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> "You attack me here in public for your stupidity." This is not called for in the least and is the kind of toxicity that brings this board down. > I don’t mean to condone Thomas’ aggressive tone, although it might be due in part to his poor mastering of English. Then don't condone it by making excuses for him. The word "stupid" has the same connotation in every language and he is past the toddler phase where people begin to grasp what it means.

To a very understanding member who helped last Aug when I needed to raise $$ for my son. No need for names she knows how grateful I am. Two of my favorites to return before next month.

Toppei Koshirae possibly.... http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/koshirae.html

Dear Bob, I'm with Geraint - that's an excellent face! Very expressive. Bob, I know that you know the subject is Moso, but for some of our colleagues who don't know Moso's story, here's a summary that I recently wrote for someone else: We sometimes see a man with a straw hat and mino (rain coat) or hoe digging up a bamboo shoot in the snow on tosogu. If we see this in a museum or book, usually the caption is nothing more than "Moso and bamboo shoot" leaving the viewer rather flat and uninspired. Many of the collectors that I know would shun this type of tosogu thinking that must have been for tourists or merchants because no “self respecting Samurai" would want a farmer on his tosogu. However, when you know that Moso is one of the classical paragons of filial virtue who was held in very high regard by Samurai as a reminder to be faithful to their parents and family, it changes your appreciation of the piece. As you may know, Moso’s mother was on her deathbed and she expressed a desire to eat stewed bamboo shoots (usually a Spring delicacy). It was snowing and the middle of Winter, so Moso knew that there wouldn’t be any bamboo shoots. Nevertheless, he hiked many miles into the mountains where the bamboo grew and started digging in the snow while weeping about his mother’s impending death (makes the expression on his face on your kozuka more meaningful). The gods rewarded his devotion by causing bamboo shoots to spring up under the snow, so Moso was able to grant his mother’s last request. A sword with this motif would have been an excellent gift from Samurai parents to their son, or for a Samurai who wanted a daily reminder to serve his family well. This knowledge would not only prevent some collectors from passing up such a sword/tosogu, but should also significantly add to the enjoyment of the owner/viewer who now has some insight into the life and character of the Samurai who carried the sword/tosogu.

Hello, Picked up some swords the other day here around Camp Lejeune. These were attic pieces. I want to thank Bruce P. the Daimyo of WW2 blades for taking a look at there and recommending a post on them. "Hand Salute" to Bruce. This may be a Canvas covered battlefield pickup from Tinian or Saipan. It has a large Seki stamp, seems to have a water quenched hamon & hand drilled menkuana, A WW2 set of civilian koshirae rounds out this odd piece. Best regards, Bob

Hi George: thanks for adding the context for this beautiful piece.

This topic is done. Again. Buyers of these need to ask if they are the originals done by Harry, or later ones, and clarify the quality. There are copies of copies of copies out there. Buyer beware. Darcy is correct. Tom, it's best when you don't participate much, way too much controversy over the years.

Its the era name. The whole thing is 享和二年八月吉日 真之甲伏鍛此二刀限余不造 Kyōwa ninen hachigatsu kichijitsu Mano kōbuse kono nitō kagiri amari tsukurazu A lucky day in August 1802 Made in kōbuse style ... (?) I don't know what is meant by the bit after that, but my guess is that this is part of a two-sword set that was made like this, and that it was a unique set ("made no others like it"). He often used 15-plate kōbuse style, and engraved that on his swords. This only mentions kōbuse (nothing about how many layers).

Hi guys was taking some photos of this kinmichi wakizashi and its koshire the other day so i thought i'd share some pics. Igar no kami fujiwara kinmichi 2nd generation cheers Chris H

Nah, There is a huge chip to the edge, might be combat related from the looks of the damage as it was a incredible swing. It does have a nice hamon from a quick glance a 3 point type. If it clips to that NLF belt and trop uniform I'll slap it on there, it is a good display piece as you don't have to worry about people handling it at a gun show when I set up about once a year.

Robert, The FASTEST way to exit this forum is to discuss, promote, or participate in amateur polishing. Anyone who has been around a little bit here knows that. Do NOT do it, and do not discuss it. That's a fine looking sword. Don't screw it up.

