Yoshimichi

Currently On Hold pending payment: Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Some more photos:

More Photos:

Dear NMB members: I have recently decided to let a few pieces go from things that I have had a my office. I am starting to work more remotely from home, and I will probably downsize the office. If you haven't decided what to buy yourself for Christmas, maybe this will fit the bill. Here's a chance to get a helmet without bleeding money. I have a 26 or 28 plate Japanese kabuto with inner lining intact, that comes with a killer demon maidate and a hambo, along with a stand (not a Japanese stand). I do not know if the helmet is signed, because I have not opened up the liner since I purchased it, I purchased it in 2015 at the SF Token Kai, and it has been in my office since then. When purchased, the helmet did not have a maidate. The center post that holds the maidate does not have a spring clip, so I have just had the maidate sitting on the center post. I was told the maidate was Edo period and rare. All I know is that it looks great on the helmet, and someone at the show offered me $500 alone to try to buy the maidate from me. The neck piece (shikoro?) has small chips in the lacquer. I will load up a close up photo in the next day or so. The neck piece (shikoro?) is not attached with rivets, but after I purchased it, I bought four helmet rivets from Japan. and I will include those with the sale. There is some lacquer missing in a few other areas The hambo is included with the helmet (not original to the helmet). Overall, a unscrewed with helmet which makes a great display piece, for a price that is below what one has to pay to own an original kabuto. I am going to make it fairly easy to get into this helmet. I am asking (SOLD) net in cash, USPS Money order, cashier's check, or Paypal ("friends and family"...I do not want to pay PayPal fees) Buyer pays shipping and any insurance costs. Alternatively (now well make it harder to resist), I will take $1,500 cash, Paypal, etc., with the same terms as with all cash, and I will ,taking the balance in trade for Japanese blades and weapons, such as hand forged katana (civilian mounts preferred), tanto, jumonji yari, original Japanese sukashi arrowheads,, antique American/English bowie knives, antique Marbles and Russell knives, Moro kris and barong, SA or SS german daggers, Civil War Cavalry sabers, Early US Gold coins, US Morgan silver dollars, and similar such items of interest. If you got into some pieces right, and want to offer such items in part trade for the balance of the helmet purchase price, I am open to considering offers. PM me with what you propose. I will add numerous photos. Thanks for looking. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan Yoshimichi)

I am shocked and saddened at the news of Paul's passing. He was always helpful, sharing, and the consummate gentleman. He, his, wife, and I shared the same profession, and it was always a joy to discuss swords and the law with Paul. I will miss him, and seeing him at the SF Token Kai and the DTI. What a joy it has been to share this wonderful journey with a person like Paul. My condolences to his family and friends. What a great guy, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Sabastien: Thanks for the additional oshigata. Very helpful to the discussion. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Piers: I suppose Tom was looking for other characteristics of the Yoshimichi school when he requested photos of the hamon near the nakago and the kissaki. I was told that a characteristic is the yakidashi, which tends to show a sudareba hamon that becomes narrower and somewhat suguha in the last 2-4 inches of the hamon going into the nakago. Mark mentioned the "Tamba ball" in the kissaki, another characteristic tending to further support a Yoshimichi school blade. I have attached some photos of the yakidashi, "Tamba ball," and mei of a waki I own which I believe to likely be a 3rd generation Osaka blade, though I have not had it papered, Just picked it up last July. When all is said and done, yours is a nice looking piece, looks shoshin, and I would not have hesitated in buying it myself at auction, for a price that sounds like it was good purchase price. I would love to see more pictures as well. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Piers: Attached are various oshigata arranged by generation that I put together years ago from various taikans. In looking at the radicals of your mei, it has a lot of similarities to the 2nd generation oshigata that is second from the left, in my opinion. Yours also has a lot of characteristics of the sandai mei, but there are little differences. For example, the "bow shaped" radical in the "Tam" kanji tends to commonly start at around 4 or 5 o'clock in relation to the mekugi-ana. Your kanji starts higher above the mekugi-ana. May be nothing. Just an observation. Hopefully, you will not get eye strain comparing these. I suppose if someone forced me to make a choice, I suppose I would pick 2nd generation. What say others? Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Piers: Exciting find. Bravo. Jacques nailed it with the Imura Taikan I have attached the whole page of the oshigata in question, and the cover title of the taikan. I have it listed as 4th generation in my inventory, but could be 3rd generation. Hope these give you more info. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi) .

