Curran

I know the seller, though I haven't spoken to him in years. Didn't know if he was still in the hobby. He seems to pull relatively unique items out of a hat some times. Don't know how he does it. So which was worse: Temple of Doom or the Crystal Skull?

I have not owned such a sword, though remember some impressive tantos over the years that were made by relatively insignificant or Unknown smiths. In my experience it happens more often in fittings. I have a tsuba that I think is by a samurai turned arrowhead maker signing "Kuniyasu". It is done as a Go stone, and about as simple elegant and as well finished as some of the early generation Higo tsuba. The tsuba isn't worth much on the basis of name, but I ran it past Hagihara-san many years ago. It was his favorite of my collection at the time, with his second favorite being a signed ko-katchushi/katchushi with a signature that doesn't logically match anything in Wakayama, Meikan, or the Haynes Index.

I believe the original poster's question was answered: Yes The Uesugi Kenshin example being most famous. I believe there are quite a number of examples in the uchigatana book. Question: Peter, I thought the sword used by Kenshin was a rather long tachi Ichimonji. Would it be considered uchigatana? Never mind. I went and got the book. The 3 or 4 color photo examples of this koshirae list them as 'uchigata' yet the swords in them are all described as tachi {Ichimonji, Ichimonji, Nagamitsu, etc...}. So Peter is correct {as nearly always} in saying this is uchigata koshirae. Not tachi koshirae. Aside Question: Kenhin gave Takeda Shingen a "sword of importance" as a gift later in life. Anyone know what the sword was? If I ever knew, I've forgotten and haven't been able to dig it up this morning.

Other than 2 years of kendo at university, I have never much been a practitioner of Eastern fencing. So I will leave that to you guys to debate. From a cognitive point of view, this is one of the most interesting threads I've read in a while. Ford, thank you for keeping the gray matter alive. Try not to kill off too much of your own with Guido in Japan. I'm not 100% sold on the bones of the hand idea, but I see it and really hope that it stirs up some of the Japanese. I cannot remember the name of the Japanese painter that has the skeletons in kabuki poses, but given did remind myself of other early skeletal perspective like this one by V. Van Gogh: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.j ... 28&lang=en Not trying to hijack the thread here, as much as remember who other Japanese artists were that worked with 'animated' images of skeletons and bones. Again Ford.... "most cool". Keep it up, and have fun in Tokyo. Curran

More elephant menuki- this time in shakudo:

I would agree. Nice tsuba that doesn't require much cleaning. It reminds me a bit of one of the Shoami from the Sasano books. Theme is different, but feel of the design perspective is the same to me.

Ford, If Malcolm's answer is the correct one, it will be very interesting to see illustrated. Looking forward to it.

Very common actually. Or at least they go all the time on Yahoo!Japan. What surprises me is that someone paid for it what they did.

Chris, Thank you for explaining. Got my brain determined it was a place, and went charging off that way. If it were entirely in my control, I would set about considerably more time studying the Japanese Language and practicing Cello. In my relatively novice understanding of both, there is the greatest respect for those of you who know so much more. If you tell me you play the Cello well.... then I doubly humbled. Thanks again, for the Kishu assist and this.

*Sigh*. I was reading the description of a tsuba as best I could (hence the sigh... for what Japanese I learned and how much I have forgotten, -shame on me...) The description says "桜花の図". Going through my list of Kuni, I did not see this one. Given my recent experience with the alternative read for 'Kishu', I guess this is another where I need ask for help from the better students of Japanese or the native readers. What kuni is: "桜花" ? The tsuba looks like Higo derivative work, but it isn't quite up to snuff in terms of execution. Curran

I haven't been able to find the thread where Morita-san says that the use of the 10-stroke 'Ki' is an alternate read for 'Kishu'. Morita-san also seems to currently be on vacation or MIA. Photos should be attached. One photo is mid-clean up. After a bit of minor cleaning with ivory- I think Chris is right that the second character suddenly looks a lot more like "-shu" to me. Not sure what cleaned off, but my eyes see it differently now. Anyone else able to suggest a different reading? As the tsuba looks like a little late Edo Bushu-Choshu mix of work (like Kiyotaka or such work), I am wondering why it is signed 'Kishu'. If Kishu is the final vote, then I need to take it to the Kodogu discussion section and reason out why it looks nothing like the Kishu examples I've been able to find. Anyone have more information about Kishu work? I only have two sources.

