Baka Gaijin

Take a look at the crispness of the Fuchi and the stampings here: http://ohmura-study.net/792.html Also, didn't the original Type 95 Copper Tsuka only have one secure screw at the Kabuto Gane? The secondary screw where one would expect a mekugi ana, was added on the later Aluminium Tsuka models. Also, looking at the extreme close up of the Fuchi area shows something weird, like a verdigris coloured waxy substance has been added in the areas of the Itomaki casting.

The giveaway for me is how deeply indented each the stamps are on the Fuchi.

濃州 Nōshū The old Mino Province (Which I think is now part of Gifu Prefecture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mino_Province This may help: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/minogend.htm

Hi John, I agree Kuro 黒 Da 田 The motifs displayed appear to be two of the Shochikubai - "three friends of the cold season" - Pine and Bamboo, the missing third being Plum. Maybe that's a hint as to what might have been contained within it........

Could it be that the item is not actually in the seller's possession and the "documentation time" is no more than a polite way of explaining away slow shipping whilst the item is being sent to the seller?

Morita san, would the following scan as more correct 5 7 5 morae format Haiku: "Fuyu Botan Chidori Yo Yuki No Hototogisu" I numbered it Fu Yu Bo Ta N - 5 Chi Do Ri Yo Yu Ki No - 7 Ho To To Gi Su - 5 Am in the correct area please?

Maru - ni Narabi Ougi

Hi Antii, Perhaps try Hishi ni Jyumonji Sangi.

Just a thought: http://www.morplan.com/shop/en/morplan/natural-wooden-bangle-stand-wooden-natural-bangle-stand

Hi Salvatori., If it's not contained within a frame, can you photograph the back of the item?

Good morning Tobias., Looking at image 4, it looks as though sand or grit, maybe even tonoko (powdered dried tofu) has been mixed with the pigment of the fish, to bulk it up and separate it from the ground colour which has the flatness and opacity of a water based body colour or gouache.

Morning all, Just to get things rolling; You have Omote and Ura together with Nagasa printed on the sheet. See if you can find those Kanji.

A quick heads up for anyone missing a year: http://www.Japanese-book.com/item/search.php?md=0906 They were all available at 06.29 UK time.

Good morning Chris and Geraint., Call me Ishmael... But, I can't help but wonder if this has anything to do with early Japanese Whaling??

Hi Klaus, it looks pretty close to the root Ma for Marishiten. This might shed some light: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kankiten-idaten-other-tenbu.html#marishiten Cheers

Good evening all, I think the term is Sanmai - Awase 三枚合わせ Awase meaning to clad. Sanmai being three layers.

Why not cover your existing stand with a square of white cotton and hey presto........ instant DTI!! http://www.sakura-japaneseculture.com/the-annual-dai-token-ichi-2014/img_8201/

Morning all, Looking closely, I think it reads Ni Ju Nen - 1945 Which may also explain the loose signature and late war mounts. The only Homophone I can find for Ichi Ju is "Ichi Ju San Sai" - One Soup and three side dishes.............

"Nude" by Murakami Kagaku, which was a controversial image in 1920 has recently been designated as an Important Cultural Property. It's going on view at the Yamatane Museum in Hiroo, a district in Shibuya, Tokyo: 31st October - 23 December for any of you going to DTI http://www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/ http://www.yamatane-museum.jp/english/#menu5

My pleasure Paul.

If it helps, Shiro Kasamatsu was one of the masters of the Modern Woodblock Print movement known as Shin Hanga. He was born in Asakusa in Tokyo and became a student of Kiyokata Kaburagi (1878 - 1972) at the age of 12 or 13. In the 1950's he decided moved from the mainstream Art World to produce self published works. His works are quite sought after. This should fill in the gaps: http://www.hanga.com/bio.cfm?ID=3 As an afterthought, would this be the image? http://data.ukiyo-e.org/jaodb/images/Kasamatsu_Shiro-No_Series-Girls_on_the_Shore_Fukuura_Fukuura_Hama_no_Musume-00030499-030201-F06.jpg If so, its from 1954 and is known as Fukuuru Hama no Musume - " Girl on the shore, Fukuuru".

Morning Piers., I'd hazard a guess he's plying part of his trade as swordsmith and signing with either your name or message of choice, small pieces of discarded nakago which are filed to a small protrusion, to be used as Mekugi nuki.

Hi Ken., I'm reasonably sure that Prefectural level designations can be granted to both the intangible and tangible such as persons or traditions, objects or places. I think they are decided by the administrative department of the cultural affairs office of the individual Prefecture and can be renewed or removed accordingly. On a national scale, it's part of the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT), these links may help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Property_(Japan) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Important_Cultural_Property_(Japan) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangible_Cultural_Property_(Japan)

Good morning all, This certainly is an interesting Kamon (If that is what it is) The elements could be referred to as: Maruni for the circle, Tsuki for the crescent moon, Mitsu Boshi for the three stars in the center of the Sun rays (Ashi) which look a little like the Kyokuko Kamon currently used by the Japanese Police.