would you do with a sword in this condition? I assume it is toast and only a study piece at best. Mike

Will we be getting judges back any year soon? I was hoping to get some fittings papered. Thanks Mike

Anyone had dealings with this seller? The add posted was cryptic and very nondescript. Mike

I have read on one board of a person melting down authentic nihon pre 1800 tsuba that they deem unworthy to use as raw material to make their own. I have also seen menuki on ebay that were converted to cufflinks. This sort of thing makes me cringe, buy I wondered what the thoughts of other collectors are... ..your thoughts? MIKE

Tsuba looks to be a cast Soten.

Did this sell yet?

I may be completely wrong...but that is what I came up with. #1896. The hamon is komidare. Wakizashi is shinogi zukuri. thanks Mike

Does anyone know if they will have which presentations on what day and time? I missed all of them last year. Mike

There are two remaining possibilities. The first is a boys day tanto. Second is a culinary knife made as a sword. It would be interesting to see if it has a hada, and the type. Mike

If only i had the money

The failure of this premise is to believe that the samurai did not want technological firepower. The reality is that the west always sold old technology to Japan and the Japanese were not geared toward western innovation as a cultural result of craftsmanship and artistic focus. So the samurai class was behind the times, but fully embraced firepower. The reason for not using firearms for personal use was because the rulers took away any ability of lower ranks to usurp authority. Horses and guns were too much of a threat to dictatorship for everyone to have them cart blanch. MIKE

I would not polish it unless the plating has made it dull on the cutting edge. Unfortunately, plating processing can alter the surface of the hamon, and even internal structure if they really f-ed up in the plating process. Electricity is not a sword's friend.