Momoyama period daisho characteristics / pics request :)

[kmark]

Hi all, new user here, but not new to the hobby.

 

I am interested in learning more about the nihonto, specifically the daisho.  I've always had a fascination with the daisho... especially the reasons for wearing one and the way that the mounts reflect the period in which these samurai lived.

 

Now my question and request... does anybody know where I can view pictures of actual Momoyama-period daisho?  I have Kanzan Sato's book and there are pics of 3 different Momoyama daisho koshirae (red saya with winding gold strips, red saya with gold dragons, red saya with wisteria metal work).... and I would like to see more, if possible.  Also, are there certain characteristics that define a Momoyama daisho?  For example, I've seen that the characteristics tend to be:

 

- long exaggerated tsuka

- lacquered rayskin wrap on the tsuka

- tend to be red lacquered saya with gold decor

- tend to have plain iron fuchi/kashira/tsuba to offset the flamboyant saya

 

Thank you all in advance

[Mark Green]

Here is a close one

 

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_ ... ID=5143861

 

Mark G

[kmark]

Thanks, I'm not at all surprised to see a koshirae that doesn't even look half as flamboyant as the examples I've seen before. This one wouldn't look out of place if it were dated a couple hundred years forward, in my opinion. I could be wrong though..

[Steve Waszak]

Hi kmark,

 

What you'll want to pick up is the Tokyo National Museum's publication of Uchigatana Goshirae: The Art of Japanese Sword Mounting. There are a number of excellent late-Muromachi and Momoyama period koshirae illustrated in this coffee-table-sized book. Highly recommended.

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[cabowen]

Hi kmark,

 

What you'll want to pick up is the Tokyo National Museum's publication of Uchigatana Goshirae: The Art of Japanese Sword Mounting. There are a number of excellent late-Muromachi and Momoyama period koshirae illustrated in this coffee-table-sized book. Highly recommended.

 

Second that recommendation. Excellent photos in a large format.....

[kmark]

Thanks for the tip on the book, I will try to find a copy, but it may be hard since I believe it is no longer in publication, and the one I've seen for sale is going for 495 Aussie dollars....

 

Nonetheless I will keep trying one way or another.

[Steve Waszak]

Koshoyama bookseller has a copy for 14,700 yen... There's a link to their site here at NMB...

 

Cheers,

 

Steve

[pcfarrar]

This book has a few with very good quality photos.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Art-Samurai-Japan ... 0300142056