Baka Gaijin

Good morning Gentlemen, Please look carefully at the support for the right foot. Looks like a lead based solder.

Good morning Gareth, An interesting attribution to the Ono Ha Itto Ryu. This should fill in the gaps about this fine tradition, which was founded in 1580 by Ono Jiroemon Tadaaki (1565 - 1628), a Monjin (Disciple) of Itto Ittosai Kagehisa (1560 - 1653). It is however not the oldest school, as there are other systems still in existence which pre date it by a Century or so. https://budojapan.com/feature-articles/ono-ha-itto-ryu-yuji-yabuki-kiriotoshi/ Here's how they train: The resounding clash of the blades at the end of the section is from the use of "Habiki" katana, (real steel with no cutting edge), not Duramilium "Mogi-to" which are often used in Kendo no Kata.

Hi Bruce, a Tousu 刀子 is a term for a small knife. Letter opener is a good call. Try searching with the elongated o - Hence Tousu https://www.japandict.com/刀子

Thank you Moriyama San. Once again your expertise comes to the rescue. Very much appreciated

I would appreciate an opinion on this brand name on a cigar case

The following is a bit stage style, but should give you the general idea of how Tachi are worn: This is not real Armour, but modern repro.

You have to go a long way to top this image by Kuniyoshi: https://www.vandaimages.com/2006BD0836-Sanjo-Munechika-forging-the-famous-blade-little.html

Hardly a Wizard....... Merely a Minor Elf........ Jean hit it on the head with the Ogata Gekko Here's a sundry selection of swordsmith prints: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/24549/the-swordsmith-munechika-and-the-god-of-inari https://ukiyo-e.org/image/japancoll/p175-kogyo-kokaji--the-swordsmith-10171 https://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/43542g1 https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/60025319 https://ukiyo-e.org/image/harashobo/16121_3#&gid=1&pid=1 However, if you wish to purchase an Ogata Gekko print, try Hara Shobo: https://www.harashobo.com/english/

Hi Bruno, I'm inclined to read this as Sukemitsu. https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/Japanese-craftsmanship-art-meiji-period/two-bronze-vases-two-pairs-bronze-vases-45/18327

Could be "Megumi" (恵). See this site: http://www.smokingsamurai.com/UNKNOWN_MARKS2.html

Hi Keith, The positioning of a sword on a stand, or even a fan in the hand, within the Household, was indeed a matter of some importance in Pre Modern Japanese Culture. The Sekiguchi Ryu tradition of Martial Arts and other Koryu (Pre - Meiji systems) contain elements of weapons training within the Household. Perhaps research the series produced in the 1970's by the Nippon Kobudo Shinkokai (Association of Ancient Japanese Martial Arts). Many of these are available on YouTube. The Ogasawara school of classic etiquette also detail such matters.

Hi Chris, Keep looking on NMB For Sale section. Most members here are ok. The ones that are not, tend to shoot themselves in the foot pretty early on. Look for number of Posts as an indicator. Good Luck !!

Hi guys, out of interest, have a closer look at the Kojiri, imagine it without the applied Pseudo Tokugawa Kamon. Looks like a repurposed Kojiri from a longer Koshirae. I wonder if we are dealing with early Meiji? If so, then this falls into the category of Hama Mono i.e. things from the Port, made up from bits and pieces to be sold to the Tourists. An interesting piece of History nonetheless.

Hi Johan, Welcome Aboard!! You are very fortunate to have a strong South African Contingent here on NMB. Brian, who runs this Ship is also based in S.A. Enjoy the Voyage of Discovery!!!!

Good afternoon Gentlemen, The image of the Skull Bones and Summer Grasses suggests that the inscription on the other side, is possibly a Death Poem, of either Jisei 辞世 or Jisei - Ei 辞世詠 format. It is beautifully cut.

There is a list of Bonji here on NMB thread title Bonji : Fudo Myoo?

Absolutely Agree. His Urushi work on Saya is also worth noting.

Good evening Gentlemen Thank your for all your comments. The title of the thread was Buyer Beware. As an Antiques Dealer, of 35 years standing, known to have an interest in Japanese arms and armour, with a large Gallery in the City of Bath, UK. I have been offered suitably distressed versions of the type 98 that was produced in Hanwei a few years ago. These new ones are currently available on the manifest of the manufacturer in China, according to their website. The thread was no more than a heads up to the membership here, thirty years down the line, the next generation of collectors will encounter them. I believe that the Royal Armouries in Leeds often includes examples of fakes in its archive, to show as a teaching example to future generations of curators.

Just got sent this link:

"go to the international forum markets in tokyo and there are always nakago for sale. $30 " That sounds like the Oedo Nominoichi (Flea Market), between Yurakucho and Tokyo stations. 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, unless its raining (Sometimes on a Saturday, if clashes with events at the International Forum).

Mornin' Oyabun I know it says FREE SHIPPING!!!!!!!! But he will not ship to the UK. I'll have to make do with the 4,000 sets of original Daimyo Armour worn by Tokugawa Iyeyasu, when he was helping out the Spartans at Thermopylae, that I was recently offered in an email, from Lord Chief Justice Michael Mainwaring V.C. , of The Lord Chief Justices' Palace, 131a Omugo Avenue, Lagos, Nigeria. As I only need one suit, would anyone like to take the remaining 3,999 off my hands for a reasonable price? PS, Any Yoruba Speakers on the Board will understand the address.

Regarding the Kodzuka handles being repurposed. I was told that they were also stamped out specially to be mounted in cutlery sets by makers like Komai in the 1870's. You may find this link amusing: http://www.smokingsamurai.com/KOMAI_OTOJIRO.html

I bought my Borescope on ebay for £5.95. $8.07 US including Free UK Delivery. Comes with a neat 45% attachment.

Used by both Sakamoto Ryoma and Yamaoka Tesshu.

Here's an easy one to take John's example further: Signed Seishu Meiji era Sold for £6875 inc Premium at Bonhams London 17 May 2012