Bugyotsuji

(Tsunahiro)

Usually (often) there is an indication like 二重巻張　on one of the barrel facets as to how it was manufactured. You have only provided one photo where all I can see is an 8 (八) bottom left, which is probably an order or batch number. From what we can see though, it’s a good solid octagonal x-section barrel, so probably of standard construction. Steel plate folded around a core bar for a set bore size, which is then wound in a red-hot double or triple helix twist. Hope to see an overall shot some time.

Hi Jon! Some information coming up… for your friend. Watch this space! Later. Tell the new owner to check out a map of Takahashi (in Okayama today), formerly the Matsuyama Domain ruled by the Ishikawa, and later the Itakura Daimyo. Takahashi City is overlooked by the fabulous little Matsuyama Castle. The district and street names reflect its feudal history, including Ishibiya-Chō where guns were made. The Mei reads Takahashi Ishikawa Chūzaburō Saku 高梁忠三郎　作 Probably mid-Edo period, mid 1700s, the lack of a lower name suggesting he was the founder of this line. The ‘buku’ pan repair was commonly done in Japan with well-used guns, blackpowder flash being corrosive to the iron pan, so my first and strongest inclination would be Japan. It is cleanly done, so possibly carried out abroad by someone who had discovered the old process, but I would be somewhat surprised if it was.

We believe you…

The hakogaki says ‘Kagami-Shi’. Surely the kanteisho which must have come later does contradict Kanzan, well maybe it adjusts his judgement.(?)

Used to have this one until the previous owner said he wanted it back!

Dale, central top right must surely be Yoko-Ito-Gata, in contrast to central bottom left Tate-Ito-Gata, ‘Tate’ and ‘Yoko’ being directional measurements.(?)

Agreed, AI going off the rails there. Russ’s ‘South American’ seems more likely to me too.

Hi Marc, please see your messages.

Ah, from the back they do resemble udenuki no ana! Art and function going together… (?)

While on the subject though, I would like to add this tsuba to the thread. Iron, flat, tōshō 8.5 x 8.3 x 0.25 cm

The cave in Max’s interesting tsuba above (which goes through to the other side) gives me the impression of a clever design feature to suggest for example Mt. Horai, rather than a functional element. (Can we see the other side, Max?) I have one tsuba with a figure hiding inside a 3D cave, but the cave does not have a rear exit!

Just ran a search on the Japanese web but nothing earlier than the Enomoto Meiji blades mentioned above came up.

Some years back Ken & Linda brought a meteorite from their home in Hawaii and gave it to the younger Ando (Hiroyasu). He made several Kozuka and longer blades and even tsuba during his experiments.

No Alex, however you could have listed it, I never look in the for sale section, so... mea culpa. On the other hand I do have a growing appreciation for shinchu tsuba, brought on partly by one of the artisans at Osafune who always shows deep interest in traditional Japanese metals and alloys. This has kind of opened my eyes to see and accept the beauty and the possibilities in other metals, not just iron. This extends to Kozuka and Tsuba for a start.

On the other hand I was assured that this one is recent, i.e. not old. 1.

That’s the one Rohan, especially Natichu (Nathaniel’s linked treatise), many thanks!

Good thread running on Den just yesterday…(?)

Looking good!

Somehow reminds me of this one:

Sheriff, huh? Etymology, ‘shire reeve’, from memory. ‘The authorities’, to Robin Hood, perhaps? Completely missed your original listing Alex! Congratulations Curran.

Fundo and star constellation mixes crop up frequently in the Sendai area. For the Kamon itself try also crescent moon with star: 真向かい三日月に星　家紋 https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hs=BeGq&sca_esv=5fbeaf94ea03b9d5&hl=en-gb&q=三日月+月に星家紋&uds=AJ5uw1_a2D0D09lxm8gpKKOTUn4rTeVlh13PVwUUMwhfNLG9qd3HPJ3jizLVbfitdzTdAw3vWGx3TAZealAG-p-7kyYbGYENWdkmxxppLruhbBLxLUeBK7GqDLf3SS8G4epn7g1BdyZ_aVMCFFdkLaYiTKXYE0FPA-OiW-VPBwd23b8QVzvRUso&udm=2&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh7bCE29aVAxW9Z0EAHWotH9IQxKsJKAF6BAgNEAE&ictx=0&biw=390&bih=699&dpr=3#sv=CAMSVxoyKhBlLVN0RTE4c2FaWWpqYWdNMg5TdEUxOHNhWllqamFnTToOT1JGbzNzMG8xcHBMZk0gBCoXCgFzEhBlLVN0RTE4c2FaWWpqYWdNGAEwAUoECAEQAhgHIOSU3tQDSggQAhgBIAIoAQ e.g.

There are lots of other differences, but the final 日 seems constantly written with a hook down the right, making it look like a small 月.

Dangggg…!!! PS If Curran pulls out, I’m next in the Q.

OK, just to get the ball rolling, these give me flashes of Hikone mono, Soten-style.