Brian

Just to back up a bit what Keith said..there is a bit of useful info here. You will have to weed out the non-relevant stuff and the info that is a bit fantastical..but some of it might be relevant. http://forums.dfoggknives.com/index.php?showtopic=6300 Brian

Rich, No need to change your sign in name..you can just go into your profile and add a signature with your name and initial, or just sign each post at the bottom. No real hassle at all On the right track now..let's see what others have to say. Sometimes these can be added to cover a flaw in the metal, or just for luck or patriotism. Sounds like yours is a good luck symbol. If done originally to the blade, it's possible you have a blade that is higher than the usual mass produced WW2 blade. Would have to see more pics and info. Not a guarantee..but worth following up on. Brian

Hi Rich, Welcome to the forum. Phew...I think you may be the 5th or 6th Rich we have here! :D If you could sign with your name and an initial of your surname..it would help us to differentiate (unless your surname starts with a T or an S :D ) The carving looks like a bonji symbol sometimes carved on blades. You can find much info here: http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/bonji.html Doesn't look very well carved, but does appear to be a Buddhist character to me. Am sure someone will provide more info shortly. Regards, Brian

Keith, Good points, and glad to have you posting here again. Nothing like hearing it from someone who has "been there, done that" I also recall reading somewhere that the habaki plays more of a role than some of us may assume in the use and manufacture of a sword. Good post. Brian

Why? So they can tell him what a naughty man he was, and confiscate the sword (replica probably) for the good of the public? Hmm..is it any wonder he disappeared? Brian

Ford, That is absolutely mind-blowing Makes just about every other statue I have ever seen seem primitive. At this top level, I am sure you don't come across them for sale very often? Brian

I agree. Fake. Brian

All, Apologies for the server downtime today. My hosts in the USA seem to have been down for half the day, and it took me a few hours to get extreme amounts of no explanation :D Will try to make sure the site doesn't go down for any great lengths of time, but if it is ever not connecting, be sure I will be working on the issue frantically and try again a bit later Regards, Brian

John, on that top one... Is that inlayed/carved....or is that entirely sukashi Brian

Ok..I am not sure how to take that one :lol: Tokyo has really pretty manhole covers This is an interesting theme, and we have demonstrated how prevalent it is in Japanese culture. Strikes me as a really good theme for a collection..similar to Ken and his mantis theme. Btw...if anyone is so inclined...it would probably make for a great article or theme for the JSSUS or NCJSC newsletter. Brian

Textbook example of how asking the forum can save big $'s :lol: Nice work Stephen. Brian

Link is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0076143602 (Just copy the whole link and paste it as is. Will convert it automatically) Not sure what to make of the sword. Looks genuine, but in delapidated condition. I am especially concerned about the mark that is just above the habaki on the blade in one pic. Perhaps not a hagire...but looks like a flaw or strike that might pose a problem. I suggest getting more info if there is enough time left. Regards, Brian

Many kogatana are forged and tempered with hamon and hada. I have one here with a lovely hamon that shows nie and hataraki. Not always the case, but there are some lovely blades out there that show some great skill in forging. Many aren't, but it pays to investigate those old kogatana before you assume they are just plain steel. Brian

Marius, I am impressed. So is this one that is held in a private collection here in South Africa? Seems we have quite a few SA members popping up here. I will have to pay a visit to the Cape to see some of you sometime. Wondering what type of papers this one has? The fittings seem to be those flashy late Edo style if I am not totally off the mark? Nice...a little overdone if you like simple elegance Looks like a very nice blade. Is it in a museum collection?..I seem to recall this may be one of the loan pieces from that museum exhibit I missed a while ago? Is it still in the country? Brian

Jim, No offence taken by me (and I hope no-one else) I think sometimes we are so busy looking outside of the forum at ancient art and artists, that we sometimes miss the craftsmen here right under our noses We also sometimes get so fixated at antiques that we can easily forget that today many works are being created that will be the masterpieces studied years from now. Judging by your website, I am glad this subject brought you out into the open. Like Ford, you are a highly trained metalworker that specialises in varied techniques including Japanese styles? Great page. Brian

