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I think this is what you’re thinking of. It’s a web archive article, so scroll down a little for the content. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022000337/https://blog.yuhindo.com/hozon-is-a-test-juyo-is-a-competition/ For more Darcy artcles, Ray Singer generously put this together on his site, see below: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/darcy-brockbank-articles/ Hope this is what you’re looking for, -Sam

In Japanese art there is a tradition of "utsushi" which translates as homage or emulation at its basic level. Popular designs were done over and over again but generally not as direct copies but as the new artists interpretation of the original design - at least in the best case senario. Copies have been made, some as "practice" by students/apprentices others as outright forgeries aimed at deceit. Yes there are also cast copies made in large numbers but these would not be called utsushi as they do not celebrate the art and are more about making fast money. From what I have seen almost every school of tsuba artist has had followers who make utsushi of their school or other schools master works. I would not be surprised if on some rare occasions some buyers might put in a request for some change or enhancement, there are rare signatures where the maker has included "made to the order of ... " Some schools were almost production lines producing the same pattern over and over again just to keep up with demand Kinai school was well known for it.

I don't think this is a case of confusion, just that people place too much emphasis on the koto / Shinto grouping (labels). It's not like sword making changed over night - it's more of a 50-150 year range before the groups become more distinct, but even then...

Sadayuki. Perhaps Bungo Takada. https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?order=field_smith_start_era_value&sort=asc&type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=貞行

From Markus index of Japanese swordsmiths (Nihonto meikan translation) Kaneiwa (兼岩), Bunmei (文明, 1469-1487), Mino – „Kaneiwa“ (兼岩), „Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneiwa“ (濃州関住人兼岩) Kaneiwa (兼岩), Eishō (永正, 1504-1521), Mino – „Kaneiwa“ (兼岩), „Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneiwa“ (濃州関住人兼岩) Kaneiwa (兼岩), Eiroku (永禄, 1558-1570), Mino – „Kaneiwa“ (兼岩), „Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneiwa“ (濃州関住人兼岩), gunome-midare in nioi-deki or nie-loaden ō-gunome-midare to hitatsura Kaneiwa (兼岩), Tenshō (天正, 1573-1592), Mino/Kaga – „Kaneiwa“ (兼岩), „Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneiwa“ (濃州関住人兼岩), this Kaneiwa moved later in his career to Kaga province Kaneiwa (兼岩), Genroku (元禄, 1688-1704), Mino – „Kaneiwa“ (兼岩), „Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneiwa“ (濃州関住人兼岩)

Hi! I have that tsuba with a silver ring in mimi. I think the ring its added for an old owner for additional protection. What do you think about that?

This says “脇差 銘 武蔵太郎安国 真十五枚甲伏作 長一尺七寸一分強”, translates to "Wakizashi Signed with ‘Musano Taro Yasukuni Made with authentic 15-layered Koubuse method’, with 51.8cm of length", but no dates, I'm afraid. Edited: (https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/shin-jugomai-kobuse) I found a great webpage↑ that details what 真十五枚甲伏作 is with Markus Sesko San's great work! I also tried to do my own research, but 劔刀秘寳, 古伝鍛刀術, or 日本刀の科学的研究 are no easy read, especially at 2:30 AM here. So off to bed I go orz (There are two generations of Yasukuni, so if we can get a closer look at the signature, maybe we can tell which generation it is! Yasukuni I was 1651-1730, and Yasukuni II was ?-1742.)

These five other examples don't show any marks on the blank faces - perhaps the cuts were made as a "key" to re-attach the face - which once again failed? Your example is the only one I have seen with that feature. I wouldn't worry about the signature too much they tended to vary a lot and are all gimei anyway. You are correct that there are several variation in design I have found one with an iron face - integral or added I don't know.

