Lindus

My old teacher Dr Turk , had a nice Tanto with a winter scene Kinko Tsuba,it also had three other indentical in shape and signed by the same man with the other three seasons shown. Suppose that like long swords the elite would have mounts made for different occasions?.

Not many Elephants in Japan. mark G But by golly werent they popular in Bronze,Ivory,Wood & ceramic production in Japan. Not to many Lions either but mthe Japanese loved em.

I knew that {Really did not $%@&?#} Makes an interesting point though,when we were starting,had no knowledge apart from Yumoto's bible,little money but filled with the need to own one,your way fulfilled the need and began the slow but enjoyable route to better things. Brian is right of course,read the rules and try to put your entry in the appropriate section,also perhaps limit your photographs to just one of each section and check out that something can be seen on the pic as posting blurred images are a total waste of time and space. The NMB is so fortunate to have a circle of members with a depth of experience & study to be admired, they give there time and advice freely to all, below them are "US" a group with a broad band of experience in all field of Nihonto. If I find something annoying I just move on from it, to trounce a Newbe is counter productive to our Hobby as these guys will be at some point be the Chris Bowens or Ford Hallems of the future. {Not meant as a compliment } PS What happened to the Naginata Ford??.

Hi Ford Think I remember I traded you a "Scraggy weed" of a sword which in turn you traded for a spectacular Naginata by a very good smith .

Come on chaps,surely there is someone out ther who can help on this??

Greta stuff Moriyama San,splendid site,thanks a bundle.

Brian My mistake, this should be in the help with translation section,could you move it please. Roy

I have had these two plaques for many years and never been able to ID the makers mark, would appreciate some help with this. They are late work and very fine,never seen similar although I am about to find out that they are two of millions Thanks Roy Found my old record sheet, these were purchased from a chap in Westward Ho,Nth Devon in 1982,he said they were his fathers who as a merchant seaman had visited Japan & Hong Kong on may occasions in the early 20th century. So they must be roughly 80/100 years old at least. Roy

Hi Lindus, ive sent all the pictures ive taken of these two blades to your email, let me know if you received it or could make anything of it. Done as much as was possible Tim and returned with some suggestions. Regards Roy

was the Kassaki or Boshi picture satistactory ? If so i ill somehow resize the other images i have on file due to them being too large to be uploaded. Hell i'll be grateful if someone of knowledge will let me email them all my images via attachment then post it here. I'll give it a try Tim greyman2@endworld.freeserve.co.uk Roy

We are not "getting" at you my friend,just suggesting some options. Check out my pics on my web site,may help in seeing what we need. http://collectorsloot.homestead.com/boot5.html Regrds Roy

USE a scanner.... Try taking some advice on this , we are trying to help. This is called the "Kissaki" and also "Boshi" google it. Roy

That will do my friend, thank you for the effort. {Boy they look uncomfortable} As an aside, dontcha see on the whole that these guys look, well, daft...when seen against the European armoured Knights///?????? Roy

Impossible,again refer to NMB Faq section and download as Jean suggests as well look at downloadining "Picassa", search google for photo shop type options. Roy

HELP, Roy

Hi Tim Your pic's need to be around the 900 pixel mark so the swords can be evaluated, not difficult, just use one of the photo shop type systems to crop and reduce after taking the pic's I use Fine pics but there are many others. Close ups etc, suggest you check out the good info available on NMB Faq section above, pretty sure that taking pics etc is covered there. Good venture Roy

So tiny,leave it unless it drives you barmy,does not detract at all in my book. Roy

Here's an odd little smokers friend. Roy

Welcome to the NMB, you will enjoy. Have a number of collector/friends in Scotland, you may know them as they are in Preston pans,Inverkip,Sterling etc. For contact details PM me. Roy

Will be dropping this and a mask to our local auction next week, have this as 18th century?, the silk insde the mail is sound but faded also has a liner. Would appreciate a more educated assessment of age if you could. Cheers Roy

Your dead right Brian, when I found the "Porn" Saya, I browsed through the Chinese stuff and many had the Sun burst image. Roy

