Bugyotsuji

The rests are often lightly glued in place, acting partly as internal strengtheners for the box itself, but these can usually be moved and reglued to support a tanto (in its bag) as necessary. Ideally the box would also allow the blade in shirasaya (in another bag) to fit in there too.

Wonderful information guys. Also we have discussed elsewhere the importance of the Hon 本 character with its various connotations.

Rarely is anything 100% guaranteed in this field. There are likelihoods, stronger and stronger, while you narrow down the possibilities. It takes time and patience, and in the meantime even the ‘experts’ may give differing opinions. A well-made case can eventually be satisfyingly convincing. In the meantime we are all allowed to dream. “Indulge in the romance”, one of my teachers would say with a wink.

Japanese dealers will in general carefully shape their replies so as not to disagree with a customer, or will actively agree in the hopes of future custom. If here is no history of a sale, and no prospect of a sale, most will not reply at all to one-way brain picking.

Tempted to reply but 「武士に二言はない」...nothing to add to what I said on page one, except to repeat it in different words. The Japanese actively enjoy the subtlety of ambiguity in artistic interpretation. Two or even three aspects may meld and overlap in the same cameo. An extreme example. This is green. 「これは緑色です。」Kore wa *midori iro desu. My Japanese teacher in Massachusetts gently pulled me up on this back when I was starting out on the language. The Japanese do not like -desu/masu endings to things, she said. It's too abrupt, too challenging, too confrontational, too point-blank, and does not allow for inclusion of the other person. Be gentle, and soften your utterances and gain friends. Avoid offense in your use of language. Rephrase 'This is green.' by saying: "Can we not (Would you not) agree that this is green?' Or 'This is green, right?' 「これは緑色でしょう。」Kore wa *midori iro desho. (*Cha-iro, etc. Plenty of other words in Japanese for green!)

Do you mean Iwamoto Konkan? They might be expensive… I once had a complete Koshiraé with fish depicted all over…

Yes, five connected ‘eyes’.

ツナギ五つ目 Tsunagi Itsutsu-mé (Top left of right-hand page)

Of course many of these could be vestigial design features harking back to an age. On armours you will find gyoyo, tsurumaki and fukikaeshi, for example, which have long lost their original functions, but are somehow satisfying to the eye and the soul.

The tsuba is probably a genuine utilitarian piece from the Edo period, i.e. from before swords were banned in the *Haitorei. As to the art of repatination and preservation, there are books on the subject, and artisans with secret liquids, skilled in the work of 'growing' black rust. In the meantime I would suggest keeping the 'walls' of the sukashi openings that nice dark colour! Haitō Edict - Wikipedia

*Jean kindly points out that Kitau for 鍛Tan/Kitaeru is more correct in situ.

兼定　作 made by Kanesada The 正阿弥 Shoami tsuba, not of great value, has unfortunately been over-polished.

刀　濃州住藤原義包鍛之 Katana [Takada_Shigemasa]日本刀　刀剣販売 サムライ商会[samurai shokai] Fujiwara Yoshikane *Kitae kore(?) *See update to 'Kitau' two posts below.

Amazing! PS 英国 Eikoku as on the blade usually means the United Kingdom of Great Britain, etc., not limited solely to 'England'.

The attribution Mei seems to read 畠山大和介源正光 Hatakeyama Yamato no Suke Minamoto Masamitsu Kozuka blades can often be dirty, out of polish, even rusty. (I would not touch a Kozuka blade that is in decent polish.) The one in the photo seems to be in good condition though. I wonder how the other side looks. Bonus similar Menuki design

Ah, that's easy! But ssshhh... I won't say anything. Loving the quiz! (PS Maybe you should crop that first photo a little more...)

This makes the job easier.

No Dan, I was answering John C, now on the previous page!

https://www.google.com/search?q=麻の葉模様&client=safari&hs=pXHq&sca_esv=8713684b3b83c52b&hl=en-gb&udm=2&biw=390&bih=699&ei=47Vbat-JG-6BhbIP2OjluAg&oq=麻の葉模様&gs_lp=EhJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWciD-m6u-OBruiRieaooeanmDIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB5I2UhQyxlY1ENwA3gAkAEBmAFPoAHIA6oBATi4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgqgApkDwgIEEAAYHsICCBAAGIAEGKIEwgIIEAAYogQYiQXCAggQABgEGAcYHpgDAIgGAZIHAjEwoAfkDbIHATe4B5QDwgcDMS45yAcOgAgA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img That one is of course Asa no Ha moyō

(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!