Leaderboard

First one 筑紫四郎国光作　　Chikushi Shirō Kunimitsu saku Made by Shirō Kunimitsu of Chikushi Province (Fukuoka Prefecture) Second one 家次 Ietsugu (swordsmith's name). There were a few swordsmiths who produced swords under this name.

This software has an advanced feature called clubs, where you can have private areas administered by certain groups. So for example, a sword club could have a private discussion area here, where they would have full control and where their members could be granted access and have discussions. I have always been open to the idea if any groups wish to use this as a hub.

Brian, you are too kind and I am flattered In this case, the fact that Curran, a truly educated collector, was tempted by this ken, vindicates my purchase

Dear Oliver. Lovely find! Try Hiroshige. All the best.

As a younger (nearing late thirties) collector and student I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this. I own multiple blades, including one Juyo, and I’m a serious martial artist. I may be rare but I am not unique! I’ve also been a member of the NBTHK and the American branch since I bought my first sword. I’m going to share some thoughts here that I have already shared with folks at the AB, lightly edited, because I think they can be generally useful and contribute to the discussion. One caveat though: maintaining (and growing) a niche organization like this is very difficult and requires significant investments of time, attention, and effort. The NBTHK competes with everything else in life, and many if not most of the competitors are also investing massive sums of money in addition to time, attention, and effort (hello, Netflix). Most people who are going to enter this field nowadays will do so through the “side door.” For example, a few years ago in Japan, the video game Touken Ranbu led to a massive surge in the popularity of nihonto among younger women. There were lines around the block at museums. Here in the states, I think the most likely point of entry for potential NBTHK members, including younger members, is through the martial arts. To that end, in parallel with an organized social media effort, I think the NBTHK should explore how to better connect with the martial arts community (reputable dojos only, of course). What kind of partnerships might make sense? Can we provide some basic nihonto curriculum to introduce the NBTHK into dojos around the country? Any legitimate dojo teaching the Japanese sword should be or is already teaching some aspects of what we might consider the basic NBTHK curriculum. Many serious dojos already have one member who is the “real” sword guy/gal. In this way, forming relationships with dojos, to include events and programming, could be a good path to generate a steady stream of interest. It also opens up the possibility of collaborating with their social media accounts, and so on. This is my dojo, which is a good example of the kind of group we could target: https://www.brooklynbattodo.com. You’ll notice a few relevant articles I’ve written for the dojo, one a primer on nihonto overall, and the other a sword buying guide for martial artists. I have yet to meet a serious martial artist who isn’t utterly amazed when they get to see a nihonto in person. That’s no guarantee they want to expend any more effort, but it’s a start. Combined with some work on membership tiers and educational materials, this could be something of a shortcut to an interested / invested audience. Many of us have deep connections into kenjutsu dojos across the US, for example, and I don’t think it would be too difficult to organize a series of virtual seminars or lectures for dojos aimed at 1) sharing basic nihonto knowledge that is relevant to practicing a sword art and 2) introducing the NBTHK and the benefits of membership. In this way offering “101 level content”, especially via lectures, can be a lead generation strategy. Not everyone who loves nihonto/tosogu will become a collector, but I have personally guided multiple people in my dojo to buying their first nihonto or collecting a few tsuba. Having someone to guide you through the process makes it so much easier to spend $2000+ on an antique. On the other hand, it’s been much harder to convince folks to join the New York Token Kai and physically come see more stuff in person once a month. So I recognize there are limits here — but online content has the advantage of being consumable on any schedule one likes, for the most part. Taking most of a Sunday to go into the city, even to see amazing swords, is a lot to ask I guess. Traveling to one of the big shows will always be an activity for the most passionate among us. Another angle that I think can be very effective is simply that the NBTHK offers authoritative, authentic resources on the Japanese sword and related arts like tosogu. Emphasizing affiliation with “The Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo” is a good idea. The internet is such a minefield, but with the right framing the NBTHK can be positioned as an antidote to all the crap out there. Essentially the NBTHK can market itself (yes marketing!) as one of the best English language destinations for nihonto-related resources and community. In doing so it should be able to connect with people who are likely to self-select into the right kind of groups (i.e. people with a serious interest for the right reasons). But NBTHK also needs to create and tailor membership benefits for beginners. Perhaps there is a "102 level" series of lectures they could offer that would build on the “101 level” that could be shared for free to the public (for the purposes of lead generation). Within the NBTHK AB there are some of the foremost nihonto/tosogu experts in the English speaking world. They could create some simple but amazing materials to support newcomers. For example, there could be a “Gokaden Intro Course,” and the NBTHK give anyone who joins at a certain level of membership a copy of Connoisseur’s to go along with it (financially I don’t think this is insane but I could be wrong). Getting started with nihonto really is the hardest part. If we remove some of the friction and target the right audiences we might see more success in the long term. But as you can probably tell, to even begin to execute some of this is a part time job at least. Apologies for the wall of text!

