-
Posts
926 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
23
Everything posted by Markus
-
IN NEED OF A TRANSLATION ON AN OLD SHIRASAYA
Markus replied to Gilles's topic in Translation Assistance
The inscription says: "Go-ryûsô Monju Kaneshige saku" (御龍鎗 文珠包重作), lit. "Dragon yari made by Monju Kaneshige" And the inscription on the other side ends with "jûsan-ban" (拾参番), "Nr. 13". Does the blade show a dragon horimono? Never seen a saya cap like this. -
Shinto into Shinshinto - why?
Markus replied to Ken-Hawaii's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
Back to your initial question Ken, this date can be explained by the Japanese trend to stick to nengô eras. I.e. some date Suishinshi Masahide´s main artistic period around Tenmei (1781-1789), others around Kansei (1789-1801). In short and following this trend you can say that if Masahide was active around Tenmei and the founder of shinshinto, shinshinto - upon reversion - can be dated from about Tenmei (1781) onwards. -
Thanks a lot Barry!
-
NIHON-KOTO-SHI: New English Version
Markus replied to Markus's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
@Anders: This one actually doesn´t contain so much work of myself. I just added the pics and all the characters as I got so many inquiries to do so. But thanks! -
Indeed Jacques. Thanks for the link!
-
Thats the mei of the Iemori dated Ôei 1 from my book Kotô-kantei. Unfortunately the oshigata of tang of this blade is not that crisp.
-
Jacques is correct. The date is Kôô gannen (1389). This makes the blade likely to be a work of the 2nd generation Osafune Iemori, but also the 3rd generation is possible because there exists a date signature of Ôei 11 (1404) from him.
-
Hi Ben, Such a hilt interpretation is called "torikubi", or the whole sword "torikubi no tachi". I dedicated them a brief chapter in my Koshirae book which I attach as PDF for your info. torikubi.pdf
-
Kantei Supplement 2 - OUT NOW
Markus replied to Markus's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
Thanks Paul! I am almost fully restored by now, just have to cut down my super strong espressos. -
Hi Jimi, the mei on the tsuba reads "Shôzui" (Hamano). The box doesn´t belong to it as the hakogaki mentions a signed Choshu-tsuba by Nakai Zensuke.
-
NIHON-KOTO-SHI: New English Version
Markus replied to Markus's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
@Joe: Unfortunately I don´t have a printed copy myself. The b/w photos of the blades measure in general 15 cm (5.9") in width so they are more for getting an overall impression. But you can see the details of the hamon and hataraki in the numerous oshigata. I attach you some PDF from the picture-heavier pages. I know that´s not what it is in printed form but you might get a better idea of what the books like inside. PicturePreview1.pdf PicturePreview2.pdf -
Kantei Supplement 2 - OUT NOW
Markus replied to Markus's topic in General Nihonto Related Discussion
Thanks John! -
translation assistance please (shin gunto)
Markus replied to jwooley23's topic in Translation Assistance
Kikuhide as he is listed in my Index of Japanese Swordsmiths: Kikuhide (菊秀), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kikuhide“ (菊秀), civilian name „Murayama Kikuo“ (村山菊雄), born September 21st 1905, he worked as guntō smith and died April 8th 1952 -
Now available, the English version of my second supplement to the first two kantei volumes. It contains 175 kotô, shintô and shinshintô blades in the classical order, namely kotô-gokaden, kotô other provinces, shintô-centres Kyôto, Ôsaka and Edo, shintô other provinces and shinshintô. The numbering continues with the last blade of the first supplementary volume, i.e. with number 419. So we arrive now at almost 600 blades (594 to be precise) with all volumes so far! 428 pages, A4, paperback, b/w pictures, price: $ 89.00 It can be obtained at Lulu.com via this link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/k ... 05812.html There is also an eBook available here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/markus-sesko/e ... 05830.html Below please find also the table of contents. Thank you for your attention! Kantei2-Contents.pdf PS: I don´t know if these Lulu voucher codes work so please try: LADY15 (save 15% USA and Canada only, Expires 9/17/13) FAST5 (Save 5% Off Any Order)
-
I´ve never read anything about nakago length rules. FYI, p.133 from my book Koshirae - Japanese Sword Mountings p133.pdf
-
I briefly dealt with the kuji a while ago on my blog: https://markussesko.wordpress.com/2013/ ... -koshirae/
-
Hi Mark, The mei reads "Bizen Osafune Yokoyama Tôshirô Sukeyuki saku + kaô" (備前長船横山藤四郎祐幸作), and the one to the right (地鍛総巻張) is the info that the barrel is made of forged iron in the so-called "winded construction"). See here: http://www.home-nagahama.jp/tepponosato ... aji2-1.htm Interesting. Craftsman seems to be a close relative of the late Edo period Yokoyama Bizen smiths.
