John A Stuart

Hi All, There is an interesting blade being sold by Kanetoyo on e-bay item#150125642733. Masamune!!! I have been watching it and trying to make an opinion on it. It has some interesting features, but, Masamune? Ignoring the mei, what do you all think? John

Just to add for sources. Xylene can be obtained in pure form at most chemical supply houses. Used to dissolve resin on slides for microphotography. Most chemists will have it. John

Perfect Ed, I used 4% as my fee and this confirms it was the correct amount. Thanks, John

Hi Darcy, The fact is I have recently come in contact with a new Russian collector that mentioned a new interest in Nihonto in Russia. This will indeed drive prices up in all likelihood. A little more difficult for the regular working chaps to get that level of sword. That is the nature of collecting, alas, but one can only hope it is for true appreciation and not for that momentary acquisitiveness of the nouvelle riche. John

Thanks Brian, John

Hi Guys, I pay out on paypal for the most part so am not aware of the fees the seller has to pay. Having paid only on one occasion these fees I do not recall what that % may be. Was it 4% or 7%? Could one of you tell me what it is? John

You're right Stephen, pic of different koshirae mixed in. Apologies. John

Hi Darcy, Beautiful swords of highest quality. That must be one hell of a car! :lol: John

Hi Jock, You have compiled some interesting facts, however you seem to have some conflicting data eg. Koto bade, but dated within the shinto period. The pics seem to support a shinto blade, however a better pic of the hamon would be nice. The kozuka seems to be of different style from the handachi fittings. John

Hi Guys, Old tired swords definitely need a futon. :lol: I have a futon in my collection room for when the books go out of focus, the eyes get heavy and the bedroom is too far to bother to reach. It is a calm place to rest. John

A brief discussion of this can be found here, http://forums.samurai-archives.com/viewtopic.php?t=1839 John

Hi Guido, A good synopsis of the origins of title. It remains problematic to say Emperor Jimmu is the progenitor of pre-reform appointment and title though, don't you think? His ascendancy written about in the Kojiki being hundreds of years after the 660 BC date (1300 years). Even Emperor seems rather, well you know, inflated, given the territory under Yamato(p.f.) control at that time (what? 15% of Kyushu by the Heian period). Revision in the history passed down from the Jomon period seems likely to obscure the real facts. What do you think? Anyway, those were legendary times. John

Tree, If a sword has 'no Kami' it is as Ken says a title given by a lord and as Carlo says there is an indication that the sword is made to order/ or for a particular person within the inscription otherwise. Familiarity also helps one to know whether the title fits the smith's name. John

Hi W C, I guess us out of country fellows can't help make that quota. Luck, John

Bob, You have some really nice tsuba from what you have posted so far. John

Beauty, hope it is up soon. John

Hui All, I misplaced the url for the NBTHK translations and the English info page turns up blank. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks, John

Oooooo. 'nuff said. John

I suppose Stephen must be alluding to the barrel being a drum, which I think it is as well. John

There is nothing there. Please explain what's the rumble. John

Hi All, The weight of some swords should show differences in weight due to the niku of the blade, given other dimensions were equal, which changed over time like much of the other characteristics of specific periods and schools. What elements are in the steel will affect the weight as well, but most nihonto would have had similar alloy content, carbon and iron. Some nambantetsu made have different components but would not affect much noticable weight difference. Modern shinken can have a larger range of density due to what alloy it was made with. eg. steel 7850 kg/m3, stainless steel 7480 to 8000 kg/m3 or relative density 7.75 to 8.05, mild steel at 7.85 weighs 0.283 lb/in3 John

Like this a lot. Kaneshige indeed seems best bet. 2 cent opinion, like Myochin. John

Thankyou Koichi san. Although the museum piece is spurious the translation is great. PCF, I believe that the netsuke my freind has is legit. His Grandmother received it from a Japanese gentleman suitor in the 50's. I think there was less fakery then than now, although it needs an expert appraisal. My camera's batteries died after the one pic (go figure) and I shall post more later just for interest.John

Hi All, A friend at work has a small collection of oriental art from his grandmother. It is diverse but within it is a netsuke that I can't decipher. I think Dai, something gatsu. Any ideas guys? Thanks, John

I think it has been done rather well. It shows no attempt to deceive and has a shape that complements how it may have/should look. John