Dear Aliaksandr. An approximate translation is, " Run far, run fast!" All the best.

That looks great Marcos, congratulations! My Iaito has modern reproduction menuki (which I specifically requested). TSUBA is a great theme, as well as an item!

Good. This ken was tempting me too much. I try to stick to tosogu, but sometimes I tell myself some tanto and o-tanto aren't that much larger than a ko-goto kogai. My cerebrum trying to rationalize the temptation.

I've seen entries in various dairies of samurai doing tours of duty in Edo where they list monthly expenses etc. Two I can think of off hand were regarding a saya repair, to the urushi, and the other a rewrap. Rewraps were apparently needed yearly. The inference being that it simply wouldn't do to be wearing a sword as a retainer that wasn't kept in decent condition, and I'd suggest that'd include worn patina. A worn iron patina would also be vulnerable to fresh rust which could soil one's kimono too. So it seems reasonable to think that tsuba and other fitting would have been periodically touched up.

My hat is off to everyone running sword groups and involved in it, it is very tough task with few rewards. I have tried getting people interested in Japanese swords locally with pretty 0 success. I felt it took way too much time and stress and I am selfish in that regard and I will rather focus my efforts in my own study and research which might well be totally uninteresting to people but means everything to me personally. I think your living location has a lot to do with accessibility of sword clubs. I am in "relatively good" position where I got Scandinavian branch having meetings in neighbouring country, and I have visited few of them. However unfortunately I cannot afford to fly and have vacation weekends like that at the moment, and in current state I would rather use those funds to add 2-3 extra days to my next trip to Japan than have a weekend in Europe... But living in Stockholm area, I would definately visit every meeting I can get, same with Germany in the area of Main European branch meeting places etc. At least in Scandinavian Branch there was usually bring your own stuff at some point of the meeting, it was nice that there was so great variation in stuff. There were swords, armor, guns, etc. all kinds of stuff. People are often encouraged to bring in items. I remember I brought in my 2 tachi to one meeting, and senior members pointed out things on my swords I hadn't seen with my own eyes. None of the members commented negatively on items of various quality brought in the meetings, and good discussion could be had even on the lower end items. For me one "problem" is that there are so many various groups and sites online and real life, the few people very active in the hobby get spread thinner and thinner. I for one enjoy NMB a lot, and perhaps it could serve as a hub for various sword societies too (I know Brian was maybe toying around with an idea like that some time ago)? Perhaps having members only and open to everyone sections for sword clubs? Being open to everyone and sharing stuff in open is something I feel is important. I know lot of stuff happens and stays in privacy and I do always respect that, as there can be various reasons for that. The same top tier items popping up on a book after another (or online reference) is a problem too. Yes they are excellent items but when I have encountered the same item in c.20 different sources it makes me want to get more and more obscure books from Japan that hopefully do not have the same top items again and again. That is the biggest reason why my book hunts at Japanese sites have gotten to very niche as I want to find new items, not the same ones again in different book. I do understand the point Jeremiah is making, it is nice especially in the beginning to see items that might be possible to own at some point.

