All Activity

I just recently purchased a few cheap replicas but then my focus shifted to nihontos and mainly antique katanas,probably pretty old ones. I am going to Japan in October and I want to learn all I can about my new passion. I did just receive The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords to start. But I need suggestions on what I need to learn and resources etc. More books? Online reading or videos? How to inspect a Nihonto for certain features? I am truly serious about my interest in Japanese swords and am actually going to Japan for this alone. I just have to do it before November or I may lose my chance to go for a long time. I should be there during the Seki Homono festival. I don’t even know where I’m gonna stay. Probably Tokyo and travel to Seki for a day or two. Thank you for any assistance it will be very gladly appreciated!

Just found this on YouTube:

My humble addition to this topic. Long wakizashi (57 cm) in wooden saya, leather covered, brass koiguchi. Notice the peculiar style of press studs.

SOLD: - Nihonto Koza set - Meito Zuikan set - Shin Nihon Kantei Nyumon set - How to recognize Gimei

Why not use something like so: https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-sakuyo-tsuyama-ju-hirokiyo-saku1989/ Or https://www.aoijapan.com/tachiunshu-ju-tadayoshi-zo-kore-2ndmukansa-swordsmithnbthk-hozon-token/ Generally if you find modern shinsakuto in Japan you can ask for the dealer to get you papers before shipping (if the smith has passed away, if still alive it is not possible)

As I asked above, let us please stay on topic and not dilute it. I am sure there are other, more suitable places in the forum to comment and share opinions on whether or not one would use a nihonto for practice, the value and meaning of NBTHK and all that. Thank you everyone!

Dear experts, I am immensely grateful for your information. You have helped us a lot

Lucky you, my love of flashy designs, shibuichi and shakudo has been bleeding me dry My favourite types of pieces by and large are the ones going through the roof in price. I do have a pretty broad collection though which has been described by other Australian members on this board as "random" (they're honestly not wrong) so I can still find affordable pieces here and there!

True enough, I have followed several tsuba that I would love to have - nothing fancy just interesting shapes. However the asking prices are not what the market is prepared to pay [this includes me!] So I know of several pieces that have been on the market for at least eight years! No "bites" and no lowering of the sellers prices - I guess the dealers are waiting for inflation to catch up and don't mind hanging onto stock for around a decade! The market works both ways.

I fully agree! No, it means "worthy of preservation". Your opinion "that's all" is just your opinion. Don't change the meaning of what is stated (and can be translated) in Japanese language. So if in Japan Karoshi & suicide is common that means we should do the same? Another stupid comment of yours. No, they won't paper a blade which is not "worthy preservation". Do you really need papers for practice sword? I assume it is for Iaido, not Tameshigiri, right? Anyway, I will send you a PM, please check it.

I think we have him on forum here.

Someone offered him the gunto and he said they are the only pictures he had received, so I think the owner must have printed out photos for the guy.

Ko bizen tomonori??

Hi Iryna! Your sword style is the Type 98 Japanese officers gunto (army sword). The saya (scabbard) was made for a leather cover, but it's gone missing over the last 80 years. It would look like these, originally: You can read all about these swords on Ohmura's excellent site: Military Swords of Imperial Japan Here is a good page for care and cleaning: Japanese Sword Care

The least they could have done was take their own pictures. John C.

It is my belief that these swords originally had a 1 shaku nakago used for officer training.were then collected and fitted with standard length koshirai .

As noted above the mei looks to be “Kaneuji” 兼氏 but it is roughly cut. Also noted above the date is 1940 (皇紀二千六百年 = Imperial Era 2600 Year) also very roughly cut. Although Kaneuji is a very old name in Mino, there is only one registered in WW2 Seki and he is Yoshida Reiichi (吉田鈴市). From the Seki registration list Yoshida Kaneuji was born Taisho 14 (1925) January 13 and registered on Showa 13 (1938) Sept 9 (living at Seki-cho, Naka-machi) which would be age 13. (this is a little odd for his age, maybe a deshi, and also he is the earliest registered in the list). For the blade shown in 1940 he would be age 15 (perhaps explains rough work?). The Sho stamp fits the age. However, other examples dated 1940 (Fuller & Gregory (1940)) and also 1942 (F&G (Seki stamp) and Slough (Seki stamp)) are better finished (also taka-no-ha nakago) and probably are nakirishimei signed. Are they the same smith or joint work? Here are the examples for comparison. Fig 1, 2, 3 (Iryna). ) Fig 4 (Slough p. 72) Fig 5, 6 (F & G 1983) Fig 7, 8, 9 (Gendai Index Rick Stein).

I think this seller is cutting himself off at the knees by trying this as a sales tactic.

I got it, Many thanks.

True

His linage is not detailed in the reference books I have. It may not be documented, since Bob Haynes would normally note that in the artist entry. The book I am referring to is this one. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b760-the-index-of-Japanese-sword-fittings-and-associated-artists-by-robert-haynes/ This is one of the best English to Japanese tosogu artist reference books available. I think a good purchase if interested in collecting signed kinko tosogu.

This sellers sales tactics are really a cut above the rest....

Nine thousand USD, is this guy serious?! That seller is shaping up nicely as the next samurai monkey....