Upcoming Manuscript Auctions

[Randy McCall]

Circa 1800's hand-painted and annotated 12 page manuscript on uniform and armour decoration, military and battle flags (sashimono) of various types

Auction ending:  May 15 evening

Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/351728079429?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Sample image: 

 

[Randy McCall]

I originally posted about this item being sold (with pictures) a week or two back:  http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19425-1802-scroll-on-construction-of-traditional-arrow-quiver/

The item has now been relisted by the seller, indicating the previous winner failed payment.  If you're interested the auction on this item ends the evening of Friday May 13. 

Bidding is already lively.

Link:  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/231935617478?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

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[Randy McCall]

A two volume set of the Unjo Meiran Taizen "A Look Above the Clouds" (Kaei 7 / 1854), published by Takehara Yoshibei.
This is a history and directory of the Imperial family and Tokugawa nobility. 

Volume one is a history and directory of the Imperial family, titles and the Kyoto court
Volume two is a directory, geneology and the heraldry of more than 150 families of the associated nobility (Kuge)

Condition of the set is listed as Excellent.
Auction ending:  Saturday May 14

Link:  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/311605324487?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

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[Brian]

Hi Randy,

Thanks for your work with this. Instead of having multiple threads on these, I have created this one topic, and you can append to it as you find ones you think might be of interest. Easier to follow too.

 

Brian

[seattle1]

Hello Randy:

 Regarding the sale of Unjo Meiran taizen, it may seem as if 15 generation of Tokugawa Shoguns would be nobility (kuge), but they were not. After the restoration of Imperial authority in Meiji in 1868 the then Shogun Yoshinobu lived in retirement and and eventually received the title of Duke in 1902. Some other members of the Sogunal establishment were also ennobled, but not until after the Restoration. While only of the samurai class the Tokugawa were very high caliber to put it mildly.

 Arnold F.

[Randy McCall]

Early 1800s handwritten "Evaluation of Swordsmiths" manuscript;  title rendered by seller as "Katana Wakizashi Meiki"

Apparently listing smithing schools, lineages and individual smiths, along with at least some ranking  or valuation by price.  The seller lists the following lineages as being included:  Masamune, Rai, Awataguchi, Tegai, Senjuin, Hasebe, Seki, "etc".

 

Condition:  Good - aged, stained, wear, what is apparently previous owner's notes or markings.  Unstated number of pages.

Auction ending:  Sunday May 15th.
Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Japanese-Original-Antique-Handwitten-Book-Evaluations-of-Swordsmiths-MASAMUNE-/272236961511?hash=item3f62965ee7:g:4uAAAOSwF0NXL1~p

 

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[Randy McCall]

NOTE:  Please click "Like"  for posts containing manuscripts on subjects / topics you'd like to see more of.  This will give me an idea of what members are actively interested in, so I can focus my searches better.  If you'd like to suggest a topic or type of manuscript / book, please PM me.  If you're concerned that "Liking" a post would tip your bidding hand, kindly PM me your interest in that kind of item.

In keeping with book collecting terminology, all items posted will be at least 100 years old. 

[Randy McCall]

1842 edition 厳島宝物図会  Itsukushima Zue or "Itsukushima Treasures Depicted": single book, the third volume of the set.
Part of a larger set which showed scenes at and around Itsukushima Shrine, 10 volumes bound into three.  Only the last of the three volumes contains info on blades.

 

Woodblock print book showing details of many blades and furniture which were held at or by Itsukushima Shrine. Unstated number of pages.
Bids are already being recorded.

 

Condition:  Fair - aged, stained, water stained, wear, dirt, slight insect damage
Auction ending:  Wednesday May 18

Link:  http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x446830379
(Link fixed)
 

 

Sample pics (from seller's list of 26)

               

[Randy McCall]

1810 complete set of 金銀圖錄 Kingin Zuroku, "Illustrated Books of Ancient Gold and Silver Coins"
A seven volume set which presents gold and silver coinage, drawn full-sized and painted in colour, from different regions and eras in Japan

 

I'm posting this as a number of group members have expressed an interest in antique coinage. If you're just interested in a digital version of the set:  http://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko06/bunko06_02167/

 

Condition:  Overall Fair (individual volumes Fair-to-Good) - aged, stained, wear, insect damage in some volumes

Auction ending:  May 22nd
Link:  http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m163453965

 

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[Randy McCall]

1789 (Kansei 1) complete edition of the Tanki Yokai (title as given by the seller): three-book set on armour and weapons

 

Condition:  Fair - aged, stained, wear, breaks, light insect damage. 

