Baka Gaijin

Hi Jean I wonder how SAMURAI measured the weight of their blades...... https://www.nippon.c...n/Japan-data/h01561/

Synchronicity Oyabun The images are very interesting. If you go to the full site there's a whole section about how am important artifact was buried at the end of the war, for fear of desecration, and later discovered in the 1950's and restored by the US Army.

Just a quick thought, some Shrine and Temple precincts have mid week flea markets. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Narita City does. Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto does.

Hi Alex, Try Tobiguchi.

This may be of interest 21 pages of Interesting Pre - War Photographs of what became Camp Zama. Courtesy of U.S. Army Japan Website https://www.usarj.ar...1935_1945_202101.pdf

Biggest in Tokyo is Oedo Sunday Market at the Tokyo International Forum - Yurakucho Station 1st stop on the JR Yamanote after JR Yamanote Tokyo Station 1st and 3rd Sundays weather permitting. https://www.antique-market.jp/english/ And definitely echo what Brian said about prices and origin of some items.

Back in the late 1960's, what passed then as Iai/Batto Training swords available in the UK from a certain entrepreneurial supplier came with Tsuba of an Ersatz Sanmai construction. The core was really soft and low melting point metal with two stamped sheets of thin copper like metal which was "paint gilded" to look the part.

Broken blades in Musha - e (Warrior) prints are often treated as symbolic of the last stand, or the Nobility of Failure as the late Ivan Morris so eloquently described. The Utagawa group of artists often portrayed examples of swords broken amid a hail of arrows. The various renditions of the The Tales of the Heike, including The Last Stand of the Kusunoki at Shijo Nawate or the exploits of the Soga Brothers are good sources of research for this.

Warrior prints like this are known as Musha-e (武者絵) Artist is Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川 国芳) 1798 - 1861 Series is called: Seichû gishi den Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai (The 47 Ronin) These look to be 1970 to 1980 printing. The originals were printed between 1847 and 1848 with the story line of each character above and to the side, with Censors seals etc. I'm going from top left to right: Nakamura Kansuke Tadatoki (中村諫助尾辰), the historical Nakamura Kansuke Masatoki, amid a hail of flying firewood, his foot on a bale of charcoal Yata Gorôemon Suketake (矢多五郎右衛門祐武) running among pieces of a broken shoji and scattered flowers, his sword raised with both hands Yoshida Sadaemon Kanesada (吉田定右衛門兼貞) cutting arrows in flight Lower row from left to right: Tomimori Suke-emon Masakata (富守祐右衛正固), his sword raised with both hands as a brazier and burning charcoal are thrown at him Aihara Esuke Munefusa (相原伊助宗房), the historical Maebara Isuke Munefusa, his sword raised with both hands, running over a fallen screen, two women’s pipes and other objects flying

Maybe allow the dogsbody to practice cutting signatures......

You can always count on us 'originals' Stephen...we have got your back. Ditto that Oyabun

This article may be of interest: https://www.seidoshop.com/blogs/the-seido-blog/30-the-origin-and-manufacture-of-the-iaito#:~:text=Visits to the workshops Minosaka,enacted after World War ll.

It looks like the items for the old Tango no Sekku display, usually accompanied by a formally presented bow and arrow. Both supported on a Kake and meant to sit left and right of a boys day armour.

Mokuhankan is a marvellous shop in Asakusa. It is owned by David Bull. David is an extraordinary Artist and his creation of Mokuhankan is a peaceful and inspiring space amidst the hustle and bustle of Asakusa.

Hi Justin, There are opinions that it was lighter to lug around. Also some came with a leather or oiled cloth foul weather cover for the tsuka. Here's a mine of information for you to start digging: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html

Only just noticed that Kuniyoshi's depiction of Hazama Kihei Mitsunobu (Yama Kihei Mistunobu) has what looks very much like an Ainu Pattern Cowl. Kuniyoshi was known for his eclectic interests including Western Perspective, Dutch Old Masters and Cats Any Thoughts on this?

Hi John, Using my Acme X-Ray Spex There is a Mekugi ana visible just under the first crossover of the itomaki.

Hi Simon, Not sure I get the sense of the message to Jaques D Japan Sword Company is Inami San in Toranomon. Aoi Art is Tsuruta San in Shibuya.

A few snaps from the current Horimono exhibition at the NBTHK Hakubutsukan in Tokyo. Photography is allowed, just no Flash.