Ed

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.

Evan, It must have been fate that brought me to those. All of the Oribe pieces came from one seller who according to the listing was selling an old collection, much like an estate sale. I hadn't looked at YHJP in months and one day opened it up and there they were, bought them all. Thanks for sharing the link, it is a very nice guinomi, the floral finial is a sweet touch. I do like it more than mine, but not enough to swap them. The $30K is undoubtedly the major factor . The Shigaraki cups you posted are very nice as well. Do you ever look for tokuri, I have had an eye out for a Kuro-Oribe Tokuri, but have never seen one. I have a Ao-Oribe tokuri and a Kuro-Oribe guinomi. They are nice, but nothing exceptional.

Evan, Love the Kuro Oribe Guinomi. Amongst others, I have several Oribe pieces, both ao-oribe and kuro-oribe. They include Mizusashi, Chawan, Chaire, Kogo, but no Guinomi. Do you have a link to this one? I would love to look at it.

If it is pottery made to look like old or rusted iron, then I would leave it as is.

I paid for the whole set upfront, will my copy of vol. 2 be sent automatically? (probably should ask Markus) If anyone has any hesitation, I can confirm that Vol. 1 is a great reference and $44 is giving it away. It is a no brainer.

Suriage. The last several characters of the mei are missing.

Very nice, look forward to seeing the finished product.

Definitely cool the way they are packaged and all. Notice what a small package that is compared to the lighter, 2" x 4", less than 1 lb. By the time you forged that into a billet, I doubt you would have enough for a tanto, maybe kogatana.

Kind of expensive though. I just bought 40lbs of wrought iron nails from the 1800's for $60.

I don't mind, but it's not up to me. I haven't heard from the lady as of this writing.

Debra, I live only about an hour from you if you would like for someone to look at it in person. You can contact me at yakiba.com@gmail.com or call 318.613.6375. Ed

I have a Kanenaga gunto in much better mounts for around the same price. Check the web site if you are looking for one. http://yakiba.com/Newlisting.htm

Gee, I am surprised, yet honored to even be mentioned in this list. At best, I would rate my own photos as, ok. My mediocre attempts pale in comparison to the works of Darcy/Ted or Richards. Thought I read where Ted is doing most of Darcy's photos these days, if true, I would definitely give him credit due, as well.