Baka Gaijin

Hi Bruce., I've also seen white wrapped tsuka. I was told it was done to preserve the itomaki and in some cases there was an aspect of spiritual purification involved.

Hi Ray, The outer looks like an elongated version of the Kamon Matsu Kawa Bishi ("Diamond" Rhombus form - Hishi gata). The inner looks like Maru Ni San Go San Kiri (Three Five Three petal Pauwlonia within a circle). Hi Neil., The central Kamon looks like Maru Ni Katabami (Creeping Wood Sorrel within a circle). The outer pair are a little unclear, but as it is a Kai Gunto, probably the standard Maru Ni Yamato Zakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom witihin a circle)

Hi Christian., My immediate concern is the top of the stand itself where the flat angles of the boards will meet with the Helmet liner (Ukebari). I would put some padding on those corners and edges to avoid the weight of the helmet tearing through the Ukebari.

Hi Guys., The Harvard database looks promising as it will eventually include complete albums from the periods in question: http://hcl.harvard.edu/collections/epj/albums.cfm

Hi Dave., The image of the Togishi you posted is believed now to have been contrived for the tourist portfolio industry. If you don't have the link, here's the Nagasaki University Library collection of high quality Bakumatsu period photographs, it is quite comprehensive: http://sepia.lb.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/zoom/en/index.html I've put the filter here for Samurai and craftsman related images: http://oldphoto.lb.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/en/list.php?req=2b

Hi guys I used to have a copy the original big hardback Japanese language book on Gunto Soho, Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu by Nakamura Taisaburo (中村 泰三郎) published late 80's. If I recall correctly it contained drawings for what could best be called a "Stropping Rig" . The rig was designed to be made from timber with two adjustable screw points to hold the blade at a precise angle allowing the monouchi to be stropped. I am pretty sure it mentioned it was not to grind metal but was to even out hakobore. The source of much of the information in Nakamura's book was the original Rikugun Gunto Soho training manual, a copy of which is housed at the National Diet Library in Tokyo (I posted this link on another thread recently, but I think it got missed). http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1460369?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F1460369&__lang=en Note the HInged test Tsuka for Tameshigiri on frame 46.

Hi Guys., Fascinating!! Herewith the Book in 2 volumes that Ford quoted from: https://archive.org/details/myreminiscences04pumpgoog https://archive.org/details/myreminiscences03pumpgoog

Morita san., I have a question please. Why would the artist sign in Hiragana? Was it to display an elegance and sensitivity?

Hi Bruce & Greg., Just an observation, the Officer's type has the push button on the side. As to the practicality of either, I don't know. There was a method of Gunto use devised by the Army known as Gunto Soho, but I don't have any in depth experience of it. Here's the Gunto Soho/Toyama Ryu training manual lodged in the National Diet Library: http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1460369?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F1460369&__lang=en However some of our members practice the modern styles of swordsmanship derived from this and may have the answer. Here's something to be going on with: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakamura-ry%C5%AB

Hi Greg, Late War production I believe. Needs transferring to the Military Swords section, where you will be inundated with facts.

WOW!!!! They have a collection at Tokyo National Museum: Here's the link: http://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/search?q=%E7%94%9F%E4%BA%BA%E5%BD%A2&page=2 http://webarchives.tnm.jp/imgsearch/show/C0098393 I wonder if the colour of yours is oxidation of the pigment? As the ones at Tokyo National are lifelike skin tone. Maybe a choice to go more red to make the Gaijin punters happy?? Also a stylising of the eyes and eyebrows, more like a Chinese Opera Make up? Again, perhaps directed by the Gaijin commissioning the work?? Worth firing off an email to TNM to see if they have any red tone examples and what they think about the stylising of the features? There, you got me all serious and businesslike....It won't Last

Thanks for the clarification Piers. Still a magnificent achievement nonetheless.

I thoroughly applaud Dave for his determination in pursuing the dream and making it reality.

I can think of a few this side of the pond who would jump at something blinged out by that. And they all, to a man, have the title Soke or Professor somewhere in the CV.