Here you go > https://www.bonhams.com/auction/24151/lot/95/an-iron-kyo-sukashi-tsuba-early-edo-period-1615-1868-early-17th-century-3/

Hi Gran, welcome. https://world-seiyudo.com/product/tu-040525/ https://www.seiyudo.com/tu-040525.htm a Daigoro here as Mauro has said - it is much thinner work and perhaps more effeminate [No offence to the Samurai spirit ] From a Bonhams auction eight years ago - the site is no longer active. This one also has a silver fukurin - Sorry but these images are very small. https://blog.goo.ne.jp/tsuba_001/e/230a24e205e0cc960a170e796b26dc8f a Kyo-sukashi version https://nipponto-ken.fr/Chap8 Typologie Detaillee9.html Lets add a little gold. https://www.tessier-sarrou.com/en/lot/22961/5002947-japon-debut-epoque-edo-1603-1868-maru-gata-en-fer-a-decor?search=& supper fine gold work currently for sale https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-tsuba-for-samurai-sword-t-623/ I tend to like your's more than all these!

Official photos

Grazie mille Mauro! I'm attaching another front photo. You're right, the details are rough. Any other thoughts on it? I'm always happy to read and learn more.

Hi, welcome at NMB. The "ring" is called fukurin (覆輪) and it's quite a common feature in many tsuba (tsuba doesn't take the plural tsubas). I'm quite doubtful about the additional protection a silver fukurin could eventually offer... The subject of the design is usually referred as Yodo suisha, usually seen in Daigorō or Kyō-sukashi pieces, but in your tsuba the thickness of the cut-outs looks too coarse for those schools.

lots to see in this video - I think you'll see your banner in action around the 8 minute mark...

Looking to get more shinshinto swords into my collection, and while my fujiwara Yukinaga daito is a very nice sword, I'm more of a fan of the late Edo rather than the early Edo historically. Here's stats for the blade: Nagasa: 69cm Motokasane: 8.1mm Sakikasane: 5.5mm Sorii: 2cm Motomohaba: 3.4cm Sakimihaba: 2.2cm Signed fujiwara Yukinaga, no papers. Beautiful hamon, extremely clear jihada. Extremely sharp. Some surface scratches, but overall in great polish. Comes with Edo period koshirae with a beautiful dragon motif tsuba. Also comes with shirasaya and tsunagi, as well as a sword bag. I'm specifically looking for to trade it for a shinshinto piece with a nagasa between 68cm-72cm in koshirae. Don't care if it's mumei, obviously doesn't need papers as the piece I'm offering doesn't have papers. Id say the trade value for the sword is between _____ and _____ More photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uGiyTqbsDdjHQ931A

Soshu Hiromasa Tanto, Ubu and Signed, Tokubetsu Hozon 2024 Tanto Ubu Signed with two characters " 広正 " NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Muromachi Jidai, Meiō period 1492-1501 (approx. 530 years ago) Shirasaya Nagasa (cutting edge): 23.2CM / 9" Motogasane: .6CM Motohaba: 2.6CM Weight: 144G Flaws: a few tiny nearly indiscernible openings on the omote Mitsu mune (3 sided) Sword Location : New York City Will ship to : Anywhere Payment Methods Accepted : zelle, venmo, paypal, bank transfer, check Price and Currency : 4500 USD + shipping Created during the warring states period, and around the time that Columbus (re)discovered America for Europe, this Soshu Hiromasa tanto features a two character signature, original horimono, and exceptional deki. It is entirely healthy, and without forging flaws. For this piece, Hiromasa drew out an elegant and slender sugata, engraving a solemn ken on the omote (public facing side). However, the ura features the happy deity of wealth and abundance, Daikokuten, standing on two rice bales, grasping his magic hammer "uchide no kuzuki." The mune was formed with three sides; a Soshu hallmark. The hamon is full of activity to admire, with each side offering different personalities. A calmly undulating nioi-based ko-midare appears on the ken's omote. Alternatively, a series of striated and shimmering black ko-nie float above the nioiguchi on the ura, stopping just short of Daikokuten. Kaeri are present on both faces, forming a spirited and leaning boshi. Ji-nie can also be seen running near the mune, more so on the jovial Daikokuten side. Sunagashi, tobiyaki and yubashiri can also be seen. This signed tanto was designated Tokubetsu Hozon or "especially worthy of preservation" by the NBTHK in 2024. A well-made and old two piece copper habaki fits snugly against the perfectly preserved machi. One ana is present in the nakago and the signature is easily readable. Soshu Hiromasa was the son of Hiromitsu. There are believed to be six generations. This would be the jōjō-saku fifth generation (highly superior). I'm happy to answer any questions! Please click on the photos to view in full resolution. Thanks- -Jake

