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Took it to our local NBTHK meeting and elicited opinions. They took the blade in hand and compared sides. General agreement that Sue Bizen particularly can look better with traditional sashikomi. So that is what I went with, dumping the hadori.

Dear all, thank you for all the comments. I can assure you of this, if you notice something that you think should be flagged, please do not hesitate to reach out directly through the website. I am making myself available and do respond/act quickly. I wish you all the best

I think one of the problems with hadori is not the technique itself, but the patience of the togishi. I've seen so many blades where the hamon was completely obscured by a hadori polish, which could have been done much better if way more time (and money) had been spent on it. For that reason I'm a fan of sashikomi - it's usually more true to what's in the steel, good or bad.

Grey is a great guy https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/q863-signed-dated-polished-papered-mounted-katana-by-hoki-no-kami-masayuki/ (note he is my partner)

In Kagoshima there is a company boss called Yamauchi (or Yamanouchi?) San, I have heard, who has devoted one whole floor of his company building to his Satsuma sword collection. In fact one of the reasons it is so hard to find anything is that he buys up any stuff that comes into the market, it is said. There is another collector friend who is creating a museum or exhibition rooms in the southwest of Kyūshū for his wonderful collection. He too sucks up anything Satsuma related, as I have painfully discovered, but he is a rather quiet and private character. Personally speaking I have a few odd bits of Satsuma material which I would be afraid to mention to these two magnetic characters! Reading your post, Moriarty, makes me rather envious when I see someone with a clear aim like you! Wishing you luck, and hoping we can learn more about what you have so far and what particularly you are searching for, and why!

Here is the link to this particular sword. https://www.e-sword.jp/katana/2510-1062.htm In person I have only seen one ōdachi that has had nakago extension, and it was performed in slightly different manner but much more smoothly than this. I think the extension in the linked sword seems quite crude fix.

I am more of a lurker than contributor to the forum but wanted to share a recent discovery and invite comments from those members who are interested in these menuki. First the background - I acquired a tanto in rather poor condition. A stout, mumei blade with some age in fairly sound condition. The koshirae were filthy, in particular the tsuka which appeared to have been in the home of a heavy smoker as entirely coated in a dark coating - possibly varnish to which grime had attached. The kashira was absent and ito broken but still mainly in place. Menuki indistinguishable, some sort of flower? There were clues that it had once been a presentable piece…two-piece habaki in shakudo and silver, nice iron fuchi with soft metal embellishments of a scroll and branch and an iron tsuba with wave pattern which had a separate shakudo rim. I sent the tsuka off for work - a replacement horn kashira and ito re-wrap. I subsequently heard from the restorer who asked me if I knew the menuki were solid gold? I did not. That was a nice surprise. I requested he take photos whilst they were off the tsuka, which he kindly did. (See attached.) Speaking of my good fortune to a couple of friends, they both advised putting the menuki in a presentation box and replacing with more modest ones. I spent too long thinking and by the time I contacted the restorer for an update, they were already back under the fresh ito! Didn’t really think too much more about it until contacting a friend who is very helpful regarding tsubas. I didn’t know if his knowledge extended to menuki. Anyway, his enthusiasm for them made me realise I should go for a wider exposure and see what this forum thinks. I welcome any information on possible school, age etc. They are of a cherry blossom and un-opened bud each on a Tanzaku (Poem paper), which I’m told is very much in Japanese taste. He notes the very unusual distinction of not having hollowed-out backs nor studs, both features he believes supports them being early. Many thanks in anticipation. Kevin.

Yeap, the issue with hadori is hadori suffocation, common in Japan, problem with sashikomi there is no per se single standard and what you get in one place is considered unacceptable in another.

Its Tanobe speak for very important and valuable. Sometimes he uses chin cho, and other times the more emphatic chin chin cho cho. As Darcy Brockbank once quipped, it's the equivalent of, if there's a house fire, this is the blade to save first.

