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Showing content with the highest reputation on 05/07/2022 in all areas

  1. Left side 金家 Kaneie Right side 山城国伏見住 Yamashiro-kuni Fushimi-jū
    5 points
  2. Just received this from Japan today. I wonder if they've been reading this thread?😉
    3 points
  3. Interesting exhibition, a few tsuba, koshirae, blades, an efu no tachi, an itomaki no tachi and helmets
    2 points
  4. I would say that runs counter to what most experienced collectors here on the board would say. If they're unpolished, then there's not much to study most of the time. You can learn more from a relatively decent in-polish blade than a half dozen out-of-polish blades. Start with books, then blades is the conventional advice.
    2 points
  5. Another Nanban version in soft metal.
    2 points
  6. I admit, I'm very late to this topic - and once again I'm surely not the one with the best insight on the cutting tests. What I might add though, as my first blade already carried a "cutting test" it indeed as a first reaction was quite weird to learn on such a method of proofing something. Why would they need to cut a human body, and not something else? The more I thought about it, the more I could put it in context of their period and culture. Not too long ago many had slaves and actually didn't bother to use violence on them. I did notice some approaches on various locations that tried to "change history" by pulling statues, etc. to show we do not concur with what they did back then. While some can pull the objects, they though will not change history and what had happened. But pulling them might make us loose to remember and be able to learn from the past, and that isn't a good thing. How should we learn on how cruel Hitler and the Nazis were, if we are to destroy, delete and remove everything reminding us of what they did? I always tell my employees that you are not stupid if you do a mistake, unless you do it twice. So why not learn from the past and try to change to what, according to our current society, morals and views (or even only personal view) is good, by giving these examples from the past? To the OP: thank you for posting your blade. As already initially said, I know way too little on these to comment in depth. It is very interesting to me (and what you had pointed out) that the blade underwent a cutting test twice. I really wonder why and what for? Did the current owner at the second test feel the necessity to proof again how good it is? Did he thought it would make it even more exclusive? Or did the cutter, due to the previous cutting test, thought he could do even better than the first cutter and therefore performed a tougher cut? Did you get it papered? If yes, I'd love to hear which papers it received and what they say on the blade. Looking forward to find out on the other one you mentioned you recently got ahold of!
    2 points
  7. Sesko's Index of Japanese Swordsmiths doesn't appear to have an has only a one-line entry for this Sadatsugu, but if you search Google for 備中國住青江貞次造之, there are a couple of relevant hits: https://www.kusanaginosya.com/SHOP/344.html https://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords6/KY332581.htm The kusanaginosya.com link has some more information: his real name was 佐藤 丈平 (Sato Johei[?]) and he passed away in Showa 39 (1964 CE) at the age of 62 years. He's also listed here as Sato Sadatsugu (Okayama).
    2 points
  8. It's been heartening to see members here concerned about the sale of fake 95s to new collectors who don't have the knowledge or experience to differentiate real from fake. While I am sure it is a waste of time and eBay would rather make their cut, these are the categories to use to report fake swords. Just be very careful in making reports. Do this only for swords you are absolutely, one hundred percent certain are fake.
    2 points
  9. The Mene armor was also interesting because it was published in 1913, when the collection was sold. A good pedigree is worth something. If you want to buy, but you feel a bit unsure, the nkbkhk papered armors will give you the comfort of a screening by Japans top experts. And the quality of a Saotome kabuto never lies. Th red urushi one (4) however is not a ‘Saotome and nr 3 has a poor quality for the school.
    2 points
  10. There's also the all round learning curve, buy a few unpolished swords for very cheap, let's then look at identifying the ones with the best shape, worthiness of further polish, send them to a polisher for a window, identify which ones warrant more extensive full polish, identify which might be worth papering, send them for papers, see what they (NBTHK, or other) say. Whilst this is all going on delve into books along the way because the process described can run parallel to books and reading. Once you have the papered swords back enjoy them and then sell everything and begin again from a new benchmark with more knowledge. There you go, decades of wisdom in a post. You're welcome @Morelp34
