bdgrange

Think I will dive in here. If I have to talk myself into buying "it only needs this" or I won't find another I usually lose. When I consider what I have to face with the sword when I want to trade or sell it I tend to see things a little clearer but that is not easily done at the time,and no fun either. I was tought that you must represent the piece truthfully and not hide anything that is known to enhance the value or detract from it. Hard to do. I recall a tachi selling for $12k a couple of years ago that most thought the sig. would have to be gemei. Too big a name and in fine condition. It was a fine blade and purchased by a very knowlegeable collector and dealer. It was shoshin mei and he was commended for having made a good deal and on e-bay for Gods sake. Unfortuately when it was presented to the NBTHK it was rejected for being re-tempered which defied detection. It still sold for what he paid for it at the Tai kai and to a Japanese dealer (who only buys with a buyer already in hand in Japan) Yasutsugu retempered many works from the great fire of Osaka castle. Lots of fires in Japan, surprised more do not turn up here. I had one. However, Militaria commands a different audience as seen at the Militaria shows and they pay lots for what relates to WW2 history. It seems to remain in strong demand and involves more of the family. Like fathers and sons collecting together and attending together. Koshirae with bullet damage goes for good money and is interesting to look at by most anyone especially if known where it was aquired, ie: Iwo or Okinawa, marine unit envolved, let alone which Japanese units. I like them all and if you like it buy it. It is only a hobby and most will see it as you do and catch your enthusiam. bdgrange

Another expert collector, who resided in Japan and was well aquainted with the Enomoto family, has been a resource for me. But the conclusion and connection I suggest is purely my own. Your blade Amada Sadayoshi would have been attributed to the Amada family, I believe. Enomoto Sadayoshi had two sons who have succeeded him their names are Tatsuyoshi and Sadahito. You may look on pg 155 of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths for info. on Sadayoshi. It is known that Enomoto Sadayoshi worked at the Hatori forge and the family uses this site to this day. kind regards Bill delagrange

Now it appears that Sadayoshi signed after the war Sadayoshi. During the war at the Hatori forge signing Yoriyoshi for custom order work and Yorimasa for gunto for the army. If there is such a thing. No stamps and appears traditionally made. In any event Yoshimasa fills in a gap of work done by Enamoto Sadayoshi and it then is very collectable. So say I. It is well made with fine hada, and nioi and some clusters of ara nie in the monouchi area. There are four rather neat ashi rising out of the hamon ending in a droplet. Nice balance. I refinished the saya and added a sukashi tusba that looks quite nice. happy new year Bill delagrange

In talking to Fred Weisburg I learned that some sword groups would have a literate person, a sword signer, sign the work of each smith. So even though these sigs. style are very much similar the swords may be made by diff. smiths as the names do indicate. I like ans. my own posts, I think. Bill delagrange

Please take a look at these two signatures. 1. One is from the e bay listing of a piece signed "Hatori Tanto jo Yorimasa" ( now my own http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0266830075 ) 2. Then next one from a Danny Massey listing http://www.nihontocraft.com/Sadayoshi_Katana.html 3. In John Slough's book on pg. 195 is an oshigata of one signed Hattori Tanto jo Yoriyoshi. These all display the same "Kesho" style yasurime carefully done. I read that "Hatori" was a sword shop and forge providing high quality swords for Imperial army officers during WW2. This placement indicates where they were made much the same as a province. It is also interesting to note that Sadayoshi (who became a Mukansa rated smith after the war) lived in Mishima at the Hatori address after the war. All three sig. have the same cut kanji, file marks and nakago, same location of manufacture. Even if a diff. smith working at the same forge the strokes, togare, would not be the same and these are identical. Not likely a mere coincidence. I am trying to determine what if any, was the relationship of Yorimasa with Enamoto Sadayoshi. Of course would be a real find if is a sig. used by Sadayoshi. Still well made and the "nagashi" appears the same burnished rectangle but lacking any lines? your thoughts please.................bdgrange

The one on e bay looks very nice and is probably worth the beginning offer of 10k but I think they expect more. bdgrange

For what it is worth. I have owned three Gassan Sadakatsu katana. He was capable of working in all styles, I am told. None of mine were done with Ayasugi hada, although that is much desired. He produced blades with the Minatogawa mon and included patriotic kanji on the blade as well. Mine read "felial piety". Or honor your family. These were offered and sold through a major department store in Tokyo before the beginning of WW2, or the greater Pacific War. This made them available to the general public for reasonable price and to be patriotic. They were dated 1933. The last I owned was done Soshu style and very beautifull. I had it restored in Japan and sold it at the S.F. Taikai in 2005 for $15,000.00 I had invested that much of my own money in it but could not refuse the cash offer. I do miss it. bdgrange

Your discription does you credit. I would like to own this as well. In spite of my earlier assesment. bdgrange

This went for 5,000. It is worth 10,000. and a nice example. Should paper as well without spending more. E bay still offers some good opportunities. The playing field is level at least. Always a gamble though. bdgrange

This has a fatal flaw. It will not paper. It will always have to be disclosed to a potential buyer. It has value as militaria from WW2 and to a collector of militaria. Investing money would prove dissappointing. It will be hard to find a good Togi to work on this. 5 for and 1 against Not a good investment. At least for me. bdgrange

