Ed

Nice blade, but not Nobuhide 信秀, Teruhide 輝秀. Way it is engraved, mei looks like Ihara Teruhide opposed to Ishido Teruhide CORRECTION: checking this post again and realized my comment regarding the mei should read the opposite. It should read, looks like Ishido Teruhide opposed to Ihara Teruhide.

Geez, what are people looking for today, That is a steal.

Very nice set. Ford did a great job. Looks as though the Green Tokubetsu Kicho papers were fine.

Whiskey...

No persona experience, butI know several people who refer to this guy as "Damn you 54".

More Mishina: http://yakiba.com/Daisho_Tango_no_Kami_Kanemichi.htm

Guido, Never heard the term Ebi-nata. Great to learn something new. Thank you, Ed Robert, Don't give up. I don't think anyone would be upset if one day some new indisputable proof was discovered. Until then, if you like them, enjoy them. No harm in that. However, when sitting around the man cave drinking with buddies, I would stick to the head cutter story.

Very nice! I love the rustic knobs and hinges. Now all you need are books to fill those shelves

This subject has been debated here in the past. In this current debate as in all debates there will be opinions on both sides. Opinions which are unlikely to be easily swayed. Unfortunately, without concrete, undeniable, documented proof, all that remains are one’s opinion infused with doubt and speculation. One might surmise that an attempt to find a definitive answer may prove futile. It is my opinion that without definitive proof, one must rely on probabilities opposed to absolutes. The evidence we possess along with common sense makes a reasonable case or provides the highest probability against these blades being used as Head Cutters. Not definitive, but most probable. Years ago, my partner in Japan had a nice one (one of the ones posted by Robert), so I brought it home. Having heard the term Kubikiri back home I questioned him about it, to which he replied it was nothing more than a western marketing scheme. During that trip, I asked numerous Japanese dealers as well as a Fukuoka branch NBTHK judge whose name evades me, about kubikiri. Everyone I asked, gave me the same reply (some along with a chuckle), that there was no such thing. Every one of them gave me the same information. That these were either referred to as “Nata”, which was generally reserved for the more utilitarian tool type, or as Hanagatana or “flower sword”, for the nicer examples, but both terms were used interchangeably. In regard to the ones nicely mounted in koshirae, I was told that these were reserved for the higher classes or Daimyo families, where lesser quality versions where for commoners, farmers and such. Personally, and I may be wrong, but I just can't buy into the Kubikiri idea. Looking through the book "History of Torture and Punishment" by Yuio Nawa. It has illustrations of numerous methods of torture and execution and beheadings. Every one of them depicts the removal of heads by sword or saw, but not one picture of anything resembling a Nata or Hanagatana. I reiterate what I have said in the past, that common sense tells me with every Samurai carrying two swords, and the battlefield littered with swords, why would such a thing be needed? Markus’s documentation provides documentation that wakizashi were used for this. “you hold your wakizashi in reverse grip [...] and cut off the head." So, what do we know? We know there have been no examples provided, where these blades are shown being used for severing heads in any prints, scrolls or text. Kubikiri is speculation. No one has seen one sold in Japan as Kubikiri, at least not as of this writing. Hanagatana are sold on Japanese websites, not Kubikiri. Markus’s documentation provides documentation that wakizashi were used for this. All prints, books or scrolls which depict beheadings use swords or saws, not kubikiri. Again, it could be argued that this is not 100% definitive, and I agree. Yet, assessment of the currently existing information would seem to yield the highest probability in support of Nata opposed to Kubikiri. For those who haven't seen them, here is the link to the photos of my Nata/Hanagatana: http://yakiba.com/nata.htm ___________________________ The only “Head cutter” I am aware of is the Katana named “Atama Wari” shown in Markus’s Tameshigiri book, page 164.

Ron, yes the better ones were made for the upper class. For additional photos: http://yakiba.com/nata.htm

It is called Nata which loosely translates to hatchet.They are for cutting, pruning shrubs, flowers. But "Head cutter" sounds a damn sight more manly than flower cutter.

