Sue So Shu

[Bugyotsuji]

Sent an unsigned Sue So-Shu blade off for Shinsa at the beginning of July, and a little bird has just told me that it has come back with Hozon paperwork giving Kiwame to Kunitsugu.

 

Pleased with that result, and now to read up on So Shu Kunitsugu smith(s)!

[TETSUGENDO]

Cheers Bugs,

 

 

Glad for your good news....and now you get to do all that fun researching, ENJOY!

 

 

-Steven K

[Jamie]

Nice, congrats. Soshu and its derivatives is my favorite.

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks Steven and Jamie, but the bird spoke fallacies. My source must have been tired. The attributed smith I am now assured is 相州広次 Hirotsugu, around 永正, master of 綱広? (Now wanting to see an advance shot of the paperwork!)

[Jean]

Not bad, Piers, Eisho is a good period and Tsunahiro the leading smith of Odawara.

[TETSUGENDO]

All confusions aside, still sounds quite promising.  Do we get to see any pictures?

 

-Steven K.

[Bugyotsuji]

Just playing with the photo function here... Hmmm, they turn sideways.

[Bugyotsuji]

Experiment 2

[Bugyotsuji]

That seems to have worked, on my iPhone anyway.

 

Method. Edit photo by turning 45 degrees x 4 and pushing "Done". Now it seems to have fixed itself in the correct alignment.

Prayers to the higher power that it works on the PC too.

[Bugyotsuji]

Yup, works on my pc too, folks!

 

Is this the easiest fix for iPhone photo-swing syndrome?

[Greg F]

Congrats Piers, quite a nice blade! Cheers.

 

Greg

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks Greg.

 

Although it is 1 Shaku 1 Sun in length, the registration paper says Tanto. Sun-nobi Tanto, perhaps? My sword teacher said that it's a Wakizashi. Then I read somewhere that some of the Sue So-Shu smiths made Ko-wakizashi.

 

There is also a problem for me with So-Shu (Sagami) Hirotsugu as there were apparently several generations. For eighty years, from about 1469 to 1550 there were one, two or even three smiths of this name working there, according to various sources. Could one person have been active for so long? Even Fujishiro is not clear. The offered signatures look sort of similar. I have not yet seen the returned blade or paperwork (don't want to give my cold to anyone) but if the suggestion is Eisho, 1504-1520, then I guess it has sort of been pinned down, and the experts in Tokyo must feel sure enough of their judgement to affix the NBTHK association seal to it.

[Bugyotsuji]

This is what Fujishiro says, in the original. I have not seen the English version and do not know whether any of it has been revised or updated in translation. He here classifies Hirotsugu as 'Sue Koto', Sagami, works known Meio (1492-1501)~Eisho, but he is not sure whether Bunmei Hirotsugu and Eisho Hirotsugu are father and son, or just one smith.

[Bugyotsuji]

Forgive the bloggy nature of these updates, but I just met my teacher and was able to clarify at least two points. Jean above mentioned he likes the Eisho Period. Apparently all five judges must have agreed on this, and their decision would have been based on the style of this blade, as if there was a well-defined Eisho fashion.

The other thing was interesting. 'Tanto' on the paperwork is what it truly was back then and what it was designed for, a practical combination weapon to go with a Tachi. "Today's legal classification is based solely on length, though, which makes it a Wakizashi," he said, without batting an eyelid. He agreed that Sun-nobi Tanto would be an apt description.

[Bugyotsuji]

But now I have a problem.

 

The guy who sold it to me now wants it back and has promised something similar in value in exchange. I am definitely not impressed.

[TETSUGENDO]

Very nice indeed, it's a beauty.  The seller wants it back?  If there is no issue of morality in play you have no reason to comply.  We may have all regretted parting with something, at one time or another, such is life. The substitute of something similar does not sound very satisfying.  Make no decision while you are feeling unwell....hope you feel better soon.

 

-StevenK

[Shugyosha]

Hi Piers,

 

Shouldn't it be something of greater value (or sum of money) on the basis that you have taken the trouble and cost of submitting the blade to shinsa and that you aren't a willing seller?

 

Like Steven says, if there is no other issue in play this shouldn't be your problem.