Ayasugi hada very well done. Sig. looks good with Meiji date and kokuin too. Maybe seller does not know what he has??? What do you think? bdgrange http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=013

You might ask Bugei for their latest catalog. It contains a lot of info. re. repro work. It also includes a page with their polisher and site you might visit. with traditional work discussed. There are a number of people that are doing polishing in the U.S. For traditional work you can search the sites offered through this index under links. enjoy your hobby bdgrange

Thanks for what you have done for our country. We will always be in your debt. bdgrange

Well I once drank sake, about a litre a day. Some points to remember: 1. do not decide to gaze upon or clean your nihonto once you have begun to drink the wine, but you will. I have visited the hospital after such an event and am not proud of this. You may also cause harm to the blade, droping it etc. 2. the alcohol content is higher than other wine or beer. 3. it can be very hard to quit drinking sake once started 4. your doctor will not like your new habit 5. easy to make a fool of oneself and hurt friends and family 6 it has killed a number of samurai and some Japanese actors of note. best of luck bdgrange

So very happy for you. All the best wishes for your recovery. bdgrange

Just picked up a neat new novel by Stephen Hunter titled the 47th Samurai. It is a tale of two sons from opposite sides on Iwo Jima.. Sixty years after the Japanese comes to America to recover his fathers sword that he used in battle. An american finds the sword and delivers it to the Japanese in Tokyo. On inspection they discover that it is a masterpiece, worth killing for. I got this from a book store called "Borders Express". It is a new novel. Thought you all would find it compelling as well. regards bdgrange

This might be considered a little "cheeky" for a beginning asking price. $7,500.00 Polish signature koshirae All three questionable with a big big opening bid requirement. Not much activity at 0 which probably tells it all. bdgrange http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=007

Thanks for providing the other mei to compare quickly. I would say it is gemei. The one for sale is cut with a broader chisel as well. Another thing I learned recently is to beware of nakago with an even reddish brown patina covering the entire nakago, as displayed with this subject. It was also common for soldiers to carry a blade in the field that was gemei due to the cost and not wanting to ruin a fine family sword. Just my thoughts. bdgrange

Hello all "The twilight Samurai" is a film directed by Yamada and is excellent. It stars a very fine actor Hiroyuki Sanada, rec'd best actor award. Some may recall his support role as Ujio in "The last Samurai" with Tom Cruise. The female star in Twilight Samurai is Rie Miyazawa who also rec'd Best Actress award for this portrayal. She does a great job in a new film by Korededa called Maborosi, After Life. A gentle comedy drama featuring bushido seeking humor through revenge. Curiosly there is another film called "The Hidden Blade" also directed by Yamada that parallels Twilight Samurai with excellent sword play. Last but not least is another new film by Yamada again, called "Bushi no Ichibun". It has a great ending in spite of tragic circimstances. All of these are unlike most Japanese films and have good endings. I am also reminded of "After the Rain" which is one of my favorites. best bdgrange

This is more likely from the bakumatsu period. It could be from somewhere in Kyushu. Probably from Satsuma with the long nakago and double mekugiana was found usefull with for their style of fighting. It could be from Higo with Tiger menuki referencing Katsumitsu for instance, the great tiger killer. In which case could be of the Dotanuki school. The koshirae might have been an indicator of where as well. The yasurime are fine and well done taking much time to accomplish. A very interesting piece. my thoughts bdgrange

Yes I have bought from Mike Yamaguchi and find him to be fair in his dealings. I have bought some quality swords as well. He has some good sources from Japan, and manages to provide a good range of nihonto values. You do not have to worry about him at all. He answers questions too. The points raised by the previous two members are also correct and should not be overlooked in any event. The advice probably applies to all transactions. bdgrange

I think your gut may be right. No koshirae, habaki is not like those made for Yasukunito. Yasurime, file marks are not done well. The signature does not match published examples. On the other hand. I think that those that appear with slightly diff. sig. were propably dai mai. An example is the one described in Kishidas book from notes taken from Yasuoki where he describes how he deliberately changed a couple of things to designate made by the sakite, or assistant. It is noted elsewhere that 30% of all made were made by the assistants. After all the goal was to make swords for the war effort. These were not made with collectors in mind at the time. In addition why make a gimei and have it worth less than $5000. or even $8000.? This one has what might be 60 years of accumulated patina or wear on it and explaining the buffing that was done to it by the uninitiated. This will need a $2,500. investment in polish and good shirasaya. Whether it would paper is anyones guess as well. The seller has considered all of this and has opted out for good reasons too. bdgrange

Just mount it in shirasaya with gunto mounts held together with a tsunagi. bdgrange

Yes Yasutoku. bdgrange

I study Yasukunito and have owned a number of them. Yasunori is arguably the most desirable of the Yasukuni smiths. The condition and workmanship make a huge difference in value. In general the prices range from $3,500. for one in need of a polish, an average of $4,500. to a as much as $8,000. for a Yasutoku or one with provenance. Ie: owned by an identified senior officer for example. Lets see what you have discovered. regards bdgrange