Ed

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.

Hi John, I hope my previous post did not indicate that I thought this to be a Tsuba of the Nanban style, it is not. I will try to be more precise. It is only an example of a tsuba made from Nanban Tetsu, or Foreign Steel. Motte: With, by, of. The inscription "Motte Nanban Tetsu" means, made "of nanban tetsu". "Motte Nanban Tetsu" in the inscription on this tsuba is describing material's used only. "Motte Nanban Tetsu" bears no indication to the School where it was made.

I think Grey is correct in saying that the ones you have linked to are called Nanban(namban) due to design not metallurgic properties. Did they contain any foreign steel in their make up, who knows. There were Tsuba made from Nanban Tetsu and clearly labeled as such, just as some swords were. Again, were they 100% nanban tetsu, ??. Here is a link to one made in 1793, by Tsuguhide. It states, "Made with Nanban Tetsu". http://yakiba.com/tsuba_nanbantetsu.htm

I normally do the Tampa and SF shows, but never seem to make Chicago. I was thinking of doing the one in MN, seems like it may be different. Maybe some new blood, new stuff to see. Like you John, I like many different areas of Japanese Art. I prefer and always submit to the NBTHK. My shinsa question was aimed more at the two branches of the NTHK. One group will be in IL., the other in MN. I know Gordon and have dealt with that group. I have never dealt with the group scheduled to be in MN and was curious as to whether or not anyone had any personal experience with them and what their feelings were in regards to them. I noticed the shinsa fees in Mn are almost double the ones in IL. PS: Stephen, I have been meaning to thank you for the recent plugs. If I can ever help you, please do not hesitate to ask.

What is the general train of thought out there on these two upcoming shows ? The Chicago show is the annual Token Kai with shinsa. The Minneapolis show is a new concept featuring varying facets of Japanese Arts and Artisans co-mingling with the general public for the introduction and appreciation of our hobby as well as others. It will also feature a shinsa. What do you guys think of the latter of the two vs the traditional show ? Why? Which will you attend ? Why ? Even if unable to attend which would you prefer ? Why ? Which shinsa group do you prefer ? Why ? I know, Why, Why, Why. Why not.

John, There is a book by the name of: Historical and Geographical Dictionary of Japan by Edmond Papinot . It is a reprint of the original from the early 1900's. While not related to nihonto, it does list towns, prefectures etc., along with the kanji. It's historical information is worth having.

Great articles, look forward to the book.

There is a new treatment for the dermatalogic reaction to Urushi. It is called "All Stop" and it is formulated to neutralize the urushi oils. Read aout it here: http://www.dermatechrx.com/poisonivy/?wcw=google&gclid=CO7q16zT94gCFSVtFQodsD23pg

Martin, Nothing to either of those knots. Folding either: Put sword in all the way to the bottom of bag (duh). Fold top over to top of kashira. Fold all down over sword. Fold vertically around tsuka and begin tying. Koshirae: Once the bag is folded, wrap Fusahimo around snugly and evenly in a spiraling pattern. When approx. 6-8 inches remain, pull both cords under last loop of the wrap. Pull til snug. Seperate the two loops(that you pulled under). Lay the tassels over this and tie a simple overhand knot. Pull the tassels and knot alternately until tight. Viola. Shirasaya: once folded, wrap the cord around tightly in a spiraling pattern until 5-6 inches remain. Fold the remainder and push the doubled end under the last loop of the wrap. Pull Tight. Viola again.

Hi Mike, I am glad it helped. Ed

Hi Guys, Spotted this and thought I would dump my invaluable two cents worth in. I have a Katana signed Gassaku mei by Kunitsuna and Kunihiro. Therefore I have done a little research in this regard. What I have found is that, Sagami no Kami Fujiwara Kunitsuna was a member of the Kunihiro Kei which was part of the Settsu Kuni along with the Meshina, Kaneyasu and Tadatsuna Kei's. This seems to be substantiated by the sword I own, as it is signed jointly by both Kunitsuna and Kunihiro. There does not seem to be any detailed information on any particular "Kunitsuna". There were however many Kunitsuna's. Hawley's lists 2.5 pages of them, and they are from all over ie; Bizen, Yamashiro, Yamato, Satsuma, Sagami Bungo, Echizen, Awa, Soshu, Settsu, etc., etc. I have attached a link to photos of my sword, if you would like to see it for comparisons. http://yakiba.com/KatanaKunihiroKunitsunaDescriptionpg.htm