Baka Gaijin

Hi Ken., Do tell your sword mentor not to be concerned with such an unusual reply, and their "Lawyer" must really understand the difference between Libel, Slander and Defamation when firing Cannon off the Port side. Under which jurisdiction would this punitive action take place? As I presume your mentor is in Hawaii, then they would have to instruct a Lawyer in the United States. No one with any sense would take on the case without a substantial retainer, possibly in excess of $200,000 US. Unless of course you have a relative of this chap in Hawaii: In which case run for the Hills.......

Gentlemen, this is a scholarly forum. Lets not resort to petty insults, whatever language they may be in.

Hi again Sergei., Image 2: The overlapped bars may be a reference to plank bridges https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogata_K%C5%8Drin#/media/File:WritingBox_EightBridges_OgataKorin.JPG As in the Noh play Funabashi: https://onthebridgeway.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/nine-noh-play-synopses-in-one-english-language-blog-post/

Good morning Sergei., In Image 1: I think your Kamon is Chigai Kuginuki. Chigai 違い meaning a difference, like a Chigaidana (traditional stepped shelf). Chigai Kuginuki is the Family crest of ex Prime MInister Tarō Asō You could check out the Asō Clan 麻生 Chigai Bishi would be more lozenge shaped. Cheers

Also he is sitting cross legged..........observing the progress of Battle? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-Four_Generals_of_Takeda_Shingen Artistic licence to dispense with the folding camp stool?

Good morning Mark., Here's two more with the same signature: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n230180033 http://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/m119768911/

Mornin' Dave., Masterly Now work twice as hard................. Sleep is for losers

Thank You Geraint. M

What is a Tosu please John?

Hi Gordon., There are no Censor or Printer's seals, so looks to be a much later impression.

Just a thought, is the Kashira one of those known as Ate Gashira? It certainly looks like it could have an offensive use.

Good morning Chansa., Could you please take some close up pictures in daylight of the teeth area from both front and back. It's also unclear from the pictures posted whether the "wrinkle" moulding on the upper cheek is there on the inside or if that is smooth. Thank you.

Hi John, The first one says Ichiyosai Toyokuni ga, the second Kochoro Toyokuni ga.

Morning Chaps, Barry had it on first hit, The water dropper is commonly known as a Suiteki 水滴 . There are other terms dependant upon size: suichuu 水注, suichuujou 水中丞 (also suijou 水丞), suiu 水盂 or senjo 蟾蜍. The Suzuribako 硯箱 is the box containing the Suzuri 硯 (Inkstone) and other items essential to the process. Now here's a Suzuribako of some small merit... (Click on Listen) http://www.nhk.or.jp/Japan-art/archives/170713/index.html It came to London with the Great Japan Exhibition back in 1982 and is one of my enduring memories of that tremendous collection of Artworks..

Hi Guys., Here's the reference to Horn Kashira: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FmLpLkEj1LgC&pg=PA198&lpg=PA198&dq=using+a+horn+kashira&source=bl&ots=iBdg6jeeHB&sig=oeDe6BnyVXWGfaGXsMne1FFwqts&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifzsaP8snWAhWFnRoKHUFsD9EQ6AEIYjAN#v=onepage&q=using%20a%20horn%20kashira&f=false Sounds like its a Daimyo thing.....

Hi Bruce, Mimi 耳 みみ usually refers to edges, rims etc, mostly on Tsuba but you will find the term applied to Okimono. Literally "the Ears" of an item. https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba.htm Also on a blade, you have an Ear shaped effect in hamon which is known as Mimigata.

Hi Guys., Reminds me of the early Chinese Hand Mortars, does it have an indent to fit onto a pole? Cheers

Hi Uwe and BaZZa, I think it's a rather "wonderful object".....definitely puts a Kapital K in Kitsch. 1900 - 1920? definition of "wonderful object" being "I wonder why they ever made that.........

Hi Steve, in the first netsuke, could they be playing the fan tossing game Tousenkyo? The smaller character has what looks like the block and target in front of him............

Yes Ed, The family name in two Kanji Characters, usually in standard script, easily readable, hence perhaps the desire to remove more than a Kamon which had become more generic by Showa period. Here's an example and note the shape of the cartouche to accomodate the twin Kanji. https://www.antique-swords.eu/P77-WW2-Japanese-Showato-Shin-Gunto-Family-Mon.html Years ago, I was told that sometimes the "Tensho" (篆書) style seal script was used, but I have never seen an example.

Good morning all., Looking at the shape of the defaced cartouche, it may have contained Kanji script specific to the Officer and not a Kamon. (I think there's an illustration of one in Fuller and Gregory) Very nice Koshirae!!!

It was a Welsh attempt at a joke Ken........ Hence the No intention to demean your achievement was intended. "Esguswch fy hiwmor"

Hi Ken., Kodansha? Did you have to read a load of books for it?

Hi Matt, If you can't find brass seppa, leather works really well.

Hi Peter, There's a practical impact thread over on Nihon no Katchu: http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/thread/2054/Japanese-armor-thickness-watermelon