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Sadly i have to sell this Yari because im in a tight financial situation. It has nice koshirae (although a bit short), a shirasaya and a Hozon origami. Asking pirce is 1280€ for shipping in EU, shipping outside EU will be more expensive. Blade length 13.6cm nakago length 24.8cm signed 24.8cm

Hi Michael, I think it wouid be good to do so, so that there is additional coverage in case I missed anything from my backups. I also separately saved a copy of his blog. Best regards, Ray

Mark, as it seems that you cannot receive PMs, I will post this here: Did you see my set of MENUKI which I showed already a number of years ago? They share the same subject with yours, but are not as long. Other collectors immediately thought they were EZO, but to everybody's amazement they are signed NARA. They once belonged to the Behrens collection and were sold on auction about 1906, if I remember correctly. Kind regards, Jean

It also reads Kiyokuni when it is a person's name.

I'm kicking myself because I did not think the scrape the subdomain originally. I will see if I can pull it from archive.org this weekend. For the nerds out there: I'm using wget from the command line.

While Darcy set his main website to no-cache (automatic backups were blocked), it is fortunate that there are cached copies of his blog still available to read. Please see below. https://web.archive.org/web/20220419045713/https://blog.yuhindo.com/

Yes, that is indeed the Nossa Senhora da Graça battle you’re speaking off. As I mentioned Arima’s men had little dingies instead of ships and obviously no canons. There is no dispute that pirates and statelets (not counting a few like Date) lacked the organization to field ships and artillery. now battles between organized states (Ming Dutch wars and Imijin war between Ming and Hideyoshi) are a different beast and probably show what each party was capable of. I’ve heard that many Daimyo who lacked wealth would instead sell their own and for some reason the Iberian Jesuit accepted that trade. Which along with being defeated by the Dutch probably did much to get them removed from Japan. Regarding the Dutch and the Portuguese wars, they span the early 1600’s exactly the same time as the Nossa Senhora da Graça incident. And indeed the Dutch helped push Tokugawa into expelling Portugal. So yes, it is fair to link them with that larger conflict. My point is not that Iberians were bad fighters at all, it’s just that as you say organization and logistics were key. I would not be surprised if thanks to all its past conflicts Iberians were man for man the better swashbucklers but it didn’t matter as more supplies and organization meant the Dutch soundly defeated them(in the Far East). The same way wako lacked the organization and arms to sink warships the scattered Portuguese possessions in the Far East lacked the means to hold out. And I see the Ming easily defeating the Dutch as more evidence for that view: thanks to Confucius China was not a militaristic society and yet they easily beat the Dutch who had easily beat Portugal. Why? Much better logistics and organization(scattered colonies versus a regional superpower with near unlimited access to resources). Note that despite lacking sea power Toyotomi’s men almost won the Imijin war against the same Ming, why? Organization. Since Nobunaga they were well equipped and using pike and shot tactics oddly reminiscent of Maurice of Nassau. And why did Toyotomi lose? Logistic problems exacerbated by the Koreans and Chinese winning control of the sea.

I do not know of any Japanese trained professional togishi in Europe (but neither do I generally pay attention to that sort of thing for Europe). I would ask this guy if he underwent the 10 or so year apprenticeship in Japan first and also ask who trained him. If he didn't, I would consider elsewhere. Don't be too quick to have it sent off; if it is worth restoring, it is worth doing right the first time. As for the Portugeuse bringing matchlocks to Japan. That much is true; however, it was not exactly what you'd call a normal trade deal. The sailors that landed on Tanegashima island were shipwrecked there. So the story goes, they were given supplies to fix their ship and sail home, but were required to give some of their matchlocks over in trade. The Japanese then copied the design with some adjustments of their own and within a few short decades, there were thousands of them made in the country.

Oh! I was not responding specifically to your claims about the iron (which are true, Japanese iron sands are inferior.. thus the long process they made to overcome it). I was merely responding to the post before me about 16th century Japanese swords specifically! As for the damage on the blade shown, they appear relatively minor and as long as the hamon doesn't dip below them, a good togishi will be able to remove them without issue.

This thread will inevitably lead to discussion of gimei tameshimei. Gimei tameshimei are (I think, sample of two) hirazogan rather then inlaid in good calligraphy. Also later in the Edo period tameshimei were simply engraved like a regular mei and it is arguable how these can be verified as true. I used to collect tameshimei too and will add them here as I find them in my paper photocopy database. BaZZa.

Got that one on file from a post by Ray Singer, August last year. The smith is translated wrong. Should be "Kiyokuni".