Auction ending:  May 22nd

Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-15-TANKI-Japanese-Armor-YOROI-Woodblock-print-BOOK-/252390541563?hash=item3ac3a608fb:g:P5wAAOSw3mpXOEUh

 

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[Randy McCall]

Is there an interest in traditional Japanese / Chinese medical and herbal texts?  Several items coming up with less that 48 hours notice:  1772, 1778, 1859 editions.  Let me know if interested.

[Randy McCall]

"Undated" set of four handwritten and illustrated manuscripts of the Koyo Gunkan.  Listed by the seller as undated, I believe the copy date is shown on the final page, 文政 四 (Bunsei 4, or 1822)

The Koyo is a set of military treatises based on the strategies of Takeda Shingen, which became one of the major ryuha of military instruction ( 兵法 ) during the Tokugawa era:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dy%C5%8D_Gunkan

Copied in a fine, clear hand, with excellent illustrations

Condition:  Good -  aged, stained, cover and edge wear (at times severe). 
Auction ending:  May 23rd
Link:  http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b204006436

 

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[Randy McCall]

Modern art reprint of a set of oshigata scrolls. Set of four in silk covers, with accompanying index book, in a signed and numbered presentation box.
 

Seller states this is #44 from of limited run of 500, dated July 31st 2008

 

Bidding opened at 30,000¥, and as of the time of this post, there is a single bid at that price.

Auction ends:  May 27th
Link:  http://page17.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/v460712936

 

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[Randy McCall]

1849 coastal and provincial map of Japan: 148cm x 72cm.  I know a number of members collect maps.
 

Bidding heavy (45 bids), though presently for very small starter amounts (as if the date of this posting totaling 3500¥)

 

Condition:  aged, stained, fold wear, tears.

Auction ending: May 26th

Link: http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c555783993

 

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[Randy McCall]

1863 handwritten report on the Battle of Shimonoseki Straits, title rendered by the seller as Nankan Gai Bunsho.

Seller's comment: "This was a naval engagement between foreign ships and the Choshu Navy and part of the Shimonoseki Campaign in which the United States, England, France, and Holland sent warships into the Straits of Shimonoseki to attack the naval vessels under the control of the Lord of Choshu.  The Choshu Samurai had taken up the position of SONNO JOI = "Expel the Barbarians," and wanted all foreigners removed from Japan.  The Choshu Clan, under Lord Mori Takachiba, ordered his Samurai to fire upon any foreign ships entering the Straits of Shimonoseki.  The first attack was against the US merchant steamer SS Pembroke.  Following the attack, President Lincoln ordered the US Frigate USS Wyoming into the Straits to attack the Choshu Samurai navy.  Later, French and British warships were sent into the area to protect their merchant ships.  A historic manuscript report with details of the damage done to ships and sailors killed or injured."

Bidding is already lively (16 bids), with the latest bid at the time of this posting being $550 USD.

53 pages, text only,  in Fair condition - aged, stained, wear.  Seller holds 100% positive feedback with more than 8000 sales. 
Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Orig-Japanese-Manuscript-Report-on-Battle-of-Shimonoseki-Straits-July-1863-/231953901243?hash=item360187a6bb:g:wOsAAOSwSWJXQxdB
Auction ending: May 30th

Sample picture (Seller reports using scanner, so images are clipped.  Actual page size 7.25 inches by 10, with full page margins)
       


 

[Randy McCall]

19th century handwritten manuscript recipe and directions on brewing sake, title translated by seller as Meishu Kata "The Way of Sake".  For our home-brewing members who want something a little different.

 

Condition:  Fair - aged, stained, wear.  46 pages of notes with full margins.

Auction ending: June 2nd

Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Orig-Japanese-Hand-Written-Manuscript-Book-Japanese-Sake-Brewing-Recipes-19thc-/231956588552?hash=item3601b0a808:g:omAAAOSwoJZXRqT2

 

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[Randy McCall]

1833 reprint of 1799  慶長以來新刀辨疑 "Keichō Irai Shintō Bengi", complete in nine volumes.  Hundreds of oshigata by great smiths of the Shito period

 

Condition: Fair - aged, stained, tears, wear, insect damage
Auction ending:  June 4th
Link: http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s490827820

 

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[Randy McCall]

Enpo 9 (1679) handwritten and illustrated manuscript book on kyudo, with some images painted.  Author's name rendered by the seller as Hoshino Kanzaemon.

 

The book is 17 pages in length.

Condition:  Excellent +  for a the given 1679 copying date.

Auction ending:  June 5th
Link: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2-20-Japanese-KYUDO-samurai-archery-hand-painted-BOOK-/252406337941?hash=item3ac4971195:g:F4gAAOSwn8FXSvzj

 

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