Jim makes a good point. I do not want the original post watered down with other subjects that belong in their own post. I have split the topic and created this new one for the restoration discussion. The original post is still at http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... highlight= and I would love to see it continue with discussion about Ford's amazing craft. Jim...took a look at your website link (which I will add to the links section this weekend) and must compliment you on some amazing craftsmanship too. Truly outstanding tutorials and information. It is a pity it takes a post like this to bring some of the relatively unknown (here anyways) craftsmen out of the woodwork so to speak. I for one would love to see you and Ford create the occasional thread about your own works and your studies, and I will do my best to keep it on topic Regards, Brian PS - I don't think there is so much of a general lack of understanding and appreciation of Tosogu in this community, as a general informal vibe that perhaps does not properly convey the awe that many of us hold towards these crafts. We all know it is difficult to represent emotion on the internet, and while we may privately stand in awe while looking at these art objects...the informal vibe is often meant to create a feeling of being able to discuss things that are sometimes way above our own level of study or understanding..or sometimes just a way of encouraging further input from others. In this way many are able to participate in discussion and hopefully further their education without always being on the sidelines. I think there are some stunning collections and knowledge held here amongst our members that do not come across in the posts or tones. Some of our most advanced collectors lurk here on the forum, and only read, so if this brings out some of them and encourages participation that we can all learn from, then we have at least achieved something. This is the nature of the internet, and something that is a necessary evil when linking 25 or so countries in one field of interest. Long day, and I'm not quite focussed, so I hope this makes some sense

Scott, If you are just talking about the proliferation of tsuba, then refer to the comments already made. If however you are talking about the number of them that come with tsuba boxes, this is not an indication of how they were originally manufactured or stored. Tsuba boxes are the modern method used to store and display tsuba in a collection. The boxes are available everywhere, and those tsuba you mention are just supposedly old tsuba in new boxes sold that way for convenience and added benefit. Most fakes don't come with decent tsuba boxes, but as you get to the higher level of fakes, then yes..they might be pictured and sold with these boxes. There are many levels of fakes..from cheap Chinese junk easily spotted to modern copies of famous makers done in Japan and elsewhere that are designed to deceive. As for the number of tsuba out there..I would guess there are very many more tsuba than swords in existence. Lots of fakes...but plenty of good, original tsuba. The fakes can be even more of a problem to identify than the swords, so the usual rules of buying from reputable sellers and stores applies. If in doubt, ask the forum for advice. Lots of genuine tsuba on eBay every day comming out of Japan and elsewhere in tsuba boxes. Quality varies of course. Regards, Brian

Ford, Be sure to let us know when your website is up, and I'll add the url to the links section. On another note...Did your training in Japan include any tips to maintaining a good patina on tsuba, and is there any info you would care to share? Hope I'm not putting you on the spot here Brian

Ford, Allow me to be the first to chip in to kindly request pics of some of your work if you have any handy? Would love to see some pics and share with the forum. Do you have a particular style or school of tsuba that you follow in your work? Perhaps this might make for a new post in the Tosogu section so as not to be lost in the book thread. Fascinating, and thanks for taking South Africa up a notch in the Nihonto stakes Brian

Ah..sorry Pete. I wasn't sure if you were asking Rich or Ford to explain. So this might be Tosa too? Would be bizarre if it was, considering the current discussion, and the (what I think was a) joke about this by Ford :D I won't claim any knowledge of the subject here, so am sure you and Rich will discuss and elaborate for us. Brian

Hi Pete, It was a joke about the Tosa Myochin identification posts today at the bottom of that tagane mei post: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... c&start=15 I'm confused now where the confusion lies :? :D Regards, Brian

Rich, Very interesting...I would not have gotten that Can you give us some indicators on what gives it away and what the kantei points were on this one so that we know what to look for? Ie..if it wasn't signed, then what would eventually have led to the Tosa Myochin attribution? Thanks, Brian

Let us know how it works out. I think the later it was done, the more complex the methods might have been to seat it firmly. I have heard about them being brazed/soldered in...and sometimes they can be tough to remove. I think heat will be the main method, but depending on the fixing method, you might need more heat. Jewellers would be the ones to ask....and I think by concentrating the heat on the blade and not on the kozuka, you should be able to release it. Since the blade is probably expendable, focus the heat there. Careful not to use too much heat or you might separate the kozuka joints Brian

Barry, Works for me? Not the Archives link just above this thread..that is just the title of this thread. It is at the very top of the forum..above the banner. "NMB Archive" Should link you to http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/archive.html Not much there right now..just three notable recent posts that i think deserve archiving...but I hope to grow it to other articles and downloads. Have a few good articles saved, but will have to get permission from the owners. Wonder if the JSSUS would let the NMB take out a corporate membership and allow us to post a few of the old articles here? :D (doubtful..lol) Brian

Hi all, Just to let you know I have added 2 new articles to the archives section. While these topics are current, it may not be of much use, but in 6 months when the original topics are buried, they might be of great use. The archives link is above left. I also intend to add other articles that are submitted on their own, and if anyone has any old articles worth sharing, please let me know and I'll add them if they are not copyrighted. Regards, Brian