Bugyotsuji

Vinegar shell lids Swirls formed by mixing lacquer and tofu

Yesterday I attended a lecture on koshirae, the methods and materials used by artisans. It was given in the events hall at the Osafune museum where this exhibition is presently being held. In the room was a large collection of privately-held koshirae spread over the tables for the attendees to handle. One comment struck me about how we think of the samurai being Spartan in their simplicity, but here we have all these gorgeous and flamboyant koshirae, as if rich merchants were wanting to show off their wealth. He gave us examples of some lacquering and embedding processes so time-consuming that no-one today would attempt them. One take-away for me, though, partly to answer your question, Brian, was that almost anything goes. One process, a lacquer swirling pattern for example, involved mixing tofu with the lacquer to slow the drying process. Another koshirae was decorated with what looked like migrating birds, but close examination suggested shark baby teeth. Yet another one had what the experts had declared were ground-down shells embedded into the lacquer, but the owner had determined were the round entrance covers for a shellfish called a 酢貝 Sugai or vinegar shell. (Lunella coreensis.) In other words, although there may be some fleeting acknowledgement of cultural meaning, on the whole artisans and patrons were choosing refreshingly unusual patterns from Nature. Almost as if they were talking points for people living in a rigidly defined static class system. With fish inner ear bones, I am guessing it was solely the rarity factor, almost a game to avoid boredom, "What do you think these are?" that the owner enjoyed inflicting on those who would listen! ’Chidori’ birds?

Oli, he said it is signed but he is not going to show us yet. You can see 造, but above that he has blanked it off.

This has come up here many times, Walter. Run a search under 'Soten' tsuba.

Incidentally the 'adjustment' knock-through hole that is the subject of this thread does not appear on every matchlock. There are several neat regional and Ryu-ha school variations among Japanese Tanegashima.

Old kanji 國廣Kunihiro for 国広

Grev, according to one book here, he belonged to the 中原 (一派) Nakahara (group) of artisans in Hagi, around Kaei. If so it could well be a nod to his Sensei or working group.

Strangely, when I hung up a Noh mask recently, my wife said that the daughters would be scared of it. "No way!", I replied, laughing. Not long after that, separately, both reacted just as my wife had predicted. "Scary!" they said. Not towards the armor, though!

BTW, don’t worry if everything is not perfect. You’ll rarely find one in perfect condition, but yours looks as if it has plenty to enjoy. The woodwork has a nice rich colo(u)r. Sakai guns are famous for their bling kirigane metalwork, dividing collectors into those that love this aspect …and all the rest! (I have just come into possession of a rather similar one!) 😊

You mean Hideoki 秀興, Jack?

Last post for now… And

On the same theme… And…

Where to start? Some tsuka and tsuba? And

Got some more detailed follow-up shots today. Here’s the Sairen caption for Lewis.

Hello ET! I am just about to go out, but at a glance your fine gun is from Sakai, Osaka, from the early to mid 1800s; it has been converted with nipple and stronger leaf spring from matchlock to percussion fire, around... 1830-1840 ish. (Maybe the serpentine was also changed from ‘shinchū’ brass to iron at the same time, to work as a hammer on the percussion caps.) The barrel may be rusted in, and the stock woodwork has probably shrunk slightly, but some taps with a rubber hammer may help to free it. Remove the ramrod, and stand the matchlock upright, and with your fingertips on the upper stock, knock the barrel out into your left hand. (To start with. If not successful, go to Plan B.)

Just playing with 為秀 and 秀為 Tamehide, Hidetame, Hidei, Shūi etc.

Strange blurry shot! It’s Mumei Lewis, with Sairen attribution, 13th C Kamakura. (See info sheet at the thread start.)

https://codh.rois.ac.jp/char-shape/unicode/U+5E02/ Having looked at this page, however, Ichi/Shi 市 does seem to fit in some cases... hmm...

Greetings, good planet people. This single Kanji was stamped there by a hinawajū locksmith, probably recognized at the time by those around. How many readings can we get from it? So far I can maybe see ネ、令、or maybe the ‘hen’ 示、or 衣? Surely not 吉,市 or 京? The matchlock is not signed but I know the school of gunnery, so my suspicions fall upon Kunitomo. None of the listed locksmiths there have a likely candidate character in their name though. This character might… help narrow down the place of manufacture. 😊

Apologies for posting these in dribs and drabs, but I thought it unfair on the museum to post everything all at once. (Even though they kindly allowed photographs.)

You’ll find that some artisans changed their Kanji slightly on purpose. This can be a way of individualizing, and for you, cross-checking if it’s the same person or not. The correct form is 吉 with a longer upper line, said to be samurai 士 at the top. An alternative ‘non-correct’ form can sometimes be found with earth 土 on top (among kabuto makers too). Make a mental note as you compare with others. So, does Akiyoshi do this deliberately? Or has a faker added a ‘wrong’ stroke as a sign on purpose, which is a way for some to assuage their conscience.

and

Haha, well, that post deserves another Koshiraé or two! Watch this space. (Thank you in turn.)

Thank you, Lewis. The cards on the left are right on the edge of readable! (The lower one is ray skin.)

Word of warning re importing a... a... ssshhhhh.... For a dealer who is used to importing, there will surely be little tricks involved, but even so I reckon they take a gamble each time as you cannot know which customs officer you will get. Each officer will interpret the rules differently, none of them understanding the changing regulations completely, and as soon as someone objects an endless chain of bureaucracy can ensue, with no one wishing to take responsibility, all erring on the side of safety, consuming weeks and months of fruitless headbang, and in the worst scenario, confiscation of the article, regardless of how 'right' you may actually be on paper. The word? Oh, yes, even if you do everything correctly there is a definite element of risk, a gamble. And some things even get stolen, but I won't go into that here! Good luck with whatever you choose, and keep us updated!