Bugyotsuji

文政元年、文正二年 Bunsei 1 and Bunshō 2, but the second date mistakenly(???) uses a different character…

Showed this to a Kinkō artisan today. He thinks the shinchū insert is later Edo work as the carving style is quite different, and that the iron mimi fukurin rim was heated (熱処理, netsu shori)and slipped over to hold the two facet sections together.

Generally it's a big no-no to clean these unprofessionally as the patina will often contain vital clues as to age.

There were several Mitsunaga with these characters 光長. The only very faint connection I can find so far, and it could well be a simple coincidence, is a Kyoto metalwork artisan during Anei (late 1700s) who lived in a small street called (藤の辻子). That uses the same kanji as Tsuji on the left.　 On the other hand we always need to keep open the possibility of gimei.

Chris, SteveM above has said he reckons that it's 光長 Mitsunaga on the right, a name. There seems to be a Kao following that name too. The question for me is why two different people have signed it, each with their own kao. A joint work?

Wow, fine work, so there are others out there! Thanks Dale!

Too many incoming rounds! Duck!!! Fantastic stuff guys, the NMB Detective Agency. Here’s the answer… shinchū set somehow within the iron mimi. 7.75 x 7.0 x 0.55 cm

OK guys, I was not expecting this! A further hint for all three of you!!!

Dang, Colin and Jean, you must have x-ray eyes. Yes, you are asking the right questions, although the answer is a little different.

The image is fuzzy yes, partly to keep folks guessing! Your answer is very welcome, Grev. Your assumption of iron is half correct. Agreed on the Kozuka lining being a later addition; it looks bright, with no patina. Finally, I do think you will be surprised by the answer. Oh, there are faint traces of some gold zogan on features here and there…

There is something unusual about this Namban. Would anyone like to venture a guess? (Hint. The answer is not obvious in this first photo.)

A lovely package! (I am sure Nobody meant to type 'Morimasa' above.)

Hi Chris, Tsuji Motochika (plus kao) would seem to be correct. Nice fuchi!

Here are two collections of butterfly kamon. You can see how much variety there was, allegedly up to 150 families using versions of butterfly Kamon. A B

Yes, as Jean and Bruno say, an unusual but strangely attractive version of agehacho swallowtail. Alignment of eyes, dot numbers, number of legs… The wave treatment of the rim is striking too. It could be a ‘torn-fan’ butterfly. Will check some books. Among others, the Ikeda Daimyo family of Himeji and Tottori used the standing, wings-up butterfly.

Some of the best Chinese ink stones have 'eyes' in them. 端渓硯石眼 - 検索 画像

Over the years we have had so many threads on Namban. Never sure where to post like that. Liking your juzu dragon Namban, Bruno. I have a giant set of juzu on my armour. It would be nice to have all of the Namban information in one place!

A slight adjustment in the angle might get your blade(s) to last a little longer, MalX. A (live) friend here has just agreed that the holes are most likely simply decorative. Thank you everyone for your considered thoughts.

Not disagreeing with any of the above, and agreeing that yes, it is Japanese. Of course the original idea could have come over from the continent. Thanks for the words of wisdom. This bowl didn’t break the bank. I’m now thinking about how best to string it decoratively. (A Bizen potter friend said he likes the fine brushwork of the vine tendrils round the outside.) But then, it could be a nice birthday etc. gift for someone…

Incense? Mosquito coil? Where in or outside a Japanese house?

Two people I know objected to that idea Lewis, as the central design would be obscured, but reconsidering it now the central design is quite rudimentary, so you could well be right! Thanks.

Recently I could not resist buying a small to medium sized Imari bowl. Butterflies and plants. Around the rim are six holes. Assuming that the holes would enable stringing and hanging, what would be the purpose of the bowl, I wonder? Today we might toss the car keys in there. Back then, what? One person suggested a mosquito coil, and I can kind of imagine a set of fire lighting equipment, i.e. striker and flint. A B

I remember seeing the handle name Winchester, but had no direct contact as far as I can remember. So brave of his wife and parents, and so much is left unsaid...

Thanks for the reply. It looks good, worth the extra effort. (I've seen other attempts around the world to make shirasaya that for various reasons just look wrong!)

As a decoration, why not? And you can learn a lot from the construction since it looks like it closely follows traditional work in many places. Personally I would put a wider pedestal underneath the yoroi-bitsu box just to give the whole thing added height and presence. You might want to add a sword at the side? And I would take the two long cords and tie them behind the neck as a first step in how to correctly tie a shinobi-no-o. A fun journey lies ahead! I feel sure that in due course as your budget allows you will be filled with a desire to collect old parts or even display a genuine old set too.