CurtisR Posted December 20, 2011 Report Posted December 20, 2011 I just purchased this pair at a pretty decent price(IMHO) - the seller stated he found them when stationed on Sakhalin Island in far Eastern Russia. I'm thinking they may be late Edo or early Meiji? No tool-marks, very heavy (brass, possibly) and nice detail in the scales, claws, etc. it seems. The second is more worn than the first, but not sure why that would be the case. Any thoughts would be appreciated (as well as critiques!) Thank you in advance, Curtis Quote
Peter Bleed Posted December 20, 2011 Report Posted December 20, 2011 This looks cast to me, but I would like to know more about being in Sakahalin after the War. Please tell us more about that. Peter Quote
CurtisR Posted December 20, 2011 Author Report Posted December 20, 2011 Peter, the seller was a diplomat for the U.S. stationed on the island in the early 70's from what he tells me. The lack of the posts on the back bothers me a bit, but the detail seems better than cast to my (admittedly novice) eye. I know that Japan & the USSR disputed ownership of the island for a long time. Other than that, not much story to go with them. Curt Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted December 20, 2011 Report Posted December 20, 2011 Peter Bleed said: This looks cast to me Seconded ..... Quote
Grey Doffin Posted December 21, 2011 Report Posted December 21, 2011 I also think cast. Picture 3306, showing the back, what's left of the post attachment appears to be of a piece with the menuki, not separate pieces soldered in place. The detail isn't good enough for carving; looks like a casting. Sorry. Grey Quote
Soshin Posted December 21, 2011 Report Posted December 21, 2011 Hi Curtis, The menuki look like a modern cast set. The overall detail is fairly poor and below even high quality cast sets I have seen more recently. They do have a interesting story attached to them. I would stop buying until you go to the Tampa show. Once you get there and see all of the reasonable and much better antique menuki out their you will quickly lose interest in such a set. Just some friendly advice take it or leave it. This reminds me I need to book my tickets for the show. Yours truly, David Stiles Quote
CurtisR Posted December 21, 2011 Author Report Posted December 21, 2011 Mr. Stiles and all, I agree - no more buying until I learn more. Getting ripped off stinks, even though the story is interesting . I appreciate the input from everyone and hey, if I put a trebble-hook on them they might make great Trout lures?? Thanks again! Curtis Quote
Brian Posted December 21, 2011 Report Posted December 21, 2011 Why? These are what we would call: "a mounting set" Use them on your next project blade. I bet you paid less than a new set of repro menuki from Lohman or one of the other suppliers. Brian Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted December 22, 2011 Report Posted December 22, 2011 Brian said: These are what we would call: "a mounting set" "we", hmm, really, maybe as in "wee, wee, wee, all the way home", but, frankly, I like the trout lure idea better, , however, keep on being positive Brian Quote
Soshin Posted December 22, 2011 Report Posted December 22, 2011 Brian said: Why? These are what we would call: "a mounting set" Use them on your next project blade. I bet you paid less than a new set of repro menuki from Lohman or one of the other suppliers. Brian Hi All, I agree with Brian suggestion. I would mount these menuki on a martial arts Nihonto training sword. That's assuming Curtis does some type of Japanese sword drawing art like iaido or batto. I practice a style of koryu batto which very different then the more common gendai batto styles. I would not use any antique menuki for this. Yours truly, David Stiles Quote
Guido Posted December 22, 2011 Report Posted December 22, 2011 Soshin said: I practice a style of koryu batto which very different then the more common gendai batto styles. I would not use any antique menuki for this.What style (if I may ask), and how does the age of the Menuki influence your swordmanship? Quote
CurtisR Posted December 22, 2011 Author Report Posted December 22, 2011 Brian you're quite right...I did pay less than one from Mr. Lohman so I like your suggestion on the Iai projects sword...besides, it's snowing here in Colorado so not much fishing going on currently :D . And David, yes I do study Iaido...Muso Jikiden EIshin Ryu. I have also had a nice day's seminar from a Sensei here in CO who teaches a form of Batto-do. His is a very 'closed' dojo and they no longer take new students, but they train solely with Shinken & heavy emphasis on Tamishigiri. Awesome stuff! We train with Shinken and Iaito, depending on skill level. Thanks everyone for the Reality Check - seriously! Hmmmm....project sword....hmmmmm.....lol. Curtis Quote
sanjuro Posted December 22, 2011 Report Posted December 22, 2011 Guido. You surprise me! I would have thought you would know in what way menuki effect swordsmanship. It goes like this: The collector /martial artist should never use a set of antique menuki on his training blade because when he has a set of antique high quality menuki in hand, the collector part of him goes weak at the knees and everyone knows you cant practice iaido et al if you are weak in the knees. :D (No danger of that with this set though). Quote
Soshin Posted December 22, 2011 Report Posted December 22, 2011 Guido Schiller said: What style (if I may ask), and how does the age of the Menuki influence your swordmanship? Hi Guido, I will PM you the name of the style shortly. It is a koryu batto that does not emphasis the practice Tamishigiri. The only reason I am saying this is for the reason stated by Keith G. I also don't like using antique Nihonto either. I much prefer shinsakuto or gendaito blade with modern fitting and mounts including menuki. Just my two cents take it or leave it. Yours truly, David Stiles Quote
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