This Week's Edo Period Corner

[John A Stuart]

A real beauty!!!! John

[Brian]

Oh wow! That is my dream gun. More pics please. Sounds like you did great!

 

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

Trust the Canadians to rally round! Thanks!

 

(Oh, and a SA frican!)

 

Sent it off for a couple of restorations, so these pics I took in a hurry.

 

The barrel is 45cm long and the whole gun 65.5cm, so it feels long in the hand. The Mon is underneath the stock, forward of the trigger, behind the Tsuba.

[Bugyotsuji]

There are various interesting details and one mystery hole.

 

Here you can see the characteristic Satsuma folding/retracting trigger. The small iron serpentine with internal spring in the above pic is also pure Satsuma.

 

The lightly lacquered wood has wonderful depth to it when caught in the right light.

[Bugyotsuji]

The caliber is quite small, just 1.0 cm across according to the paperwork, although it may need remeasuring as they are often slightly out.

 

Bizen characteristics are darkness of wood (recalling Bizen pottery and patina iron), with Tora-moku striped effect, lockwork made of iron, and silver pins and adornments. Also the barrels tend to be smooth, rounded (as opposed to faceted) iron and the muzzles are slightly bulbous (rakkyo-gata = scallion shaped). Top workmanship from Bizen carries the characteristic Kara-kusa moyo, silver Kara grass inlay design.

 

Satsuma guns tend to be covered in black or red urushi-nuri, and they do not use Mekugi to pin the barrel to the stock, preferring instead a metal band to secure the two together.

 

The one silver-lined hole in the stock here that could be a Mekugi-ana does not connect to the barrel above but passes straight through the thicker part of the stock, right in front of the Tsuba. Too narrow for a Ude-nuki-no-kan. Now my sword teacher tells me that Satsuma swords tended to have a hole (in the Tsuba?Saya?) through which was passed a Koyori paper twist seal to pull against the kurikata, and which by edict was not to be broken in public. This was to discourage public fights, I guess. A broken twist would later prove who did the "Koi-kuchi wo kiru" action. Is the hole a tribute to Satsuma Koshirae? Was there a symbolic Koyori (or Hineko in Kagoshima dialect) twist to prevent cocking of the serpentine?

 

My wife says it is easy to make them, but you rarely see them nowadays. Found a site here that sells Koyori twisted paper strings.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/suzukatu/ishi-7072-j-p24/

[edzo]

Dear Piers,

 

Great looking example of a Japanese firearm.

 

If i may inquire, do you know if the wood is native and if so, what species?

Respectfully,

[Bugyotsuji]

Edward, the wood of choice was always Aka-gashi (lit Red Oak) but less frequently Shira-gashi (White oak). If you find a good section and polish it well, it can be full of jewel-like almost three-dimensional hataraki.

 

Akagashi is also used sometimes for bokuto wooden swords, the poles of Yari etc..

 

Quercus Acuta

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2% ... C%E3%82%B7

 

I have heard that wood rotted and was easily attacked by woodworm in the south of Kyushu which is why they tended to cover it over with thick lacquer.

[edzo]

Dear Piers,

 

I have always appreciated the natural beauty of nature. I suspect that the stock, in this case, was quarter sawn to achieve this look and compliment the item as a whole. Very nice. Thanks foe your response,

[IanB]

Piers, A wonderful acquisition. You are to be congratulated. I note you call it a kago gun. Isn't it a bit long in the barrel for that?

Ian Bottomley

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

I would be most interested in seeing a photo of the lock mechanism ( inside ). It is a most interesting firearm for many reasons, ... one reason for sure is the Tsuba style dougane ( stock ring ). Another is the mekugi-ana to " nowhere ". Another interesting aspect of this gun is it's relatively small caliber 1 cm = aproximately .40 inch caliber. Virtually all Calvary pistols I have examined are at least .50. The hole thru the butt end is also very small to accomadate a Laynard. I would suggest that your pistol being of Daimyo quality may well have served as a Target Pistol, as I'm certain that this was an active pass time ( sport ) during the 1840's among the wealthy. There are more questions here than answers. Certainly a beautiful weapon !

