Jesper

Thanks for tip. It normally works for me, but not this time. Jesper

Very nice Seljo tsuba! Thanks for sharing. I have enclosed a photo of the back side of my Masayoshi tsuba, showing branches and leaves. BTW. I am organizing a translation of a Japanese book on Ito Bushu tsuba. If you are interested in participating, please see my announcement in the translation section: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20377 Thanks Jesper (For some reason I cannot place the photo inline, sorry).

Thanks Brian. Good idea! I have found these copies: USA: http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b107-tsuba-ko-bushu-ito-ha-akimoto http://www.shibuiswords.com/bushuitoha.htm Japan: http://www.koshoyama.com/token.htm Book no.24367. Jesper

Hi all, I am planning to commission a private translation of the textual parts of Tanko Bushu Ito-ha by Kasahara, Arai and Akimoto (1999) and am looking for others to participate. It is a A4 size Japanese language reference book on the Ito Bushu school of tsuba artists, illustrated with approx. 200 b/w photos and signatures. The translation is not a violation of the authors copyright, since it is your own private translation of the text, which has to be used together with the Japanese book. The book can be found on different dealer sites on the web. Markus Sesko has agreed to translate the text. The following conditions apply: - It is a private translation agreed upon by you and Markus Sesko. Markus will send you the translation when it is finished. I am only co-ordinating the work. - Markus will only translate the text, i.e. not publish the photos. The text supplements the Japanese language book and does NOT replace it. - Each translation will bear the name of the participating party. - It’s for your private use only. Not for commercial use. - Payment, see below, in advance is to be made to Markus. He will send instructions for payment. Price: The price depend on the number of participants. If we for example are 10 people commissioning the translation the price will be 75 Euro (+shipping) per person. If we are more the price will be less, e.g. 38 euro per person (+shipping) if we are 20 people. You first have to decide when I know the total number of interested persons and can calculate a price. If you are interested to participate please send me an email at: jesper.paasch “att” telia.com and I will get back to you when I know the total number of participants. Thanks! Jesper

Many thanks to the organizers and all making it a very well organized and enjoyable event. We are looking forward to future events on the British Isles!! Jesper and Anna Sweden

Thank you very much Mike I have used Haynes as index for Wakayama, but a separate index is much appreciated. I am also willing to help with a donation! Just send a PM. Thanks again, Jesper

Hi all, Here is another rather nice Ito Bushu tsuba with well carved floral design. Signed Bushu ju Masayoshi Saku. He was the 4th generation Ito Bushu master, lived Enkyô 3 (1744) to Kansei 8 (1796). Jesper

Take care of yourself, Paul, and speedy recovery. Enjoy two weeks of doing nothing. Nothing really matters except health... Jesper

Thank you for letting us know. It was a very nice exhibition. I would like to buy a copy. Any information is much appriciated. Jepser

Thank you. Much appriciated BTW, there was an interesting article on cutting tests by Imoto Yûki in the NBTHKs Tôken-Bijutsu journal, volume 3, 2013: Essay on cutting tests with several stacked bodies. Jesper

Guido: Thank you for the pictures.What publication do they come from? Thanks in advance. Jesper

Thank you Alex and Markus :D :D !!! The book is on my shopping list! Jesper

Hi all, I am looking for information on Kaga Harima Daijo no Kiyomitsu. Fujishiro´s "Nihon Shinto Jiten" does not mention his school, only that he is not the same smith as Hinin Kiyomitsu in Genruko period. Nagayama mentions in his ”The Connoisseurs Book on Japanese Swords”, p. 245, that a Kiyomitsu school was active in Kaga province in Shinto times, and that it was related to the Fujishima school (founded by Fujishima Tomoshige in the Nanbokucho period) but does not provide any more information. I could not find any reference to a specific Kiyomitsu school elsewhere, but there were several Kiyomitsu working in Kaga in Koto and Shinto times. I would appreciate additional information and references on him, his lineage and affiliation with the Kaga Fujishima and Kiyomitsu schools. Thanks in advance. Jesper

Hi all, I would like to ask for information on a pair of mouse-themed tanto menuki. They are a little worn, but the minute carvings are still visible. I do not know if they are signed. The alloy looks like shakudo, with gilded eyes and back and very long tales. Total length is ca 3.6cm. They are rather thick. Any input on school, etc. is much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jesper P.

Dear Christan Thank you! Much appreciated. Jesper

Hi all, I am looking for information on Tochibata tsuba. The Toshibata guys were a small group of artists whose work resembles Owari sukashi tsuba. A rope rim is typically for the school. They were originally a family of horse bit makers who made tsuba as a sideline. See example below. I only have the above information on them. Does anyone have additional info. and/or references? Thanks in advance. Jesper

I will also be there on Friday. Jesper

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. A possible inscription to Marici is interesting. Marici/Marichi-Ten, being of Indian/Brahmanic origin, is the Goddess of Light and a deity of martial aspects and was a patron of the samurai. She is also called the Queen of Heaven. Marichi was also worshipped by the merchant class as a goddess of prosperity and wealth in the Edo period, but it seems unlikely to me that this horimono was made with the merchant class in mind. It´s to old for that. The tanto is signed Soshu no ju SukeHiro. It has a sayagaki by Dr. Homma (from 1984) stating that the tanto is made by the SukeHiro who was active in the Bunmei era (1469-1487). He is according to Fujishiro´s ”Nihon toku Jiten” known for making horimono on his work. I believe the horimono to be original and not a later addition. It would otherwise probably be in a better condition. Thanks again Jesper

I would greatly appreciate any help translating two horimono on a koto tanto, one on each side. The kanji are very tired due to polishing during the centuries. I do not think they are random characters for decoration purposes, but maybe a poem or similar. I know they are very faint, but am grateful for any help Thanks in advance. Jesper

Excellent glossary! Thank you very much! Jesper

For our Swedish members: The Swedish Red Cross has launched a website where you can make donations (Swedish language only): http://www.redcross.se/stod-oss/fler-sa ... n/?id=1453 Jesper

Just for reference, here is an early hakogaki by Dr. Torigoye, dated “a lucky day in July 1958” (Showa 33). Jesper

Here are some close-ups of the koshirae and some pictures of the tanto. The tanto is signed Muneyoshi. I do not think it is the famous Muneyoshi (student of Masamune), but either a gimei or some other smith. The tnakago is ubu. The blade has been polished a lot and the three hi are almost gone. The hada is not clearly visible, but it seems to be itame-hada. The hamon is not visible. Unfortenately, the blade has a large ware in the mune area on one side. The blade is 22 cm. I was also thinking that the koshirae might be Ainu. Maybe even of Chinese origin, but it does not seem too likely with the Japanese blade. Any comments are welcome! Jesper

Yes, it is Japanese. It came with a small, ubu, uchi-sori tanto and habaki. The tanto is worn but seems to be from around mid to late Kamakura. I do not believe it to be a Shinto or Shin-Shinto copy. The hi (two on one side and one on the other) are almost polished down and the nakago looks old. I cannot see any details in the blade, it needs a polish. I have never seen such a mounting before, myself. I think it is more interesting than pretty. Thanks for your interest! I will post some pictures of the koshirae and tanto later today. Jesper

Hi all, I would like your opinion on a rather strange aikuchi koshirae. The surface is covered with samé and thin sheets of shells(?). The end of the saya is covered with samé tied into a knot. The total length is 34 cm. Some parts are missing, but it seems that the whole surface has been covered. Has anyone seen this type of mounting before? Is it an late Edo / Meiji export mounting? Thanks in advance. Jesper