Ed

Pete, I am not arguing with what you are saying, as you are right on cue as to how it works. I just don't think it should be that way. I personally believe this attitude is detrimental to the show as a whole and may contribute to a decrease of attendance at the shows. Suppose an unknown potential buyer flies in for the show. Suppose he is searching for a rare and valuable sword, which happens to be hidden under your table. He goes home empty handed and you miss a sale. Suppose he reads later on a sword forum that many swords are not put out on display, but kept hidden away, only for those in the right clique. Do you think he will waste his money to come again ?? It seems unfair to the public who spend their money and come from all over the world or at least the country to "see" swords. If it was a private collectors show I could understand, but these shows are open to the public. Personally I feel if it's for sale then put it out where buyers can see it. It is after all a sword "show" not a sword "hide and seek". If a seller is paranoid regarding the handling of his items, then put them in a glass case. At the very least put out a visible sign of available items. This is merely my own personal opinion.

Martin, From what I can see on a quick look, it appears the nidai was the only one of the Hizen Yukihiro who signed that way. 1st & 3rd signed, Ichi dewa no kami Yukihiro. 2nd signed, Ichi Hizen dewa no kami Yukihiro. Note they all signed other ways as well, these examples only represent their mei where "Ichi" was used. Hope this helps. Ed

Stephen, I directed a couple of gendai buyers to your sword. Hope one of them will jump on it as it is quite nice. Ed

Ichi, Thanks a lot for that site. After looking at the map, I realized I have been in that area, but never seen that place. Kyoto has so many things to see, you could spend weeks there trying to see it all. I love wandering around there nibbling on Nama Yatsuhashi. Thanks again. Ed

Ludolf, Thank you very much for the information. Ed

Sorry guys, my bad. I wrote that while thinking of the last samurai reference in the post. "Shinsengumi" with Mifune was what I meant to say.

I had heard Saigo was chosen as the leader of the rebellion because he had a lot of balls. :lol: Sorry, I could not help myself. The testicle thing was just too funny. The photos and info were very good. I was actually just watching, "The Last Samurai", with Toshiro Mifune. Where in Kyoto is the Inn located ? Do you have any information on it? I will be in Kyoto in April and would like to see it.

Sorry, I meant to include that on the first post.

Hi guys, I have been looking at a tsuba. The thing is I can find nothing on the maker. I would like to know how he is rated, period worked, or any pertinent information which you may can help me with. The tsubako's name is Nanzan Hokushi. He is the younger brother of Yurakusai Sekibun. Thanks.

Yes, I agree. Perhaps I should clarify as well, as we were dicussing an alleged sale from Choshuya, that was my meaning as well.

Brian, No problem, there will be no argument. I won't be drawn into one. My only concern was that the originator of the post, "Raygun" was not mislead or misinformed. I am man enough to admit a possible mistake on my part. I may have jumped to the conclusion that the "Masahiro" of which he spoke was the one on the Choshuya web site. However, I did not misread it (It's in English). Nonetheless, I will never believe you will buy a sword of that caliber for $4000 USD. Darcy's post only confirms what I already knew, that you are not going to buy a full polish, no flaws, tokubetsu papered 1st or 2nd generation Hizen Masahiro for $4000 USD. Raygun: I apologize to you for your thread turning into free for all. BTW: The Yoshimichi is sold.

Apparently not. Perhaps you should have taken time to have read my post before becoming defensive. The original post by "Raygun" was a request for a sword in the 500,00yen (Approx $4,000 USD) range. You directed him to a Hizen Masahiro: I was pointing out that the Hizen Masahiro on Choshuya which you referred to is priced at 2,300,000yen (approx. $19,000 USD), which is not within rayguns requested 500,000yen range. http://world.choshuya.co.jp/sale/sword/masahiro/masahiro1.htm My statement was quite clear, "I bet you can't find a comparable (condition, brand new polish, papers, etc.) "Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi" for a better price." I was not comparing the Yoshimichi to the Masahiro nor implying the Yoshimichi was better or more desirable than the Masahiro. That is left to personal preference. What I am implying is that the Yoshimichi is within "Raygun's" desired price range and is very well priced for a Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, ie; comparable to other Yoshimichi wakizashi's.

