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I'm home now after my first sword show at the San Francisco Token-Kai. I had an incredible time, learned so much, made a few purchases, met some great people, and can't wait to attend another show. For those that missed it, here's a few photos and a video I took of the event. My camera is just an older iPhone, so I imagine there are better photos out there, but here's what I've got. Me up and ready bright and early for the day. My wife tagged along for the morning, but I was left free rein for the afternoon I went back and looked at this BEAUTIFUL sword several times. A Hizento by the second generation, the owner had just completed a daisho by the first generation Tadayoshi and was selling this example from the same school: One of the best attendees was this little friend: A MASSIVE o-dachi: A Yoroi-dōshi (edited for spelling, thanks Piers D!). I had been hoping to see one! Ha ha ha, I'm not quite sure about the science here, but a great way to build community, and the dealer was incredibly nice! Very few kyu gunto present. I had been hoping to study more, but honestly, I think there were perhaps 3 total. Of course, I was foolish and didn't get a good photo of this display, which was several Juyo works, and the most expensive was $175,000. Beautiful!!

Here's the shot of my loot upon getting home! I need to properly take photos and kantai the two katana I purchased, so those will be in the "Nihonto" sub-forum sometime in the next month. And finally is the short walkaround video I took. I didn't want to be too obtrusive, so it's probably about a third of the booths and really just a glancing view of most. But fun to see everyone!

I have 11 swords - I love them all - I would not part with any of them. 1. Mumei - Bizen c. 1400 2. Seisui Tokyo 1944 3. Yamagami Munetoshi Niigata 1941 (RJT smith) 4. Yamagami Munetoshi Niigata 1943 RJT star 5. Okishiba Yoshisada Osaka c.1943 (RJT smith) 6. Nagao Kunishiro Aomori 1944 RJT star 7. Shigekuni Wakayama? c. 1942 8. Nakata Kanehide Gifu 1944 RJT star 9. Mumei early gendaito c.1890? 10. Takashima Kunihide Kyoto 1944 RJT star 11. Tsukamoto Masakazu Fukushima 1942 (RJT smith)

That was after 2 years of re-fitting missing parts and a $2,200 polish! Here's some before shots:

I'm like George. My collection goal was to get good representatives of the primary Types and variants of WWII gunto (ok, I have some pre-WWII's too). And I have that now, and don't plan to ever part with any of them, else the collection would again be incomplete. But I've learned to "never say never", so in answer to the question it would definitely by my dad's '41 Mantetsu Koa Isshin.

This one, my okimasa.

Steve, without seeing these on a MINATOGAWA, at your stage of collecting I wouldn't take the risk, unless it has been papered.

Many thanks for posting this Michael . I have always wondered what one of the American shows would look like and yours is the first decent photographic coverage that I can recall seeing . You were lucky to be there. Ian brooks

The part might be related to a landing gear. Anyway, it looks much younger than WWII to me. I guessed the following characters in red. 最大緩衝 – Maximum shock absorbing (point) 地上静止 – Standing on the ground (point)

THANK YOU! I was hoping someone would share some pics. You did a great job. Looks like a lot of fun was had.

Pretty sparse of consumers. Next year you’ll be elbow to elbow and meet a lot more enthusiasts. Thanks for the pics.

Peter, I believe there were 21Juyo pcs in the room swords and fittings best of the best if you drop a camera or anything away goes something people have spent their lives looking for and not to mention the costs with this , as James noted above just traveling with this stuff makes the owners nervous !!!! So thank you to the owners for bringing their prized items to the show for everyone to see and learn from as it was one of the BEST displays ever !! Fred Geyer

Peter I disagree with your assessment that it was a failure to USE it. You simply do not know what you are talking about. The event was attended by 90+ people and we did USE it as an education tool to enhance the mission of the NBTHK-AB. Additionally, there were professional photographs taken of several of the items and some of them will be available on the members only section of the NBTHK-AB site. More importantly I have to say I am somewhat disappointed that you think that just because you are a member of the NBTHK-AB that you are entitled for that organization to provide you with photos for an event you did not attend. What I think you fail to understand is that these items were provided as part of personal collections and are not owned in any way by the NBTHK-AB. So ultimately it is up to the owners of the items if they want those photographs published on the internet etc. Let me also remind you that it takes a tremendous amount of work to put on these presentations, not to mention significant cost and risk of damage for items, loss etc so when I see posts like this it is really disappointing to me personally to hear the complaint vs the thanks for going to all the extra work with absolutely no personal benefit. I also want to say these are my personal thoughts and not those of the NBTHK-AB.