Just sharing this piece I picked up last year at Seiyudo before they were able to put it on their website (they later put up as sold). I actually chose this entirely on sight and feeling in hand. I wanted to pick something without knowing where or who it was from...kinda like how you should pick a whiskey . I asked them to show me a handful in a certain price range without telling me who they were. As soon as I drew this one from its shirasaya, I knew it was the one. The bohi helps, but it shines dazzlingly, the polish is top notch. I have since seen quite a few of them in person though and I now own two (this and a wakizashi). I think this is probably one of his best works that still exists. He made mostly wakizashi so this being katana is also a plus. Tokubetsu Hozon Early Edo period about 1670～ Blade length: 71.6cm Curve: 1.3cm Width at the hamachi: 3.11cm Thickness at the Moto-Kasane: 0.84cm Wide at the Kissaki: 2.50cm Thickness at the Saki-Kasane: 0.55cm Shape: Shinogi-zukuri, Iorimune, Chu-kissaki Engraving: Bohi on each side Jigane: Ko-itame Hamon: Gunome-midare Boshi: Notare then Komaru round tip

Hallo Jelle, I would also like to point out that it would be beneficial if you joined De Nederlandse Token vereniging (Dutch Token Society). We offer 4 yearly meetups, with lectures and the possibility to sell or trade blades. You can always join one meeting to see if it would fit your taste. You might be able to find something there that fits your needs. http://www.to-ken.nl/ Greetings, Lex

What katana? Is there a blade somewhere? Honestly…..this looks made up from assorted bits and pieces.

There are several Enju examples in the link below.

and other stuff

Thank you Sam!

Extremely interesting, Thank you!🙏🏽

well if they dont know, maybe there best avoided

The military outer armor of this sword is not original. Its sheath seems to have been remade by some restorers. Meanwhile, the paint has been redone, including your hilt, and the sword has also been re-polished. None of these are genuine Japanese products. The original Japanese link is attached. I hope it will be helpful to you https://aucview.aucfan.com/yahoo/b549862005/?_gl=1*aw8dkd*_gcl_au*MTY3OTU5MDY0OS4xNzQ4NzgzODA5

The akasaka isnt AKASAKA.

Truly a beautiful Nobutaka II, congratulations on your purchase!

Yes, Tom San, I, too, think around Keicho would be a safe assumption. Although, just a little further discussion, sugata-wise, it could break either way. This sword has a rather ideal sugata, almost Hizen-Shinto-like (they are noted for good Sugata in Edo period), but depending on who you ask, this could have a little Saki-Zori, a staple of late-Muromachi. Anyway, Sugata, and style in general, are intertwined between adjacent time periods. A Ouei-Bizen sword can look exactly like its Nanbokucho predecessors, and an Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo sword can be almost indistinguishable from a late-Muromachi one, especially in Seki, where I always feel like a little stunned in time. However, I would think that Nakago alone is definitive enough for its Shinto status. Anyway, off to have my bowl of super spicy greasy stir-fried beef on rice! I'm so not a morning person, and I can barely think straight without my morning dosage of carbs.

It says 以古来鍛法作之("Made with smithing technique from old times"). However, I think this is not a Kogatana meant to fit inside a Kodsuka, but rather a fancy Kiridashi-Kogatana, a kind of traditional Japanese tool knife, having almost nothing to do with Japanese Swords collections. An actual Kogatana meant to fit inside a Kodsuka, presumably made by the same team, with almost the same signature (a different Kanji for "Made" though), but also signed by the Swordsmith, fetched 17,000 Yen on an online auction, (https://www.funbid.com.hk/yahoojp/auctions/item.php?aID=k1109026141) so ideally, this Kiridashi-Kogatana should be around the same price. Hope this helps! Edits: Totally overlooked one important thing: this knife appears to have a Yakiba, and some light polishing. Got too carried away when searching for the other information.

Agreed, Kunimune saku. Much clearer in this photo.

