Ed

I was still trying to figure that out.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I always call attention to Kirikomi, but leave the interpretation to the observer. If one dislikes them then they can be considered disclosed much like a flaw. If one envisions kirikomi as "battle scars" and holds a grandiose view of that, fine by me. My personal view is, If it is a great blade and has a kirikomi, I am ok with that. POS, not so much !! Edit: Kind of what Steve said above, just less eloquently.

Nothing left to do but enjoy this one. Very nice Travis !

Thank you Steve !

I have had this scroll a long time and I can read the mei, Norikuni. It is the column on the left that is above my pay grade. If anyone could help with it, I would be ever so grateful. Thank you.

Steve, I thought that's what it was and am pretty sure I had been given that information some time ago, but for the life of me could not find it. Thank you. Ed

I have a scroll painting depicting the Emperor's Meji, Taisho, and Showa. The following script appears above the painting on the scroll. The scroll relates to the Gunjin Chokuyu, but I do not know exactly what it reads. The Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors (軍人勅諭 Gunjin Chokuyu) was issued by Emperor Meiji of Japan on 4 January 1882. It was the most important document in the development of the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy. The Rescript was intended to be the official code of ethics for military personnel, and is often cited along with the Imperial Rescript on Education as the basis for Japan's prewar national ideology. All military personnel were required to memorize the 2700 kanji document by heart.

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Jordy, I appreciate the effort to add the new photo. Unfortunately at 38KB, I simply can not see it well enough to give my opinion (for what it is worth anyway). I tried using a magnifying glass but can't tell much more than it looks somewhat poorly cut.

I don't see how anyone can comment on that photo. You need a better closeup photo of the mei. Crop all the unnecessary areas out and orient the photo correctly. Surely you know they are read point up, nakago down.

I'll take a color hard copy.

Guess it could be toshi. Bound to be one or the other. Quick look in Hawley's shows only one Muramune, signed Bishu Osafune Muramune. Two Toshimune, one Bizen-2 character mei. One Bitchu same as Uda Toshimune. ????????

Looks like Muramune to me.

Received my very nice book today. Thank you !

Not sure, he was there all weekend.

I have been thinking of attending this year, no definite plans as of yet. Either way, you guys need to take a NMB group photo. Maybe at a strip club or something, so everyone will look less "stoic", as Stephen called us in our Tampa photo

There are more people than you realize a "polishing " swords. I am appalled every time someone tells me they are a polisher and more so at the people who allow them to "polish" their swords.

I didn't attend, but had a friend there also. He said he didn't see anything of good quality or condition, said a lot of stuff was misrepresented and that the group putting it on seemed very inexperienced.

I have been reading this and guess I will throw my 2¢ in. In my opinion, I would leave it be if not literally falling off the tsuka. I understand that there are instances where you have no choice but to replace it, but this one doesn't appear to be that bad yet. Perhaps place a drop of glue under the loose end of ito. This would keep it from getting worse and prevent it from snagging on things. This would retain the original integrity of the tsuka as well as the sword overall.

I spoke with a man who went to that auction and he said they didn't what they were doing. Said they had all kinds of stuff misrepresented. ??? I collect civil war stuff and island blades, so they would interest me even if the swords did not.

Don't be, it is quite common. It happens with papers from all issuing organizations, opinions vary. That is why those papers you have are not a guarantee ! They are a educated opinion. These guys, be it Tanobe, Miyano or other's give you their opinion based on a lifetime of study. They are the best opinions you can get, but they are opinions.

Guys, You are welcome to make an offer.

http://yakiba.com/Daisho_Tango_no_Kami_Kanemichi.htm

John, I suspected that is what you meant. It has quite the rough textured finish that one would expect, reminds me of reptilian skin, coarse and bumpy. Here it is at home with Mizusashi and Chawan.

Do any of you remember 10-5 years ago there was a signed, polished Kiyomaro being sold at Christies. It had a small haigire and was unpapered, though it had a letter from Tanabe guaranteeing its authenticity. Starting bid was 10K, yes a mere $10,000 and it went unsold.