    1 point
  11. Thanks Pete. Nice video. Just ordered a copy.
    1 point
  12. Bruce, You are correct, that is Hide. Not sure how that typo was never point out or corrected before now. Best, Ed
    1 point
  13. If this is of any assistance, here are the three volumes of the Bunka Bukan 文化武鑑. 巻之1-3 It will be hard going to plough through it. https://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko06/bunko06_01736/bunko06_01736_0001/bunko06_01736_0001.html?fbclid=IwAR0vC2v7ZSMNqi_Lu3FffF8s1OAVXerl7IjRNYu28py0-lbBfVKUlOjM9IY https://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko06/bunko06_01736/bunko06_01736_0002/bunko06_01736_0002.html?fbclid=IwAR3Po5-JTglMRP-mk84How6ewp27egETHHXe5IC2vD_YVPLPinjfrmL-504 https://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko06/bunko06_01736/bunko06_01736_0003/bunko06_01736_0003.html?fbclid=IwAR1FnoNwekBxsqBuX_i6fQ12BuzyrjVB3pMGIK1tX0j5dsVc5IrUL10jdUk
    1 point
  14. The sword you posted a picture of was mine. Unfortunately it was sold during the show. PM me. Dan K.
    1 point
  15. Dear Friends, members of the community and fellow Nihonto enthusiasts. Tonight, I am offering you this magnificent Hoki No Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka Wakizashi. At 51.7 Cm Nagasa with beautiful Koshirae this is what looks to me as 1st generation but possibly 2nd as both signed very similar With new NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho As many of you know the way to distinguish 1 and 2 generations from later generations is that the first two had a completely flat NakagoMune unlike later generations had it rounded. Price $3750 + Shipping
    1 point
  16. Akinobu Today I would like to show a new addition to my modest collection. Gunsui-hagane wo motte Akinobu kore wo tsukuru, 皇紀二千六百三年六月吉日 A lucky day in June, 1943. (Written using the Imperial Calendar system, so the year in the inscription is 2603.) ( SteveM you are the best, Thank for translation) Aluminum saya, full silver habaki, silver seppa, all parts number 1.
    1 point
  17. Early style long & thin tassels for company, field and general grade officers.
    1 point
  18. Hi! This one with Japanese holster for quick draw😁 Anthony
    1 point
  19. Hi! Here is my Enfield rifle M1858 Navy If I remember right. It has Japanese round up markings and lovely cloud inlays on the barrel. They where fitted with eighter the yagathan bayonet or, more rarely, the fearsome cutlass. This one is fitted with the cutlass but you see both versions in my picture. Anthony
    1 point
  20. Hi! I love Japanese Bakumatsu revolvers. Here are my lot. Anthony
    1 point
  21. I was asking as I am totally clueless about armor. However here are few points on some of the old swords in the auction that got me thinking about armor prices... For example that Yasumitsu wakizashi that has 24,000 - 30,000 GBP estimate was sold at Aoi Auctions late last year. Don't remember the ending price but it started from 1,3M (c. 8,000 GBP) and Tsuruta being a shrewd business man, I don't think he'll give too many free meals as he gives fair prices that make him profit. Here is the link to the actual item through Web Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20211203182132/https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-bizen-osafune-yasumitsu/ Also the Tegai Kanekiyo with 15,000 - 18,000 GBP estimate has been sold by Aoi on few occasions. Here it was first sold by 650K Yen (c. 4,000 GBP): https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-mumeitegai-kanekiyo/ the more recent sale of it is here and price was still the same in 2021: https://web.archive.org/web/20210301101236/https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumeitegai-kanekiyo/ The Iwato Ichimonji with 50,000 - 70,000 GBP estimate was listed at Aoi for 2,3M Yen (c. 14,000 GBP) in early 2021. Unfortunately this item was removed online and can't be accessed anymore but I have info on it. Now while you can say that items are worth what someone is willing to pay, or you shouldn't look at old prices, etc... To me these are not some super rare gems as I feel they are made out to be by the auction company. They are decent items but with highly inflated price estimates.