Nice tsuba Mike, I'm usually not the biggest fan of open works and personally gravitate toward the solid stuff but this one has a nice design. Bridges were a major feature in mid to late Edo period art such as in Hokusai's famous ukiyo-e collection of bridges across Japan. The added fukurin is indicative not of additional structural protection or support, but of an additional aesthetic quality added to the piece. Think of it as the frame or border around an iron painting.

Signed Settsu no kami Minamoto Tadayuki saku. Unfortunately not an authentic Japanese sword. I have seen a number of fakes with a similar mei posted recently to the discussion groups.

Mauro - there was a split in the NTHK several years back, the pretenders called themselves the NTHK (NPO) - this is their work...

I thought NPO (usually in brackets after NTHK) means "non profit organization". Surely I'm missing something...

Thanks for the heads up Thomas. I checked the emailed event details when I purchased the tickets a couple of months ago and it definitely states 4pm start on Friday. Changes must have been made to the program since then. Good to know. I will be there for 1pm.

Just to be clear this is an NPO paper and not the one and true NTHK... -tch

Hi all; I resurrect this aged post because (thanks to Steve) I stumbled across this very same maker's signature on my 98 koshirae. Also some features are superimposable (i.e. silver push button/chuso). Only difference is that the numbers on metal parts are in western style. Hope this would add something.

First of all, yes. There are many records of Kotou signed "Noshu Seki Junin Kaneiwa". In fact, we can find the exact same 6 descriptions about Kotou period Kaneiwa at Nihonto Club (KAN1025-1030), in "Encyclopedia of Mino-tou” by Tokunou Kazuo Sensei (who also wrote “Encyclopedia of Swordsmiths”, although sadly I don't have). Kaneiwa is also mentioned in other books like “Corpus of Swordsmiths/刀工全集” by Dr. Shimizu Tooru, “Pandect of Swordsmiths/刀工総覧” by Kawakuchi Noboru Sensei and many more, all describing swordsmiths in Eisho (1504-1521) or Tensho (1573-1592), in the Kotou period. ......On the other hand, the only Oshigata of Kotou Kaneiwa is of a Tanto, with Higaki-Yasuri instead of Takanoha, a much thinner Tagane, and a different font. (It's like the Tanto on Asahi Touken, but the font is, again, different.) So, I took the liberty to glance at a webpage of Touken Tokugawa, where I think this sword was sold. (A random information, the same sword is also sold at Yahoo! auction for 333,000 Yens on the 25th of March this year.) It could just be the Sashikomi-Togi, but I am getting a little Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo Minou Shinto impression. The Kitae is a little too tight and neat for Sue-Seki, although Sue-Seki Katanas do tend to have more refined Kitae than Tantos and Wakizashis from (my very limited) experience. So Kitae-wise, this could be a very well-made Sue-Seki, or a good Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo Minou Shinto. Hamon is Nioi-Deki (some would say Ko-Niedeki) with Nioiguchi Shimari-gokoro, while being THE default description for Sue-Seki, could also apply to Minou Shinto from Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period. Nakago, both the Yasurime and font, like what Rivkin San shrewdly pointed out, looks Edo period. When searching for Kaneiwa, I did not find any source of the Shinto period Kaneiwa. ......Which I guess could be what they really meant by "not in the Meikan".

Writing style, yasurime: Edo period Work: kind of Muromachi looking.

Looks like katakana カケヌ (kakenu), but it doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe a tradesman's contraction/jargon.

Yes, its usually pointless to try to assign a mon to one specific family, unless you have a provenance for the sword (a surrender tag, etc...). Another site suggests this crest was used by the following families. Oddly enough, it lists neither Abe or Sakai as a possibility (but this list is not exhaustive); 佐野、金子、岡島、上原、梶、窪島、神、杉枝、中西、岩佐、貝瀬、大木、保科、中島、堀川、水上、原田、平山、山本、池原、小野、中山、田中、山本、中沢、有賀、梶川 https://irohakamon.com/kamon/kaji/marunitachikajinoha.html

