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Showing content with the highest reputation on 12/23/2020 in all areas

  1. Hello, I wanted to show the last project. The order was for tsukamaki. However, after unwrapping the old braid, SAME was found to be in poor condition. I peeled off and cleaned SAME and then stained it using the traditional method. It was not the end of worries. The new fuchi and kashira needed a new spigot to make the fitter solid. On this occasion, I tried a new way to integrate new wood into the current wood. The wedge-shaped and additional 2 pins for this work gave a good effect. It shouldn't fall apart. Previously, I made flat inserts with 2 pins but I believe that the wedge will hold better if the tsuka was to be used for training. About tsukamaki. I learn something new every time. Currently, I plan to focus even more on shaping the washi paper under the braid. I believe my next tsuka will be even better. Thank You for watching. More photos and video here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/artur_drogamiecza/albums/72157717440581412
    12 points
  2. Tiger looks quite Mito, perhaps some Nara flavour too...but Mito would be my first call.
    2 points
  3. Dear Julius. Welcome to NMB! Your sword is indeed a wakizashi, the pictures of the nakago, tang, indicate that it has been shortened at some time in it's life. The mounts are complete, though I cannot see the kashira clearly and that may be a replacement put together when the hilt was re wrapped and that by someone who did not know what they were doing. In the sword's present condition it is going to be hard to say much more about it with any degree of certainty except that it is an original Japanese sword, it will be at least as early as the 19th century though the shortening may suggest earlier. The tsuba, guard, may be an early one. You have resisted the urge to clean anything, stick with that idea, just a little light oil on the blade while you work out what to do. If it were mine I would probably arrange to have the hilt re bound by an expert and keep it the way it is now. As to value, well not a great deal. In the UK a few hundred pounds, probably the same in the US. As a family piece brought back by your grandfather, of course it's a treasure. Hope this helps, much more to come from others I am sure. All the best.
    2 points
  4. I mean people buy tons of the crap coming out of China, why not just tell people "these are fakes BUT they're Japanese " -t
    2 points
  5. Kuyomon were used by many families - here are the kuyomon of the Hosokawa and Date respectively...
    2 points
  6. OK, I will bite. 1. What I look at sequentially are the shape, the steel, the hataraki (hamon), the nakago and the signature (if present). 2. What is difficult to learn (not necessarily to understand) are the particularities of the various makers and schools. This requires often a lot of rote memorization to learn. 3. I would like to talk with any well established sword maker whose period of activity was in the late Kamakura period. I would like to ask whether the increase in the length and size of swords actually had anything to do with the Mongol invasions that occurred in 1274 and 1281, or whether that is a modern myth. Of course, I would need a translator that spoke Kamakura period Japanese and 21st century English!
    1 point
  7. I appreciate thoughts on this Dragon Tsuba. Thank you
    1 point
  8. Mito was your guess too Luis. Its a beautifull tsuba and you done well to buy it.
    1 point
  9. There are sometimes mixed features or small parts, most of these would be post war swaps. More picture of the mounts would be needed to be sure.
    1 point
  10. I assume this is a late Edo periode work. THoughts are most welcome. Thank you
    1 point
  11. Possibly Shōnai (庄内) school.
    1 point
  12. It seems to be a common theme, but I have yet to see a satisfactory explanation. https://tokka.biz/fittings/TS533.html https://blog.goo.ne.jp/onikuma1210/e/1bb5c6b54d87a3b4ef971727bd596849 http://tsubaryuken.com/mo_15.html https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/b166820306/
    1 point
  13. Make sure not to use a newer copper coin as it is too hard. I use an old large British penny that I received from Arnold Frenzel, a person that many of us miss.
    1 point
  14. Kodzuka looks nice, Peter. All the best.
    1 point
  15. I prefer kakejiku of oshigata or sometimes Japanese castles... -t
    1 point
  16. True story time. About three years ago I bought a sweet little iron Bashin from a dealer, in the shape of a bamboo stalk. He assured me that it was the work of Yanagimura Senju, the famous Kinko and Horimono-Shi (who passed away not too long ago). Sadly it was not signed. I was proud to be buying something created by Senju Sensei, especially as I had once owned, and stupidly sold, a Chiisa-gatana with a superb horimono by him. Through an intermediary, I contacted his son Soju who continues the workshop and asked if he could certify it in some way. He and his mother both clearly remembered the piece, but he would not insert his father's Mei. He kindly wrote a cover letter acknowledging its provenance, but he did not want any payment. I gave him a bottle of good Scotch whisky in thanks. Then I discovered that they had put another little handy knife into the box, which actually did carry the signature of his father!
    1 point
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