John A Stuart

Brianl thank you. As our dungeon master and glue that holds this site from crumbling we applaud you. John

If it isn't easily removed I wouldn't bother. I have many artefacts numbered from old museum pieces and it is just fine a does not detract. Your choice. John

One thing about Zacke they send out really nice catalogs with excellent photography. I do have some questions about some attributions sometimes, like all sales, nothing is perfect. John

I don't use a sword in handachi configuration in practice, however I do have one and see no reason for concern as to left hand placement. Firstly, comfort of a relaxed grip is adaptation to a particular tsuka. John

I hope it is something really special, your enthusiasm, I hope, warranted. Pictures although limited in refined appraisal would sure eliminate obvious questions which, I confess, I have plenty. John 

A private carrier rather than postal services are warranted when transporting high end goods. Even then I fret. John

-ology from the Greek logos or Latin logia, knowledge of... However, you can't use another language to form a new word. The Latin for sword guard is gladium custodiam, so a study of sword guards would be something like 'custodiology'. Better, eh? John

What about private outfits like Purolator?

I am sad to hear of this loss. Condolences to friends and family. John

Top drawer Hamano work. John

This ranking is potential only. Given competent craft in every case what is really being tested is the polishers skill in creating an efficient edge. John

If my heirs don't appreciate my collection they can sell it however they like. I will be beyond caring, my legacy is in their genes for good or evil. Don't be too attached, it is just temporary. John

What was the function of shinobi or ninja? To gather intelligence (movement, number, direction, supplies etc.) and disrupt (sabotage) enemy logistics. Wearing a night suit and carrying identifying gear would hardly be clandestine. Common sense. John

Yes, I've seen wear. Hopefully ay 11 o'clock. I like all my fingers. John

A tsuba will show wear if there is a constant wear in one area, as is common for nukitsuke or nukiuchi in iaido practice. Outside of that, kenjutsu, relying less on the nuki will have less wear patterning. As to 700 types of draw. Well, there are lots of variations and quite distinctive and each having specific reasons; control, defense and offense, physical limitations, stature etc.

Have you compared it to the Ishiguro bunch? The Sasa leaves seem to be something I recollect from somewhere. John

I can't reconcile the brassiness' of the hex tsuba, however the fact that shinchu is copper and zinc and yamagane is arsenous, lead or antimony with copper seems perfectly succinct, as in brass and bronze being different.. John

I;d use it to beat game or rustle out varmints. It could even scare marten out of eaves. John

Yes. Curiosity is like an itch where you can't reach. John

Mito.vibe here. John

16 smackers?? !! Super neat! John

I received a parcel from Wien in one week but still waiting over 3 months for some ground shipped things from S, China. Fluke or money talks? Got me. John

If only, it would have been a deal of note. John

Not a kantei point I would say, just what is seen fairly often for fitting tightly. Nothing irritates as much as that jingling sound of iron tsuba. John

No, for me. Incidental oil from handling and the handling itself abrading ever so slightly the surface is enough. I use no gloves as some do except certain tousogu. John