Prewar kokuho and Juyo Bijutsuhin

[Brian]

This added from Stephen T:

 

  mdiddy said:

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the documents on NT and IAO you compiled from the Nat'l archives here: http://www.militaria.co.za/articles/WW2_Archives.pdf. It made for some very interesting reading and interpretation of typos.

 

I could not find any description of the Honjo Masamune mentioning the presence of its having a bo-hi.

 

Matt,

You and everyone else is also welcomed for the information. I am more than happy to share.

There is a book called 続泰平年表 1 - and the hi is mentioned on Page iv.

此時御刀〈本庄正宗長二尺八寸、樋埋身、御栴菊桐御紋

 

The book and its contents can be found on "Google books."

 

  mark said:

Stephen T,

 

How about this: I invite you to the Chicago Sword show. See http://www.chicagoswordshow.com I will give you a complimentary display table. You will have in attendance most all the North American "sword experts" who could examine it. Also in attendance will be most of the serious sword collectors and dealers who would be in a position to offer you a fair "reward" if you wish to sell the sword. This is an opportunity to display and educate a large number of collectors and also receive a number of competitive offers all in one place. If you are interested contact me and I will make the arrangements. Several NMB members will be in attendance and can report on their thoughts confirm your research after seeing it which should enhance your opportunities to market the sword for maximum "reward"

 

 

Mark,

Wow, That's terribly kind of you to offer this. One thing worries me. That is trying to educate experts...... As you can see on here, there are experts who have read the Meibutsu cho, take it as gospel, and can’t see anything else.

Unfotunately I cannot travel without getting DVT. Blood Clots.

Japanese history and oshigata are not all correct.

Ok, I hear the laughing!

A very good experiment is if you try comparing Tsuguhira oshigata with the actual swords in museums. I’ll tell you outright , they don’t match. The hamon seems to be the only comparable trait.

There were things hidden on purpose. At first I thought things were hidden to conceal the truth for protection of the item. Could be….

A Japanese sword dealer explained to me concerning the old oshigata that there were two different types of oshigata.

One is “Sha-I 写意”( copy the meaning, expressing essential points of objects or painters mind), the other is "Kei-ji 形似" (copy the shape of object as it is).

The Sha-I method is like the drawings found in Tsuguhira oshigata. The dealer said this type is the persons artistic impression.

What is written in meibutsu cho could be an artistic impression of the writer.

The writer could be saying to him who knows, let him understand.

Why do I think the meibutsu-cho is incorrect?

According to the records of Homma Junji given to me by Dean Hartley, the Honjo Masamune is a much different sword then what one would think.

When the Honjo was given Kokuho, Dr. Homma was one of the panel members.

Dean was given photos of Honjo Masamune by Homma Junji and they had lengthy conversations about it and Masamune in general.

The only complaint that Dean had was that he did not know Honjo Masamune had a mei. He continued by saying “it is funny that that mei on your sword is exactly the mei that Masamune was known to have signed.” Dean agreed to sell me the photos if the sword matched his photos. He stated it was his opinion they did. Every point was confirmed with him including the Shiri, sori, nobiru tip, ubu tang and the hi. Dean said the Honjo was really a tanto but of Wakizashi length made in shinogi tsukuri. He said quietly, “that was a secret.”

The mei was not understood so he wanted to contact a “friend” about this question. This friend’s name will not be given. All of you know and respect him highly.

After calling Dean back the next week, his voice was trembling. Something was not right. He would not talk to me anymore about the sword. He sounded afraid.

  b.hennick said:

Great offer Mark! I will be at the show and I would be delighted to look.

 

Barry,

Anytime you are in my area, you would be more than welcome to hold the sword.

  Brian said:

Stephen,

 

Yes, the national Archives info was fantastic, we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for that info.

Can you at least tell us if you are still working on behalf of someone else who owns this sword, or if you are representing yourself now?

Enquiring minds need to know

Brian

 

Brian,

You owe me nothing for the National Archives info. There were many more pages to copy and there are records in the form of microfiche that tell what swords were lost by which families / provinces. There were many more Kokuho and Jubun lost than people know. There were other treasures lost besides swords. These included paintings, tea utensils, and other things. Many were destroyed in the bombings but war boys also took these artifacts home.

-I am no longer working for anyone. The sword was turned over to me completely recently.

 

If anyone has not seen my videos on youtube, do take a look.

Thank you all, Stephen

 

I am tentatively unlocking this, but only for posts that are completely relevant and on topic (the original topic, or this one)

I will delete any posts that stray from this.

[cabowen]

This Honjo Masamune debate has nothing to do with the question I asked to start this thread. Any chance the whole Honjo thing can be moved to its own thread?

[Brian]

I'll attempt a split tomorrow...a compicated one.

 

Brian

[Wah]

  cabowen said:

This Honjo Masamune debate has nothing to do with the question I asked to start this thread. Any chance the whole Honjo thing can be moved to its own thread?

 

Chris,

I am sorry for this, I really should have said nothing. I am grateful you asked the question you did though. The answer that Guido gave helped clear things up. Best Wishes, Stephen T.

[vlado]

Greetings.

My opinion to mr. Chris Bowen question.

I think if someone owns a legal documents of item, For example-ownership of great great parents and posesion of item and its history. I Think that they are the true owner.( this is, in theory, in practice it can also be otherwise)

 

Stephen T,

I've watched your you tube comparison with old scroll oshigata picture but I dont see yours prfect match. I think that you position of yokote is on wrong spot.

If you put yokote in line then you get a different result.

So I do not really understand your findings.

I did not want to offend anyone this is just my opinion.

Sorry for my bad english.

Best regards

Miha G.