Drago

Hi, could you please give me a picture of the hook used to hang a kakejiku in a traditional tokonoma? I don't have an alcove, but I don't simply want to drive screw into the wall to hang my scroll. Perhaps your picture can give me some inspiration.

Hm, then, can you give me a relaiable source for leather ito? Lohman? Ryujin?

Hi, I know that sometimes contact with new leather can lead to corrosion on iron or oxidation on copper - because remaining water or tannins can cause this reaction. Have you ever witnessed this happening on shakudo fittings (expecially menuki) when they are put under a new leather wrap? Thanks.

I agree with Christian. Besides, what do you mean by unregistered? If you mean that sword registry paper: This always stays in Japan if the blade leaves the country - that is part of the export procedure. The seller is American, so of course the blades have no registry paper. A blade does not need to have a habaki - if you buy it without one or if the old one doesn't fit after a polish and you don't buy a new one...

Hi, I have a couple of questions about Kurikata placement and fitting: 1. Where to place it? I heard from Iaido people it should be placed one hand below the guchi so that the pinky lies on the Kurikata. Is that true? 2. How are metal Kurikata fitted? I know they are put on a wooden core, but do you have detail pictures? 3. What do you do if the curvature of the saya (circumference) and the curvature of the Kurikata don't match? Thanks.

Very interesting. But... Does that mean you have to find a rectangular seppa???

Hi, I'm in the (long) process of restoring a Type 3 blade. Unfortunately, I don't have the original locking clip, but I have two others. Could you please tell me: How far can you draw the blade until the clip stops you? Is is just a bit (like less than 1mm) or is there more "leeway"? Thanks.

Wow, I've never seen something like that before. Just try to imagine the guy who ordered this made!

This is just like a mon. I've seen "mon" with the family names spelled out on them before. The pic is upside-down by the way. Unfortunately I can't help you translate this, as I don't have access to my books...

Could you let this humble beginner in on how you can tell? Thanks.

:lol: Just thought it would be nice to know if I ever happen to go to Japan to take a look around the neighborhood...

Thanks, but Okyama is a huge place, is there anything more specific?

I just read that (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15598) and it inspired me to ask this: Do you know where Nagamitsu's forge was? He signed some swords with "under U-jo" (crow castle, Okayama Castle). So was his forge there? Thanks.

Thanks for posting the photos! The quality of the fittings is very good. I know a bit about Type 3 fittings so let me tell you this: This is not THE highest quality, but one small step below it. The kojiri (or how is that called on Gunto?) is something I haven't seen before - the level of detail is much higher than what you usually find. Personalized Menuki are almost non-existant on Type 3 Gunto - your's is actually the first I have senen so far. The tsuba isn't that recognizable on the photos. But they are usually made of steel and painted black, even on the highest quality. So if yours is slver washed I have to say I have never seen that before. What you have there is indeed very nice and extremely rare! It's a shame the laccuqer on the saya is damaged... Keep that one and take good care of it!

I've been checking all my sources. At first I thought it looks easy enough, but just can't find those as well... Sorry. But I have to say, that signature looks beautiful! Could you post pics of the blade and fittings as well?

Thanks. On Oni on the fuchi, but I don't recognize the one one the kashira. Do you know who/what that ist?

Hi, I'm looking for some inspiration (and I like yokai), so it'd be great if you could post any youkai themed tosogu you know. However, you don't need to post pictures of daruma, fudou-myoou, buddha, niou, fuujin/raijin - I have seen many of those. Thanks. :D

Thanks guys.

Hi, I already have the "Facts and Fundamentals" book by Nakahara-sensei. Now I'm looking for one more beginner reference book. Which one would you recommend? Kapp's "The Craft of the Japanese Sword" or Nagayama's "The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords" I know that "Craft" is more about the making and "Connoisseur" is more about schools and history. If possible, I'd like to avoid too many similarities to "Facts". Or if you say none of the above, what else? Thanks.

I feel compelled to give my own two cents... I have to say I first read your comments and only looked at the pictures later. I'm, in conparison to most of you, a noob - but for some reason I think the Tsuba is supposed to be that way. I say that because the nakago ana and the outer rim are rather smooth... Call it wabi sabi, but I'm intrigued by this one. Wasn't there at one time a philosophy like "memento mori" in Japan too? Where even great mansions were modified to look rundown and decayed... I seem to recall something like that.

Seriously? Piers: Have you confirmed that? How did you get your hands on that one? (if you are willing to tell: How much did it cost?) I think a sword like this would usually only been found in a museum or family shrine...

Would you care to let me in on the name? I tried, but I can't figure it out.

Hi, does anyone know a good online or printed article on the Haitorei Edict? (historical background, reasons, the text of the edict, how it was enforced, sword capture rates, violations, eyewitness reports etc.) Thanks.

I wonder, should you report them to eBay? Those methods can't be acceptable...

Ah, it seems I asked the wrong question. I meant the ito itself. Is that lacquered ito, leather, rubber or what? And how is that done? (Thanks anyway, Malcolm)