大日本 Dai Nippon 吉田造 Yoshida zō/dzukuri 京都 Kyoto

This is the same blade but opposite sides. Hadori/Kesho to Sashikomi. PS Although Mumei, and papered to Sue Bizen Sukesada, many have suggested this is a blade by Yosozaemon Sukesada. From To

Is there an example of the same blade polished in both sashikomi and hadori? (I’d like to understand the difference more clearly.) Thank you!

FYI here’s the tanto with new tsuka wrap and menuki back in place.

Thanks for your responses Tobi, Bruce will chime in when he wakes up I'm sure. Firstly from what I can tell from one picture, your sword may be a Type 95 IJA NCO sword and they certainly were made for, and used, in combat....albeit a little less efficiently than the Type 98 IJA Officers sword. Your blade looks to be in rough shape and I really hope it's all genuine but we can't say without a few good pics of the various parts. I am wondering why you need another scabbard throat (koiguchi) for your sword. Is yours missing or damaged? Again pics would be good. There is no doubt in my mind that the Ebay ones are repros but as I said, if u need one, then they are a really good option. I wouldn't pay anymore than $155 NZ for it plus postage....you should be able to achieve at least that with the Best Offer option. In the mean time have a look at this site which covers the Type 95 NCO sword (yours by the look of it) http://ohmura-study.net/957.html You will get some good info from NMB members....just ask away 👍 Rob

Calm down folks. Julien is nice enough to to engage here, that is more than many are willing to do, and the fact that Ray vouches for him says a lot in my mind. This isn't a witch hunt. Let's be polite, and maybe if you have questions, direct message or email is best. If you choose to post here, I'll be watching for rudeness or confrontation. I prefer dealers/sellers feel welcome enough to post here. Thanks for posting Julien and all the best.

Wow...what interesting discussions...so glad we have NMB to express them on. All the best to all. Regards...

Blade is 1st Generation Chounsai Tsunatoshi. It has some remarkable provenance which will be saved for a comprehensive article in the not too distant future.

I'm currently seeking Satsuma-related items: particularly blades, koshirae, tsuba, and other sword fittings or accessories tied to the province. At the moment, I'm finding it difficult to locate pieces available for purchase outside of sold listings and references in books. If anyone knows of reputable sources, dealers, private collectors, or upcoming sales that feature authentic Satsuma items, I’d greatly appreciate any leads. Thanks in advance for any information you’re willing to share

Less Decorative than my first, This one doesn't have the decoration like my osaka variant. Not removed the barrel at all but once i have it in hand i'll take some more pictures.

Hello All! I'm a new member to this site (and a novice on Japanese swords). I'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on this sword I bought at an auction today for $150. I believe it is an Army Kyu-Gunto but I'm just guessing. The blade is still quite sharp (all the way back to the hilt. I took the Menuki out but could not get the tsuba off. Seems like there might be another pin (I can get it about 1/4" inches off). The Saya is metal covered in some sort of cloth. Thoughts? Thank you!!

So maybe 啓司 (Hiroshi), do you think?

Thank you Uwe!!!

Hi Sam, There is an official Japanese program thru the Japanese Embassy in Wash. DC. They only try to find the family of the soldier. The sword in question has both the swordsmith signature and the name of the officer (other side of the tang). I submitted the pics and names over a year ago. They told me it would be at least a year and a half if they could even find the soldier's family. Last I checked they haven't been able to but they would like me to give them a few more months. I do appreciate your thoughts on this though. Cheers, Roger

In my case, the Togishi told me he could reduce the blade to sashikomi, so I asked him to do just the one side. At the NBTHK local meeting we brought the blade for everyone to see, and among the members there was a more ‘senior’ Togishi whom he respectfully consulted for advice. When everyone finally recommended the sashikomi side (for Sue Bizen), then he was happy to go with that, especially to bring out the characteristic Sukesada Hamon.