This was on the board a long time ago and then I wasn't as close to the possibility of no longer being among the living. That said it is a real problem for collectors of anything as to what happens when you are gone? I have spent a long time and not an inconsiderable amount of money on Nihonto and my wife doesn't even know what any of them are worth. I do not see any of my children or grandsons really interested enough in the blades to take the time to learn of them and proper care if I should leave them to any of them. I don't want them left to a museum to be put in storage and never see the light of day again or end up all rusted to hell and worthless. I certainly don't want my wife to be at the mercy of any unscrupulous dealers or individuals who would offer her a fraction of their worth, nor do I want to sell them yet. I really don't own them as such - just paying the rent on them and caring for them as they should be. Maybe a market for dealers to pre-buy collections at a fair value and when notified of my passing the amount can be sent to my estate and the blades shipped off all together? I certainly want someone who is willing to pay a fair price and to continue taking care as someone has for the last several hundred years. It is quite a conundrum for us "older" enthusiasts for sure. I would not expect my spouse to list and sell them one by one and ship them all over the place - not fair to them and she is already annoyed at how many I have bought and sold. If she was to get into that and figured what I spent and possibly she will lose on their sale - I would be in hell for an extra couple of years. Should I make a list of what they cost and the date of purchase or what they should fetch at sale and say = do not open till I am gone? Has anyone else figured a way to assure they continue to be cared for and not losing a fortune in the process

Yamato Ken, mumei, Yamato Tegai Kanekiyo (NTHK), Meio jidai (1492-). Ubu. Masame throughout, nie hamon. 28cm. 2.5k USD. Substantially below what I paid for it unpapered - I was certain it was Hosho! Very strong work. There is a scratch in the polish, otherwise condition is good, Japanese polish but not my favorite type unfortunately. I was way too lazy not selling some of the items until yen collapsed... Now they have to be downpriced accordingly. Full or partial trade is of interest, but interested only in "interesting" items. Will be selling it at SF sword show, please see my table. All blades have habaki, shirasaya, sword bag. The work is very tight and clean, but there is always one week inspection period to make sure.

Surprisingly with all the nonsense that goes with the ninja subject, there are swords which were supposedly ordered by the heads of some of the most recognized schools or those heavily associated with such families. Standard swords, on a straight-short-heavy side. We are talking about Edo period here.

Wikipedia actually has a detailed explanation of the historical background of ninjato. They appeared in the 1950s… https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninjatō

I defer to those with more expertise than I, but the “classic” depictions of the black clad ninja assassins date to the mid-late Edo period and owe as much to Japanese theater and popular culture as anything else. Even in the famous manga woodcuts of Hokusai and Kunisada which show ninjutsu and black clad ninjas they are all carrying typically curved katanas and/or wakizashis. Plenty of almost straight bladed nihonto from the Kanbun era out there although I don’t think any that I’ve seen would be called “ninjato”. In short I think the modern popular culture image of the appearance and equipment of ninja is mostly cut from whole cloth in the late 18th and 19th century, was further elaborated upon in the 20th and bears little to no resemblance to the Sengoku period clans in Iga and Koga provinces. It’s rather comparable to if our entire historical understanding of pirates was based on Howard Pyle’s wonderful late 19th century illustrations, the Gilbert and Sullivan play “Pirates of Penzance” and one or two vague references in actual period legal reporting to the hanging of a pirate crew somewhere…

You guys are making me feel uncomfortable. From my point of view: nice fat duck-tail type nakago, good broad geometry, clear nice Yamato jigane. I didn't think Hosho, but nice clearly in the Yamato camp to my eyes. Reasonable cost for such an example. The papers are nice, but the blade speaks well enough for itself. I've never owned a Yamato school tanto or ken before, and this would have been a good visual primer to own for a few years.

Oshu Aizu ju Shimosaka

Ahem.... I just got an education! Re-read Slough's pages on Nagamitsu - both of them! Seems there was an RJT qualified ENDO Nagamitsu working from Fukuoka. He used a variety of mei, including a 2 kanji. But the other guy was Ichihara Ichiryushi Nagamitsu who worked from Osaka, and used quite a variety of mei. Since we have a 'イ' stamped blade with the Ichihara mei, we can assume all 3 of them were by Ichihara, and therefore, the mark is an Osaka mark, not Fukuoka (not to mention the fact that both the 143 and 2511 blades also have the Saka stamp!!!). I'll make the change to the Stamps Doc.

The date is questionable. The first month of Tensho 1st (1573) year was July. February in Tensho 1st year did not exist.

