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Hi, I'm looking to buy a tanto or katana made by a Mukansa smith with a horimono. That's basically all the criteria lol. I'm especially fond of Gassan Sadatoshi work.

Some of the fittings in my opinion sold at pretty good prices, dare I say even good deals(I converted the AUD to USD, and was like wow that's a pretty good price lol). Especially if you compare them to the recent Bonhams Auction last month. The only lot I wanted from the Bonhams auction sold for $83k

The omote side has a tree with a bird on it. No waves.

Ichinomiya Nagatsune

Okawa Teikan

Hi, I'm looking to buy the Ichinomiya Nagatsune: Tsuruga Ga Hokoru Kin no Takumi book. The same one long sold out--listed here: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b954-ichinomiya-nagatsune-tsuruga-ga-hokoru-kin-no-takumi/ Well pay very well for it!

As you know Bob, I love this kozuka. Amazing katakiri work and has the signature Otsuki school lightning. While Tokuoki isn't ranked as high as Ichijo or Natsuo, I personally think Sasayama Tokuoki is one of the very best tosogu metalworkers of all time.

Wow, love this stand! I've always loved innovative ideas to present antiques in general.

I like the detail of the one flower petal being raised apart from the rest of the hira zogan inlays.

love the subtle stripes in the tiger on this tsuba!

This Ishiguro tsuba went for $60k in 2005 on Christies. It's likely far more now, especially if it got it's Juyo certification. https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4461929 This Juyo Goto Ichijo set from the same site would also be a lot more than $49k. https://nihonto.com/fw00080/ Tsubas from Kano Natsuo, Nara Toshinaga and Yasuchika are regularly in the six figures.

Not sure if someone bought it yet but Mike Y. had a kozuka with a bird and bamboo by Natsuo he was selling.

Thank you! my lawdy, so many wonderful tsubas.

Thanks Jean, that makes more sense. Tanaka iron might have more carbon content then. Lovely kozuka Bob, and the mei of Hamano Teruchika is beautiful!

Aww I see. That's interesting. I wonder if some tosogu artists in the past purposely used softer iron for some certain techniques. ex. I heard Tanaka school used iron that was a softer type that tended to rust faster.