    1 point
  22. Bruce, gotta watch out for Poms and Kiwis...we Aussies have heaps of them running loose here haha. I have to admit though, even though I am an Aussie, I spent 3 years in Kent in England...I worked in a pub there, they liked me and called me their pet kangaroo (I used to say "watch out you don't upset me and get me hopping mad") - we'd all laugh...great times. I also spent time in US and Canada (in mining). I married a girl from Chicago...great. She has been to kiwi-land...I never went there...(if you have lived/worked in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alaska you have already seen heaven...no need to go anywhere else like Switzerland or New Zealand)... BTW, I drove Landrovers as my 'car of choice' from 1966-2010...great car, great times. Regards,
    1 point
  23. JT….for what it’s worth….I would have bought this if it was put in front of me. I agree….it looks interesting. Unless it has been retempered, the presence of an obvious boshi means it hasn’t been shortened at that end, nor does it look shortened at the other end to my eyes. The nakago does look a tad “old” …..but the whole blade looks old to me. From the images it looks like the hamon ends at where the machi used to be (unless its a disguising polish) which does at least imply “ubu”. And anyway, how many blades do we see with decent ayasugi hada?…….another reason to buy it in my book. Like you say….they all have value….and it need not necessarily be monetary value. I am not qualified to comment on the Mei….except that it does not look in the right place! I applaud. Colin.
    1 point
  24. With thanks to the To-Ken committee members and JJ in particular! https://to-ken.uk/resources/legal-and-import.html
    1 point
  25. One of my favourite Kai Gunto (Navy Sword). A 65cm Komiya Shiro Kunimitsu, no date no stamps. This Gendai-to exhibits the features you would expect in a sword this highly rated smith, including abundant NIE. The SAYA is finished in the rare matt finish, the fittings all have matching numbers, and the VERY rare securing lanyard is still attached. It is my belief that his descendants are making knives today using the Shiro name.
    1 point
  26. You live in a country that can't own and walk around with 6 inch folding blade. You live in a country and can't "buy firearms" per your high browparliament. Maybe... just maybe you're angry with not being a free person like us Americans. "How do you know your own blades didnt kill someone?, who knows." You mean "murder" , or kill as in a Samurai to Samurai act of war / challenge?
    1 point
  27. Neil, you nailed it buddy! Nick Komiya, over on Warrelics, confirmed your point, saying that they used oxalic acid to anodize the aluminum to prevent corrosion, giving it a yellowish color! I might even have a lead as to why this is only seen on early production blades: From Nick: "The army had Riken to thank for making aluminum the robust material it had become for field use, but when Riken tried to renew its patent in 1939 (patents were valid only for 15 years), citing that it's investment in two new large factories had not yet been fully amortized, the army prevailed upon its Minister to block this renewal. Riken's patent in those days restricted Almite processing to designated production facilities only and the army saw that as a very unwelcome bottleneck for expansion of its military production capacity, not to mention the extra cost of patent royalties to Riken" The Armlite (copyrighted name of the oxalic acid treatment) patent was blocked in 1939 and it seems the army discontinued the treatment to speed up production, which would fit what we already know about the severe shortage of gunto in those early years.
    1 point
  28. Aluminium is very difficult to get paint to adhere to, certainly for any length of time and with hard usage. It has been common practice to etch prime the aluminium with a chemical (usually chromium based) that bites into the aluminium, but also "keys" the paint finish. Acid chrome compounds leave a goldy yellow colour on aluminium and its alloys. You may have noticed some aircraft aluminium components look a goldy yellow colour before painting.
    1 point
  29. This was info on the sword when purchased: This prized family heirloom is a 17th century Japanese katana, liberated in World War II by the father of its current owner. The age of the blade was determined by the curator of the Asiatic collection in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The tang is not signed; this is rare, but not unheard of, according to the curator. At one point the handle was disassembled in order to see the last word and testament from the samurai that owned it, which is written on the inside. The Fred Lohman company was tasked with restoring the handle in order to keep the menuki and tsuba in the excellent condition they have retained over the years. The handle is made of sting ray skin wrapped in silk. There are several small marks on the blade; they look like they might be from blood eating into the finish.?˜The katana measures 34.5 inches from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle, and 25 inches from the tip of the blade to the tsuba. The tsuba is 2.5 inches wide and 2.75 inches long.
    0 points
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