John A Stuart

Take this for what it is worth. If you are removing the mei to send to shinsa, then, you suspect the sword has some potential. If so, then it should be done professionally. If not, then why remove it at all. You know it is gimei and that should be sufficient. Old browning solutions are a way to force rust and would be a different patina, not bad looking to be sure but not exactly right either. Again if you see a potential to this sword then this as well should be done by the pro who removes the mei. Good luck if you try yourself, it is already damaged and if a small investment and not an uncommon example not a great loss but a loss just the same. John

If you can get this for a couple of hundred bucks, why not? As to it being kokuho, well, what do you think? Masamune signatures have been put on nakago for centuries. Everyone wanted one and now someone may again. Nice little coffee table piece,eh? John

Hi db, Yes drilling a smaller pilot hole that can be recentred if necessary when using the properly sized bit is a great idea. I'll do that. Thanks, John

Hi Ludolf, I suspect a Mito tsuba but what is the attribution given by the auctioneers? I like it. John

Hi Milt, I recieved a goto fuchgashira a year ago that had a spurious signature and upon discussion, with much wiser tosogu fans than me, decided was not a good signature. It was upon handling them that my fingers warming them I noticed a strong odour. I wanted to see if the patina would rub off, it didn't. I don't do it as a rule but just tasted it for some unknown reason. Ugh, some kind of sulphurous chewing tobacco taste. I had heard of this before as well and maybe that is why, but, it could indicate chemical treatment newly applied giving a hint of age or lack thereof. Don't know. John

Hi Curran, I have a wak size tsuba that is so shiny it is mirrorlike and has often made me wonder if a mirrorlike finish was the result of time rather than chemical treatment. The colour and depth are wondrous. Some shakudo I have of lower quality seem to have had a treatment that actually reeks and tastes awful. John Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:57 am Post subject: Thank you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you very much. That would describe the tsuba inside very well. I must learn the kanji for the various metals. I will upload a photo tomorrow. The tsuba has some of the best shakudo I have seen, but is very highly reflective

Thanks guys, I have a call in to Keith. It kind of only makes sense but we'll see. Mike, it is the tsuka that is to be drilled. Normally a tsuka would be made to the sword but I think that these may have been prepared as replacements in the field or at garrison where they could be installed by non-skilled armourers (meaning the finer points of gunto,like tsukamaki etc.) and just had to be drilled. Sound right? John

Form or function. Yes, an itch I need to scratch every so often. Function precedes form for the most part and sometimes form can be retrogressive. This appears in the low regard found in a lot of people in regards to Soten work for example, not all, some are impressive. However, Minoto have had a similar reputation even though as Jean noted they had a reputation of sharpness. Now when both criteria are met we really have something. The gunto that were mass produced were indeed good choppers but not art swords ( I do not refer to the well made traditional swords) so, in this case do not include them. It isn't the Kantei, knowing what a particular sword is, but the value based on what criteria is used to evaluate that sword. The intrinsic value of a good sword should not change as tastes change over time. Anyhow, food for thought. John

Perhaps I should clarify my qestion a little. During certain periods the sword underwent changes that were dictated by the political climate eg. particularly turbulent or a time of relative peace. This had an effect upon the characteristics of swords hence the ability to attribute period by things such as sugata etc. When a sword is made in numbers there would be little time to play (experiment) with florid hamon or other niceties but attention would be payed to an effective sword on the battlefield. After all one's patronage would depend on one's patron surviving conflict. These swords would be precious to the wielder and some would be especially praised for cutting ability, durability etc. Later when peace predominated smiths would be competing for position and produce swords that would illustrate their abilities by appearance, although the true test would be a test cut. Now, is a time of peace in sword terms and I wonder how this affects appraisals made today. I remember last year a thread where a discussion was had about some of the incredible things done to test swords, eg. kabutogiri. My personal estimation of a sword that could do that would be higher than one that could not. Is this secondary to other aspects now? I think so. You? John

I am just about to start restoration on a Gunto and have found a pristine Tsuka that has never been on a sword. My question is, to drill the Mekugiana, do you just measure where it should be by measuring with the fittings and correlate this to the Nakago or is there some trick I should know? I don't want to bugger it up since the Tsuka is virgin. John

I was reading the post about Ed's Sadanobu and it brought to mind that at various times in the history of sword manufacture certain characteristics would be more desirable given the political climate than at others. For example the mass produced swords of the Muromachi period as compared to the swords of, say, the late Edo period. So, the appraisals given to a particular sword would depend on the time it was appraised and the taste of the period. How does this relate to appraisals made now where the visible characteristics are paramount and the physical characteristics, such as, strength, durability and ability to retain a sharp edge become secondary? In other words what do you all think makes a sword desirable to you? The huge hamon, tons of activity? The quality to do its' job? Other? Just curious, John

Coincidentally I was in contact with Mrs Benson today, Bob being away, and she was shaken and had no power for the day but otherwise fine. Good news. John

I think the middle road is the way to go, relying on the good sense of members to not stray too far from relevent matter. The peripherals sometimes can lead to a gem worth noting. The seperation of categories as well will tend to keep focus on the particular subject in hand and prevent unrelated thought from diluting the thread away from subject. Thus my vote. John

Hi Brian, We get to port every few weeks or so and I can access a terminal and address some e-mail but time is short and busy at those times so much can not be done. We have a satellite connection through global star that in these northern waters works intermittently but is to be used for company business only. Our weather station put on board by the government changed from global star to irridium in an effort to increase efficiency but I will not know the results until next year. After working as an engineer in power plants and with boilers I made the move to the marine end in 1983 and was spoiled by the life at sea. More things to see and do, the money was great and 6 months on and 6 months off is attractive. I have never noticed a problem with walking after a season of sailing other than the 'going home' obligatory rum with the crew but when trying to sleep for the first few weeks my bunk still feels like it is moving. John

Well I just got home after a long and fairly uneventful season bucking ice and whales on the Arctic Ocean with only minor repairs to deal with. Quite a few changes to this board, a new look, but nice to see some familiar people here. I received a few books while gone including the Minoto Taikan which I had been waiting for for just under a year. Now that is one tome I would like to see a translation of. If wishes were..... Any how, if anyone could let me know if they have been in contact with John Tirado lately please let me know. I have sent a few e-mails his direction and have had no reply. Maybe busy, travelling or ill, I hope not, but would like to know. Good to be back. John