Baka Gaijin

Thank You Simon, That's really helpful, I didnt know about the central button position.

Hi John, Could it be a 94 with a later paint job on the Saya?

Hi Dominik, Utagawa Hiroshige Autumn Moon on Tama River Original was c.1838

Good morning Simon, Clearly the marker pen is a depiction of Barad-dûr ("Dark Fortress") the Dark Lord Sauron's central stronghold in Mordor, serving as his base of operations in Middle-earth during the Second Age and late Third Age.

Good evening Gentlemen, The style shown is Yagyu Shingan - Ryu. Here's a better explanation of the style.

If it helps, in 1976 I received Japan Sword Company catalogue by post, as I was searching for good Iai-To. Its long gone, but I do recall the catalogue had a section for US military style swords, sword belts and leather sword bags. There was a small section for desk novelties including pairs of bookends which comprised military Handle and blade, a bit like this: Its the only example I could find online to illustrate. (I ended up dealing with Meirin Sangyo who were more geared up for international orders).

Also Japan Sword Co in Minato Ku was and still is down from what is now the Tokyo Masonic Grand Lodge, at 4-1-3 Shibakoen, which was the former Hisamatsu Daimyo residence in the Edo period. Back in 1945, the previous building was commandeered from the Kaigun and used as U.S. Officers quarters and a club. By 1946, when the ban on US troops having captured Militaria came in, Japan Sword Co under Inami Hakusui started producing the Black Saya Gunto style souvenir swords and they were just down the road. Somewhere on NMB is an article with cuttings from Pacific Stars and Stripes describing this.

Hi Nelson, recently I had a similar problem with a metal mekugi. Here's what I discovered:

Hi Jean Apologies for the late reply to you PM I was over the Hills and Far Away. It is actually by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, from a little known series called "Yoshitoshi Ryakuga" (Yoshitoshi's sketches) c. 1882 http://www.yoshitoshi.net/series/chubansketches.html The charming Yokai scene depicted is based upon the story of the Dancing pot at Ninnaji Temple.

Hi Jean, Its from the series 100 views of Edo "Meisho Edo hyakkei 名所江戸百景" by Hiroshige 1 & 2 c. 1856 - 1859 It depicts the Takada no Baba riding grounds which were set up in the 1600's. Its part of Shinjuku nowadays and about a mile away from Waseda Uni as the arrow flies. Curiously its no 115 of the series of 118!!!

That sounds like Miura Hiromichi https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/contents/craftsmanship/interviews/kacchu/

Good evening, Just a random thought The shape of the opening does not look as though it was created at the time of manufacture as a Saya - Shi presumably would have cut more precisely.

"Thanks for the education Piers, really interesting!" I heartily second that. Am I going in the right direction by thinking that this was worn under the obi, on the right hip, with the top section protruding above and the bottom "Purse" hanging below? Ah, you answered that in section 2.

Good morning Andi and Piers Did the Hayamichi morph in to the Inden Bukuro? "Too much to write in one Post!" Now you've got my interest..........

Good afternoon Mal, Thank you for the excerpt from the Iai-Do manual. Very true statement. For anyone encountering Four Character idioms for the first time, they are called Yojijukugo (四字熟語). There are hundreds of them in popular use. I like Ichi Nichi Ippo 一日一歩 "One Step Each Day"

Piers, as always your knowledge is formidable. The Ō Taku link relating to Late MIng and early Qing calligraphers is very interesting. Might we be dealing with a specific style of Calligraphy inspired by the works of Ō Taku 1592-1652? Much in the same way as some traditional Painters follow the 狩野派, Kanō-ha. The game's afoot!!!

And here’s the last stamp:

Good Morning Minasama, I wonder if anyone can help. This is the kakejiku we use at my Dojo. It is the idiom “Ichi Go Ichi Ei” (One Life, One Chance) often associated with Zen and the Tea Ceremony. I found it in a small shop near Kagoshima in 2009. I think it’s mid 20th Century work. I would appreciate if anyone can make sense of the signature and the stamps.

Beautifully presented Barry Taira no Tadanori by Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847 - 1915) Undisputed master of kōsen-ga (The use of light and shade inspired by western art).

Good afternoon John, The Artist Migita Toshihide (右田年英) (1863 – 1925) was particularly adept in his portrayals of Heroic Valour in the style that became known as Senso - E (War Pictures) mainly of the Sino - Japanese War of 1894/95 and the Russo - Japanese War of 1904/05. Its not really surprising to see the vigorous renditions of combat, considering he entered the school of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) in Tokyo at the age of 17, from whom he received his art name Toshihide. Tsukioka Yoshitoshi is in the opinion of many to be the father of the Modern Manga.

Good afternoon John Its the center part of an unsigned but dated Triptych by an as yet undiscovered artist and shows Raiko (Minamoto Yorimitsu) cutting the head of the Shuntendoji. The circular Kiwame stamp on the right shows it to be c.1824. Here's what it should look like: (Library of Congress database)

Bingo!!! Old Bean My Thanks as Always

Good morning I’m having difficulty working out the signature on this 1960’s Byobu.

Summer grass all that remains of a Warrior’s dream 夏草や　兵どもが　夢の跡 Natsukusa ya/ Tsuwamonodomo ga/ Yume no ato Matsuo Bashō, (松尾 芭蕉, 1644 – November 28, 1694)