The apprentice to the first Awata Nagatsuna, smith colloquially known as 聾長綱(つんぼ長綱/Tsunbo Nagatsuna, or deaf Nagatsuna) has several different signatures, and what we can find most on the internet is 摂津住藤原長綱/Settsu-Ju Fujiwara Nagatsuna, which is very helpful for comparing signatures. (Also, "Encyclopedia of Shinto/新刀大鑑" by Iimura Yoshiaki Sensei says, "It is said that 紀伊国廣綱(Hirotsuna) is the same person as Nagatsuna", which is confirmed in "Pandect of swordsmiths/刀工総覧" by Kawakuchi Noboru Sensei.) As for the spesific way of signing as 粟田口長綱/Awatakuchi Nagatsuna, there is a text record for a Tokubetsu-Kiju at the Chokuan Branch of Fukuoka NBTHK in 1960 signed exactly that, and another is said to be part of Hounoutou/votive swords to the Ukishima shrine in Kumamoto, but the researchers did not get a chance to look at it (徳島県新野町民史, 新野町史編集委員会, 1960). There are also several mentions of a similar signature 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna in books. Num. 529 of 刀剣と歴史/Swords and History by NTHK in 1982 listed a sword passed Shinsa signed 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna lengthed at 51.8cm (一尺七寸一分), also "Encyclopedia of Shinto/新刀大鑑", "Pandect of swordsmiths/刀工総覧" and “Praising the Osaka Shinto/大阪新刀を讃える” all mentioned the specific signature of 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna, all, unfortunately, without actual Oshigata or photos. Although we can still try to compare the signature with swords signed with 摂津住藤原長綱/Settsu-Ju Fujiwara Nagatsuna, so even the mere confirmation of the signature 粟田口長綱/Awatakuchi Nagatsuna existing is still meaningful. I'm really bad at telling Gimei, so I hope at least this helps!

Even without the icon (there are a bunch that can be added, but don't want the toolbar to be too cluttered) you can still use standard forum code to use functions https://forums.freebsd.org/help/bb-codes/

Here is a gassaku with a Nagatsuna mei on one side. Construction of the mei is different (Settsu-jū Fujiwara Nagatsuna), but its the writing of the "naga" character that strikes me as being different from the one on the sword in your post. But...this single gassaku is probably not a great reference. Anyway, I add the link here for reference, and snip a bit of the mei.* *As always, credits to the owner, and reference is only intended for educational purposes. https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-098129.htm

These readings are irregular. We just have to memorize them. 一日 - tsuitachi 二日 - futsuka 三日 - mikka 四日 - yokka 五日 - itsuka 六日 - muika 七日 - nanoka 八日 - youka 九日 - kokonoka 十日 – touka

信國吉種 - Nobukuni Yoshitane Ref. Sold at Auction: Nobukuni Yoshitane 信國吉種, long naginata Japanese Samurai sword, Muromachi period (1467-1469AD)

A fine Bizen Yukikage wakizashi with a deep sori and slender, graceful sugata that resembles a kodachi. Tokubetsu Hozon and published in the famous Fujishiro Toko Jiten. YUKIKAGE (幸景), Chōroku (長禄, 1457-1460), Bizen – “Bishū Osafune Yukikage” (備州長船幸景), “Bizen no Kuni-jūnin Fujiwara Shinbei no Jō Yukikage saku” (備前国住人藤原新兵衛尉幸景作), “Bishū Osafune Shinbei no Jō Yukikage” (備州長船新兵衛幸景), first name Shinbei (新兵衛), gunome-midare or suguha in nioi-deki, chūjō- saku - Markus Sesko $7,250.00 + shipping

FWIW the best penetrating solution one can use is a DIY homemade mix of 50% acetone and 50% automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Years ago “Machinist Workshop Magazine” did a test on penetrating oils. Using nuts and bolts that they 'scientifically rusted’ to a uniform degree by soaking in salt water, they then tested the break-out torque required to loosen the nuts. They treated the nuts with a variety of penetrants and measured the torque required to loosen them. This is what they came up with: Nothing: 516 lbs WD-40: 238 lbs PB Blaster: 214 lbs Liquid Wrench: 127 lbs Kano Kroil: 106 lbs (ATF)/Acetone mix (50/50 mix): Only 50 lbs!

Still 'horsing around'. You can add these to what to avoid as far as cast horse theme 'tsuba' [if you can call them that?] Where are the scrap iron dealers when we need them!