two years ago. This yari made by Sumitani Masamin，copied 日本号（one of the Japanese famous yari）as a gift to SUZUKI KATEI ,He is the retired former head researcher of the Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK)

Hi everyone, Its been a while but glad to see that the familiar folks are active on the board! Went to the SF sword show this weekend and had a blast. Missed out on some gems specially a katana that Grey and Mark had at the table. Was gone by the time I got back from getting more funds but that's how it goes. Did get 2 new swords: Wakizashi is signed Iga no Kami Sadatsugu (mid 1600) rated wazamono. koshirae and shirasaya included. Katana is mumei but shows alot of activity on the hamon. Potentially Ichigo? Met a lot of friendly faces. Andy Quirt is awesome. He saw me walking around with my son on Saturday. When I went back Sunday to purchase some swords, he gives me a tsuba to give to my son for his collection. Not overly crowded but seems busier compared to the last one in 2019.

Gassan Sadakazu. Brother to the one in the Minatogawa Book (which is from the Shinshinto Meikan).

Recessed rivets into aluminium skin were a new feature that was incorporated into the Zero fighter amongst others.

Thanks for all the eye sweets, er… candy! Yoroi piercing? Hmmm… Rather it passes by or slips between the sections of yoroi, to the back, neck etc., so ‘Yoroi-dōshi’. According to some sources, also known as 馬手差し Metezashi..., worn at the right hip.

Great fun thank you. May i ask who was supplying the mouth sanitizer? I have a good guess but dont want to say his name n be wrong.

I found the answer! It's 1943.4.11.Lunar calendar 3.7.

Whenever I see a sale of a sword with the pin missing I always contact the seller and tell him or her to make a replacement and why it is important. If I save one Nihonto it is worth the effort. Grey

That's correct, both swords have Tokyo 1st Arsenal mei and star. And I'm wondering how many smiths use Tokyo 1st Arsenal mei? I knew there are more than a few smith work at Tokyo 1st Arsenal. Now we have 3,勝信 Katsunobu, 尚武 Naotake, and 宣威 Nobutaka. Tokyo Dai Ichi Rikugun Zoheisho (東京第一陸軍造兵廠) These smiths made swords at the Imperial Army's arsenal factory in Akabane, Tokyo (1943-45). These swords are usually inscribed 'Tokyo Dai Ichi Rikugun Zoheisho'. Others may have also worked here on a part-time basis. 1. Nobutaka (宣威) 2. Kanemasa (兼正) 3. Katsunobu (勝信) 4. Morikuni (守国) Other The following smiths include: 1. Those working in the late Bakumatsu period on into the Meiji Period. 2. Smiths not formally affiliated with any of the above groups who nonetheless made swords in Tokyo. 3. Smiths which have not yet been proven to be connected with any of the above groups. Akimi (昭美) (Denshujo?) Akitaka (昭高) (Denshujo?) Akiyuki (昭通) (Denshujo?) Genji (源次) Hisahiro (久弘) Hidetoshi (秀俊) Hidemori (英守) Hirotsugu (広次)/ Hirotsugu (寛次) ( Sokanﾕs son ) Hironaga (寛長) (Enshin ?) Hisayoshi (久義) Ishinsai (一心斎) Kiyokane (清兼) (Denshujo?) Kunihide (国秀) ((kodai Tsunatoshi) Kunimitsu (国光) Kunimune (国宗) Kunihiro (国博) Kunitada (国忠) Kunitaka (国隆) Korehide (是秀) (kodai Tsunatoshi) Korekazu (是一) (kodai Korekazu) Kunimasa (国和) Masatada (正周) ( Suzuki Masaoﾕs group) Masanori (正則) (Joukeishi Masaakiﾕs student) Masakazu (正一) Masanobu (正与)/Masataka (政賢) Masayoshi (政善) Masatsuna (聖綱) Masasuke (正助) Mitsukazu (光一) Miyotaro (三代太郎) Morikuni (盛国) Morimichi (守道) Moritoshi (盛俊) ( Kurihara Nobuhideﾕs student) Morotaka (師敬) Muneshige (宗重) Nanta (楠太) Nankoku (南国) Naokatsu (直勝)/ Naomune (直諒) (Sandai Naokatsu; Naomune is early mei) Naohide (直秀) (Naokatsuﾕs student; Naotane group) Naohiro (直広) Naotake (尚武) Noriyuki (則行) Saneoki (真興) Saneyoshi (真義) (Kato Ichitaro (加藤一太郎); Hanazawa Tanrenjo?) Sanezumi (真澄) Senshu (仙綉) Shizukuni (鎮国) Sukenobu (祐信) Tadakazu (忠和) Takaoki (高興) Takeshi (武) Tokiyoshi (時吉) Tsuguesuke (継え助) Ujiyori (氏白) Yasufusa (康房) Yasushige (康重) (12th generation Shitahara) Yasumoto (康元) Yoshisaburo (与三郎) Yoshihiro (義広) Yoshisada (義定) Youichiro (興一郎) Yoshitame (義為)

