Baka Gaijin

Hi all, Reference to battlefield Archaeology in Japan. The Zaimokuza mounds or some of the skeletal remains from those mounds were worked upon in the mid to late 1980's by Dr Myra Shackley, a U.K. Archaeologist (and Iai-Do student) with regard to wound trauma. http://www.jstor.org/pss/124618 Shackley, Myra 1986 Arms and the Men; 14th Century Japanese Swordsmanship Illustrated by Skeletons from Zaimokuza, near Kamakura, Japan. World Archaeology 18(2):247-254. There was a riposte c.2004 by Antony Karasulas: Titre du document / Document title Zaimokuza reconsidered: the forensic evidence, and classical Japanese swordsmanship Auteur(s) / Author(s) KARASULAS Antony (1) ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s) (1) Unit 1, 63 Jessie Street, Armidale, NSW 2350, AUSTRALIE Résumé / Abstract In July 1333, at the battle for Kamakura, the Hojo Regency fell. Many of the fallen from the battle were buried at Zaimokuza, near Kamakura. Myra Shackley made a forensic investigation of some of the Zaimokuza remains, writing her conclusions in an article printed in World Archaeology (Shackley 1986). Shackley concluded that the human remains were all of high-class samurai warriors, that those discussed had died from head wounds inflicted with refined precision using the Japanese sword and that the evidence suggested extremely high battlefield ethics. My own analysis of the remains suggested something quite different - that the fallen were in fact low-class, un-armoured foot soldiers killed by pole arms, wielded by mounted knights. No evidence was found to support the notion either of exceptional sword skill or of remarkable battlefield ethics. Shackley made errors in her use of interdisciplinary material, and this article highlights the necessity of using such resources with care. Revue / Journal Title World archaeology ISSN 0043-8243 Source / Source 2004, vol. 36, no4, pp. 507-518 [12 page(s) (article)] (11 ref.) Langue / Language Anglais Editeur / Publisher Taylor & Francis, Basingstoke, ROYAUME-UNI (1969) (Revue) Herewith a few other sources: KAWAGOE, T. (1957) Anthropological studies on the skulls of Edo-era excavated at Yushima Muenzaka, Tokyo. Mem. Dep. Anat., 16: 1-18, Jikei Univ. Sch. Med., Tokyo (in Japanese). KAWAGOE, T. (1975) On the Exacavated Human Skeletal Remains of the Edo Period. 302pp., Yuzankaku, Tokyo (in Japanese). KOIZUMI, H. (1979) Stories of the Edo roads-from archaeological research of Edo city. Bunkazai no Hogo, No. 11: 73-85 (in Japanese). KUMAGAI, M. (1958) On the injured human bones of certain Yayoi period ancients, excavated at the Doigahama site, Yamaguchi prefecture. The Quatery J, Anthrop. (Jinruigaku Kenkyu) 5: 78-86 (in Japanese). MORITA, S. and T. KAWAGOE (1960) Anthropological studies on the skulls of Edo-era excavated at Yushima Muenzaka, Tokyo (a supplement). J. Anthrop. Soc. Nippon, 67: 38-56 (in Japanese). NAITO, Y. (1974) A case of lumbal vertebra of Yayoi human skeleton penetrated by an arrow head. Proceeding of the 27th Joint Meeting of the Anthrop. Soc. Nippon & the Jap. Soc. Ethnol., In: J. Anthrop. Soc. Nippon, 82: 109 (in Japanese). NAITO, A. (1980) Edo and Edo Castle. 244pp., SD-sensho, #4, Kashima-Shuppan, Tokyo (in Japanese). SUZUKI, H. (1956) On human remains. In: Medieval Japanese Skeletons from the Burial Site at Zaimokuza, Kamakura City. 194pp., Iwanaroi-Shoten, Tokyo (in Japanese with English abstract). SUZUKI, H., H. SAKURA and A. Ehara (1957) On the human skulls of Edo period excavated from Unko-in, Fukagawa. Proceeding of the llth Joint Meeting of the Anthrop. Soc. Nippon & the Jap. Soc. Ethnol. (in Japanese). SUZUKI, H. (1958) A prehistoric human illium penetrated by an arrow head. J. Anthrop. Soc. Nippon, 66: 113-115 (in Japanese). Cheers Malcolm

I have often marvelled at the fineness and regularity of line produced in Tsuba with ito sukashi. Question: How did they get such a fine and controlled piercing? I've been told various tales over the years, but none of them seem to fit the bill. e.g. A London Nihon-To dealer once told me that the designs were cut larger and hammered tightly to a spring steel shim which acted as the spacer, the tsuba would later be heated and upon expansion, the shim removed. A Sotheby's Rupert said that Ito sukashi was produced when a series of small holes were drilled and a thread covered with Diamond dust was used to cut the design. Cheers Malcolm

