Save the Koshirae

[nihonto1001]

As collectors, we evolve. Our ideals of quality change. Our values change. Our tastes change... One thing I think is in bad taste is putting profitability before history.

 

It just seems wrong to part out a koshirae to maximize profit. In fact, I do not think many fully intact koshirae still exist today, at least compared to the number of blades. How many cluster f-kd koshirae have we seen out there that do not fit together properly because someone palmed the tsuba, or the changed the kozuka? When this happens, history is lost forever.

 

Of course, there are always exceptions. IE, when all but a good tsuba, or menuki remain to a koshirae that is too far gone to be appreciated.

 

Why my rant? I have a couple nice koshirae that I wonder, what must they have looked like before some previous caretaker grabbed the tsuba and/or Kozuka handle. I tried my best to find "matching tosogu", but they will never be historically intact.

 

Interestingly enough, I saw a photo of the koshirae for my Den Zenjo Kaneyoshi with the original Choshu tsuba. I think the previous owner must have sold it off separate. The dragon tsuba and kozuka were decent attempts to fill the gaps. The original fuchi kashira are nice shakudo nanako. The menuki are excellent, residing in a handle with original tsuka make.

http://www.onihonto.com/Koto_Uchigatana.html

 

Is there any sort of unwritten collectors etiquette on this subject?

[cabowen]

I have had this conversation with a variety of people- dealers, smiths, saya-shi, etc. over the years. There are many opinions. One I have heard fairly often is the view that most older swords have worn many sets of koshirae over the years and that parts were often swapped and exchanged- thus it is a dynamic, not static thing. What we see now is just a slice of time and trying to freeze things as they are in this moment is artificial. I guess this is one way to not stress out over it. Maybe the zen approach?..Not saying I agree with that, just that I have heard this opinion, or one like it, several times.

 

I agree that it seems like sacrilege to see menuki ripped out of the ito or a cheap tsuba filling in on an otherwise high quality koshirae. In most cases, I would assume this comes down to greed when the parts are worth more separately than in sum. All too often, it comes down to profit, sadly.

[nihonto1001]

Well, if its the "Zen Approach" I guess its OK.

 

Just kidding, of course. Not trying to get on my high horse, I just think we have a certain responsibility to preserve history.

 

I would like to see if anyone has a papered koshirae they could post for appreciation.

[John A Stuart]

One of mine, handachi, en suite, silver mounts, nanako pattern. John

[kusunokimasahige]

Apparently even during the Edo period some owners had various koshirae for their swords depending on occasion.

 

It is of course a pity that one never finds the matching koshirae for an older blade which for instance is in a gunto koshirae, so one has to have one made if "bored" with the old one.

 

 

KM

[Guido]

Eight years ago I sold a Rai Kunizane katana that had a wonderful, original Edo-Higo koshirae with all matching phoenix and kiri motif. It apparently changed owners a couple of times, and when a well known US dealer posted pictures of it on FB last year, someone had the original phoenix/kiri tsuba swapped for an Akasaka sukashi-tsuba (IIRC) - it simply broke my heart.

 

I'm not one of those "we're all only temorary custodians" esoterics, but that was a senseless degradation of a piece of well preserved history.

[Guido]

  nihonto1001 said:

I would like to see if anyone has a papered koshirae they could post for appreciation.

I posted this one already a couple of months ago, but here you go (tokubetsu hozon):

[Soshin]

Hi Jon,

 

This is an important topic to discuss in my opinion thank you starting this topic. Don't own any to share but have been looking at a number of them online for sale mostly in Japan. This will likely be my next big purchase come next year. The set I purchase will be at NBTHK Hozon level or with a guarantee and I will submit shortly after purchase in Japan. If I buy something in the USA I will likely submit it to the NTHK or NTHK(NPO) if unpapered.

 

P.S. Here is a link to a really nice set on the web: http://www.juyo-bi.com/toppei-koshirae.html.

[nihonto1001]

Thanks for the pics. I must say, I am partial to handachi mounts. However, I never get sick of looking at excellent uchigatana koshirae. However, I am completely impressed by the tanto koshirae in the link David provided.

 

Here is one that is under my care. It is NTHK papered and written up in a Token-To-Reikishi. No tsuba to worry about here.

 

[tony edmunds]

As a logical extension to this historical conservation thread, I'd go so far as to say the Gunto mounts should be kept with sword they came in even if that's a high end Koto blade subsequently remounted in shirasaya.

 

Gunto mounts (while not my cup of tea) are part of the sword's history and were the last mounts made for actual combat.

 

Regards

Tony

[kunitaro]

This is an Uchigatana Koshirae made in the end of Edo period.

All original.

Fuchi, Kashira, Koiguchi, Kurigata and Kojiri, Platns motief, made from silver with Kebori and gold Hira-zogan.

Each pieces are signed by Nakagawa Issho,

Iron Tsuba with gold,silver and shakudo Zogan, and hira-zogan. Signed (Hashimoto) Isshi,

Silver and Shakudo Menuki, probably signed (unknown, maybe Ichijo !?)

