Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini

Hi all. Hope Brian will forgive this non-Nihonto related topic but it suggests the fragility of the Japanese ancient arts preservation in today's world. I've been advised by Jo Anseew that Muneyuki Myôchin, last master armorer of this legendary family, has passed away on January 17 2011. No heirs left, no students. A loss for whole humankind. And the end of a legend.

Thomas, interesting indeed, considering the importance of Satsuma samurai in later Japanese history. I'm going to ask Samurai Archives for more. Thanks for the hint.

Allow me help to maintain it a bit related to Nihonto

EDIT same pic of your book but from a different source.

because However this works for silk as well. I've posted a pic of a chinese Han dynasty Dao with mineralized fabric Ito, likely silk. Methink both were used very early. Advantage of silk over cotton is to stay tight better in the long run. Advantage of leather over silk is resistance in all-weather situations you typically find on a battlefield. In earlier times it might have been also cheaper. When leather shrinks over the tsuka after being wrapped, it tighten the wooden parts of the tsuka so strongly that sometimes they break (quiet like Samè when a full wrap occur). However when the process is complete it'll hardly move under stress, even when wet of water/sweat/blood.

Assuming you get a fully mounted sword the most common options you have are : a) the sword comes in a polish you're happy with and in complete (healty enough) bukezukuri. You may wait till the next eventual polish. I made this mistake with a Naginata and a new polish was needed very shortly after. b) you send the sword to a togishi for a new polish. You should have a Shirasaya made as well and never return the blade into the old mount to avoid any possible danger of scratching the new polish. A Tsunagi is also needed to maintain the original mount together if you decide to keep it. c) you want a completely new polish and mount. Be prepared to break your wallet, even if you already have the Kodogu. Not common option. Best resting place for a blade is Shirasaya.

Maybe my memory is wrong...

I need to buy a new keyboard. Mine has no â character.... :lol:

John, try a search on Samurai archives. Methink it has been discussed and a 3D skull Sashimono was effectively made by laquered "papier-machè" (spelling?) . I may be wrong, as I really can't find the discussion/topic/post no more. Possibly it was in the old Samurai Archives board. Ian ? Anything emerging from your experience ?

Brian, may I suggest you at least to limit this generic one to Japan and Japanese items/culture ? A totally generic one proved to be the hardest to maintain peaceful in SFI that placed twice the mods the other dedicated forums had. Not sure it's a good idea to distress even more the mods with such a burden.

If you're interested he's publishing his 3rd e-book on Japanese medals. All available thru the above website. EDIT : of course is Rich Catalano, not Rich Stein

You might be interested in Rich's site : http://www.imperialjapanmedalsandbadges.com/

Edit : there were ways to fix the sword with loops of the obi without sageo.

In this case is right. Just suggesting the way other similar items were attached to the obi in a far better way than with a kurigata, as firefigthers tools were..

*This* could be a much better working way to attach such items to the Obi than an kurigata. Firefighter's tools had the same. The other uses you suggest are possible as well of course. Thanks for sharing.

You ate that film because it hasn't Nicolas Cage :lol:

Thanks Piers. Forgot about it. Nice one .

Usagiya ? Methink somebody would place them into the category of "self imposed Experts" too so be not too sure about how they call these Edo items. I'm really intrigued on how the Kurigata would be freed by the sageo that pass into it, to maintain this item tied to the obi, once this item is removed for use. Not smart having a surely not short cord attached to your weapon during a fight. *Unless* they simply weren't meant to be used, as suggested for the laquered bokken.

Ah, skipped or forgot it. I'll make a search. Lorenzo is getting better at his work.

What would be the Kurigata purpose on this... item ?

Piers, now Lorenzo is driving me curious. Any pic of what is inside ? or already posted and I skipped it ?

Exactly. There are people I trust and other that I don't. Keith is one that has no need to post evidences to convince *me*.

Ah ok now's clear.

Pics with the evidences proving it's from the period you claim it's from are now expected as well...

In the meantime we're still waiting to see the above ones.