Bugyotsuji

Recent posts regarding powder flasks have led me back to look again at A. and B. in the list at the top of this thread. 1. A gunner would have a large flask (A) for coarse gunpowder to replenish the quick-loading tubes, or to pour in measured amounts directly down the barrel for the main charge. 2. Hanging from the front of his armour would be a smaller flask (B) for the pan-priming powder, which is the same powder, but more finely ground. The pouring spout is narrower, to pour a pinch of fine powder into the pan. (B) flasks are smaller than their companion (A) flasks, though for a large gun you could have a relatively large flask (B) and a much larger flask (A). Photos below, showing example 'pairs' of (A) left, and (B) right, and their relative sizes.

Hi Lars, thanks for posting your nice collection. Western powder flasks usually had a better measuring system incorporated into their necks or spouts! We have a thread running on accessories for the Tanegashima, but I will post some typical Japanese powder flasks here if you like. (If you can find a copy of 'The Ogawa Collection', it will show you a large variety of them. He donated his collection to the Meirin Gakusha Museum in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.) https://www.city.hagi.lg.jp/site/meiringakusha/ The black leather covered copper box above looks increasingly like a water canteen from a Nobento travelling picnic set. The hole at the corner is an indication, and the central hole would be to allow air in as you pour out the water. The bone/antler plugs are a later creation. Dealers will often sell these as 'powder flasks'. See for example: https://auctions.afimg.jp/m415446915/ya/image/m415446915.3.jpg

Yup, all good things come to those who wait. It was meant to be. Serendipity at work! Great find, and nice write-up.

PS Lars, without further shots I cannot decide whether your container is a water canister or blackpowder flask. They are often confused, especially by dealers. If it has a drinking spout and another small hole to release pressure, then it’s likely for water. If it has a large hole for filling, then more likely it is a powder flask. What size is it by the way?

The present condition of every barrel is different depending on the life it has led. How to ‘clean’ it depends on what the problem is, but too much cleaning once done is almost impossible to undo. Go gently. Any barrel with zōgan inlay presents extra difficulties, and probably needs to be seen in hand by someone who knows what they are doing. Otherwise it is usually better to leave as is, until a way forward becomes more clear. There are threads here on this site describing how to dismantle a Tanegashima and remove the bisen breech screw for cleaning, etc. Your gun was made in Mito, north of Edo. (The history of Mito starts really with Tokugawa residence at the beginning of the Edo Period.) The Mito City Office might be able to point you to (a museum with?) similar Mito guns and their foresights. Your gun is a generic Tanegashima with little to indicate place of manufacture, except that your muzzle surround does look distinctive. This may or may not help you to choose a foresight shape. (No particular school of gunnery was specified in the original order for this gun either.)

What is an Obidome? what is an obidome - 検索

Lars, the standing ‘ageha’ swallowtail butterfly was used most famously by Ikeda Terumasa who built Himeji Castle. His Ikeda offspring also controlled the Tottori Han and the Okayama Han, but at some point in the later 1600s the Okayama Han changed it to an open-wing version, the Bizen Chō. So your Ikeda blackpowder container is probably from Hyogo or Tottori. As to the Mon on the gun, I suspect it was added later at some point. Just a feeling. I cannot yet see a link between Mito and the Ikeda Daimyo family, although I may be missing something.

Despite the elaborate decorations which were added at some point, the gun is of a rather basic generic design. The wood used for the stock is nice quality, and most of the vital parts look to be present. The front sight could be replaced with one of several basic patterns, many illustrated in Sawada Taira or Sugawa Hideo’s books. You could study Kunitomo sights, for example, as the smith was surely proud of his roots, or you could contact Mito and ask for photos of Mito long guns, particularly their Saki-meaté fore sight.

As to whether to polish silver, the world is divided between those who want bright and shiny, and those who value old patina, black even. Remember too that silver wears thin quickly so with barrel decoration like that you run the risk of rubbing away precious metal which cannot easily be replaced.

拾三治刃鉄藤巻張 Not sure of the meaning here but it seems to suggest the barrel is made of Nihontō blade steel. Perhaps the proud Bushi of Mito were happier to carry a gun if they thought it was essentially made with sword blades!?!?!?

Hi Alan, Only just noticed your post. Apologies. There are many things that can be said in answer to your questions. Much of what you have heard is correct. Your words reminded me of just how proud I was to own my first Tanegashima. To start the ball rolling, the Mei indicates a Kunitomo smith who was probably invited to Mito in Hitachi, Kanto, to make guns, or he followed his father there. Kunitomo smiths, renowned for solid work, were used by the Tokugawa Shogun rulers and had a reputation to keep, so their guns had to be good! 水戸住國友吉兵衛　尚昌 Mito Jū Kunitomo Kichibei Naomasa Although this smith is listed as working for the Mito Han, there are no dated guns of his recorded. I would say around 1800-1830 from the overall look of the gun.

They may be (originally) a series of mini mirrors to carry in a purse or wallet.

The starting tsuba looks to be odo, shinchū or brass to which a patinating agent has been added, or am I being unfair? The holes are not exactly round, though, so it is not simply drill work. The Hosokawa were Christian; the original conception, the kuyō and cross blend, was quite a clever inspiration.

Although the one in your Wiki link is slightly different in places…

For your eyes only, in thanks as always, Moriyama San!

Does anyone feel confident with this brush writing? Just wondering if there is a Shunga-esque element to the print.

I can see why you pounced on this one, Colin. The scent of the hunt! The temptation to take a punt. Love these pursuits for the truth!

Well give him a heart!

This old NBTHK certificate for a Koshiraé, right?

¥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.