Bizen Osafuné Koshiraé display

[Bugyotsuji]

At the Osafuné Sword Museum they are showing the Koshiraé of the Sanchōmo Ichimonji, which was once an Uesugi family treasure. Plus a whole slew of Koshiraé around it.

 

This weekend our local NBTHK are holding an exhibition of special Koshiraé in another room there at the same site.  We set it up this evening and it’ll run all day Saturday and Sunday.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

(About 35 Koshiraé)

Closer shots…

 

[Gakusee]

Thanks, Piers, these are beautiful!!

[Bugyotsuji]

What do you like Michael?

Daishō Handachi?

 

Or something flashy?

 

[Bugyotsuji]

I like this one.

 

 

And this is the collaborative work of some of the present Osafuné artisans.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

There is quite a variety. Not just black formal wear for visiting Edo Castle.

 

(Will post more tomorrow, but there are tweets out and about already.)

[Okan]

  On 12/9/2022 at 12:12 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

I like this one.

 

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I'm in love with this one. 

[Bugyotsuji]

(Can take closer shots if anyone is interested.) 

 

[Gakusee]

Yes please, Piers. They are great. Thank you! 

[Bugyotsuji]

Where to start?

Some faithful replicas in wood of famous blades.

 

 

Top Tsuba, mostly published, including the first genuine Nobuie that I have been privileged to handle. Since the author was here I bought the book. 
 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

More close-ups.

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

There’s no order really, so more random shots follow. 
Tsuru were once eaten, and their leg skin was not wasted.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Ezo Koshiraé does not mean actually made by the Ainu, but it is a style of Koshiraé. Note the old way of joining the haft to the saya, a kind of Aikuchi. 
 

 

 

[Brian]

Thanks for sharing Piers!

[Bugyotsuji]

Some double shots

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

A triple 

 

 

Inaba Koshiraé from Tottori, Japan Sea

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Bought the book, and got his Meishi. This is the Nobuié. Medium size, high rim, thinner towards Nakago Hitsu. Hyōtan pairs, vine, leaves, flowers?

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

More goodies…

 

How to make a Kozuka 

And the Koshiraé for the famous Sanchōmo.

[Alex A]

  On 12/11/2022 at 4:26 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

More close-ups.

 

 

 

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Worn Ito left as is,  don't feel like you see that too often, nice to see.

[Bugyotsuji]

  On 12/9/2022 at 4:25 PM, Okan said:

 

I'm in love with this one. 

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That one normally contains an Ichimonji which is designated as a Ken Jūyō Bunkazai. (Prefectural Important Cultural Asset). 

[Bugyotsuji]

And something bright.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

More detail

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Some saya scabbard lacquer examples

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Various

(The one on the right in the top photo was made by mixing the lacquer with tōfu and then adding swirls, apparently.)

 

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Many thanks for looking. There are more, but we have to draw the line somewhere and it already takes enough time to load! 
 

So goodbye shots of ‘bamboo’ effect kawari  saya Dai-shō.

 

 

 

[Gakusee]

Thank you so much for posting and uploading them Piers! Are any of the blades exhibited too or is it just koshirae?

 

Out of the lot, your very first photo in the initial post is with my three favourites.

[Bugyotsuji]

Normally we focus almost exclusively on blades.
This was a first for *us, Michael, and listening to some of the conversation I sensed a new awakening to the value of Koshiraé. When you buy a sword in Japan, traditionally, the Koshiraé (if there happens to be one) is thrown in as part of the deal, they were saying, like the silk bag etc. The dealer will hardly cast a glance at the Koshiraé, or whether parts are signed or not.

 

Over the years I have occasionally brought examples of Koshirae to our local NBTHK meetings, but the sensei hardly gave them a glance, just a nodded indication to lay them out for people to look at. It was always interesting to watch the younger members gather around with curiosity and take photos of them. Gradually it became acceptable, and I began to see the sensei bringing things along and explaining their finer points to us. Recently a sort of revelatory moment or turning point happened, but it would take too long to explain here.

 

In Europe I have always felt a more even balance in appreciation for both blade and furnishings.
 

*A first for our local NBTHK branch, that is, and possibly a first in Japan, triggered by the display of the Sanchōmo/Yamatorige Koshiraé.

 

[Char]

Thank you for your time, Piers great pictures!

[Franco]

  On 12/13/2022 at 2:54 PM, Bugyotsuji said:

When you buy a sword in Japan, traditionally, the Koshiraé (if there happens to be one) is thrown in as part of the deal, they were saying, like the silk bag etc. The dealer will hardly cast a glance at the Koshiraé, or whether parts are signed or not.

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Piers,

 

First, thank you for sharing these images, very much appreciated!

 

The study of koshirae is a discipline unto itself, and very few, even those (including dealers) with a more advanced knowledge of fittings, will also have an advanced understanding of koshirae as well.  

 

Regards,

 

 

[Ed]

Great Koshirae, great photos. Thanks for sharing.