Vintage Kesho-Mawashi

[athelitextreme]

Hello,

I hope it's alright to post this here. A while back, I purchased a couple of vintage kesho-mawashi from an antique shop in Kumamoto, Japan. I asked the owner where he acquired them & he said, "Old man in my town bring them to my shop. He was a sumo wrestler when he was young."

They must've been very nice when new. The patterns remind me of waves, they have braiding & small bells along the bottom. They're quite old now, have a few loose threads, a couple of small holes & some staining.

Anyway, because of having to pay the IRS this year, I'm forced to part with some of my vintage collection. If someone here is interested in these kesho-mawashi, I'll let them go for $50 each shipped. Otherwise, I'll simply list them on an online auction site.

Thank you,

Victor

P.S. I tried to upload a 48kb picture, but the maximum size allowed is a ridiculous less than 20kb. Contact me & I'll be glad to send a picture. Thanks again.

[Mark.Buckton]

kesho mawashi cost in the millions of yen to make. Me smells something.

[athelitextreme]

kesho mawashi cost in the millions of yen to make. Me smells something.

They may cost in the millions now, but not 50+ years ago. I'm not even certain that it was from a professional level Rikishi... I hope you're not trying to imply that I'm being decietful.

[athelitextreme]

They may cost in the millions now, but not 50+ years ago. I'm not even certain that it was from a professional level Rikishi... I hope you're not trying to imply that I'm being decietful.

P.S. I offered them for the same amount that I paid. I don't know their true value, but when I purchased them, I considered them a great find.

[Orion]

They may cost in the millions now, but not 50+ years ago. I'm not even certain that it was from a professional level Rikishi... I hope you're not trying to imply that I'm being decietful.

Especially when they're in poor condition and don't have a name associated with them (known as 'provenance' in the trade). And _bells_ on the bottom? or do you mean 'bobbles' or something like? Without a picture I can't tell, but it sounds as if the kesho-mawashi could have a legitimate but non-professional origin, so the price is neither high nor low -- but it seems a pity you have to part with them just to pay your taxes.

[athelitextreme]

Especially when they're in poor condition and don't have a name associated with them (known as 'provenance' in the trade). And _bells_ on the bottom? or do you mean 'bobbles' or something like? Without a picture I can't tell, but it sounds as if the kesho-mawashi could have a legitimate but non-professional origin, so the price is neither high nor low -- but it seems a pity you have to part with them just to pay your taxes.

Yes, other than the statement from the shop owner, they have no provenance. I expressed my interest to the shop owner in contacting the old man, to find out about his Sumo history & that of the kesho-mawashis, but he didn't have his contact information. You're correct about them being 'bobbles', as opposed to bells, along the bottom braid. It's unfortunate to have to part with them, but life is full of cycles & I'm confident that I'll eventually come across another opportunity... as for the IRS, I'll refrain from turning this into a political opinion(s) thread.