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Showing content with the highest reputation on 11/25/2020 in all areas

  1. Here's my 10 yens worth... If, as some have suggested this is a genuine piece of late Samurai history with all of its supposed associated integrity etc. then perhaps whatever price is paid is it's current 'value'. However, it strikes me as suspicious, particularly given the overt political expressions in Japan in recent years of 'virile nationalism' that this rare treasure wasn't snapped up long before it became necessary to offer it to all and sundry on the internet. Even if we ignore that unsavoury aspect of our present political climate any serious and credible piece of Japan's history is unlikely to be hawked on an internet web-site so frivolously.
    5 points
  2. Sakaida, Henry. “Comment on Article ‘Gunso-Gunto’.” Banzai 129 (January 1993): 10.
    3 points
  3. Whats the biggie just make it a sticky at top Izakaya. No need to blow this up Respect for the dead.
    3 points
  4. Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses. I am waiting to hear back from my bank on the trace that I had them undertake. Once I do I think I will give Tsuruta a call and see what the issue is. On a more positive note it is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for having me. I look forward to getting acquainted and to broadening my education in nihonto. Best, Paul
    3 points
  5. This is an interesting blade. It is signed Takenori which is the name used by Yasukuni Shrine smith Yasunori when he worked away from the shrine on special order projects. The nekago is exceptional and if I didn't know the previous owner, who' acquired it in the 90's I'd think it was recently made.
    3 points
  6. I am completely agnostic about whether or not this community should have an "in memorium" section, But... expecting sword collectors to be responsible with regard to "practical or efficient use of space" seems wide of logic. Peter
    2 points
  7. I have a small collection of loose seppa and one of them is that same color. The more you get into the hobby, the more variation you'll come across. Do us all a favor and introduce us to some of your gunto!
    2 points
  8. My last experience with AOI is as a month ago. It is true that the communication was lengthy and I had to send more e-mails. But in the end, everything went well
    2 points
  9. 2 points
  10. Hi Jeff, Sorry, didn't quite get it all (see below). I'm not sure how much sword terminology you know, so sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs. From the right: 末加州 - Sue Kashu - late Kashu, Kashu being the province of Kaga (not sure what this equates to in terms of time period but presumably shinto or later). 地鉄: 板目肌 - Ji tetsu: Itame hada. 刃文: 互の目乱 - Hamon: Gunome midare (some subtelty here that I may be missing, but I think that is correct). (Next line - I'm struggling with the size of the print in the heading but it refers to the blade shape, in this case): 本造刀 - Hon zukuri katana (same as shinogi zukuri) 彫物: 表裏腰樋 - Horimono: Omote, ura koshibi - there's a groove on both sides of the blade (I think) starting closest to the tang but not running full length of the blade. There are a couple of other kanji here referring to carvings but I can't identify them, however, presumably you'll have an idea of what's on your blade, if not post a picture and I'm sure you'll get some help.
    2 points
  11. I would recommend contacting your credit card company, or Paypal, & seeing if you can get a refund. It may shake Tsuruta's tree. Welcome to NMB, by the way.
    2 points
  12. HI Chris...you have already answered my question ...AKIHISA was working in Niigata (His RJT swords mounted in Tokyo?). So, to try to see if those 'dome-head' hangers were made/used in a specific area of Japan, we have got: my Shigekuni...unknown smith/location unknown Chris' Akihisa in Niigata Mark's mumei..maker/location unknown Neil's Kanesane..don't know who he is or where he worked (Seki Asano Kanezane?)...Neil? So...If Seki swords and Niigata swords are turning up with these hangers, I'd say it was a more central mounting company who made/used them?
    2 points
  13. Not good. May be time to pick up the phone for clarification.
    2 points
  14. Thanks Dave. I've already taken an Uchico, Choji, and a cloth to the blade and it helped a little. I was just hoping there was another method that would take it just a tiny step further. I'll try alcohol and a coarse cloth but that's probable as far as I will take it. Ill keep it nice and oiled. Thank you.
    2 points
  15. Various airlines have contracts with EMS in different countries for handling different types of goods. There are 8 airlines who can carry packages from Japan on EMS to other countries, different airlines for different countries. The reason that people have problems with "weird rules" about swords coming from Japan via EMS and inconsistent behavior is that it depends on the contract with the individual airline about what they can carry and where. So right now depending on where you are you can still get a sword delivered, but not in the USA via EMS. I think the airline for the USA carrying swords is JAL (it is for most countries) and with the massive reduction in flights, skyrocketing infection rates, and impossibility for people to cross borders... it is just not happening now. It's not reasonable to criticize Aoi several times for not wanting to break the law and get themselves into permanent trouble for your one time purchase. And if the item is seized for being falsely declared, you're not going to shrug your shoulders and say "whelp, there goes $5k I guess", you are going to be on their case for making an insurance claim and they cannot do that if the item is falsely declared. So they are working in their own best interests, and in your own best interests. So let them do that. Be patient, take care of yourself and your family. Things will get to normal as soon as everyone stops worrying about immediate inconveniences and work together to do the necessary things to prevent spread of the virus, and from there services will automatically come back. When that is, is entirely based on how well people can cooperate to stop the spread of the virus.