Hi Piers., By Okuden, does that literally mean access to the Himitsu? Is Keppan involved? Or is that Okuden meaning entrance into the higher realms which are not Himitsu??

To echo wise old Stephen: RED BALL BAD!!! WHITE BALL OK ish Agree with Thomas et al : nihonto.co.au Pip Pip Cheerio!!

Hi Bohan., Guido probably knows this one's precise name, but it looks like a variation on Inro style, maybe something like inro maki nuri??. Cheers

Hi Manuel., The signature and seals on the left looks like that of Yamaoka Tesshu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaoka_Tessh%C5%AB If it's right, then you have quite a valuable item. However there are many contemporary and modern fakes of Tesshu's work, not to mention modern facsimile prints of his more famous works. I'll do some digging and see if I can find more information for you. PS the signature looks like the style he used in his late 40's early 50's ( See John Stevens "The Sword of No Sword") https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=FLwuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT119&lpg=PT119&dq=tesshu+signatures&source=bl&ots=IdOQWe_ap3&sig=jrcJ45LA4_PFLVUmcutawM3SBeM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO0oGQ9LvQAhXHAMAKHfBJD68Q6AEIJTAC#v=onepage&q=tesshu%20signatures&f=false (See also Anatoliy Anshin "The Truth of the Ancient Ways"). https://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-Ancient-Ways-Biography-Swordsman/dp/0984012907/ref=la_B00765M5J6_1_1/254-6270469-8384434?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479802551&sr=1-1 Cheers

Hi Guys, Paper Mulberry is known as Kajinoha Here's the Kamon sometimes known as Suwa Kajinoha https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_crest_Suwa_Kajinoha(White_background).svg It also comes in a maru ni (Contained within a circle) Form. Here's a few takes on it: http://kamon-db.net/portfolio/kajinoha

Hi Grev., Normal Tracing paper works a treat to diffuse light. Also don't buy photographic lamps if its a one off, just play about with what you have at home, LED torches work well to get edge definitions. If you have some black card, you can play about behind and in front of the diffusing material and get quite subtle tones and shadows on the diffuser which will reflect on the surface. Plenty of small grip clamps like the ones used on files will hold the card in place. Prepare to tear your hair but above all enjoy the process of creating the image.

Hi Steve., Doh!! I did not twig the Amakuni route, even though John spotted it early on in the thread, well done both. I've seen that cherry bark style of lacquer before on items from the early 20th Century. Agree tourist piece, as in the souvenir shops which surround larger Temples and Shrines. I'm thinking 1910 - 1920? What do you guys think??

Hi Grev., If you don't feel it appropriate to do the shoot yourself, the easiest way is to look for a local commercial photographer who specialises in pack shot and product photography. Take some internet images of the style of photography you want and the rest should be a breeze. Reflective surfaces are reflective surfaces whether they are on a sword or a Rolex makes no odds if you are trying to show subtle aspects of detail. I speak here with certainty, having in my previous career incarnation, been a Cinematographer specialising in Television and Cinema Commercials for 30 years. Cheers

Hi guys, Could the Kanji read thus 寳 Takara or Ho 釼 Tsurugi 天 Ten 國 Koku Which maybe sounds a bit like "Heavenly Treasure Sword". Also, the reference to Naritasan Shinshoji maybe has a resonance as the grounds are filled with sculptural depictions of Fudo No Myoo, Tsurugi and Kurikara. I have more images taken at Naritasan Shinshoji, if they are deemed relevant, I'll post them.

Hi Jason., I'll start the ball rolling with Image 1 The top 5 Kanji running down from left of your image is a date: 昭 Sho 和 Wa 十 Ju 四 Yon 年 Nen Showa 14th year (1939) Showa began in 1926, so that's the 14th year of the Showa era - 1939 (Not 1940 as is sometimes easy to confused by adding 14 to 1926, 1926 is year 1) The same format applies in images 2 & 3. Have a try and see if you can work out the dates on Images 2 & 3. This link will help you: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/nengo.htm Cheers

Hi Chris., The Kamon on the Tsuka looks like Maru ni Kikuza Tachibana, and the one on the Fuchi looks to be Kikuza Tachibana. Need clearer images to be more definite. Cheers