Baka Gaijin

Try these: http://www.yamakei.jp/wanokaori/wanokaori.html http://kojitsu-kyo.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2010/01/post-aed4.html http://www.ohtaoilmill.co.jp/product/302/ You might also try emailing Rekihaku or similar in your neck of the woods. http://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/

Hi Alton., I can't quite make out what Kannon is holding in her left hand, is it a lotus bud or lotus blossom?

Good evening all., Regarding the Talismanic aspects of decoration upon Katchu. From my understanding, they were far more subtle and bound up with the particular Ryuha of either the owner, or Han's Oku (Secret, is not quite the term, but close) teachings. Essentially, the real deal would not be so obvious. Dave is on the button with the suggestion that this is a later addition for export. Guido, have you noticed the "Borneo" image you posted, bears an uncanny resemblance to the late, great Walter Matthau.

Here are the Mudra hand positions with English text: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/mudra-Japan.shtml Looking at the position of both hands it looks to be associated to Amida Nyorai: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/amida.shtml Amida is sometimes shown with right hand pointing upwards with no thumb to middle finger connection, as shown.

An interesting object in itself. Reminds me of "How to wrap five eggs": https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Wrap-Five-Eggs-Traditional/dp/1590306198

atypical?

Good afternoon Chaps., I agree, it is a working upon the popular theme of Inari Ōkami, the Fox Spirit aiding the swordsmith Munechika to forge Kogitsune maru - Little Fox. It appears in the Noh play Kokaji (The Swordsmith). http://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/data/program_037.html http://www.the-noh.com/en/plays/photostory/ps_037.html Here's a few more takes on the theme in print form: https://ukiyo-e.org/image/mfa/sc156830 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blacksmith_Munechika,_helped_by_a_fox_spirit,_forging_the_blade_Ko-Gitsune_Maru,_by_Ogata_Gekk%C5%8D.jpg https://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/45946g1 Also on a Tsuba: https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=1600&bih=769&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=lRxSWv3eJ8SMgAawmqagCQ&q=the+swordsmith+munechika+forging+little+fox+kuniyoshi&oq=the+swordsmith+munechika+forging+little+fox+kuniyoshi&gs_l=psy-ab.3...170673.174775.0.175414.10.10.0.0.0.0.141.747.8j2.10.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.6_F4vt8pVM8#imgrc=TkJdPSIMwT7xTM: Here, on a Koh Bako Incense Box (However the Met erroneous names the swordsmith Kokaji and miss the link to Munechika): https://metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/58339

This may be of interest: https://www.mastermeltgroup.com/wp-content/themes/mastermelt/files/documents/pm/ScrapBuyersGuide/?page=8

Hi Rob., With due respect to NMB and Brian. Your request is very specific, so could I suggest that you please check out the Armour Forum, many of the members here are members there. It's a fantastic resource with thousands of illustrations and articles by luminaries in the field. http://nihonto-yoroi.com/ To view the Forum, you will have to join, which is both free and simple. (I did it, and I am not the brightest button in the box....) Then just post images of your armour and you will be inundated by helpful and friendly advice from acknowledged masters in the field. Pip Pip Cheerio

Eureka!! Grey But not quite that easy in practice I suspect. Archimedes' technique first appeared in practical form in Vitruvius' "De Architectura" Gallileo had some input into the problem of hydrostatic balance quite a few years later. Don't ya just love NMB!!

There is of course the time honoured Hatton Garden Refiners method involving a very large toothed file and various acids. That was a Joke.......... I'll take a crack at the signature: - Mitsu Hito (Kao)

Hi Nick., An XRF tester may be the solution to the question of Karat. There must be a friendly Gold Bullion Dealer somewhere in Montreal.............

Excellent Guido!! I suspect you have done this before

Good afternoon Marco & Piers Top printed line of Kanji 鑑定書 says Kanteisho. Kanteisho means an appraisal written in calligraphy. Kantei 鑑定 Appraisal Sho 書 Calligraphy PS not to be confused with Ninteisho 認 定 書................. The next printed group of Kanji 作 者 is, I suggest, Saku - sha which means Maker. The final printed Kanji group 品名 is, I suggest, Hinmei or item name. The Hiragana at the very bottom つばさ reads Tsubasa, which can mean Wing, but I am not sure what it means here. Written in felt tip is 五代 which I think means fifth generation ( Godai or Itsushiro??)

On a slightly different tangent, Eric Hebborn, the master forger, wrote in "The Art Forgers Handbook" that turning the drawing upside down was the way he copied the signatures of Renaissance Artists so that they were indistinguishable from the original. I wonder if that works with Kanji as it's all about stroke direction and pressure.

Anyone spot the Hinawaju?

DTI in November. Great learning experience, and plenty of extra curricula events to whet the appetite. Tokyo National Museum will have something amazing, not to forget the new NBTHK Hakubutsukan.

Good morning Grev., I think that the central Kamon on the Back of the hand and at top of shoulder in the rectangular plate is known as Sagari Fujini Ichinoji. (Because the "Ichi" character between the leaves of the Wisteria is slightly bowed). If it were absolutely straight then it could be Shibata Fuji n.b. Sometimes you will see Fuji and Huji described in English translations for Wisteria, but I think it is the same.

Good morning Chaps., Sometimes what looks like Russet Iron on Katchu is actually a Lacquered finish. I think it is called Tetsu Sabi Ji Urushi Nuri. This link may be of assistance: https://issuu.com/davethatcher/docs/how_do_they_write_those_description

C'mon Curran get in the Dojo again, the only thing that stops us is us. If you feel the itch...... Start of slow maybe and wave a bokuto about where no one can observe. 10 suburi once a day adds up to 3650 in a year...........

Thank you Ken.

Thank You Curran.

But seriously Chaps, it seems many of the major Ryuha adopted methods of defence using the Tsuka to both absorb an attack and deflect a cut away from the body line . The origins of the Ryuha were based, alledgedly, upon practical experience. Ipso Facto, where are the examples of Kirikomi upon Nakago?

Good morning all., I wondered if anyone has encountered Kirikomi 切り込み on the Nakago? Observing that Hyoho Taisha Ryu, one of the Koryu demonstrating at the Meiji Jingu Embu use the Tsuka to both block an attack and sweep an opponent's sword away. Viz: at 3.12, 7.27 & 7.55