Matsunoki

Did he say exactly how he deduced that?

My money is still on re-cycled Japanese blade…..which indeed the Ainu did which makes perfect sense -so the blade could well be that old. However no way the mounts are 4-500 years old (imo)

Fake, as I said on your other post. Why post twice?

@Bugyotsuji Piers, I was not ignoring your ceramic netsuke……it’s just that I know nothing about them and have never even handled one. As you suggest, many (most?) have not survived to tell their tale. They do have a charm all of their own though.

Sorry to say this is not a legit netsuke. It is a low quality “look alike” intended for the modern market. Probably not carved in Japan.You can see the dragons scales have been fashioned using a rotary tool eg a dremmel with a small round burr rather than a sharp blade or graver. It lacks artistry and refinement. I believe this is what Piers aptly describes as a “netsuke like object”. Apologies for disappointment…..but I suspect you suspected.

Then we will never know.

If you take the peg out does the hilt come off? If so image of tang? Its possible it could be a very poor condition Tanto blade in “home made” mounts. Cant be sure from these pics.

Your suspicions are correct. Late Meiji period intended for the enthusiastic foreigners that were around at the time. It looks as if the tsuka and saya are clad in thin pressed sheets of a base metal which would have been brightly gilded/multipatinated at the time thereby giving an impression of some quality. The blades are often just plain unforged steel. I believe the metal used for the mounts is a pewter type alloy. Apologies for any disappointment.

What katana? Is there a blade somewhere? Honestly…..this looks made up from assorted bits and pieces.

The tsuka wrapping looks brand new and not very well done. Not WW2 in my opinion.

It’s perfectly possible to patch up the samegawa if you are careful and use the real thing, not plastic. It can be gently stained to match. Many of the larger missing nodules were often not real nodules anyway but stuck on carved bone that have simply fallen out.

Hi Russ I believe the EU are also about to bring in some totally crazy regulations regarding importing antiques of any sort into the EU. I think the importer has to get some sort of permit and it sounds totally bizarre. Anyone in the EU who has swords etc in Japan need to find out all about this or they won’t get their swords back….so I’m told. It’s aimed at stopping smuggling…..madness.

Thanks @uwe Best.Colin.

Please excuse possible dumb question from beginner….. but is this definitely Edo or perhaps later…Showa?

Hmmm, can’t help you there. As part of the EU your regs will be different but probably still very dodgy. Good luck. Be careful. Best. Colin.

I’m guessing it varies depending on NI vs Southern Ireland. The regulations will be very different. Where are you? In the UK we can’t ship any bladed item. It’s a nightmare.

Hello. why have you posted this on the end of an old topic? Much better if you start a new topic. I doubt you will get any replies doing it this way.

Thanks to our ignorant law……congrats are due elsewhere. Wonderful buy at that price. Ought to have been £10k+ and had it been 18thC maybe double that. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my inner seething regarding this “issue”☹️ ….and nor have I ever seen a Bizen yaki Kirin. I love Bizen yaki…..such a strong understated ceramic. It is also surprisingly affordable…..it’s a bit too wabi-sabi maybe for many?

The wonderful ivory Kirin above just sold for €4400+30%ish premium….and it was not expensive.

Well I’ll join in now. Based just on Piers’ images these are all fakes imo including any wood ones. None appear carved with any Japanese skill or sensitivity. The subjects are clumsily and crudely depicted. The major UK auctions and even the large antique fairs are crammed with thousands of them. Probably carved in China, India et al. Just put “netsuke” into eBay ……and prepare to be very depressed. Compare……(a 19thC carving in 18thC Kyoto style)….a wonderful subject superbly carved and coming up for sale in Europe soon. …oh the pain, can’t buy it☹️😡

Annoyingly 99% of Mei on kogatana blades are “tribute” and thus need to disregarded. It’s just another Japanese interesting peculiarity.

Hi Piers, I I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday nor can I remember peoples names…..not even for 5 minutes but yes I do have an almost photographic memory for images and objects…..where I’ve seen them/similar before, if/where I bought them, who I sold them to, if they were in auctions, even if I simply liked something without handling it….the image will still “stick”. It’s a very strange thing to experience and I have no idea how or why it happens.

Hi Piers, This reminds me very much of the work produced in Ise Yamada by the Masanao school….mid 19thC ish? or perhaps….. https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24456/lot/166/a-boxwood-netsuke-of-mushrooms-by-juko-toshimitsu-19th-century/

Hello again Majus Have a look at this link…… https://www.bonhams.com/search/?chronology=past&query=Jizai All the best. Colin

Very common motif found on many tsuba and fuchi kashira from many different schools and in many different metals. In its many subtle variations it’s a subject that well reflects the Japanese love of nature and tranquillity .