    2 points
  16. Brian, I did not wish to bring this up in Mr. Davidson's thread and appear as insensitive... and I do ask this question with the most honorable of intent. Have you ever considered an "In Memoriam" section?... maybe in the members only area like the Izakaya? It would be a wonderful way to remember/memorialize those who have 'gone before'. Details of what it would look like can be discussed later if you and others think it is a good idea. Mark
    1 point
  17. I agree. This is a pretty definitive statement that suggests even where an NCO has access to an officer sword, we would not deface both it AND his ISSUED sword (which he did not own) by ripping them apart and jamming them together. The NCO fittings with officer blade myth should be buried deep, lest it become as embedded as the 'pilot gunto' myth or the Type 3 designation. That towards the end of the war NCO could bring there own swords is an undisputed fact though. I would imagine (conjecture only) that these were all civilian mounts though. Impersonating an officer is not a trivial matter. There are some photos too of soldiers/NCO with swords that were not 95s... Pretty sure F&G had one in their books. *Throwing in a disclaimer that I am aware that more than NCO and Commissioned Officer ranks were authorised to carry swords. NCO is just an easier 'catch all' reference.
    1 point
  18. How about links to their contributions and articles maybe? Lest we forget? Gratitude can have a half life in seconds to future generations.
    1 point
  19. No, Sir, I’m a gentleman and only bare with women! I do agree, Satsuma Rebellion sword. No a great sword or great mountings at first glance. However, once I have said that, I would keep it. It’s a piece of history you have here. Not that many have survived and if I had one, I would certainly keep it.
    1 point
  20. Has anybody else seen this? A wooden saya, wrapped with brass around the top and then covered with painted canvas? The blade is quite nice a Yoshihara Kuniie . It seems to be war time production. A field repair perhaps? Jim m
    1 point
  21. I have no problem with someone starting a thread in the Buyers/Sellers section, listing sellers in Japan that end auctions early or are best to avoid. They aren't scammers, so it's not libel. Just warning people who is worth waiting up for and who not to bother with. Won't hurt their bottom line I'm sure, but may save some of our members the aggravation.
    1 point
  22. Thank you Piers . Once again I have learned something new... I did not know those Bizen Sake Tokkuri. Always impressed by the NMB members skills to provide an help.
    1 point
  23. Hello, here some additional information: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanezane.htm
    1 point
  24. Check these out, Bruno. https://www.google.com/search?q=布袋徳利&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEwJa7rZ3tAhUhCqYKHSruDKMQ_AUoAXoECAUQAw&biw=1366&bih=625 Hotei Tokkuri, (for Homeishu from Tomo no Ura?)
    1 point
  25. A whole forum category for this? It would contain 6 or 7 threads a year. No, I don't think that would be practical or efficient use of space
    1 point
  26. Guys, a lovely gesture. But not practical. We would be forced to have one thread on this, can't set up a whole section. And then every time it is "bumped" with a new person...there would be no main notification of whom. You would need to visit the thread every time to see if it is a comment about the last person, or a new person, and who it is. And then what about local heroes? Who decides who is/was important to whom? I think the best way to remember them is to do as we have done, and they have their own thread that can be searched for anytime. I'll set up a new "tag" called In Memoriam that these threads can be tagged with and searched for easily.
    1 point
  27. Well, that could shed some light on some of the officer/NCO combos we’ve been seeing through the years!
    1 point
  28. Lots of information here about "cleaning" which is not the same as polishing. Coarse cloth and alcohol are a decent start, Uchico for a shabby blade is never wrong. I have heard of other things being done, but I suggest caution and searching the subject here. Forging flaws are just part of the territory with nihonto, and so far no fatal flaws such as hagire. Have fun and enjoy your new (to you) blade. Don't forget to oil the blade....