Talking about prices and values Steves87, with such phenomenally low interest rates here in Australia plus a gigantic National debt (only a very few years back we virtually had none), I thought Gary Murtha's pricing to be very fair (just my opinion and not a paid ad). Plus- if I don't get this one, where do I get another like it? But like all collectors find, sometimes something better does come along and you have already "shot your bolt, spent your money". Anyway, money and economics aren't my strong point ( amongst a raft of other weaknesses ) but will we see inflation, the printing of money in an attempt at watering down the Western world's debt ?. Roger j

Apologies, Jean, I meant to say for visiting the shogun / Edo castle as opposed to the Imperial court (for which you are right- various tachi were prescribed, such as kazari, hoso-, efu- and itomaki depending on one’s rank). So, given the obviously short length, this would have been classified as wakizashi mostly (even though some might have honoured it standalone as chisagatana possibly) and therefore its current koshirae is the formal banzashi koshirae. I think the kashira (and its knot over it) is very similar to the enclosed excerpt from Markus Sesko’s Koshirae Taikan and gold mon are allowed in the formal koshirae .

Hi all, I am trying to find a good setup to make acceptable photographs of nihonto. I'm now using an acrylic table, lying on top of a darkened (sword-sized) box. Still experimenting with the ideal angles for lighting. My "model" is a jumonji yari, as it is relatively small and light. I found that it is particularly challenging to get the lighting right for these, especially when the goal is to capture the entire blade including nakago. I made this image by merging two separate photographs, one with the lighting from the sides and one with lighting from the front and back. It is quite a bit of work to make the merge work, so I would prefer a solution where the lighting captures the details of the yari from all directions. But the more lights I use, the higher the risk of unwanted glare or overexposure on particular areas. Work in progress I guess! I'm looking for feedback on the style of photography, and for ideas to bring out the best from a piece with such a complicated shape. Technical tips and tricks are welcome too, of course! I feel something is "missing" but can't quite figure out what is it is. Mark

Helping buyer i know its tad over his budget...but hes in Canada so maybe you can work something out.

Thomas Thank you much for that info, it's just what I was looking for.

Keep in mind this is one smith that had many variations of his signature so it is common to see different kanji styles through his different periods and schools of sword making.

His later works after the 1820's are of higher quality and more sought after. This hamon looks almost the same as mine.

Somebody has a blade for sale by the same smith, maybe you can compare signature for reassurance.

I think the term Island sword has become a catch-all for a lot of junk, a lot of junk repo

While I haven't seen this on nihonto fittings before, they could represent the Shimenawa - sacred rope - and Shide - paper streamers - used in Shinto shrines. Dan K

I think it’s so fun when people post their purchases - lets us vicariously enjoy it and not spend the money Thanks!

Probably my gendai Enomoto Sadayoshi(mukansa). Just because I randomly discovered that sword at an auction while no one else took notice or knew what it was...So I got lucky

the copper Type 95 that I inherited from my grandfather. Unless stuff gets real bad, that one stays with the family. Whats yours?

Coming at us with raised Guntos! Scene from "Battle of Okinawa" (Japanese film, 1971).

Hi Bruce, May have discussed these marks before...can't rememeber, but (again?) for your files... This one you show is a blade by Igarashi Akimitsu, RJT star of Niigata. Date 4/1943 (2128 na) on tang, marked 'i'536 on all RS metal parts. Mine is by Yamagami Munetoshi RJT of Niigata. Date 8/1943 (1080 matsu) on tang, marked 'i'403 on all RS metal parts. Both RJT, both 1943, both Niigata, both 'i' number on parts. Regards,

Yes, I simply meant that I have 2 other Tokyo 1st Arsenal mei, with numbers, like that. BTW you're killing me with the Japanese only translations!!! GRRR. Either I have little time to look this stuff up, or like now, lots of time, but fuzzy-headed from a good strong beer on an empty stomach! So check my here. Your 2 are: Nobutaka Dec 1942 #47 Naotake Sep 1943 #453 ??? I seriously think I've jumbled that all up!