Saya is kind of Kebori on urushi, simulated to wood.

The blade is early Shinto "Bizen Shichibeinojo Sukesada". Brand new condition with Ububa,

Habaki and Seppas are also original.

 

Many of these kind of koshiraes were separated, If Saya or Tsuka is damaged, each parts will be sold for very high price...

However, this kind of "Original and Brand new condition" items are priceless....

[Jean]

Lovely Kunitaro san

[Marius]

I have a tanto in an original koshirae. It is such a shame someone removed the kozuka and kogai I will never know how they looked like

 

This is what Danny Massey wrote about it:

 

"The koshirae for this tanto is equally exciting, It is a fully intact Edo period example that would have been made for an older samurai in the sunset of his life. It is in the theme of an old Chinese poem. An abbreviated verison : "Sun sets in the Western sky, Moon rises in the Eastern sky and shines on the entire world many times again, but man (poet) is reaching the end of his life....." We can see the sun and moon on the tsuka and the kanji of "nin" or "man" on the saya. The meaning of the poem adds an extra level of appreciation to the sword as a whole and makes one wonder about the gentleman for which this koshirae was made so many years ago. The kashira and kojiri both have eyelets and retain original Edo period doe skin ties."

[kunitaro]

Tanto Koshirae,

Fittings are made from Shibuichi,

Tsuka and Saya are made from Tagayasan (Iron wood?) with Mukade (Cantipede) made from Shakudo and copper.

Shakudo Tsuba and Mekugi.

Mumei/unsigned

Bakumatsu period.

[cabowen]

Beautiful work but mukade creep me out....I killed more than a few very large ones while in Japan. I am told their bite is poisonous but luckily, can't say that is first hand info....

[Soshin]

Hi Kunitaro-sama,

 

[Marius]

David,

 

you really like mukade, no?

[kunitaro]

Proper Daimyo Aikuchi (Mon-chirashi) koshirae

The shape and sharpness of line of Koiguchi is the point to examine for quality of workmanship.

Koiguchi and saya is not flat, very tinny sharp gap. It must be like this.

Flat or roundinsh dull line are not good.

[Marius]

Kunitaro san,

 

A great koshirae, thanks for sharing :-) I have a question regarding the crests - why are there two crest on the saya? The predominant crest is the Tokugawa mon, the other one being shown is the mon of the Honda.

[kunitaro]

Marius san,

 

Normaly, Family has two crest(Mon)s, Omote-mon and Ura-mon.

I think that most of Ura-mon comes from wife's family crest.

and I heard that they use one omote mon presented as Han, and two mons presented as Family.

They can use only Ura mon as private.

[Marius]

Thank you Kunitaro san :-)

[kusunokimasahige]

Gorgeous koshirae Kunitaro san !! Very nice !!!

 

KM

[kunitaro]

Kenukigata Takamakie-zaya Tachi Koshirae

 

This is very Japanese taste...

[Soshin]

Hi Kunitaro-sama,

 

The lacquer work on the saya is excellent and very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. :D

[kunitaro]

Two Uchigata Koshiraes,

1. Early Edo period Uchigatana Koshirae

Gold nanako Fuchigashita, Shakudo Tsuba and Takamakie Saya.

Traditional design.

2. Lete Edo period Uchigatana Koshirae

Shakudo very fine Nanako fittings, Makie saya.

Very modern taste..

[kunitaro]

Karajiji makie,

 

and second Koshirae

[kunitaro]

Shkudo Kozuka "Saltern (Salt field?)"

Saya has kind of horizon image...

[nihonto1001]

Mr. Kunitaro

 

All of these koshirae have raised my standards. Highly appreciated. It is difficult for me to pick a favorite. The lacquer work on the tachi, the carving and fittings on the tagayasan tanto, the uchigatana koshirae...are all more amazing than anything I have ever seen (even in a book).

[Soshin]

  nihonto1001 said:

Mr. Kunitaro

 

All of these koshirae have raised my standards. Highly appreciated. It is difficult for me to pick a favorite. The lacquer work on the tachi, the carving and fittings on the tagayasan tanto, the uchigatana koshirae...are all more amazing than anything I have ever seen (even in a book).

 

Hi Kunitaro-san,

 

I completely agree with Jon. Are all of these wonderful examples in your collection? I have a few nice tsuba but nothing like what you have been showing. :D

[kunitaro]

  Soshin said:

Are all of these wonderful examples in your collection?

Some yes, some are already sold and some from my friend

Most of them are from famous collectors or old families in Japan.

(the first one, Nakagawa Issho/hashimoto Isshi Koshirae was found/bought in the Netherland about 15 years ago)

However, I am not a collector, I am a dealer/researcher. so, to find right owner or good house is my duty.

and I am not selling those items here, My post is to share with our members for studying.

 

a few more.....

 

This is Araki Tomei Issaku Tanto Koshirae,

Signed Ichijo Tomei.