    1 point
  29. 銘酒 Famous sake (spirits)
    1 point
  30. Responding to JT Nesbitt. I too have been having difficulties with Aoi Art as of late. Before I get into the specifics I must say that up and until very lately Aoi has given me impeccable service. The blades I have bought varied in cost and quality (some cheapies, some juyo token)but they always came through for me. Things started to change about a month or two ago. I emailed them regarding a sword that I saw in their inventory offering to purchase. No response. I email them again a week later, same thing...no response. I then see later that week the item has a hold placed on it and is sold. I email them again asking for clarification...crickets! Example #2. this time recently. Given my good track record with Aoi but not fully trusting them I decide to put a bid on a cheap sword in early November. I win the bid, get the usual notice about terms, conditions and payment options. So I wire transfer the funds to them. I send them an email asking them to confirm receipt of funds and.....nothing. They ghost me again. I email them a second and third time. Polite and professional ... again no response. So now I am in limbo waiting for them to respond. I would appreciate any suggestions that members of the board may have to resolve this issue that I'm having with them. If not I hope that I may serve as a cautionary tale, should one wish to deal with them in the future. I am hoping though for a successful resolution as I have enjoyed working with them in the past, and would be pleased to update everyone on my progress or lack thereof. I thank you all for your attention and consideration. Kind regards, Paul Lehingrat
    1 point
  31. I missed the org post list. The Fimio book total waist of money if your new and looking for books IMHO you'd do well in passing on it.
    1 point
  32. Paul's passing is a tragedy. I will miss him personally as dependable friend and wise advisor. We worked together on a couple of adventures that I recall with fondness. He had a wonderful manner and a common touch but Paul was also a deep and real expert. His collection is amazing and his library without par. A sword visit to Paul involved systematic presentation of pieces arranged and curated to address the topic at hand. Paul responsibly supported sword collecting in ways that will be hard to replace. He was advisor to the JSSUS and was also, of course, President of the NBTHK-AB. He was also the rarest kind of serious collectors. He built an amazing collection of high quality blades, fittings, and armor. And he did so at the highest level. Everything in Paul's collection was just right, fully documented, and appropriately preserved. His contributions to sword appreciation absolutely need documentation. He was also hale and dynamic and the exact image of someone who would last forever. We all assumed that Paul would be there when we would need him. I truly can't understand what American Japanese sword collecting will be like without him. Peter
    1 point
  33. Hi David, Whatever is showing in the original picture doesn't appear to be there in this one so I wonder if it was a bit of the fabric used on the sword stand? Anyway, looks like you're good to go.
    1 point
  34. Dear Matt. From what we can see so far this appears to be a handachi mounted sword that has been kitted out to serve during WWII. In other words it is a Japanese sword, originally mounted as a civilian sword but later it has had a combat cover and a hanger added to make it serviceable in the war. Do you know how to remove the hilt? If not then pleaser ask and we can tell you. We need to see the blade without its mounts to be able to tell you much more. All the best.
    1 point
  35. Nice sword and all is saying so far. Only one point. There is to much oil on this blade. This will damage the wooden saya. Wipe it up before you stick it into the saya. A microfilm of oil is enough, drops are not good.
    1 point
  36. Dear David. In terms of what you re looking for this is a good piece. A nice Kaigunto with the fish skin saya, all the fittings in good condition and the knot, combined with a good looking civil sword. You don't give the length but in this context I don't think it matters very much. Of course it is possible that it is gimei but that isn't going to bother you unless you plan on having it polished and going to shinsa. It clearly didn't bother the man who carried it. Without discussing price I think this ticks all your boxes Enjoy! All the best.
    1 point
  37. I've yet to see a single example with this atari in that way on a papered sword (NBTHK) signed Masayuki or Kiyomaro
    1 point
  38. On the other hand, maybe they are realists. Look at it this way. There are possibly more gimei out there than shoshin. Then take into account it has been 75 years since the war. In that time, many of the swords with decent signatures have been through shinsa. And many swords have come out of Japan...especially onces that would not have passed shinsa or been bounced. Along with whatever the eBay sellers there dumped on the market that had no local interest in Japan. So you have 75 years of semi decent swords having a chance to be papered. And a ton of average stuff coming out of Japan. And even the "out of the woodwork" swords have reduced in the West. No..of course they haven't stopped, and of course there are still shoshin swords out there to be discovered. Lots of them. But the ratio to gimei? I don't find it so unusual that the first and easiest call is gimei when we see these swords pop up. The one thing that people SHOULD learn to accept, is the fact that gimei doesn't make a bad sword. And should not be the end of a collection.
    1 point
  39. A very useful list, especially for those looking to get started. We often get questions about recommended books. Now we have a link to give them. Thanks Thomas!
    1 point
  40. I always do this. What I should have said was "Please have patients with me." DOH! I did it again.
    0 points
  41. It's a quick and dirty fix to make the blade more attractive to the uninitiated. Very few if any fairs have good enough lighting to properly judge a blade and an acid wash brings up the detail making the blade more saleable. It's also cheaper than having a proper polish.... You would (or would not) be surprised at how many blades on a dealers table have had this done.
    0 points
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