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Thank you all three for your highly-valued opinions above.

 

First Edward for the term "quarter cut" which is new to me.

 

Ian and Ron both help move this story forward for me in a way that still interlocks quite well. This gun came from someone who, though not infallible, is a vast treasure of knowledge of swords guns and armour. He called it a Kago-zutsu, but I have to agree that it is longer and quite unlike other Kago-zutsu that I have seen and handled (three beauties to date). One possibility that immediately suggested itself for the mysterious hole was a string to tie the gun down/upright inside a Norimono/Kago? Ian's comment about the length now causes me to move further from such consideration. Kago-zutsu also tend to be stockier, thicker throughout.

 

The length of the barrel and the caliber both pull together towards Ron's idea. My cavalry pistol is 1.3 cm and they mostly tend to be around this caliber. All of our members possess one and there is a general uniformity about this as you say. In fact I have a mental note in my caution list that any Tanzutzu or Bajo-zutsu of small caliber that comes up in an antiques fair may be a modern creation. This gun shows signs of having been well used so I have no doubts about the age of the barrel and pan. As a target pistol it might have been close to the contemporary ideal. It really does feel like a short long gun. I had original visions of the Daimyo lifting the window screen and taking potshots at birds along the way as his Gyoretsu procession moved towards Edo and back...

 

You have very keen eyes, Ron. Yes, the hole in the butt is too small for a standard lanyard and I have been searching around for something suitable that might fit. Not easy, even though I have a bag full of various old strings and tassels.

[Bugyotsuji]

Two shots I did not take were of the Mei and the inner mechanism.

 

There are as you say Ron, still some puzzling aspects of this gun. One thing was the flattish foresight and rounded rear sight. This led me to the thought that it might have been pushed through an Obi, having nothing sharp to catch on and possibly damage clothing. Did it ever have a Saya-like holster? Secondly, the cutting through the top of the Do-gane Tsuba may have been done at a later date as it looks a little rough and cuts right through a piece of silver inlay. Perhaps the shooter needed a cleaner view onto the proper sights. Thirdly, this gun may have gone through three stages of evolution. I am inclined to think it was a matchlock at birth, but with the oncoming tide of battle and sudden evolution in gunnery someone adapted it into a Bizen-shiki Raika Ju, fitting a a stronger spring, and a striker within the clasp of the Hibasami serpentine, in order to hit little balls of primer ignition in the pan. Finally, considering the damage to the match cord clasp of the serpentine, this gun may have been taken back subsequently to its original matchlock configuration. A photo of the inner mechanism could indeed confirm this.

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

PLEASE do not let this thread die, .... when you get the gun back from whomever is doing the restoration, ... please take the additional photographs. It is a most unusual firearm, ... and I would love to examine it in hand. Are you restoring it to be as original ... ( matchlock ) ? I sincerely hope so as this is how it started out its life. If only you were closer, ... I would happily do the restoration work for free, ... just for the pleasure of working on such a treasure.

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Ron, you are most kind. Your offer alone warms the cockles of my heart. Yes, indeed, I would not want it to be anything other than the matchlock it was probably built to be. The first round of restoration work is very gentle indeed. I will then take a deep breath and in consultation discuss whether it can be further realistically improved. If not, then no harm done.

 

(Incidentally, I have recently seen a gorgeous, highly-decorated, pristine condition very late matchlock with its original long box, and among the tools set in their indentations were the fitments for making the transformation backwards and forwards between matchlock and Bizen Raika-ju. The gun was on the Japanese version of the Antiques Road Show a couple of weeks ago, but I had luckily had the opportunity to see it and handle it some time before. See here:

http://otakarajoho.blog10.fc2.com/blog-entry-383.html　)

[edzo]

Dear Piers,

 

I am learning at this time and my input is at best speculative. I am saying this because i'mm hugary to learn.

