O koumori

Alex, Take a look at some of these fakes: Fake Japanese Swords - Nihonto Message Board (militaria.co.za) Hope you didn't spend much on this learning experience!

Barry, The new member is Joanne. I've been here a while...

Welcome! There are many knowledgeable and helpful folks here, and much to learn. Have fun!

Peter, Perhaps once one stops acquiring swords? I think that the retention of the existing collection wouldn't necessarily mean that you'd still be a 'collector.' That said, I doubt that the social involvement or research aspects of the hobby (disorder?) actually ever go away.

Sure, I;kk bring it. Dan K

Thanks Jan! Dan K

Hi, I could use some help with this 4 character mei, (?) ju Nori (?) Thank you! Dan K.

The sword you posted a picture of was mine. Unfortunately it was sold during the show. PM me. Dan K.

Mark, Thanks for your time and hard work to make the show a success! It was a fine show. Dan K.

Chris, Thanks for your kind words! It was indeed a great show. Hats off to Mark for a job well done! Dan K.

Hi Jon, The nakago looks suspicious to me, like it's been in a fire. Perhaps I'm wrong. Dan K.

A couple more pics - I'm not great at photography. There is some utsuri but it is difficult to capture.

Samurai Splendor: Sword Fittings from Edo Japan | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) Dan K

Stephen, Interesting chart! What's the source? Thanks Dan K

This one is handcrafted from Cedar. It will be up for sale at the Chicago show. Dan K

Ken, Yes, I understand that - My point was that yakidashi would provide further evidence to support an Osaka-produced blade, if the boshi was indeed "Osaka." Thanks, Dan

Thanks Ray! I thought it might be 'Osaka Boshi,' but does not have yakidashi... Dan

I've not seen a boshi like this before; much of the kissaki is hardened. What would you call it? Please pardon the lighting; I drew in what I think I'm seeing. It is slightly different on either side. The hamon is chogi-midare. Thanks, Dan K

I had one like this once. It was mounted with a somewhat thin tsuba and no sepa. At the time, someone theorized that the tsuba had been changed, and the previous one was of a different thickness, necessitating moving the mekugi hole. I was never able to prove or disprove this theory... Dan K

Thank you gentlemen! Dan K

Agreed, not Kamakura - the questions is, is this a gimei, or an 'unlisted' later smith (at least not in the reference materials available to me)? Thanks for the replies, Dan K

I have an ubu wakizashi signed Bungo no kuni ju Yukizane 豊後国住行真. The nagasa is 53.3 cm. The blade is shinogi-zukuri, and it exhibits a rather pronounced koshi-zori sori (did I stutter?) of 2.0 cm. When I purchased this blade years ago, I bought it for the interesting sori and the O-itame hada which is clearly visible (a great study piece). Unfortunately, I cannot find an oshigata for signature comparison. The only mei I can find that comes close to this is a listing in Markus Sesko’s Swordsmiths of Japan, where he lists one that reads “Bungo no Kuni Yukizane saku.” Now the conundrum: When I bought the blade, despite my skepticism, the Japanese seller claimed that the blade was made during the Kamakura period. The Yukizane smith listed by Markus worked during Antei, 1247 – 1249. I have NEVER seen nor heard of an ubu Kamakura wakizashi. So, gimei? Thoughts? Anyone have a signed blade for comparison? Thanks, Dan K

Chris, it doesn't have a square mekugi ana, just multiple overlapping punched ones. (Musashi Chikashige, founder of Shitahara school)

Could you post a closeup picture of this? Thanks Dan K

Grey, Good luck with the house. Sorry this had to happen. See you at the Chicago show? Dan K