From Marcus Sesko's book:

Well the first set of items i sent a letter from the auction house just saying to the best of their knowledge they believe them to be of a certain age and traditionally made and this was accepted. The second set of items had the "Director of Asian Art and Senior Specialist" send a letter showing that the four items were genuine and antique. The reply from this one was they couldn't take them at their word. Basically until you get to appeals I think they just follow some script and will just refute everything. Will just await the appeal and see what's happening

Well, Paz, not sure but always worth trying. i am not certain whether he will come to the regional ToKen Society study day in Ditchling on 25 June. If he does, it might be an idea to drop it in person.

The only person in the UK I know of, who does sayagaki (mostly for his own swords), is the honorary president of the To-Ken Society, Clive Sinclaire. His sayagaki are of course not of the same stature as Tanobe sensei’s, but still Clive is very knowledgable and a published author on the subject of Nihonto.

Aggregating statistical information from different sources (Tukuno, Fujishiro, Pass factor, Kokuho counts...) is the wisest path. One must keep in mind their sources (monetary values of observed sales, historical appreciation, NBHTK's pass factor, ministry of culture...) within their particular historical context and access to source material. None of us here have sampled enough blades to come to approximate the statistical distribution of excellence. We have seen only bits and pieces of the elephant, here and there. Some of us more, others less. But in the grand scheme of things - nothing compares to what some established scholars have handled through history. Stay humble and keep an open mind.

Hi Matsunoki, Nice blade!! Horimono is done by abe akitada (picture below) Ronnie

Hi Bruno, There are still alot of nice gendaitos out there. Ronnie

Hi, not sure why I couldn't receive your message but nice of you to post your menuki here. Personally I wouldn't have called ezo on those menuki. I am just a novice here but what I have been finding out is that the theme of these menuki seem to be used over a broad number of groups and periods. Do you have a photo of the underneath and have you an opinion as to period of make? Thanks for taking interest in this thread. Mark

Steve B., thanks very much for the alternate views - looks like only half the drum was 'cleaned' [I also call mine a teapot - even if it isn't ] but it has a slightly strange colour to it? Lost most of the ten-zogan and also looks like some of the carved wood grain is worn away bottom corner left [omote] - at least it has retained it's 'handle' which is more than can be said of the V&A example. Different circumstances, but they are 'repairable'. Loss of patina is better than corrosion damage. Chris - as usual, very nice!

Hi Ray, thanks so much. I also pulled a complete archive of the content just in case it might be needed down the line (but not the high resolution photos, to be clear). I’m also happy to provide any of this to Ted or anyone connected with the family. I don’t have a specific need right now, I was just looking to casually browse and in general I’m looking out for the future.

Hi, nothing heard yet. When submitted I was told the results would come out about June. I'll update you as soon as I hear anything. Mark

This is the good "blowback" of this post. We're not just addressing the difficulties of grading, but also the other factors that would otherwise take years to hear and internalize when it comes to the nihonto world (at least to us, westerners) and the filtering of the associated jargon.

Wow, your concept is very deep, if not oblique..... its morning here, so my view tended not to be enhanced with the benefit of a few reds!

A nice pair, Julian! I would place it to the mid/late Edo period. Sparrow and bamboo (as hijigane in your case) are known themes for mon, but I couldn’t find an exact match at the moment. Tekkō and kanmuri ita are adorned with the flaming jewel motive (hōju). A Buddhist symbol to which one ascribed a wish fulfilling effect.

Hopefully it is all "civil discourse", but I think it's valuable for relative newbies to hear about the realities (my opinion?) of things like "expert", "best", kantei, kanteisho, polishing, legendary cutting ability, ninja, seppuku, "museum quality", etc. These are all things that are often distorted in various sources, especially online. This is why I was cynical about "top 10" in my reply at the beginning of this thread. Fortunately, this thread has included good info such as some proposed ways to measure "top 10". Pete

Item No. 229 - Iron Tsuba with brass and enamel 8.26 cm dia. x 0.55 cm Subject of fruiting vines Signed - Oshu Aizu Shoami Nagatsugu , approx 1625. A tsuba nearly 400 years old with one of the earliest examples of a successful application of coloured enamels to appear on tosugu. Masters like Hirata Donin ( d. 1646 ) started a fashion for the multi coloured finish . The makers struggled for many years to develope durable , correct shades - a lot of which is controlled by the firing technique. The fact that this piece has survived for so long virtually intact testifies to their eventual success. Provenence - Ex Naunton Collection , Plate XVIII , No. 24.