Hi Steve, The sword is a real Japanese sword but, working with just a few pictures and the very brief description, there isn't much anyone could tell you about its quality, condition, or desirability. If you know and trust the seller you should ask him the questions. If you don't know or trust the seller you need a different seller. Beginners should be very careful about whom they deal with; there are many sharks in the water. Grey

Item No. 246 Iron tsuba with gold , copper and shakudo 8.28 cm x 7.64 cm x 0.52 cm Subject of Raiden , the thunder god , striking his drum . By Ford Hallam , approx. 28 years ago. Design in the style of Hokusai on front , with a ' shadow in the clouds ' on the rear. This tsuba is one of Ford's earliest and he explains about its making in his video short - Stepping Stones 03- on his YouTube channel.

For the past thirty plus years the NCJSC has offered in person , monthly show and tell where people bring in new acquisitions for appreciation and discussion, for the past year the NCJSC has presented three ways to study kantei; in person in hand at our meetings, paper Shijo kantei in our newsletter and monthly zoom kantei very much like that done for the NBTHK. (note we use a little known Japanese program that ranges thru all periods, schools and artists not just the top five) We have also started to broadcast our in-person meetings on Zoom, so out of towners can see and learn right along with us. We are approaching the end of a year in which the theme is the Major Han in the Bakumatsu period - focusing on the history, people, art, swords and fittings of the various fiefs vying for power at the end of the Tokugawa period. Our members set the theme. If this interests you please become a member - our newsletter is now 100% electronic and there are no added fees for overseas membership - if you read this and do join let me know and I will see you get all the electronic back issues from this year... -tch

A blind TSUBA collector?

This is an old thread but I don't think this sword was shown before, a Kai Gunto from Australian War Memorial with blade broken by bullets. Relic from a fierce fight for sure ! https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C147367?image=1

It's inevitable. There are always security updates to prevent malicious attacks, and the newest update to the software (nothing major) requires a newer version of PHP. So we have to do it. I am determined to keep software up to date. Another small militaria forum I run on bayonets was hacked, and all the files changed. It's not fun at all. Brian

Well as I was doing some research on some Jūyō related stuff, I found info on Tōken Bijutsu 235 (August 1976) when looking at Jūyō 24 results and submission numbers that the magazine had. There was additional section that was not included in the Jūyō 24 book, and I realized that during this session I believe separately NBTHK authenticated 18 swords and 3 tsuba for Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Now of course I was really into hunting them down and finding info on them. I believe I found 17 out of the 18 swords and all 3 tsuba are Natsuo, out of those I have 1 that I believe is certain due to theme and 2 options for number 3. Here is the list of the items and link to item on the MFA page. Tantō - Rai Kunitoshi - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27497/sword-of-the-tanto-type?ctx=0a760ee2-a846-4894-a542-cf05cea18e4c&idx=0 Tantō (actually wakizashi sized) - Rai Kunimune - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11209/sword-of-the-wakizashi-type?ctx=3ac83282-31da-474c-b24a-816811aa0889&idx=0 Tantō - Norinaga (1319) - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/25285/sword-of-the-tanto-type?ctx=df89231f-97bd-4445-bac3-f69b6ffa6173&idx=1 Katana - Ko-Bizen Yoshikane [71,2 cm] - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11167/sword-of-the-katana-type?ctx=15631a84-e724-4ea4-a1b0-d61b9c2f0b5d&idx=0 Tachi - Shigehisa - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27461/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=6f31b97d-3d5d-4758-8bd8-81f73697bc45&idx=0 Katana - Fukuoka Ichimonji - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27458/sword-of-the-katana-type-formerly-a-tachi?ctx=fcd9846d-a93a-43b2-9e65-8fb2363f1ff3&idx=3 Tachi - Naganori - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/28164/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=fcd9846d-a93a-43b2-9e65-8fb2363f1ff3&idx=6 Tachi - Sukeshige (1343) - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27390/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=fcd9846d-a93a-43b2-9e65-8fb2363f1ff3&idx=0 Tachi - Nagamitsu - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/28165/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=e3f9dc6d-dd01-42ef-83cd-28b9e94f482a&idx=4 Katana - Nagamitsu - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27468/sword-of-the-katana-type?ctx=e3f9dc6d-dd01-42ef-83cd-28b9e94f482a&idx=3 Tachi - Kagemitsu [74,4 cm] (I believe it to be this as others have longer mei & orikaeshi) - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/25251/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=8aed4d2a-6c36-4503-9123-59837b9077ae&idx=1 Tachi - Kagemoto - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/25247/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=3609d043-e8a1-44c2-ab72-8d96e8f58fa2&idx=0 Tachi - Kunimune [78,3 cm] - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27462/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=0659cce9-2883-4870-8e3f-e51b957f3505&idx=1 Katana - den Unji [71,1cm] - this I couldn't find at the museum site Katana - den Chōgi - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11227/sword-of-the-katana-type?ctx=d5cf90ae-6067-4190-a5c4-b5535e55accb&idx=10 Tachi - Morimitsu (1396) [72,3 cm] - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/28930/sword-of-the-tachi-type?ctx=40fb3ace-c776-4deb-b522-c2606583437d&idx=1 Katana - Kunimichi [76,5 cm] - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27399/sword-of-the-katana-type?ctx=27cc3c69-5327-4a66-be62-1dcb1e48a69d&idx=25 Katana - Kunikiyo (with cutting test) [75,6 cm] - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/27394/sword-of-the-katana-type?ctx=5a1ec40d-84dc-4277-b050-160682aef399&idx=22 Tsuba - Natsuo (Deer theme) - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11895/tsuba-with-design-of-deer-and-moon?ctx=bd241c00-f43b-4cd8-b57b-ee6a3b163631&idx=7 Tsuba - Natsuo (Peony theme) - This I couldn't match to MFA items, has also signature 夏雄製 (印銘) Tsuba - Natsuo (Iris theme) 2 options - https://collections.mfa.org/objects/11889/tsuba-with-design-of-iris?ctx=9bd2be43-ea15-40bc-9d4b-1a5d5564412c&idx=2 or https://collections.mfa.org/objects/205812/tsuba-with-design-of-reishi-fungus-and-irises?ctx=598d0e0b-1c78-4d03-8346-4b2e204f14b2&idx=29 Is any of this relevant info? Well I had fun searching them today and thought I would share it with people. This was also first time I saw NBTHK authenticate items in Jūyō shinsa that are not included in Jūyō book. Of course all of this happened long time ago but these items still are in the US (However just noted that many of these fine swords are on loan in Japan at Shizuoka City Museum at this moment).