Thank you very much Piers ! You were fast! Happy to learn that it was made in Kyoto. I' ll make my research on the manufacturing company.

Wow, thank you very much! @Bugyotsuji Sashikomi definitely speaks to me..

Tobi, Don Schlickman in the US makes reproduction parts for Type 95s. I don’t know if he could mail to NZ, but might be worth contacting him. https://www.nambuworld.com/donspartslist.htm

Sorry mate, my names Tobi, I'll update my profile

I agree with Hamish. But only my opinion as well. Reasons ..... The brightness of the red....looks like it's never seen the sun but also, I would expect some age variation or colour loss. Similarly, to me the kanji looks like it was done yesterday. Again, very solid colour and it looks like it was all done by ne or two people. Now I can't read it but I hope it wasn't supposed to be signed or noted by many people, because it dosnt look like it. You might be able to shed some light on that aspect Piers @Bugyotsuji I would also expect white material to have some form of age such as yellowing or discoloration in patches or folds Can't say I've seen a tiger on one of these before (but I'm no expert) .....maybe it's relevant to the wording (symbolic/mascot?) or maybe it's just a nice 'tourist hook' All based on gut feeling. Sounds like you might have some thoughts on this Piers ?

You might to want to check with Danny Massey .... https://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_for_sale.html

Hi Maurice, Tis late. I sold most of my Satsuma tsuba, but kept the best one. Will talk tomorrow.

Hello, one here with the 'patina' intact and the right way up! https://www.jauce.com/auction/e1193417263 "Tsuba, ornaments, sword fittings" and nothing to see on the ura

Appears to be an early Hanwei (or similar) sword, nothing worth looking twice at.

Beaten and eaten. Pass on it bro. This having only one mekugi ana worries me even more. Better go for brand new 1090 steel chinese. At least you wont hurt anyone. This one saw everything and it wasn't everything in iaido only. Probably rattles more annoyingly then icecream truck

thank you!!

This first lot of nine netsuke are: 1. Top left. Signed grotesque female head in Tagua nut ‘vegetable ivory’. 2. Lower left. Two bone Netsuke designed to look like bamboo. 3. Top right. Baleen netsuke, w/marine ivory. Wrote an article for Euronetsuké magazine outlining some theories about this one. 4. Second down on right. Walrus tusk manjū netsuke, two Edo travellers. 5. Mask and Jurojin in spermwhale tooth. 6. Bottom right. Two narwhal ‘ikkakuju’ or ‘unikooru’ slice ‘senbei’ netsuke. One is cut away, grated for medicinal purposes(?). The other has a silver central fitment with ‘kugi nuki’ kamon on front, and ring attachment at back.

Having mentioned ivory earlier, here is a little drawer of elephant ivory Netsuke that I decided to keep. Legally there is not much I can do with them, but they are fun to take out just to admire the carving and to remember the stories behind them. Today I was sorting out a larger drawer. Following this post I’ll show some of the ‘other’ ivories.

I think I might have one on file with a belt, but I suspect that was added by the collector. As to the number of kaikan (ashi), you are assuming the belt would be Navy. Army, after 1938, used one kaikan, one hanger. But remember, these souvenir swords are neither Army nor Navy. They intentionally used mixed fittings. It became illegal to sell war weapons and ship them. These were made so they were clearly never a military item.

Bruce. From China? I'd be willing to bet they are 'new' repros and the numbered one with paint remnants has been put in the bunch to attract attention. Having said that, they are what they are and if a person needed one then they are a great option because a genuine one will almost never surface.

I personally do not like Catawiki and would never advice it to anyone...