Difficult to determine much from the photos and state of polish. Shape hints at late Shinto into Shin-Shinto. Fittings appear to have seen better days. The appearance of the area in the Ha-machi (area where the sharpened edge meets the tang) 'looks' like it might be rather healthy and blade may not have seen too many polishes, but that is pure speculation. Others may have other opinions, but that's the best I can do for now. Trying not to assume what you do or don't know, just want to be sure... Do not touch blade with bare hands, NEVER clean nakago (tang). You can gently clean blade with microfiber cloth or plain soft tissue (non-scented or no other lotion added tissue) and as close to 100% isopropyl alcohol as possible. DO NOT use any type of metal or jewelry polish of any sort. A shiny sword is NOT a well polished sword. Huge difference. Also, after cleaning, a bit of light oil (sewing machine oil) or Japanese choji scented oil (from sword supply dealers) may help as well to stop additional rusting (very light coat). Don't be afraid to ask questions before you do anything to blade or fittings.

A (Kawashima) TADAYOSHI, shodai, 1st generation. No date, with a long 67cm Nagasa blade. What is there not to like about a fairly mint blade/koshirae outfit. Blade is ubu ba, with a lot of life left in it. I bet the officer in WW2 got a lot of pleasure every time he pulled it out.

This used to be available in the articles section of the forum, but I can't find it there anymore. Pasting here for reference; Guido Schiller Cutting Tests.pdf

A few flaws but nothing fatal. It has an old green paper I believe to be an accurate attribution but not accurate rank. Seller wanted 1500 and let me have it for 1100. My opinion on the paper is it never would have gotten the green paper with the flaws and was a dishonest ranking. Its dated 78 so im pretty sure of that. It is extremely heavy (heavier than the hottuke i just posted which is actually pretty hefty too)just under katana length(1/2”) With the suguha hamon, shape of the nakago, suguta and sori I believe it to be a tadamitsu. Alot of examples i found of other tadamitsu also have the double mekugi-ana about the same distance apart. Like every single one i found, so I believe he actually pinned his nakago like this, and it is not cut down. Without the attribution and just from the suguta and patina of the nakago id place this as a koto blade. Any opinions appreciated. Please leave me alone if your gonna deride me about the green paper. If you think you have an opinion about another maker i would be glad to hear your input. If you have a tadamitsu to compare it to id love to see it. Not for sale. No opinions will be used outside of my own learning and showing of the blade.

Just for kicks, I have a very nice Haruaki that I will be taking to the Chicago show. NBTHK certified, and excellent piece that has a sense of humor! Mike Yamasaki

I thought of Darcy today and thought I’d visit his site, but it appears to be gone. Does anyone have any more information about what will come of Darcy’s scholarship and the fruits of his photography collaboration with @Ted Tenold? Here’s hoping all of this great work is not lost.

Yeah, that’s what I thought too!

I would on occasion wander into work with a colleague observing "You don't look your best Barry", to which I would reply "I've had an attack of empty bottle". BaZZa.

Bloody hell....well looks like 櫂Kai is the correct term for the tsuba design. And the other term is the origin of the old Japanese song "ro, ro, ro your boat gently down the stream...." . I'm getting ready for that glass!

Ok! but it was only cotton! the blade was not scratch our wound in any way! i would love to know the diference betwen european and Japanese processes, i am portuguese, we portuguese were the first europeans ones to reach Japan, we battle samurais and win most of the time, samurais were not used to fight the european style with rapiers and left hand daggers! But i admit these Japanese blades are something else in sharpness, european blades are not so sharp. Tks Vieira

@BrianIts very depressing to see all my attaboys go out the window with one or two oh shits. Like what’s happening in that other thread because i said i dare the man to test their tamahagane like i test my modern material katana. The guy called my idea outrageous crap. I just wanted to show my custom modern swords are not crap. What i am having made will be an outstanding reproduction. I also care enough for Nihonto that i asked the smith to sign and date it in Chinese so that no one will ever use it to cheat someone after im long gone and its still around. I could have saved myself 20 bucks and had it done mumei. I wouldnt have even brought the custom im having made up if it didn’t directly relate to the thread. Im having it made because the seller of that obvious fake wont let me have it now that ive won it twice for what it would cost me to make. Im trying to point out the guy is clearly having a custom made darkening the nakago and is trying to flip it to uninformed buyers. Its completely relevant to the thread. Its very frustrating. You say the number doesn’t mean anything then why have a downvote take one away. Sounds like a stick to me. You say its not a competition but there is literally a won the day competition i have been seeing on peoples profile. Ive spent alot of effort listing my collection and retaking pictures when people are interested in teaching or giving me their opinions and it’s depressing to see that go away just because someone doesn’t like what i said. @Bruce i have been a silent participant here for years. Ive stayed out of the conversation for a very long time out of respect and the knowledge i knew I did not have yet. I know all of you guys very well, though you do not know me yet. I have the utmost respect for you and brian. I have tried to keep everything i say well informed and relevant to the discussion thread. I’ve been trying to carry myself like a samurai. Ive been polite, I’ve defended my position and i have bowed to the shogun. Please stop downvoting my posts.