 

Kind regards,

John

[Bugyotsuji]

Steven, John, thanks but yes, that is my dilemma. As my Japanese wife would say, "Oh, stop being so logical!" Logically there is no problem, but I owe this guy countless favors. He is the king of the castle. And this is by no means the first time this has happened. In order to get him off my back I may have to simply return it, for my own peace of mind. The sickness of collectors can be frighteningly intense... Last time I refused to part with something, he accused me of having a face like Matsuzoe, the former Mayor of Tokyo.

 

I do have a box of evil tricks and malignant illusions that I will deploy in order to divert his attention, though. Foxes vs Raccoon Dawgs. Let's see how it goes. Please pray for me!

[TETSUGENDO]

Piers,

 

Sorry to hear of the mess you find yourself in.  I understand your feelings of indebtedness but don't be bullied....some favors are just too costly!

We are glad to see your sense of humor is intact...Yes, deploy all manner of magical creatures and unleash the Bakemono!

 

-my prayers for a positive outcome,

StevenK

[Brian]

You are more of a gentleman than me. I would tell him to get knotted. He sells you the blades, lets you get them papered and then if he likes the outcome, takes it back?

Japanese custom and/or favours aside, if you like it, then tell him you would like to keep it as a sentimental reminder of your friendship together.

[Jamie]

I have a hiromasa that classifies as wakazashi by length, but it's a tanto and you can see by size and shape it was built as a tanto, not a wakazashi. I call it a sun nobi tanto.

It's similar in shape to this one.

[Stephen]

Turn the table on him, im sure you know how.

Peace be with your Grok

Zen mind empty mind

[Bugyotsuji]

Sounds cool, Jamie. A sudden flurry of threads around Soe So-Shu, I see. An unknown area for me until now, so really very interesting.

 

This morning armed with prayers and good wishes, and a little bulldog grit (thanks Brian) I got safely to first base. On offer were two very sweet and tempting blades which I would love to own in their own right, but not as a straight swap. One was a beautiful papered Bunka Nen ko-wakizashi with papered koshirae from Inaba on the Japan sea. The other was a small very pretty unpapered Fuyuhiro yoroidoshi tanto, with togariba to die for. There was also a Shinto So-shu katana in koshirae with amazing juka choji, splashed thoughout with tobiyaki which should look fantastic after a quick trip to the TogiShi. I am sorely tempted to raid the wife's savings... but I managed to look away from these goodies. Does a Bushi turn around and look back?

 

(Oh, and I swapped out the long black handachi koshirae which I have been using for matchlock displays for a slightly shorter full tachi koshirae. All matching iron fittings and matching tsuba, though needing some TLC, as someone has attempted to remove the rust. It also needed a little extra cash to sweeten the deal, but what's cash between friends?)

[TETSUGENDO]

Piers,

 

Good to hear of your positive outcome.....as long as you are happy.  Anxiously awaiting photos.

 

Cheers,

StevenK

[Bugyotsuji]

Well, there will be renewed attacks, that's for sure! He seemed genuinely surprised to hear that I had sent it off for papering, and it definitely changed his tune for a bit. He then asked why I hadn't gone straight for Tokuho. I casually mentioned all the things that are wrong with it, hoping that might reduce his ardour, but his brain seems to reset to that earlier resolve each time!

Round 2 tomorrow morning.

 

Steven. Photos of ... ?

[Bugyotsuji]

Here's the handachi that is going...

[Bugyotsuji]

Then a *quick changeover of the koshi-ate and tsuru-maki onto the 'new' tachi arrival, ready for tomorrow's action...

 

Tosogu is all dragons and clouds, zogan on what should be russet, but the menuki dragons are coiled around Ken.

 

*'quick' means a bodge job as there's no time to do a proper sageo.

[Bugyotsuji]

The tsuba, and a section of the naga-kojiri which has two dragons on the long edge and one on the shorter edge.

[Bugyotsuji]

Forgive the thread drift!

[TETSUGENDO]

Piers 

 

Great to see you having fun- WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES.  New addition appears to be a good upgrade, it is certainly nice to have everything "En Suite" and we all love dragons.  Feel free to drift away, just post things in natural order, will follow.

 

-StevenK