Jesper

Thank you Uwe and Ray. Much appreciated! Jesper

Dear all, A friend send me the enclosed pictures. I can read some of it, but the nakago is very rusted. Help needed... Thank you in advance! Best regards, Jesper

Very nice Kabuto. I am also of the opinion that a few broken strands should not mandate a complete re-lacing. Some collectors prefer pieces in perfect condition, but I actually prefer some minor damage instead of a perfectly restored piece with new lacing. It is however at the end of course a question of personal preferences, but remember we are dealing with antiques. The less we alter, the better. Jesper

If Thomas Hobbes had known a Nihonto collector he might have written less pesimistic about society and the structure of government, appriciating the beauty of art. He may be best know for his depressing statement that life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short (Hobbes, Leviathan, XIII.9). So enjoy life and keep collecting while you can... About Hobbes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hobbes All the best Jesper

All the best, Markus! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Jesper

Payment sent via Paypal gift - Thanks ! Jesper

Count me in for a printed colour copy, please! Jesper

Looks very nice! I am very glad it went to a good home. Best, Jesper

Very interesting chart, indeed! For those of you who do not fancy Microsoft, another software is Enterprise Architect by Spax Systems, an Australian company. You can downloade a 30 day free trial from their website. http://www.sparxsystems.com/ Jesper

Sincere condolences to his family and friends from me and my wife, Anna, who also knew Michael. He was a true gentleman and a fountain of knowledge. He was extremely generous in sharing it and teaching everyone seriously interested in the Japanese sword as an art object. I remember visiting him in Munich where we sat in his Japanese teahouse and had kantei with top-class swords all night. I agree with Paul B. that he will be remembered as one of the great contributors to the understanding of the Japanese sword as an art object and an inspiration to those of us who were fortunate to know him. Rest in peace Michael.

Dear all, I am sad to inform you that the well known Swedish collector (and my sensei) Kjell Lindberg passed away earlier this week. He has not been active on the NMB, but is well know to many serious students of the Japanese sword throughout the world. Kjell has not been able to participate in the Nihonto community for some years due to health reasons. I therefore take the liberty to inform you of his passing. Kjell has been a collector for more than 40 years and freely shared his vast knowledge with anyone interested in the Japanese sword as an art object and was one of the central figures behind the establishment of the NBTHK-European Branch Scandinavian section. He will be missed. Thank you Jesper

Very nice, indeed! :thumbsup:

I will donate a Tsuba and ship free of charge.

I do not think so. My questions concerning the Tsuba indicated that they had in their possession. Since there does not seem to be any change in export rules according to Pete´s explanation, -thank you Pete-, I think that obtaining an export permit may be a policy to avoid the risk of getting items returned from customs and extra handling and red tape. Customs officials cannot likely judge if an item is worth below or above 200000 Yen. An export permit makes it easier for the seller. Has anyone recently had problems taking Tsuba and Koshirae out of Japan in their hand luggage or check-in luggage? In my experience an invoice from the seller has been sufficient to convince them that an item is worth below 200000 yen. However, an export permit would be nice to show a custom official if he/she starts arguing about national treasures, etc. when checking your luggage at the airport.

Thank you for the info. My tsuba cost 120.000 yen, has Hozon paper, i.e. not something you would expect to need export permission. However, I have seen texts like "this item may need documents before being shipped" and similar on Japanese auction sites. New Japanese export policy?

Hi all, Are there new regulations concerning the export of Tsuba (and other Nihonto related artefacts) from Japan? My reason for asking is that I have bought a tsuba from a well known and reputable Japanese dealer. They said they needed to obtain an export permit before being able to send it. It was no problem getting the permit, which took about two weeks. Thanks in advance Jesper

HI all, I have an ink painting on rice paper showing a samurai and his retainer (or a monk / yamabushi?). The samurai is supervising the retainer writing kanji on a wooden sign. Judging from the style of his tachi and armour it seem to be a motive from late Heian/ Kamakura period. The rice paper measures 19.5 x 26.8 cm. Does anyone know what it portraits? Yoshitsune and Benkei? Thanks in advance. Jesper P.

Count me in, too! Have send you a PM. Jesper P.

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. The use of the Hishi pattern may have a connection to the spool design. The pattern was used as early as the Heian period and onwards, especially on textiles, but also on e.g. lacquerware and furniture. Even if the design remain somewhat of a mystery it is a well composed tsuba, I think. Jesper P.

Hi all, Does anyone know what this motif if called? One part represent the end of a spool, I think, but I am unsure about the rest. Thanks in advance. Jesper P.

Very, very sad news. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. Jesper

Vey nice price for a complete set, indeed! I already have them, otherwise I would take them. If not sold here, you should bring them to our NBTHK meeting in Stockholm later this month or in May. I'm sure someone will pick them up. Jesper

I would be gratefull for assistance translating a kogatana mei. I think it says”Higashiyama ju Oe Yasuhira”. I thought for a moment it could be ”Higahsiyama ... Yoshihira”, making it a likely candidate for a gimei, since he was is a high level smith. However, the first kanji in the smiths name seem to be ”Yasu”, not ”Yoshi”. There were some smiths signing with Yasuhira who we know also made kogatana, but I cannot find information on any using ”Higashiyama” in their signature. I may have overlooked a smith using that signature (very likely), it could be an unregistered swordsmith (probably not so likely, but possible) or an unregistered smith specialising in kogatana (more likely) …or my translation is in the woods… (most likely) Thanks in advance. Jesper For some reason I could not place the mei picture inline Sorry for that.

I wrote November 29th in my last message. It´s October 29th, i.e. Wednesday next week. Thank you Andrey for letting me know. Jesper

Hi all, We are at the moment 11 possible participants for commissioning the translation, resulting in a preliminary price of 69 Euro per person (+shipping), if everyone accept. I will close this call after Wednesday, October 29th and discuss details per mail with those who have announced their interest. There is still room for more people, if you are interested (i.e. resulting in a lower price per participant, since we share the costs). If you want to participate please send me an email at: jesper.paasch "att" telia.com not later than next Wednesday. Thanks Jesper