Guido

I do the same, and this is the first time ever something like this happened to me. I talked to one of our IT guys, and he doesn't think it has anything to do with my pc - it's the server "they" hacked into. *edited to add* I checked out the link in the spam mail, and guess what:

Sorry, guys, I changed my e-mail settings/password etc. and hope it won't happen again.

I didn't say it's easy, but what is when it comes to Nihontô? I once had a Gimei (deeply cut on an early Muromachi Tantô) removed by someone who knows how to do it properly - it papered as Mumei, and Mr. Tanobe's Sayagaki later said Ubu-Mumei. So, yes, you even can "fool" the real experts ...

Mr. Tsuruta obviously did the photos, so why no Oshigata? All the other swords on his website - consignment or not - have one as far as I can see. Btw, "nice" to finally have met you in person at this year's DTI (and before that at the NBTHK/Sword Museum), even if you went to great lengths to hide your identity and didn't talk to me. :D

It's considered Mumei, and if the Nakago is otherwise Ubu, then Ubu-Mumei.Btw, if properly done, the removal of a (Gi)Mei is virtually undetectable.

I have no doubts about this being a genuine Nidai Muramasa. However, I'm asking myself three questions: Was the blade re-polished after the TokuHo papers were issued? Why have I hardly ever seen a Sayagaki by Mr. Tanobe without any comments on the blade? (O.k., it's a very small blade/Shirasaya, but still ...) Why no Oshigata? (Virtually all other swords on the Aoi website have one.)

Early this year I indeed got Tokubetsu Hozon papers for this Tsuba, to Ko-Kinkô of course. A recent discussion of the theme - monkey reaching for the reflection of the moon in the water - made me remember this thread, and that my attribution wasn't yet sanctioned by the NBTHK back then. I think it's fun to resurrect this old thread because of all the changes that happened in the meantime: * Although I still prefer Kinkô, I bought a couple of iron Tsuba as well in the last couple of years - I simply couldn't ignore the quality (and that's what it all boils down to in the end, no matter what material we're talking about) of some iron plates and ingenious designs. * Milt seems to have vanished. I guess he's either digging a tunnel to escape from a prison camp, captured at a covert operation the army now denies ever taking place, or he messed up the root canal of a superior officer. * Despite the different views we had, Lorenzo and I are one good terms now and occasionally exchange pretty funny e-mails. * Ford has been quite recently, and I hope to get him back in the game - missed you in Tôkyô this year, Ford, although my liver is pretty thankful for it.

I've seen that happening a couple of times myself, but in each and every case it was an Ubu-Mumei or Ô-Suriage blade that was "inscribed" with the smith's name/signature later on. Technically speaking still Gimei.

浪人結び Rônin Musubi; here you can see how it's done: http://www.samurai-nippon.net/faq-4/.

Sageo come in different lengths: Tachi 350 cm, Katana 180 cm, Wakizashi 120 cm, Tantô 90 cm; 220 cm is Chôsun (extra long) for Katana and not very common. You can buy Sageo here: http://www16.plala.or.jp/katana-iimura/ ... html#SAGEO http://www.namikawa-ltd.co.jp/cgi-bin/list_e.cgi#22 There is no rule about how many loops you tie.

Sorry, my mistake, I meant Kuniyasu. The one he put out the day after that is the Jûyô Kunitsugu, extremely healthy, and with a fine Tachi Koshirae that's papered as well; it is indeed priced slightly higher than the Kuniyasu.

Funny that you mention it: we went out tonight, walking through the pouring rain of typhoon # 14, and entered a building where the wet leather soles of Cyrus' fancy Italian shoes didn't meet enough friction on the polished marbel floor.What can I tell you, I was torn between feeling sorry for him, and laughing my behind off at the sight of him that resembled a turtle on its back, especially with his heavy backpack. :lol:

Well, that's really not very difficult, there are quite a few Rai blades around. If you mean "reasonably priced" then contact Bob Hughes: he has a TokuHo Rai Kunitsugu Katana at the moment (Ôsuriage Mumei, saw it at the DTI) which is a steal at about 1.4 million Yen.

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Are you guys up to playing another round of the "who's that in the picture" game?

I don't know about the translation fees, but the girl sitting in front of him is my daughter, and Jean is pouring him a drink ... :D

part 4 (Jean took quite a few pics, too, so I think there will be more to come):

part 3:

part 2:

Without further ado and comments (it's already half past midnight here in Japan) the photos I took at the Yakatabune party:

If you touch anything in between, they will, for instance, transfer the fingerprints from putting them on etc. But how about constructing a robot that will handle the sword in a climate-controlled vacuum?

Please do not wear gloves while handling a sword. There's nothing worse than a blade slipping through your fingers because you're wearing cotton gloves, preventing a firm grip on the sword. Yes, I've seen it happening. It's perfectly o.k. to hold the Nakago in your bare hands, using a Fukusa cloth to support the blade.

There are quite a few people in Japan who pay good money for exactly those kinds of kinky intrusions into their orifices ... maybe you're on to something here ...

Here's a 耳掻 (Mimikaki), a traditional Japanese ear cleaner: