Baka Gaijin

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.

Good morning all., I think the Kamon resembles one known as: Ishimochi Jinuki Shippo ni Hanabishi.

About 8 years ago, I saw a similar Zunari with the same green ground here in the U.K.. It was suggested that the green was a filler often used in the car restoration trade. It was further suggested that the source of manufacture was close to Kent/Essex by way of the Dartford Tunnel.

Hi Rob, can't say for sure, but looks like the Suya Sho Ten mark. Here's what's on the excellent Japanese Sword Index (With an accolade to Chris Bowen): "Located in Tokyo. This company was used by the Suikosha, or Navy Supply Center. The company made gunto koshirae. The owner of the company was Mr. Shimada. This company started back in the Meiji era and had a long history of making koshirae, including those for members of the Imperial family and many high ranking officers and diplomats." Here's the link to the page: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/logo/logo.htm

Hi Thomas., http://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/27466g1

Hi Dave, here's a full version of the Byakkotai Sword Dance from Aizu: This may be useful: https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue_ruin_1/4839619220 Here's the full text with illustrations: https://archive.org/details/storyofgeishagir00fujiuoft Cheers

The more one delves, the greater the use of a sword in Folk Dance and Religious practice can be found: This is called Oni Kenbai 鬼剣舞literally "Devil's Sword Dance": Where the division between Folk dance and Religious practice lies is a matter for some discussion I suspect. Cheers

Good morning all., 刀踊り Sword dance is also seen amongst men: This may also be referred to as Kembu 剣舞 Single version of the Byakkotai Dance: Cheers

Hi Dave., I think the Mon depicted is actually Gosan Onikiri i.e. 3 5 3 florets. More elevated forms of Kirimon and varients are usually Goshichi i.e 5 7 5 florets (As in the Official Mon of the Prime Minister's office which is Goshichi Kirimon). The difference between Kirimon and Onikirimon is straight forward, Kiri Mon have rounded leaves Onikiri Mon with slightly barbed ends to the leaves. I am told there is Kyushichi 7 9 7 version, but I have not seen one yet Cheers Malcolm

Morning all., Thanks for showing Nick., I've never seen a short Moroha Zukuri. That is really interesting. Cheers

Hi Ken: Plates 32 and 33 (which together make the full image of the tethered Horse and attendants). If you zoom in to the Horses face you will see the bit hanging to the left of its mouth as it has been removed while the Horse is rested (A strand of rope passes across it at about 2 o'clock). Also if you zoom in to the single standing figure on the right, (the one with his index finger extended) you will see he has the Horse Ladle handle in his obi, the bowl of the ladle poking out at the back as it were, like a mini sashimono. Plate 67 shows both, but you do need to zoom in. Cheers

Morning all: Hi Ken, to see a horse ladle and the bits http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2541624 Plates 32 & 33 (From Zohyo Monogatari ) Cheers

Good morning Peter: This may be of assistance: KINKO KANTEI HIKKETSU ( The Key To The Appraisal Of Metal Artisans ) by NODA (Shirobei) Yoshiaki $150.00 Kitajima Choshiro, Edo, Bunsei 3 (1820). Two volume set; vol 1 has 4 chapters of 45 pages, vol 2 has 20 pages. All double-pages well illustrated with woodcuts. Blue daiper-patterned paper wrappers, labeled titles, sewn in the Japanese style. Noda was a well-known connoisseur of the period. Noda Nariaki and Takase Tomohiro did the illustrations. A work on the Goto family, the illustrations show many works by the various masters, their kao, and the hidden or secret points of Attribution. 10 7/16" x 7 1/8" with new Japanese string binding. http://www.shibuiswords.com/Hikketsu.htm Cheers

Hi William., Lots of advice to be found here: http://nihon-no-katchu.proboards.com/ Many members of NMB also, so you are among friends. Cheers

Present day Yatsumi Village, Chiba Ken: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Yat ... 8b45?hl=en Cheers

Good evening Peter., The image you showed has always fascinated me: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... ehokan.jpg What secret are the two Daimyo in the second row party to? Cheers

Good morning Sissara., You might find more opinions by opening a thread over on E-Budo: http://www.e-budo.com/content.php?s=6e2 ... a5917c9493 Cheers

Good afternoon Gentlemen., I agree with Eric, the rust patination looks too even. Cheers

In plan view: Are we looking at the Daimyo or is the Daimyo looking at us......... Is the Kake in front of the Daimyo as he faces his subjects? If so, front will appear back and left facing will appear right facing according to one's position. Think about it.........

Mea maxima Culpa guys., I was in Otaku study mode, not acquisition mode. Cheers

Morning all., Answering my own observation, so to speak, I notice in my snaps, that the general term for the lock mechanisms depicted is Karakuri. Here's an interesting aside to Karakuri and perhaps what happened to many gun mechanism makers during the Edo period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karakuri_puppet http://pinktentacle.com/2006/01/edo-per ... -in-Japan/ Cheers

Hi Piers., You might contact the Nihon Kobudo Shinkokai at the Tokyo Budokan. Here's some footage of Donn Draeger and possibly Shimizu Sensei c. 1970 From 5.20 to 5.54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwKmcbdKKYc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of ... D-ry%C5%AB Cheers

Here's part of the permanent display at the Rekihaku Museum in Sakura:

Here's a selection of Mempo from this years DTI: Spot the School.......

Great work guys, If we can add Kanji or at least Hiragana to the terms it will make browsing the Japanese websites way easier.