Forum minus Ford would be a much lesser space. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo :lol: Crack a few cans of your unspeakable S.A. Beer , chill for the appropriate time and return please. Cheers Malcolm

Hi Bill & Brian, Okinawan Karate-Do, Kobudo Weaponry and serving G.I.'s can be a rather grey area of understanding, particularly during the 1950's, '60's and '70's. Here's a useful link, which may help: http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/001/001/index.html From a practical standpoint, the old Sai used by Farmers to mark land plots etc were constructed in a really sturdy manner, being comprised of one piece forged and split into the cross form, later two pieces of steel were jointed and strongly welded to make the tines and the shaft. From the the '60's Sai were being produced commercially for Martial Arts students, these were essentially made in three pieces and just welded and chromed, resulting in really weak spots, which could and would snap away according to the degree of proficiency of the attacking force against the tines usually (Kon (Staff) against Sai, Bokuto (Wooden sword) against Sai etc.) These items were designed for kata, much in the same way as an Iai-To. This may explain the breakage shown in the image. Maybe best to take Nobody san's advice and contact the organisation in Okinawa direct. Best regards Malcolm

Thanks Guys for all this great input and the links... Can I extend the question slightly by asking if Hagane iron sand were to heated to liquid state and during this process carbon added, to 0.5 - 2.00%. Could it be poured into a mould or former and cooled as a flat sheet of steel, and could that be worked subsequently with chisels, files and saws etc? Also while we're here, were acids used to "resist cut" areas on Iron/Steel tsuba? If so, what schools please........ One for Ford perhaps. Thank you all again for the input. Malcolm

Thank you one and all for the input. Question answered and more questions generated. That's the beauty of this Forum. Malcolm

Here's a question that has been perplexing me...... What is the main difference between Iron and Steel related to Tsuba? Malcolm

Thank You Ian, You accurately described the first Wakizashi I ever bought, way back in 1966. The Same had the large nodes on Katana Omote side and was full wrap with paper packing strips at top and bottom. The Cotton itomaki was about 3/4 of an inch wide, doubled over on itself, as if cotton sheets had been ripped down their length to produce the strips. Christmas Steps in Bristol, £4 10 shillings, I could have had its longer Brother for £6.00, or the two for £10.00, but my saved Pocket Money would not stretch to such grand heights. Just to extend the theme slightly, I've heard various UK dealers over the years refer to Blue and Green itomaki as being typical of "Hama Mono", one colour supposedly being Yokohama and the other being Nagasaki. Is there any truth in this? Best regards Malcolm

Hi Ian, Could you elaborate on your opinions regarding "Rebellion" Mounts please, this is fascinating stuff indeed. Best regards Malcolm

Evening Piers, Thank you for the post regarding disassembly of Tanegashima. What is the large ceramic to the left of the Katchu? Best regards Malcolm

I take your point, I was there once myself, but face it, unless you actually picked the piece up from the Japanese Officer concerned in Theatre so to speak, all you really know is that it was on the sword just before you became custodian. No More. All else is anecdotal. Sorry Mate, but it's going to be a harsh learning curve if you want to truly study a Sword's history, you have to become dispassionate and ride the knocks, it's how we truly learn. Malcolm

Hi John, The cord is what is left of a Fusa Himo (literally Tassle Cord). The two wooden toggles are the formers around which the Fusa tassles are formed. They appear on sword bags, armour and even mobile phones. Cheers Malcolm

Thank you very much for the information, it's cleared up some misconceptions. Malcolm

Morning all, Two questions please: 1: In the case of a plain Iron Marugata Tsuba with both Kogai Hitsu - ana and Kodzuka Hitsu - ana, how do you decide front and back? 2: What is the purpose of the Soritsuno hook on a Saya? Best regards Malcolm

Evening All The Tome Raider strikes again...... :lol: Malcolm

Hi Stefan, Great to hear that you are making a study of Nihonto. I agree with Sergio, use a Bokuto (Wooden sword) for your Budo practice. Most students wreck their first Mogito/Iai-to. A Bokuto is more forgiving, better a few blisters than lost fingers, or even worse a damaged blade..... Gambatte!!! Malcolm

Good Morning all. The Art Newspaper has collated World Fine Art auction prices realised for over 20 years and every year publishes the previous year results together with a retrospective. http://www.theartnewspaper.com/ I regard Nihonto as Fine Art BTW Malcolm

Evening all, The base element of the Tsuba looks very much like Tenpo style with the "Hot stamped" characters Ten, Kaze and possibly Kotobuki. Thanks for a great Forum chaps. Malcolm

Morning all, If it truly says Okinawa Hilton, why not try Hotel key fob, Hotel room Door escutcheon plate for lock, or Hikite for fusuma door...??? As it has a design on both sides, my last two thoughts are a bit thin, so I'll say Key Fob. Just a thought. Malcolm

Good Morning, There is an example with a screw threaded nakago on this site. http://www.japanesesword.com/ REF: Item: 1005gunto8 Malcolm