Kinai would have been the easy answer, but tsuba hardly seems kinai to me. I could be wrong as it a school I tend to avoid. Will try to post a photo tonight.

Chris, Thank you for the clarification. I had not seen the previous discussion by Morita-san. The second character is hard to imagine as 'shu'. It is basically a deep cut two stroke character with the second stroke being a strong J. I will try and take a picture of it.

Chris, Bear with my limited Japanese for a minute: Can you elaborate how you get 'Kishu'? The first character is clearly cut, 10 strokes, as per the references (Haynes Index and others) It is the second one I am having trouble with, and how to read them together???

I've been looking at a curious little tsuba of Iris theme. Sorry I cannot provide a photo of the signature. Signature is very small and thin but deep strokes. Attached is the signature. The first character is clearly that which see as part of the 'Kinai' signature, and can be read many ways. How would it be read in conjunction with the second character? Please see scan. Forgive the poor handwriting, as I clipped myself while cutting the yard and hedges yesterday.... not all fingers functional today. Curran

Whale menuki exist. I've seen them, just as I have a nice whale tsuba and two or three nice whale kozuka. I don't collect menuki at all, but on some level have always been tempted by this set: http://js-samurai-art.com/SHOP/30006.html Maybe just makes me hungry....

Interesting design as the tree branch nearly 330 degrees the tsuba. Usually it is 270 degrees at most. If you are willing, please share measurements... especially thickness to as precise as possible. Don't knock the 4th and 5th gen guys, as the school bifuricated. You have heavy hitter Tadashige and a few others in there.

Doesn't seem to be much Nihonto in it, other than a Juyo Norimitsu.

Yep... no mention of "Ko-Akasaka" or a specific attribution. In NBTHK parlance, take this to mean they think it is 4th generation or later. I went and took a quick look. Papers for 2nd generation hereditary master would probably read 'nidai Tadamasa'. **Would love to see a photo of the tsuba if you want our peanut gallery opinion.*

Odd menuki: The very very first sword I ever owned was a wakizashi in koshirae falling apart. The menuki were not high grade, but the theme was "foreigners drunk underneath modern street lamps at the cherry blossom festival" I kid you not!! Hilarious little menuki. I sold them, not knowing how unusual a theme that was....

To some of the people more experienced with the NBTHK: Have you seen before NBTHK papers to "Ko" Myochin? Unlike Ko-tosho, ko-katchushi, and ko-kinko, I do not recall seeing older Myochin tsuba papered to anything other than "Myochin". Recently a tsuba popped up with "Ko-Myochin" papers and it prompted this question. Anyone have NBTHK papers or has seen before an NBTHK paper attributing to 'Ko-Myochin'?

--sorry-- . Had to pull the photo. Pending owner's permission, I'll share the waterwheel Yagyu tsuba photo then.

Someone was looking hard for copies of Fujishiro a while back. They wrote me a few times, but I didn't keep the emails. I wasn't (and still am not) looking to give up my set yet. I did notice this set in Japan that seems to be going at a good price: http://www.bidders.co.jp/item/141157617 Anyone want it, go for it. Just trying to help, as I here these are wicked hard to find these days.

Peter, Al lives in Florida now? No friggin way! Your coast, my coast, or the panhandle? If over here, he's welcome to some cigars out of the humidor if he wants to drop by. An open show should be much better. I know the antique firearm aspect will bring some collectors down from the NE. I'll bring the great great uncle's Civil War Police Revolver for the gunnies.

Best post today. Thanks Sencho.