-
That´s true. What we need in the first instance is a way larger number of really knowledgable and easy accessible experts outside of Japan who separate the wheat from the chaff, i.e. to separate art swords from weapon quality swords. So from the point of view of preserving as many as possible (art) swords, Japanese associations should try to think about educating more future experts.
-
I am also more than willing to help. There are so many sleeping beauties in our museums waiting to be discovered. Keep us up to date Grev.
-
As having spent some half-days on and off the hospital recently because of an annoying stomach ulcer, I had to focus on something which doesn´t require my books. Thus I finished a minor project I was asked for several times over the last months and years. As most of you know, the NBTHK provides an English translation of Dr. Honma´s Nihon-koto-shi on their website, but just the plain translation without any pics. http://www.touken.or.jp/english/nihon_koto_shi.html Non-members of the NBTHK and younger members which don´t have all the back issues of the Token-Bijutsu asked me frequently where to get the pictures or if I am willing to sort them out. Now I fulfilled this request and compiled a paperback version (and an eBook version) of the Nihon-koto-shi with all the pics, but not only that, I added also a lot of pics mentioned in the text but not shown in the Token- Bijutsu reprint. The result is a 320 pages 408 b/w pictures book (7.44 wide x 9.68 tall) available as a personal reference. Once again, this version will not be available in public so if you are interested in a copy, please contact me via "markus.sesko@gmail.com" or via PM here. The price is $60.00 + $10.00 flat shipping rate and determined by the printing costs and the compilation work involved. The eBook version can be downloaded here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/junji-honma/en ... 2054FA7B6F KotoShiContents.pdf PS: I have taken the liberty to adjust the format to my previously published Nihon-shinto-shi, so that it will be a decent set with the upcoming Nihon-shinshinto-shi. :D
-
Thank you Brian for advertising my blog. Please feel free to use any articles or PDFs posted there as a reference here. I am struggling with some health problems recently so everybody please be patient if posts are somewhat slower than usual on my blog.
-
Mark, your sayagaki reads: 大磨上無銘 南北朝期延文・貞治型ノ雄勁ナ姿態ヲ呈シ 地刃ニハ同派ノ見所ガ普ク表示サル滋味豊カナル優品也 ô-suriage mumei, Nanbokuchô-ki Enbun-Jôji-gata no yûkei na shitai wo teishi, jiba ni wa dôha no midokoro ga amaneku hyôji-saru jimi yutaka-naru yûhin nari. ô-suriage-mumei. The blade displays the magnificent and strong Nanbokuchô-era Enbun-Jôji shape. A highly tasteful masterwork with a jiba which shows in general the typical features of the school.
-
I tend to think that Enshin emphasized with the last part that he added a softer core, i.e. "shingane-iri kore o kitau" (真金入鍛之). Usually shingane is written with the characters (心鉄) but also (真金) is possible I guess.
-
Hi everyone, For those of you seeking more references (and until my next Kantei supplement is finished), I have uploaded a translation to Lulu I have done a while ago. It is the 1967 published JUKKEN which most of you maybe know. It is a full translation, that means with all the oshigata. It features about 130 fine blades, one of it is designated kokuho, seven juyo-bunkazai and twelve juyo-bijutsuhin. 142 pages, b/w, A4, $55.00 (+ $10.00 flat shipping rate) This is not going to be made public so everyone who wants a copy, please contact me via PM or "markus.sesko@gmail.com". I would suggest payments via PayPal but bank transfer is of course also possible. After an order is received, I will have a copy print and sent from Lulu directly to the buyer. The eBook can be downloaded here: http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/ejukken/14000363 Thank you for your attention. Contents.pdf Preview.pdf
-
TRANSLATION HELP PLEASE - A PRESENTATION GENDAITO
Markus replied to Bazza's topic in Translation Assistance
Matt is spot on. The only character missing after "Nagasaki" is "ken" (縣), "Prefecture", incsribed in the old variant. The mei ends with "ichidô" (一同) which means "all concerned (of the two above mentioned institutions)".