CSM101

Okay, maybe not what you expected..... Uwe G.

Just a tip: when you see a photo or a certain style that you like, why don´t you ask: How did you do that? Sometimes it can be very helpful. Uwe G.

Don´t miss it! Uwe G.

I would not compare both collections. Take them as two opportunities to see high-end Japanese armor. And enjoy it. You can find roundabout 2/3 of the collection here: https://www.nihontophoto.com/barbier-mueller Uwe G.

A few weeks back Darcy had a wonderful iron tsuba by Goto Ichijo on his site. You can find the tsuba in "Iron Tsuba -The works of the exhibition Kurogane no hana" page 123. Since I have not the right of use/ copyright I will not show a pic. But perhaps Darcy will show his photos. Uwe G.

Don´t waste your time with the exhibition. Just some minor stuff. If Barbier-Muller wants some help I can throw it away for him. The catalogue is 35,00 EUR in german. https://www.nihontophoto.com/barbier-muller Have fun! Uwe G.

I have my doubts. Uwe G.

Hope, you can see it. Uwe G.

In the end I don´t want to write too much. This is just a great work. Two points: white balance and depths. I would correct it with Adobe Camera Raw. But this is strictly your choice. Thanks for showing those wonderful photos. Uwe G.

Just GREAT! I will write a little bit more in the evening. Uwe G.

It is one of those auctions on ebay Japan: https://www.jauce.com/auction/m309813516 We discussed it many times, so when the question comes: Good or bad? I give a short answer. And then I would expect a followup question: Why? And then we can start to explain. Uwe G.

No. Uwe G.

Simply No. Uwe G.

Another one. Uwe G.

I am really not an expert on this one, but gut felling is: the horimonos were added later. And you should get the felling the blade were already polished a few times. Uwe G.

Dear members, let´s come to an end. And the answer is: Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi, first generation (TH). What are the points to come to this answer? A dense koitame hada is in other words konuka hada. And in combination with a suguha hamon and Shinto sugata the answer should be Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi. First generation is an extra point. So, congratulations for those with the right answer. But let´s come to the answers: Tadatsuna has a different hamon. Usually I would write something about Hizen Tadayoshi, but Darcy Brockbank already did that and why invent the wheel again? https://yuhindo.com/hizen-tadayoshi/ But let´s talk about the blade. I always thought: Shinto + koitame hada + suguha = BORING! I`ve never been so wrong. To understand why a Hizen Tadayoshi is highly regarded you have to hold a sword in your hands. And when you turn the blade and suddenly the nie start to sprinkle... That´s just amazing. Like morning mist. And not just in parts. If you ever have the chance to own a Hizen Tadayoshi: don´t hesitate. A few words about photos: please forgive me when I do not show more of these. I just make the photos. And if I want to use them I always ask if I could do so. Right of use. I have an archive of tsuba pics, maybe 1.300 different tsuba. And I am allowed to show maybe 100. From the Samurai Art Museum I have the right to use only one tsuba. So, whatever I can show you, I will show you. Merry Christmas! Uwe G.

Horimono on both sides. Uwe G.

Dear Members, for the last time this year a Kantei. Katana, nagasa 68,5 cm, a dense koitame hada with a suguha hamon, signed. But don´t believe the photo. Enjoy and I will give the answer on Monday. Or Tuesday. https://www.nihontophoto.com/christmaskantei Uwe G.

Here you can find the next problem: 2 Katana, both mumei, both Juyo Token, both with an attribution to Rai Kunitoshi. Do they look as if they come from the same man? Uwe G.

The color is a little bit darker as in the first photo from Ian #4. But the color version is for a catalogue. But I still wanted to share so you only get the b/w version. Uwe G.

+1 Uwe G.

I wish I could have afforded this: https://yuhindo.com/goto-ichijo-futakoromono/ That was a quick sale. Uwe G.

Another one. Uwe G.

I hope, I get the story straight: Ott-san was short after WWII in Japan. He lived there several months. He was wild and free and...whatever. And he made a lot of friends over there. One day he was in the Tokyo National Museum. Not in the ususal exhibition but in the catacombs. With the director. He looked at some of the swords in the rack and suddenly the director gave him one of the swords as a gift. That´s how the blade came into the Ott-collection. Impossible nowadays. (That was the short censored version). Is the sword good? That´s how you define it. It is a piece of metal with a history. That´s for sure. And you have to see it in a historical context. Uwe G.

The artefact is now part of the Samurai Art Museum in Berlin. And I think it is worth the price. Uwe G.