Ontario_Archaeology

From what I have read, anyone with enough money to afford the custom order could get what ever they want. As for why the Japanese Army would allow variation I have my theories, mostly to make the gunto mean more to the individual than just anther part of the uniform. What they represented and the ideals they projected meant a lot more than their usefulness, by allowing individuals to make the swords "their own" by customization would have made what they represented mean more to the solder I think. Matt

The author is using this as an example to criticize anthropologists that just go to remote islands and are able to make their clean ethnographic papers without worrying too much about "getting it wrong". Do we know how often new swords were actually tried out in the way described in the paper? The author didn't give us that information. We know that the test was also done on criminals, which isn't mentioned, a related practice, but a different situation. In my opinion, the "glorification" and the infatuation that the West has with the Samurai, and their way of life, probably downplays some aspects or their life and over exaggerates others. I believe that the situation of trying out a new sword while at a cross roads probably didn't happen as often as we would like to think. By analyzing the situation described by the author, we can draw few conclusions. By leaving any sort of middle ground, and condemning or applauding the actions we are guilty of doing the same thing the anthropologists going to small islands do, making the cultural analysis neat and clean. On a personal note, I think that the author has hit the nail on the head, I find that in far too many anthropology courses the readings, and the lecturers make leaps to make the culture "clean". A good example I have come across is when I was learning about Natives in SW Ontario. The discussion was about living on the Res, and the drug/alcohol abuse. The prof and the assigned readings painted the individuals as victims of colonialism, that the government was not putting enough money towards those problems. The reality is much muddier than that, having met and spoke to about 100 different people while working, the drug / alcohol abuse isn't due to colonialism, it is out of boredom. People are killed in drinking and driving accidents every few months, but nothing is done because any money the counsels get from the government is stolen and distributed to their family, not used for its intended purpose. Now the example I used is a personal one, I am sure if I dug deeper I would find other cultural reasons and different reasons. That is the benefit of working with a living population. The example of testing out ones new sword is a cultural practice from a dead population. We can use written records to try and understand it more, but I find that they will always be embellished to push some sort of agenda. Hopefully this adds to the conversation, Thanks. Matt

I have also collected all four major tassels. I hope the Koshirae is "high quality" enough for this thread! Thanks, Matt

"Cutting edge is "27 . Please I'll be happy to answer any questions or send more pictures. Please I'll be happy to answer any questions or send more pictures." I think we all have a few questions. . . Matt

The cat general painting even has a higher starting price than a buy it now option, not to mention the shipping cost https://www.ebay.com/itm/Oil-painting-animal-Portrait-HD-Print-on-Canvas-Art-Deco-General-cat-12x16inch/272731310766?hash=item3f800d8aae:g:kNAAAOSwTf9ZTG~v Hopefully this seller is shut down sooner rather than later, last thing we need is more snakes on ebay Matt

Yesterday the Seller tianning1206 listed a bunch of swords, some repos, some look ok. I cant help thinking that the pictures of the swords are old Showa22 photos. It is especially suspicious that the seller only put a one day timer on the auctions. What do you guys think? https://www.ebay.com/sch/tianning1206/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= Matt

it is very interesting, I have not seen one like this before. Matt

it appears to have grown a tassel. . . https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Meiji-Army-officers-sword-in-mountings-Murata-Kanemasa-knot/232784003543?hash=item36330201d7:g:FrgAAOSwC19bCsVQ

I know Showa22 auctions normally run a high price, but this is something https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Meiji-Army-officers-sword-in-Kyugunto-mountings-Murata-Kanemasa/352332593329?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 Matt

Interesting topic, I learned a good deal from this thread. Thanks, Matt

Defiantly interesting. My grandparents were interned in Canada during the war and forced east afterwards after trying to rebuild their life out west. I also just read the portion about the swords. Matt

Thank - you for your help! Bruce I have seen pictures of your collection of NCO's it is very impressive! Everyone here is very helpful. Matt

I was worried about the scabbard not having any numbering on it at all. Maybe a little more insight on the damage to the blade. Thanks, Matt

I was browsing around the usual auction sites for an NCO and picked this up for what I think is a cheap price. The pictures provided were not the greatest but I took a chance. The paint looked good so I think it is worth it. Someone may have had their fun cutting fruit with this one looking at the blade. To my disappointment there are no numbers on the scabbard to match the ones on the blade. Looking for other opinions. Thanks, Matt

I took a quick look around the usual places. This seller usually has things that sell for under $1000.00 although the quality isn't there. https://www.ebay.com/itm/LONG-WAKIZASHI-sword-w-White-Sheath-EDO-35-4-23-1-890g/292473157237?hash=item4418c23675:g:Nd8AAOSwdXtankQc It is a Wak, but it could be an option. Hope it helps. Matt

Hi Chris, I was just trying to get a gauge of what Peter was looking at, since he didnt post any pictures. I love the variety of the gunto, it just amazes me. Matt

Or even like this? although this is on a T 98. . . http://ohmura-study.net/715.html Pictures would help Matt

does it look red like the one on this page does? http://ohmura-study.net/735.html Matt

Thanks Bruce, I tried to become the proud owner of these mounts, but, unfortunately my curse of being runner up in auctions continues. My patients will pay off one day. Matt

The Tsuba got me thinking that this whole piece was "too good to be true" Matt

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/r229271104/image/0 Just thought it was interesting / second opinions. Matt

Looks like the same bidder bought both this and this . . . https://www.ebay.com/itm/142672402354?_trksid=p2471758.m4704 Matt

It will be interesting to see how much this sells for. I have read opinions on here that this sellers items sell for a bit above market value. Matt

The articles are from The Japanese Journal of Archaeology. Surprisingly there is a journal published in english. http://www.jjarchaeology.jp/(follow link to archives for more) Other archaeological resources are also published in english. The Japanese Archaeological Association has an english version of their site. http://archaeology.jp/en/history/although it doesn't appear to be active (no post since 2016). I wonder if they need some help over there with some sites Matt

In the Imgur post it says he might be selling his collection when he is done. Does anyone know where? Matt