Not a huge fan of using Nihonto for tameshigiri personally but you have some lovely blades and it is great to see so much support of modern smiths .

Dear Bob. Another beauty! I love the face. I think he is wearing a mino, cf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mino_(straw_cape) All the best.

Actually there is no “国 (kuni)” just after Sendai in the mei. —-> 仙臺住藤原国(包)

.....Having recently purchased this Kunikane blade with as i believed a mumei signature, upon receiving it i was not so sure.... Robert, MUMEI means 'no signature', you probably meant GIMEI (false or faked signature).

Item No. 28 - Kozuka in shibuichi with inlays of gold , silver and shakudo - Ichinomiya school 19th cent. Subect of winter scene with Moso tying up a bundle of bamboo shoots. Snow has fallen on his hat and also lies on the ground . He also wears a cape with feathers ? against the cold. Signed Nagatsune with kao Ex C.P.Peak collection Published : Red Cross Exhibition Catalogue , London 1915 , Plate CXXXVI , no. 710

Do you please have a snapshot of the contents page and some of the contents? What are we talking about here - 10 armours / 20 armours / 30 armours? Are there swords or kodogu in there too or mostly/only armour and parts thereof (menpo, kabuto etc)? Thank you.

Yes, it is. The painter drew without thinking of attaching the tsuba to the sword. A gunsmith who made a strange gun might have made it without thinking of riding a horse.

Well I don't see that idea being too good for the horse! He either gets shot in the leg or he bolts and throws the rider - and just how do you aim it without falling out the saddle or blowing your own toes off?

Jason, they do come in all shapes, but whereas ordinary clothes chests tend to have larger bulkier dimensions all round, katana-dansu have a longer narrower and less deep profile, and they usually have sets of rests inside.

Payed OK I can change it to English but not on the payment page so I didn't see the 'accept conditions box' so initially I didn't see it

Hello, Picked up some swords the other day here around Camp Lejeune. These were attic pieces. I want to thank Bruce P. the Daimyo of WW2 blades for taking a look at there and recommending a post on them. "Hand Salute" to Bruce. Anyway, these from Bruce's tips and hints this looks to be a black handle NCO. I do not see any other paint under the wear of the black on handle or scabbard. Best regards, Bob

Swords with boxes seems to be the latest fashion on yahoo auctions in Japan. It's a win win for the sellers, more money for the items and more money they can demand for shipping. Buyer beware.

You pretty much paid retail, in my opinion. You didn’t get ripped off, but there are better deals to be had (usually here) if you are patient. Mumei and shinto with no papers is very much a commodity package. If you do ever want to sell it you’ll need to be very patient to make your money back. As others have said, you can do a lot worse for a first blade.

This 千葉半島住近藤 Chiba-hantō jū Kondo Kondo of Chiba Peninsula is in Japan NOT China.

Congrats, nice looking sword. You may want to search the board on the use of uchiko. Its getting more common to use micro fibre instead as the uchiko gradually scratches the blade surface and dulls polish.

These negative reactions like this seems very inappropriate without explanation. Not just here but with another tsuba sale too.

Question for NihontoCollector Hi Luis, as it is not possible to send you a private message I use this option it's just ordinary curiosity Why do you react negatively to posts without explaining what you have reservations about?

I’m not sure why everyone is so against acid etching. It’s way cheaper and it looks ok. happy April fools

I happily own a wakizashi by the same smith! Absolutely lovely, the way yours was mounted.

Koi n copper ( in my best Homer Simpson chocolate version) Or that ol song I want it I want it I want it I want it I want it you can't have it One of the best looking packages of late. Congrats!

Nice to meet you. Posted from Japan. I am interested in and researching Inuyama swordsmiths. Its been 12 years ago, so I don't know if you still own it, but if you still own it, could you show me the whole image? Excuse me in Japanese, but this is my survey record page. Inuyama swordsmiths My mail address gogarasu44@gmail.com

One can call by this name many things, but most usefully is to refer by this name "uchigatana" typically Bizen, less often Mino blades with a distinctive short nakago and nagasa very close to 2 shaku, either slightly above or below. A popular weapon in 1510-1560. They are "long swords", but with a predominantly single handed use.

Ok..to make it clear...Jamie was using his ONE April 1st pass. Done.....now ignore that comment