Thanks guys. Neil, Ok, when I get around to taking a few better photos of it I will post it.

Possibly Masahisa, Masashige. It looks to be the only one worth anything and it isn't worth much IMHO. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Picked up a nice Asano Kanezane. Thought you military collectors might appreciate it. Slough's has four pages on this smith. He made medium to high grade Showato and medium grade Gendaito. This one is Showato, and by far the nicest example I have seen. Koshirae is nearly pristine as well. Missing sarute and tassel.

Very nice Alton. You really do like Fuji San. There are a number of members here who collect Yakimono. My favorites are Oribe and Shigaraki. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with the late edo revival at best, and lean more towards modern, as well as tosho, not katchushi The design itself doesn't bother me, but the way it is applied does. The holes are too perfect cut/drilled and the wings look almost as though they were cut with a mill, then altered with a file a bit to give the appearance of age. Compare it closely at the photo of the one on post #4, lots of differences. The finish looks mechanically/chemically aged. You may not do that with a hammer and chisel, but you could with a hammer, punch and chemicals. But of course this is based on a few photos and is only my guess on it. The finish reminds me of this one.

Special order for Yagi. August, Keio Gannen. When the Nidai Yasutsugu passed away there were two prospective candidates for the heirship, the Nidai's younger brother (third son of the shodai) and the Nidai's son, though his son was just a child. Through negotiations it was decided that the school would be split into two branches, Edo and Echizen. It was decided the Nidais son Umenosuke, would become the Edo Sandai and the nidai's younger brother Shirouemon would become the Echizen Sandai. The Edo line ended with the kyudai or 9th where the Echizen line remained until the Juichidai. I have never seen an 12th generation Yasutsugu. There is no such mention or oshigata example found in the Yasutsugu Taikan, that I can find. I was told that the 12th lived in Musashi and was called Shimosaka Ichinojyo at Hogo Horikawa, and that his early name was Yasunao. So was this a true descendent of the lineage? Looking at the provided mei, it looks very poorly cut for Yasutsugu, but I have nothing to compare it too, and if the NBTHK issued papers, then I suppose who am I to argue.

Perhaps after lugging all those books you will develop a hernia. But, let's hope not.

I think Peter's question can be answered with one word, quality. The sword in question may the work of Saneo, but it is clearly a mediocre piece. Without commenting on the koshirae and focusing entirely on the sword there are many negative points. Things like the many small ware along the blade, the poorly finished nakago, the fact that it is unsigned. Then there is the total lack of the long kinsuji, clouds of nie, ara nie, etc., one would expect to see in his works. These are not my best photos but here are a few examples of activity seen in the work of Saneo. This particular wakizashi was polished and papered by the elder and now deceased Yoshikawa San of the NTHK and was featured in the Token To Rekishi. It is unfortunately suriage but retains a partial mei and was signed Toshimasa.

Received my copy of Vol. 2 a few days ago. Haven't had a chance yo do much more than flip through it, but it looks great.

Micro fiber pollution https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/oct/27/toxic-plastic-synthetic-microscopic-oceans-microbeads-microfibers-food-chain I recycle 100% cotton flannel or hemp terry cloth.

Yes, I really like the tokkuri, it embodies the manifestation of wabi-sabi, at least in my eye. Even though the Tanba ware piece with more modern colors, they are subtle or more subdued, leaning enough towards the rustic wabi-sabi look that attracts me. I do like the other two as well. I almost grabbed this one:

Heard back from Enishi, looks like I missed the kuro oribe guinomi. Here are the two I bought. The second is a 180° for me, but it appealed to me visually. Next I'll be buying those bright flashy ones

Ok, as soon as they confirm that they are mine, I will post some photos.

Evan, Thanks for the link. The tokkuri didn't appeal to me, not rustic enough I suppose. But, I did buy several others.