Bugyotsuji

No, I like your distinction, but I mean both depictions above show cormorants with straight beaks (caught in vices).

Both of them!

Oh, don't get me wrong, Robin, I love all varieties of Japanese herons and egrets, seeing them daily in the fields and rivers around here. In fact they seem to be quite comfortable standing in close vicinity with sunbathing cormorants, both taking off in fright together if you try and photograph either of them. The wick weights for Japanese oil lamps tend to be herons, I guess, although they could be cranes or storks, standing in a shallow pool of oil, much as they would be seen in the ponds, rivers or paddy fields. I like your divine story, and birds/flowers prints, so it must have been particularly shocking when hunters killed them as pests!

Now we're talking! The ukai master himslef is absent, so this is rusu-moyo, but the *oar suggests to us the boat and water, and the spread wings points to cormorants which are not as buoyant as other water birds, swimmimg half-submerged, and needing to dry their plumage whenever possible. The rope tied to its leg was the final clue for me, although they were also tied round the neck to stop them swallowing the fish they caught. The beak is extra long, yes, and on that point I must agree with Robin above, and beg artistic licence/license on behalf of the unknown artisan. Some photos of cormorants with their necks stretched out give an overall impression of a longer head and beak, but in reality they are hooked down at the tip, not straight. There were two types of oars, this paddle kind (Kai) probably fashioned into a bokken by Miyamoto Musashi, and a long articulated one for rocking and powering from the stern (Ro). 艪 ro 櫂 kai

Reasons coming up...

For example?

What bird is this? Please give your reasons. (I can think of at least three reasons.) Level of difficulty, medium. Photo follows, with luck.

Be aware that the carapace of a certain beetle was also used for this. We had a discussion about this earlier this year, if I can find it... Yes... see 30 April post:

The triangular pattern edging to the gando fixes this to the 47 Ronin, as if the crossed feathers Oishi Mon had not been enough. The edges of their winter clothing had this design, as did the edging of many Ukiyo-e prints depicting the story of the Kanadehon Chushingura. It must be Oishi Kuranosuke himself. Colin, see: Kuniyoshi, Kanadehon Chushingura, act 11 (toshidama-Japanese-prints.com) A Miyao bronze figure of Oishi Kuranosuke (christies.com)

Great, so there we are. NBTHK = Toyota. NTHK = Mazda.

PS In the car today I was thinking, for maximum reliability do you buy a Toyota or a Mazda?

Yes, I considered Susuki, but then found some photos of millet that resemble those depicted in the menuki, besides which 'Quail in Millet' was a popular subject in late Edo, early Meiji. (Quails eat millet, but not Susuki grass!)

The general conclusion was that NBTHK gets it right most of the time, which explains its reputation, having a higher degree of cred than the NTHK. Both are good, but NBTHK are better, (more trustworthy?) but neither is or could ever be 100% perfect.

Not speaking from personal experience here, so please ignore at will. I have heard the same thing from people regarding certain swords. Actually when I was young I often heard this said about houses, and the happy or negative vibes of people who had lived there before. Tsuba though, is a new one on me! Interesting to hear your experiences. Names beginning with D…

We have a heated thread running on just this theme somewhere, guys! (Well maybe it has gone off the boil recently...)

Dale, that's probably a seppa for a tachi tsuba..

Although I do have some waxed black twine which would probably have been ideal here, and which I use on my regular trusty primer flask for demonstrations, this is a rather useful smooth blue cord which I bought about 10 years ago, also in black and dark green. It does give the appearance of being waxed, I agree. (I have a bag of strings and cords both new and old… or rescued!?!?) It looks better than the more functional waxed twine, although it might not be as resilient to wear and the weather. Please do present your examples anytime, BaZZa!

And this is the latest one I have been reluctantly repairing since yesterday. It was in seriously filthy condition, totally gummed up, so I did not think to take ‘before’ photos. Note the (original) collar is ‘Ittōbori’ carving in wood, which was then heavily lacquered. The cord channels were blocked with remnants of original string. I used a long-rejected horn cap into which I have bored new guide channels, made two pins from smoked bamboo, then finally restringing the whole thing. Now working again. After repeated cleaning of centuries of gunge it actually begins to look good, another piece of history saved from being junked!?!?

Hi Jo, It's a copy of a Japanese registration paper from Shiga Prefecture for a Wakizashi. It mentions the registration number, the sizes and the Mei ('something yoshi?) which is almost unreadable. These registration papers make no judgement on quality or authenticity, and have to be surrendered (deregistered) before a blade leaves Japan. All we know is that this blade is (or was) legally registered at the end of last year in Japan.

Possibly these are quails in millet, Chris.

To-so-gu Yu-hin Zufu To-so-gu no Kansho By Sho-yu-kai

Reasons from the NBTHK are like hen's teeth, Alex. Very valuable if you find one...

Very pretty job, Jan. It looks almost like an apple! You had to make an extra large cap to cover the two string holes. It looks like an earlier type, before the evolution which led to exterior pin fixtures. I have a couple of these intermediate examples. Perhaps someone should write a paper on this... Welcome to the 'Rescuing History Party'!

Even the local NBTHK chairman who had recommended sending it to shinsa was surprised.

This is not an easy question to answer, Brian, although you have partly answered it yourself. I remember my mother saying that I was the diplomat in the family. (One older and one younger brother, and various other step brothers and sisters.) Most of my Japanese friends will say no, quite clearly, and my wife is particularly cut-and-dried in her manner of refusal. I always try to keep a margin or cushion in my personal relations, avoiding conflict as much as possible. I realize that I have not answered your question, but let's just say it's something I am working on!