I think the Catawiki website uses very tricky wording, and that it makes it seem like Julien has personally chosen the items, while I believe they are just from various sellers. So it is confusing as for example in OP sword the seller itself is an antique dealer. The sword in OP is from Kyodai Originals https://kyodaioriginals.nl/product/katana-by-echizen-ju-hyuga-fujiwara-sadakuni-ca-1664-nbthk-hozon-certified/

Yes, actually great timing to resurrect this thread. I'm also in a dilemma with regards my tanto. Much of the nioiguchi in the hamon has been worn away through repeated polishes over the centuries. No surprises as the dealer was open about it and I could see what was going on in the photos. Under normal circumstances a sashikomi polish would be the order of the day but I wonder, in this case, if a proper hadori/kesho polish by an expert togishi is the most appropriate. I also need to read this thread to understand the arguments for and against.

I’m sure @Bruce Pennington will be around soon. I could also use a pair of calipers on mine and get you some exterior measurement, let me know if that would help. But for reasons that would take too long to explain, I am unable to disassemble my koiguchi to get the interior measurements; and my other Type95 is a side latch. In the meantime, I found this link on eBay that may be of interest. https://ebay.us/m/BXoJpb Would you care to share the stamps and number? Looks like a Tokyo saya perhaps. Best of luck, -Sam

I have an Ichijo shakudo tsuba where the nakago-ana has been completely retro-fitted, probably some time after initial manufacture. You can see in the angled pictures that the alloy used is a slightly different colour than the black/blue of the tsuba. It's an extreme conversion and shows that the piece was important to someone but as to why it was done, your guess is as good as mine. Best, Tom

And I do have a question, is it true that Catawiki tells you guys to try anything possible and even refuse items if the seller does not agree to a no reserve price or a very very low reserve? And another question is : how many items do you have to review on a weekly basis and is this number affecting the quality of appraisals?

Bruno, drifting off the topic but have you seen this? https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1190180124 Suitable for a trident !!

But why post it in the fake thread? It’s not fake… just repainted.

This might be a known thing, and lesson learned for me in the future...however for anyone that is on the fence about purchasing online from Aoi Art - ask for real photos/video. I recently purchased a seemingly nice wakizashi (right under $10k) that was displayed in the image scans as having a nice milky sashikomi-ish style hamon with a pleasing jihada, rated with Tsuruta's "jyojyosaku" rating. Received it a few days ago and knew something was off immediately, polish was weird, jigane was very white and blurry, a world away from the image scan. I sent it over to Moses Becerra and seems the entire blade was acid washed/etched. Needless to say its getting entirely repolished with him now, but wanted to give anyone new to here or that website that this was extremely misleading.

Meantime, to kickstart this thread, here is a netsuke. It is quite representative of Netsuke in general, a little small perhaps, and the only reason I have chosen this one is that it is my latest find. (And I like it.) Unsigned, it is probably carved from 'tsuge' 柘植, 黄楊, 樿 etc., boxwood, for which there are various Kanji. Buxus microphylla var. Japonica. The carving is finely done, and the netsuke is a pleasure to hold in the hand. There are no added himotoshi holes, this netsuke taking advantage of the natural gaps between the stems of the mushroom branch through which to pass the strings. (Re Himotoshi. Himo 紐 means string/cord, and 通し toshi is part of the verb 通す tosu, to pass through. Short for himotoshi-ana, or 'string-threading holes'.) What would once have hung from this possibly seasonal Netsuke? Quite realistically carved, I can imagine that it might stimulate the taste buds of a Japanese person. Photos follow Can be enjoyed from any angle.

Couldn't agree more. As one of the primary countries where illegal ivory is sourced, the bans have created MORE demand, not less. And aside from rhino horn poaching which has vastly overtaken ivory poaching, it is happening on a daily basis, in spite of millions of $'s being spent on security. Govt, police and high level syndicates are involved, and the ban has done ZERO to prevent the poaching and trade. My personal (controversial) opinion is that govts sitting with thousands of tons of stockpiled ivory should FLOOD the market with ivory that is already in stockpiles, and drive the prices down so much, that there is no incentive for poaching. No-one will poach elephants if the prices are cheap. The supply in Africa of already poached ivory is vast, and could kill the trade in illegal ivory. Nothing else has worked.