I'm sorry, but I get kinda cross when people say "I don't want to take the handle off" This is not taking apart your drone to see if you can fix it. Nihonto were MADE to be taken apart, and it's generally a 10 second process. Tell him to stop being silly. It's like he has a painting and there is a piece of masking tape over the signature and he doesn't want to take it off. The tang of a sword is VITAL to knowing anything about it. If he won't do that, he's going to know nothing about it. Simple as that. In which case, he should pass it on to someone who does actually want to know something. Sorry, but that is how I feel. I wonder how many $10K swords lie in collections unrecognized and rusting away because someone won't remove a wooden peg?

Hi Brian As I said earlier these were hard choices to make but I really need to reduce the quantity After I sorted out the new sales I had to re organise the remaining tsuba hence all out on my table

Here is a small summary of first 50. Some info is missing from this like beginnings of many of the first 15 as I don't know the correct names of people except Katō Kiyomasa. Probably an error of two in the mix but I hope it helps. 1. Katakama-yari - Spear of Katō Kiyomasa - mumei 2. Ōmi-yari - Spear of Katō Kiyomasa – mei: Bishū Osafune Sukesada (1504) 3. Su-yari – mei: Tagami saku? 4. Jūmonji-yari – mei: Jakushū kore jū Munenaga 5. Yari – mei: long mei… 6. Su-yari – mei: Monju Kanehisa saku 7. Nihongō – (one of three great spears) mumei (attribution to Kanabo not mentioned here) 8. Yari – Nagayoshi saku 9. Yari – Tonbogiri (one of three great spears) – mei: Fujiwara Masazane saku 10. Yari – mei: Sanjō Yoshihiro 11. Ōmi-su-yari 12. Yari – mei: Nanto Kanabō Hyōe no Jō Masatsugu 13. Yari – mei: Hiromitsu 14. Jūmonji-yari – mei: Kanewaka 15. Jūmonji-yari – mei: Kanabō Saemon no Jō Masasada 16. Hirasankaku-yari – mumei Yamato Kanenaga 17. Yari – mei: Bishū Osafune Norimitsu (1477) 18. Yari – mei: Bishū Osafune Tadamitsu (1484) 19. Yari – mei: Bishū Osafune Tadamitsu (1489) 20. Yari – mei: Tadamitsu 21. Yari – mei: Bizen no Kuni jū Osafune Hikozaemon Yoshimitsu (1483) 22. Ōmi-yari – mei: Bishū Osafune Norimitsu (1488) 23. Yari – mei: Bishū Osafune Koremitsu (1495) 24. Ōmi-yari – mei: Fujishima Tomoshige 25. Yari – mei: Uda Kunitsugu saku (1485) 26. Yari – mei: Muramasa 27. Yari – mei: Muramasa 28. Ōmi-yari – mei: Nagayoshi saku 29. Ōmi-yari – mei: Yoshisuke 30. Ōmi-yari – mei: Sōshū-jū Sukehiro 31. Jūmonji-yari – mei: Kanabō Masazane 32. Kama-yari – mei: Nōshū Seki jū Kanesaki 33. Yari – mei: Nōshū Gifu jū Daidō (1585) 34. Yari – mei: Jōshū Umetada saku (1593) 35. Yari – mei: Sagami no Kami Fujiwara Masatsune Nyūdō 36. Yari – mei: Masatsune 37. Yari – mei: Hizen no Kuni Tadayoshi 38. Yari – mei: Hizen no Kuni jū Musashi no Daijō Fujiwara Tadahiro 39. Ōmi-yari: Heianjo jū Kunimichi saku (1612) 40. Yari – mei: Nagasone Okimasa 41. Jūmonji-yari – mei: Yamashiro no kuni Shimosaka saku 42. Sasaho-yari – mei: Yoshū jū Yasuyoshi saku 43. Ōmi-yari – mei: Minamoto Masayuki (1845) 44. Kawarimi-yari 45. Kikuchi-yari - mumei 46. Kama-yari – mei: Biyō Osafune jū Yokoyama Sukekane saku kore (1867) 47. Ka-yari (Kago-yari?) – mei: Sasshū jū Oku Motohira saku 48. ??? Tsukikama-yari 49. Fukuro-yari – mei: Nobukuni 50. ???

Here's one for the thread. A Type 95 with two bullet holes. The first has passed through the saya, slightly bent the blade and carved a smooth channel through the steel, to blow a big hole out the other side of the saya. On the tsuka there is a smaller bullet hole passing just by the locking latch and straight through the aluminum and wood without too much mess. This has blown out the bolt screw. Overall pretty worn and stained blade, the old girl earned a quiet retirement.

Got this Kaigunto with bullet strike on the tsuka and nakago. Last photo shows the sword to the right, it got a wakizashi blade mounted.

This one has a hole through the scabbard and the blade. Also, may come with bothersome ghost. I should sell it.... Best regards, Bob

That sounds like a real nasty cut, hard to see anyone surviving that! If the sword was bent and damaged, i suspect it was of a 'poorer' quality to do so, or the soldier was wearing some of his gear which may have helped with the damage. An awkward Knock with not much pressure can cause the edge of a blade to chip (even on wood), so i would discount edge chips as obvious 'battle' damage. It may just be post war mistreatment and too hard to prove as conclusive battle damage such as a bullet for example. A bit different to World War type damage from bullets/shrapnel and such, I have a sword with what appear to be knicks along the back edge or spine, although the rest of the blade is in fine polish. i've been told these could be from actual sword to sword combat, as the practice was to preserve the edge and block with the back of the blade if possible. A polish would fix edge chips, but not really the deeper gouges on the spine of the blade. The blade is by Ujifusa from 1770. I havn't got any photo's, but will try to get some and post when i get a chance.

I've got swords that I strongly suspect saw use... But absolutely no concrete evidence to back that up. Chips in the cutting edge, sharpening, wear and stains consistent with use... I used to have a gendaito with a .45ACP impact in the tsuba. It was a good sword, but I moved it on a while back. It's likely we all have swords that saw use, but difficult to verify unless you buy it off a veteran. Waiting for Stegel to share his sword.

Ok, so the downtime is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at 8am South Africa time till about 10:30 or so. That's 2am Eastern Standard Time, and 6am GMT I know a ton of people won't read this, and will be taken by surprise. More reason to read the entire forum daily. Hopefully, all goes well Brian

Edited: On hold pending payment.