Welcome Cameron Little bit of info on your Mon following Geraints comment. Roy The Sakai clan (酒井氏 Sakai-shi?) was a Japanese samurai clan that claimed descent from the Nitta branch of the Minamoto clan, who were in turn descendants of Emperor Seiwa. Serata (Nitta) Arichika, a samurai of the 14th century, was the common ancestor of both the Sakai clan and the Matsudaira clan, which the Sakai later served. In the Sengoku period, under Tokugawa Ieyasu (who was the head of what was formerly the main Matsudaira family line), the Sakai became chief retainers. In the Edo period, because of their longstanding service to the Tokugawa clan, the Sakai were classified as a fudai family, in contrast with the tozama ("outsider clans"). Saikai Mon {Family crest he fudai[1] Sakai clan originated in 14th century Mikawa Province.[1] They claim descent from Minamoto no Arichika. Arichika had two sons; one of them, Yasuchika, took the name of Matsudaira, while the other son, Chikauji, took the name of Sakai. Chikauji is the ancestor of the Sakai clan. Sakai Hirochika, Chikauji's son, had two sons as well, and the descendants of these two sons gave rise to the two principal branches of the clan.[2] The senior branch was founded by Sakai Tadatsugu (1527–1596). Tadatsugu, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, was charged with the defense of Yoshida Castle in Mikawa Province. In 1578, Sakai Ietsugu (1564–1619) succeeded to his father's role as defender of Yoshida Castle. The Ie- in the beginning of Ietsugu's name was a special honor bestowed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who intended to emphasize bonds of loyalty with those who were allowed to share in any part of his name.[3] When Ieyasu's holdings were transferred to the Kantō region in 1590, Ietsugu was installed at Usui Domain (30,000 koku) in Kōzuke Province, but, in 1604, he was moved to Takasaki Domain (50,000 koku). In 1616, he was again moved to Takata Domain (100,000 koku), this time in Echigo Province. In 1619, he was moved to Matsushiro Domain in Shinano Province; and then, from 1622 to 1868, he was installed at Tsurugaoka Domain (120,000 koku) in Dewa Province.[4] The Sakai of Tsuruoka (which later grew to 170,000 koku) in Dewa Province were prominent in the late Edo period as a military power. Charged with the safety of Edo, they were patrons of the Shinchogumi police force, and were very effective in their duties. Following the surrender of Edo, the Sakai withdrew and returned north to their domain, where they were active in the northern theater of the Boshin War, as well as becoming signatories to the pact that created the Ōuetsu Reppan Dōmei in 1868. The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Count" in the Meiji period.[5] A cadet branch was created in 1647.[6] These Sakai were installed from 1647 through 1868 at Matsumine Domain (20,000 koku) in Dewa Province; the castle at Matsumine was constructed in 1779. The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Viscount" in the Meiji period.[5] Another cadet branch was founded by Sakai Masachika (+1576). Vassal of the Tokugawa – Tokugawa Nobutada, Tokugawa Kiyoyasu and Tokugawa Hirotada. In 1561, he was installed at Nishio Castle in Mikawa Province, and the security of the castle was confided in him.[2] In 1590, Sakai Shigetada, the son of Masachika, received the Kawagoe Domain (15,000 koku) in Musashi Province; then in 1601, he was installed at Umayabashi Domain (35,000 koku) in Kōzuke Province.[7] In 1749, the descendants of Sakai Tadakiyo (1626–1681) were transferred to Himeji Domain (150,000 koku) in Harima Province ; and they remained daimyō at Himeji until the Meiji period.[7] This cadet branch of the Sakai had been created in 1590.[6] The head of this clan line was first ennobled as a "Count" and in the Meiji period.[7] Yet another cadet branch of the Sakai had been created in 1668,[8] These Sakai were installed from 1668 through 1868 at Katsuyama Domain (12,000 koku) in Awa Province. The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Viscount" in the Meiji period.[7] A further cadet branch of the Sakai had been created in 1681,[8] These Sakai were installed in 1681 through 1868 at Isezaki Domain (20,000 koku) in Kōzuke Province. The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Viscount" in the Meiji period.[7] Sakai Tadatoshi (1562–1627) received the fief of Tanaka Domain (10,000 koku) in Suruga Province in 1601; then his holding was transferred in 1609 to Kawagoe Domain (30,000 koku) in Musashi province.[7] Sakai Tadakatsu (1587–1662) was installed in 1634 through 1868 at Obama Domain (103,500 koku) in Wakasa Province .[7] This cadet branch of the Sakai had been created in 1590.[6] The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Count" in the Meiji period.[7] Finally, another cadet branch of the Sakai had been created in 1682.[8] These Sakai were installed in 1682 through 1868 at Tsuruga Domain (10,000 koku) in Echizen Province. The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Viscount" in the Meiji period.[7] PS. From the few strokes that can be seen of the mei,they look typical of the style seen on many ShowaTo, could be wrong but the blade style would tie into that. Roy

Of course you do Bill, take the time to check out what I said re the Japanese military police swords, you may find this adds to your knowledge. Is it possible that with the Officers Tsuba and Saya that these are "Bitsy" eg, put together to enhance the Value?? Regards Roy

Fascinating thread Georg/KM et al. How I regrette not have interest in the past when buying swords from UK vets,many interesting dots of history now lost,I used to advertise and when an offer came in would send a cardboard tube with printed address lable and a ten pound note inside,when the tube returned it would often contain not just the Gunto but medals,letters,photographs etc. Dumped in a cardboard box in the loft it was around eight years ago when altering the hovel I found the box again,lucky that I had bagged each lot and attached a collection number. Some had long gone but some like the wife of a RAF padre who had been awarded a mention in despatchs for continuing a funeral whilst under fire{see below} or the war time history of a Cornish mine engineer who when working in Malaya when war broke out joined the Malay vol: force,then he and his unit with drew to Singapore which was imediatly surrendered,Burma railway,Hell ship to Japan and as a Hard rock miner was forced to work there. The letter from his relative showed that each day he would take out his meagre WW2 possessions,tooth brush,chop sticks et al and sit thinking about it {See below} Odd when young this seemed uninteresting and now is a huge loss like my fathers WW1 naval journal where as a boy seaman he was involved in two major sea battles,Falkland Island and Coronel. Oh for the use of a time machine. Just found this audio from an officer,not sure it will work but if it does it is fascinating how matter of fact it is. Click "gadson" and again,it should play. Just checked and if you follow through it will play from my PC. Also another officers sword and details,just for fun.....http://collectorsloot.homestead.com/swd7.html Let me know if it works for you?. Roy Gadsdon-landwarfare.zip

Another little oddity. Roy