Bruce The Smith is Nobutake，same one who made my sword.Not 勝信 Katsunobu.

Thanks John and that tsuba is interesting to me and I wonder if in fact it might be older but I just wouldn't have any idea. The 8 apertures/piercings and the kozuka ana appear to my eyes to have been chiseled out and received not much if any filing to refine the finish and here once more the brass inlay design is naive and crude for mine. For all that, someone has taken the trouble to decorate a tsuba with piercings and brass inlay, no matter how roughly - I suppose for a poorer or less sophisticated client ? I realise that NMB tsuba collectors mostly are attracted to the best examples available but such as the above have a place in tsuba history and craftsmanship development. Roger j

My guess is “源盛定作”. But the sword as also the mei looking odd….I’m strongly suspect it’s a fake!

Well, I can attest that the gunto is not a fake. There are others here who are more expert at that like @Stegel and @Shamsy, but it's legit.

Hi Dan. I would make every effort to attend - for me, just a 6 hour drive. As Mark had said, start small as Bob Elder had done in Orlando. BTW that show is likely to move to February and so an October or November date before the holiday season commences seems workable. A show start up is full of logistic/operations issues BUT, in my view, marketing a new show is probably the top concern. If there are other antique/gun events to provide synergy to a first show that might also be helpful. Wishing you success. Mark

Must be this sword. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photograph-records/64-131 I have heard from friends having seen it that it is indeed high-end Soshu. I hope it is better handled and cared for these days than back when the general had it.

Thanks for the complements and the exchange info. I've been having a problem with PayPal taking a larger exchange cut and then buyers having to pay again when asking for the price in US and coming up short so this way they can see they are sending me exactly what I want in Canadian instead for the US dollar being up or down as well as PayPal exchange being different than The Bank Of Canada. Hopefully someone will grab it soon before I have second thoughts and keep it. Soon I won't need the money anymore due to payment coming for another sword and I'll probably pull it. Most of the blades by this smith sell for more than $1 000 000 Yen on AOI sword museum and those sales were many years ago. Cheers

I second this! You gotta keep an eye on this website tho because once listed, they sell fast!

The first thing to know about owning a Tadayoshi is that this is one of the most faked signatures, and there are far more false signatures than real ones...I would say chances are about 20% it is real. That said...always remember that a false signature (gimei) is not the end of the world, and there are plenty of decent swords that are gimei, and that they have been doing this for hundreds of years. Not saying it is gimei, but you should be prepared if it is. Still an old and antique and genuine Japanese sword. Others will advise how to take it from here. Oil it....keep it wiped down with oil, and NOTHING abrasive in cleaning it. And don't clean the tang.

Hi Dirk, thank you for the reply. A very interesting kantei and obviously the NBTHK shinsa‘s opinion is far more educated than mine. BTW, I did not say that the design on your tsuba was not a design invented by the Hayashi school but rather that Hayashi designs were copied by other (including later Higo) schools which is proven by the fact that this very design appears in the Kamiyoshi Ehon. Best, Chris

鉄収子昭光作之 Tesshushi Akimitsu Saku Kore From Markus' Index Akimitsu (昭光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Niigata – „Tesshū Dōjin Akimitsu“ (鉄収道人昭光) „Echigo Sanjō-jū Tettshū Dōjin Akimitsu kinsaku hori-dōjin“ (越後三条住鉄収入道昭光謹作彫同人, „respectfully forged and carved by Tesshū Dōjin Akimitsu from Echigo´s Sanjō“), civilian name „Igarashi Seiji“ (五十嵐正治), he studied his apprenticeship at the „Nihontō-tanren-denshūjo“ (日本刀鍛錬伝習所) ander Kurihara Akihide (栗原昭秀) in 1939 in Tōkyō and was working as rikugun-jumei-tōshō from 1940 onwards, he was descended from the family of a certain smith called „Tesshinshi Terunaga“ (鉄心子照命) who is said to have worked for the Murakami fief (村上藩), Akimitsu got several prices and lived in Niigata´s Sanjō (三条) http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/akimitsu.jpg

Thank you for posting photos, Daniel san, Good sword with cheap camera is better than a cheap sword with good camera ! Chris san, Yes, It is Standard polish, The most of swords are good enough with our standard polish, I offer master polish only the master think that it is worth to take time by himself with his old Jizuya,Hazuya stones, some old sword needs to be re-shape properly,,, some old high quality sword with a bit weak hamon,or needs sensible work,