 

First, quarter cut or sawn woob is usually reserved for the finest furniture and cabinetry. This because there is more waste of what may be an exotic and costly product. The log is quarted and then sawn at 45 degress again and the reason is to generate the beauty and durability of the finished outcome and result.

 

The second comment i would like to make but purely from a speculative basis is; Wouldn't the side plates of the guns action have been decorated? The would have been the most visible. The second point i would make is i wondered if the stock of your gun might have been slightly larger. This because the fitting you posted in place assembled extends beyond the outer surface of the stock/butt, considering the quality of the outer finish of the piece and the exposed portion of the omote and ura i couldn't help but wonder if the stock or something else was recycled or modified. Never the less its a fine piece i wish was in my collection! Ed

 

Edit. I would have expected a more finished omote, where exposed, or seppa given the effort of execution f the wood and inlay.

[Bugyotsuji]

Well, you do find decorated side plates, but unlikely with Bizen guns. The silver pin tops against the Tetsu-sabi-ji are the only decoration. I suspect the Ji-ita plates are designed to reflect the dark-patina of Nakago tangs inside the Tsuka of Nihonto.

 

Satsuma on the other hand, has both decorated and plain ji-ita.

 

As to the wood on this gun, no, there does not seem to be anything uncharacteristic in the size, and no evidence of overhang or anything but originality. I have separated the stock and barrel and spent several hours the first evening looking at it from every angle.

 

The Tsuba-like Do-gane has no seppa, but like regular Dogane it is just as loose when the barrel is taken out. They are never really a perfect fit anyway, especially as the wood shrinks over the years. I agree that there probably could have been a better arrangement, but this gun seems to follow the general pattern in this respect.

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

The Tanegashima dated Meiji 15 ( 1882 ) must certainly be one of the last of the matchlock's made. I have an almost identical example except for the elaborate decoration by Bitchu Nimi YOSHIDA RIKIZO ( 1870 - 1896 ). The two smiths must have been contemporaries and since they both worked in the same tradition BIZEN, they probably knew one another. It is said that Yoshida built matchlocks up until his death and sponsered a shooting competion each year using matchlocks. ( The Gun Collector volume 33 Sept. 1950 ... article by Robert E. Kimbrough ). Thank you for the link, .... the Matchlock pictured is certainly one of the most elaborately decorated pieces I have seen, ... and to have all the accessories is unheard of. Best of luck with the restoration, ... photos will be expected upon completion.

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

For comparison with the photo at the bottom of p 122 earlier, for the general reader, here is my regular Bajou-zutsu, or horseback gun.

 

Kunitomo, from around 1610, it has quite a long large butt and overall it seems somewhat ugly and off-balance, as if the art form has not yet been realized. It is possibly the least appealing to the eye out of all the short guns that our Teppou-tai musket troop members carry in our holsters. (Ugly duckling, but I love it. )

Overall length 47.9 cm, barrel 24.4 cm, and caliber 1.4 cm.

[Bugyotsuji]

Ron, from the same blog, here is a gun by Kiyotaka you mentioned earlier, valued at 20,000,000 JPY. In the great gunnery school design of Ichimusai Inatomi (Inadome).

http://otakarajoho.blog10.fc2.com/blog-entry-296.html

 

I would love to see some shots of your gun, Ron. It sounds wonderful.

 

Just checking on your smith, Yoshida Rikizo.

 

Found him under Niimi. 備中の国、新見藩、吉田力蔵（造）「二匁」あい砲15号　備中新見住

 

Yes, Niimi in Bitchu is very close to Katsuyama, Mashima, Mimasaka no Kuni (Saku-shu) where Morishima worked. The blurb at the bottom says that right at the end of his life Morishima must have wanted to put everything he knew, everything he had learnt into one final masterpiece, for succeeding generations.

[estcrh]

 

Here you can see the characteristic Satsuma folding/retracting trigger.

