Bugyotsuji

¥150, but the date of 26 must be… Meiji 26??? (1893) Not Showa 26, 1951…(?)

That’s a different Kanetaka to Xiayang’s suggestion above, Bruce. I wonder which one we are looking at. The way -taka is inscribed is quite unusual and should be a good pointer.

Traditional Ro-zuke (at over 450 degrees) is different from modern Handa-zuke (at less than 450 degrees).

(There was a time in the early to mid 20th C when an ivory substitute was in fashion, creamy celluloid with Schreger-type striations. Not applicable here.)

That’s quite elaborate, Gary. Is it actually a tortoise/turtle shell or made to look like one? Do the lacquer lines emphasize natural features? I once had a black one but it was too realistic (probably genuine carapace) so having had a traumatic experience as a child, I quietly moved it on!

As above. Probably three separate sections have been attached. Would not really function as a netsuke. NLO at best.

No. 2 Maybe ‘Kanetaka’. 兼隆

Sat in on a two-day workshop as a habaki creation interpreter for a shirogané-shi and was stunned by the serious amount of detailed work and the numbers of materials, tools and processes.

Satsuma bits? Thinking back through my grey matter, just for reference. (Not offering for sale!) All I’ve scraped together over the years. Sadly one katana was quickly ripped from my grasp. 1. Satsuma rustic vase (Tokkuri?) with large ‘kutsuwa’ cross. 2. a) Two Satsuma hitoribiraki priming powder flasks b) Three coarse blackpowder flasks, one with large red lacquer Satsuma ‘kutsuwa’ cross. 3. Satsuma gunyō-zutsu long matchlock. 4. Various little oil lights, oil pots and wick weights from the region. 5. Netsuke of farming lady. 6. Small Naminohira ‘Kaiken’ Tantō. And that’s about it.

A wasp and a persimmon? What a great object! Congratulations. The uchidashi is nice, as are the fish latch and 蝶番 ‘Chō tsugai’ butterfly hinges. No markings?

If there is a second, smaller hole alongside the spout, then it would have carried water. Water canisters are often sold by dealers as ‘gunpowder’ flasks. A doctor’s sword variation, possibly, also looking the part as chatō for tea ceremony.

Antler (also ivory, and to a lesser extent bone) was often fashioned to look like bamboo.

If you are bringing in 30 blades, I wonder if there might not be some special governmental cultural dispensation, seeing that you are also providing work for traditional Togishi.

Overall weight would have to be a consideration, unless the warrior wished to show off. During the attacks on Nagashino Castle before the great battle at Shitaragahara, warriors scaled the rocky face from the river below; for that they wore their Nodachi on their backs. Quite possible that they also carried a metezashi.

Many people in Japan will bring things out only if they ‘like’ the visitor!

Welcome. Why don’t you give us your ideas first, Khalid? We do have several threads here showing off people’s personal displays, their stands, their cases, their accessories, their lighting, etc. Maybe take some time to look through those first and get some inspiration?

Bishū Osafuné Katsumitsu Nōshū Seki Takeyama Yoshinao Saku

Japanese bureaucracy loves repetition of the obvious. The facts, the facts, the facts, well in advance, then again in advance, and finally on the spot, and make sure to keep all records. That you did tell them in advance. In Japanese even better. Even then, they will surely ask for some detail you had not anticipated. Keep your explanations minimal. Be prepared to be taken off to a separate room where they may ask you to fill out forms in Japanese. If you have connections or invitations from Japanese dealers, Togishi, etc., make sure to have all that correspondence, contact details etc., ready to hand. A regular courier might be able to help you with detailed advice, but trade secrets etc., would they be willing to share? Expect it to be a hassle, and to take several hours of everyone’s time at the airport, but ultimately not absolutely impossible. (Just to get the ball rolling here.)

Correct, they usually have a small vase or container inside. Jean, I know camellia were considered unlucky by some, but we can do azaleas too! Oh, and create that tokonoma!!!

John, there were both brass and iron, and some silver. One came up at auction some years back and I stopped bidding at £600… They have shot up in value.

Why didn’t I think of that!? Here’s one I made!

Ultimately almost anything could have been used as a Netsuke, including fishing net weights. I have several primitive objects which were probably used that way. These are the only stag antler bits here at the moment, from my odds ‘n ends box, but one has that straight-cut section. Some may be Ainu work. and over

Sadly no, John. I have seen many of them in different shapes, usually with that straight-cut piece(?) missing. Some kind of whistle I used to think, but no-one has yet provided a satisfactory answer. Can anyone help?

忍者 Can be read either ‘Shinobi mono’ or ‘Ninja’, often shortened in speech to ‘Shinobi’. A woman in this role could be referred to as ‘Kunoichi’ = く　ノ　一 (The sound suggests possibly: ‘First in suffering’, or ‘one of the most stressful things in life’) Write those three sounds in order and you get 女 Onna.

If you are ever in the area of Takahashi, a hike up to Bitchū Matsuyama Castle is quite rewarding.