I think you better go and recalculate your Yen. The Hizen Masahiro on Choshuya is 2,300,000 JY. That's almost $19,000 USD. Want a good deal. I bet you can't find a comparable (condition, brand new polish, papers, etc.) "Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi" for a better price. http://yakiba.com/wak_yoshimichi.htm

Jon, Hawley's lists a number on "Kanemitsu", as you know. Unfortunately there is not a lot of information beyond the first two generations. There is not much information to gather from the photos of the blade itself, as they are not clear enough. The shirasaya states, Noshu seki ju kanemitsu, but really is not a reliable source of info. Looking only at the mei it is definitely not the shodai's "kane" and is styled after the Nidai. However, there are several points which give me cause for concern. Basically the entire "kane" character looks wrong. The first point is placement of the mei. Comparing it to oshigata of the first two generations, the placement does not look right. Next are the strokes of the "Kane" kanji. The top stroke looks weak but could be due to deterioration. The two dots beside this stroke on yours are at 9 o'clock, whereas the nidai cut these at 7-8 O'clock. The box on yours is to square and neither of the first two cut the far left vertical stroke on the box as your displays. The small "legs" at the bottom on yours are pointed down, whereas on the known good example they are pointed up. Please note I am not implying that yours is gimei, simply that it doesn't look to be either of the first two generations of Kanemitsu (I hope I am wrong). Also, it may well be a good example of a later Kanemitsu. Only submission to shinsa will give you a reliable opinion. My opinion is merely based on my own observations, and is likely worth about as much as I am charging for it.

Stephen, it looks like a fake to me, crying shame some poor guy is fixing to get zapped hard. It is up to $1525 now.

Hey Stephen, Yes, the photos are mine, thank you. The parade is just grand to see, the costumes while reproductions are historically acurate. The only detraction which bothered me were some the participants who walked the horses were dressed modern ie; tennis shoes, ball caps, etc. This ruined the setting of many of the photos. Overall it was outstanding.

...on e-bay. Here is the link to one, you know how to find the others. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200070618006&rd=1&rd=1 Several new swords on the web site also.

.....The Festival of Ages. The Jidai Matsuri is an annual parade in Kyoto which is a living testament to the history of Kyoto. I have written a small article relating the parade, and even if you don't want to read it, you might like the pictures. http://yakiba.com/article_jidai_matsuri.htm

The two sites have the same information with one exception. Nihonto.com Tachi mei definition states, "Signature on the side of the body" which I am sure is merely a typo. It should read, "Signature on the outside of the body". Katana mei definitions are the same. For a tie breaker :D : http://yakiba.com/terminology.htm

Yes, that is a photo of the kojiri or saya butt cap. Below is a link if you want to see the whole koshirae. Unfortunately it is missing the Kurigata and Uragawara. I have been looking for those and a matching tsuba, kozuka for several years to no avail. Nice material on that sword bag. http://yakiba.com/wak_jumyo.htm

I am trying to determine what the actual inscription "Katsu Ryu Gan" means. I am wondering if I have misinterpreted it, whether these kanji should read "Kin-zo gan" or if they have a different meaning. I know Kinzogan means gold inlaid inscription, but have never seen the actual words "Kin zo gan" inscribed into the nakago. ?????????????? The owners name follows in white gold (see photo). I assume it is white gold, it seems silver would be tarnished. You are learning, I am learning. That's what's so cool about this hobby, you never stop learning. :D Thanks, Ed

Looks like you guys are slowing down, here's a little something to keep it going.

...what "Katsu Ryu Gan" means. See photo. I have the kanji translated but do not know the meaning. It is on the nakago of a Katana which also bears the owners name in white gold. I have never run across this before. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks, Ed [/img][/url]

He should have listed it as a "Rare Paul Chen Body Test" Blade.

Shock and disbelief. That was my look when I saw how high the bidding has gone on that sword. Unbelievable !! E-bay is a strange beast.