Piers, I have never seen this trigger arrangement mentioned or photographed before, do you have any additional photos or information of how this works internally as compared to the usual trigger found on most tanegashima. Thanks for sharing this unique weapon.

 

[IanB]

Eric, This style of trigger was common on European box-lock, pocket pistols, both flintlock and percussion. Basically the trigger is separate from the sear (scear), both pivoting on the same axle, the latter being pressed against the cock / hammer by the usual trigger spring. Attached to the trigger is a sideways projecting pin that engages with a second spring that allows it to be either fully retracted, or down into the shooting position. With the trigger retracted, cocking the hammer pushes the trigger into the shooting position which then contacts the sear, pressure on the trigger then pushes the sear away from the hammer and the gun is discharged. Horrible to explain in words but I hope you get the idea. The Royal Armouries has a self-contained flintlock repeating long-gun, made in India about 1800 that also has a folding trigger, in this case mounted on a small plate as a self contained unit. It works in much the same way except it has the addition of a built in hook that stops the trigger being retracted when the gun is at full cock - otherwise you couldn't get the trigger down again unless you took the gun apart.

Ian B

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

The only photos ( overall photos ) I have of the gun are slightly too large for the forum guidelines. If I can figure out how to make them smaller I will post. Sorry,

... Ron Watson

[estcrh]

Ian thanks, I got the general idea, and Ron, if you need some images edited down send them to me in an email and I will reduce them and send back to you.

[estcrh]

Dear Piers,

The only photos ( overall photos ) I have of the gun are slightly too large for the forum guidelines. If I can figure out how to make them smaller I will post. Sorry,

... Ron Watson

Dear Piers,

Thanks to Eric, ... I can now post the photos promised, ... please see the similarities between your link to : http://otakarajoho.blog10.fc2.com/blog-entry-383.html The overall design of the guns are practically identical ( with the exception of the elaborate decoration ). Please note I have replaced the serpentine pin with the original silver headed one, ... took a bit of work, but at least now it is correct.

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Ah, excellent, thank you Eric and Ron. Yes, a very good, solid, clean example which could be mistaken at first glance for Kunitomo, Sakai, etc. In a rush so need to come back and look at it again! What are the measurements, Ron?

 

Niimi is an interesting place sourrounded by mountains, an old town with an annual traditional Gyoretsu procession. There are many Nihonto collectors there (being a conservative place?) so it has traditionally been one reliable market for the dealers in unreliable times.

 

Here is a link to an image converter which was kindly given to me over on the Netsuke site.

http://www.coolutils.com/online/image-converter/

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

Since the photos were taken, ... I have repaired the original silver headed serpentine pin. It now has a SILVER head instead of the brass one pictured. Caliber is : .43 inch ( 2 monme ). OA length is 53 1/2 inches. Serpentine is pinned from the top, front sight has a gold bead. Stock is very beautiful grain which does not show up well in the photograph. Signature reads: Bitchu Nimi Yoshida Rikizo. In perfect working order.

... Ron Watson

[Bugyotsuji]

Ron, you need to get your digital camera out and take some close-up shots of the naughty bits.

 

By the way, have you considered the meaning of the Kanji on the butt?

 

We tend to use later examples for demostrations simply because they have 200-250 years of evolution and refinement built into them. This makes them safer. There has been the odd accident here and there throughout Japan, so this is one area where we must needs be super careful.

[Bugyotsuji]

Just took a quick trip for some extra shots...

 

Exploded view, with close-ups of lock, pins and hollow.

[Bugyotsuji]

Two shots of the trigger, in position A, and position B. (The wooden hinge pin is lacquered on the top.)

 

The Mei, and how the newly-fashioned solid silver barrel/stock locking band looks. to the traditional craftsman.

[watsonmil]

Dear Piers,

No,... I have not translated the kanji on the medallion. Could you enlighten me ? Also What " naughty bits " are you referring to ? I do not own a digital camera so have a fellow do my photography.

... Ron Watson