Bazza

The Secretary of our local antique arms collectors Guild (Melbourne, Australia) forwarded a query to me from (I thought) a member about a Japanese knife and a (what looks like) a Shingunto. Well, we all know that its really hard to tell much from casual photos of swords, so I asked the enquirer where he lived so I might be able to visit and look at the sword in hand. Wait for it - he lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada!! How he found the Secretary of our little club here leaves me boggling... I guess googling. The question: Is there any Canadian member who could "take over" and field the gentleman's questions??? Thanks. Barry Thomas aka BaZZa. (Melbourne, Australia)

Choose your friends carefully and your swords more so... BaZZa.

Dave, just fabulous to watch your achievements. The Odoshi machine is stunnink!! Its all worth a watch, but for those short on time Dave's portion is from approx. 7:00 minutes to ~11:00. WOW!!! Best regards, Barry Thomas aka BaZZa.

Al wrote: > but no hits... Waal, methinks it needs to be hit with a very heavy hammer, again and again and again... (with apologies to the young man from Balmain) BaZZa.

Someone has been desperately trying to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse... BaZZa.

It appears to be iron - Is it cast?? Has it been monkeyed with?? It seems to have an odd surface and condition. Talk about the odd places things turn up, a friend found a sujibachi kabuto hanging upside and being used as a flowerpot!! BaZZa.

Well, I allus hits google just in case. Entered 截手 meaning and got: 截jie - Definition, English Meaning & Example Sentences dictionary.pinpinchinese.com/definitions/s/截-jie Translate this page English translations & example sentences of 截(Mandarin pinyin pronunciation: jié): 1. to cut off (a length), 2. length, 3. chunk, 4. to intercept, 5. to crop.Missing: 手 The result seems to be close to the subject??? BaZZa.

There is a well-known Kanetaka in the Mino-to Taikan. If the same smith it is late Koto. Pity about the second mekugiana. BaZZa.

HAHAHAHA - yair, I know, but this Esteemed Group has been asked an opinion and we need to respond kindly, never mind what I personally think of such things (shudder...) BaZZa. >> It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop. I like that.

Well... could this be an Island made sword towards the end of Japanese occupation around Indonesia. There are known genuine examples. Consider, the yasurime look reasonably well done, the leather scabbard suggests age, a good fit and well-stitched. The middle character is TA/DA as some swordsmiths rendered it. The other characters are - well, who knows, but the TA/DA is intriguing. Could I suggest we see more pics full length of the blade mounted and bare??? BaZZa.

Saya appears to be lacquered - another good sign IMHO. BaZZa.

Brethren, This popped up in one of many subjects I subscribe to: https://www.worthpoint.com/articles/ceramics/from-the-worthologists-files-a-sumida-vase Interesting stuff. Bestests, BaZZa.

Pete, Absolutely stunning. Mmmmmmm... I'm intrigued - why is the gentleman portrayed on the kashira giving himself a cricked neck??? Moon gazing?? Favourite lady leaning out an upper story window??? A curious mind wants to know (thanks Rick for the saying). Barry (still Gunnadoo) Thomas.

Brandon, I did see your Easter Egg and had a question about it, but I am slow off my fat hakama. I'll get there later today - have to go outside now and continue beating back Mother Nature (the cruellest bitch of all!!!). Watch this space. Barry "Gunnadoo" Thomas.

Alex said "Something I will bare in mind in the future." Beware the naked mind... BiZar BaZZa.

Jean, My real name is Barry Thomas, however "Bazza" (which I render as BaZZa, some as BazzZZzza...) is a colloquial nickname for Barry. See a goofy Australian movie called "The Adventures of Bazza McKenzie" (trailer ). Himself.

Jean, I think I see two characters, but we definitely need higher resolution images - and the "right way up" also helps. BaZZa.

Alex, I wince when I read Dave T's words, the usual dilemma. Jim P above has good advice. My thoughts are it could have been delivered to another house in YOUR VERY OWN STREET or, heaven forbid, anywhere in your Norwood suburb. A mate here had exactly the same situation and door-knocked up and down his street and he did find his missing parcel that way. Keep us "posted"... BaZZa.

Ray, Thank you very much indeed for these images. I have never seen them before. They dramatically show the damage that time and (maybe) modern atmospheric conditions (acidic, sulphurous) can do to a surface condition. They also suggest that some patinas are more delicate than others. Whatever, I'm WOWED by these images. Thanks again, Best regards, Barry Thomas.

Ah gee, I feel for you all. BaZZa bought these and I'm cool with the discussion. Learnt a bit, thanks Curran. Brian I'm happy for the thread to remain if you are as it showcases Ford's great work for those who stumble on the 2-year old thread!!! Joyful in Brotherhood, BaZZa.

IYETSUGU?? SAKU BaZZa.

I've sent a comradely PM to Bruce and just want to record here my support for his Brotherly expressions of love, solidarity, affection and absolute devotion to Nihonto and the friends made here on The Board. My love affaire with tipples began seriously at 18yo when I toured a winery and bought a flagon of "Claret". Opening it at home and taking a slurp my immediate thought was "MOTHER - where have you been all my life??!!" At 74 my enthusiasm for wine is undiminished and I'm still severely in the Grip of the Grape. My next life's passion came with my first Japanese sword a year or two later - hard to remember that far back. Anyway, without being too effusive The Board is a great place to be. BaZZa.

I've acquired one of the most unusual kozuka/kogatana that I've ever seen and wonder if anyone has ever seen anything similar. The kozuka is iron with a dragon modelled in the round. The blade is gold inlaid with a dragon and two seal characters. BaZZa.

Bruce, My emphasis in bold. Generally speaking this is never a good thing to do as there is real potential to damage a good habaki or fuchi. GENTLY tapping directly in line with the blade is a far better idea. BaZZa.

Well Eddie, if you're a young bloke you have a long time to live with your mumei Nobutaka. Your aim is noble to commission daisho fittings and koshirae, so if it were me I would wait and look for a signed Nobutaka, even delaying your trip to Japan to acquire one. I have seen them from time to time. Having waited to to put this together you will be happier as you grow old with your daisho. On the other hand, seeing you are asked to make an offer, make one commensurate with the unknown qualities of an unsigned blade. The sword above that Ray pointed you to is suriage mumei, so is the sword you're contemplating suriage??? There in part is your answer. Otherwise this situation is like marriage - buy in haste, repent at leisure... BaZZa.