Dear Manuel: Thanks so much for the translation. Once you gave me the translation, I was able to find all kinds of great information on this vase. Thanks again. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB member: I need some help translating the kanji on the bottom of this vase. I hope someone can help (Hopefully,, it is not something like "Acme Vase Co." Thanks for any help. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

I was saddened to learn today of Frankie Banali's passing on August 20th from viewing Mike Yamazaki's website. Thanks for the post Mike. Frank was only 68, and just one year younger than me. He apparently passed from Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and put up a hell of a fight. I will miss him. I first met Frankie when he came into the S,F. Token Kai one year. He had an interest at the time in Mishina Yoshimichi blades, as did I, so we had something in common, and we had some fun conversations about swords, his travels to Japan, and struck up a casual friendship. I found him very personable, friendly, and willing to share his love of sword collecting and knowledge very readily.What I found interesting was that he was not only a sword collector, he was the drummer of the heavy metal band "Quiet Riot," one of my secretary's favorite bands. When I told him of my secretary's love of his band, he was kind enough to send me an autographed picture of the band, signed by all members, and a copy of their latest album, before it was released, to give to her. He did this out of the blue, without me asking, just because he was that kind of thoughtful person. My secretary was beside herself. Sometime later, Frankie purchased a second generation Kikumon Yoshimichi from me. I do not know whatever happened to the tanto after he purchased it. I hope he enjoyed it like I did.. One time when Frankie's band, Quiet Riot, was coming to my home town (Chico, California), Frankie called or emailed me and asked if I would like to attend the concert, and of course I said "Yes," and he put me and my nephew, and his friend on the Guest list. They put on an incredible concert, and Frankie was amazing on the drums, as usual. It was a memorable concert that my nephew and others in Chico still talk about...thanks to Frankie. I will miss seeing him coming into the S.F. Token Kai and speaking with him. He was a great guy, a knowledgeable sword collector, and fellow lover of all things Japanese. I am better for our paths crossing on this journey of life, as I am sure many others are who knew Frankie. Rest in Peace, Frankie. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Dear Kissakai: Here are some of the Yanone shapes others have discussed. I have had these in a rack in my office for years. They are fun to collect, and affordable. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Ford and Bella: Very sorry to hear about Ford's health issues.I do not know Ford personally, but I have always appreciated his artistic skill and talent, as well as his postings to the NMB. I have never set up a gofundme donation account, but maybe someone experienced with them can start one for Ford, and that might be a good way for fellow NMB members and friends to contribute to Ford to help defray some expenses during his downtime. Has anyone on the NMB set one of these up before? Here is a link to their site:https://www.gofundme.com/c/questions Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB members: I have listed three pieces on Ebay at substantially reduced selling prices. Here are the auction links: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274094507548 https://www.ebay.com/itm/274094511270 https://www.ebay.com/itm/274094513741 Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi) :

Well done, Raymond and Steven. Impressive! Regards Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear David: I have known people who have used one other method: a smoke oshigata, with success with faint or difficult to read kanji. You want to make sure you get instruction from the other members on how to best do a smoke oshigata before trying it the first time. The process I have seen used involves laying the sword blade flat on a table or surface, with the tang (kanji side down) hanging off the table. Obviously, the blade has to be secured or held down on the surface, so as not to drop or flip up the blade in the process. Then, by using a lit candle held underneath the tang (at least a couple of inches away), you let the candle smoke soot rise up to the tang, sufficient enough to fill the kanji strokes with smoke soot.You then use 2" wide clear plastic tape to lift the soot impression of the kanji off of the tang. However, I would not use this method with a decent sword, without the help or assistance of someone who has performed the method before, and without trying everything else mentioned above before resorting to a smoke oshigata. Better yet, you would be well served if you can have an experienced sword person look at the sword in hand, like Raymond Singer or Mike Yamazaki, if possible. I am sure some members might have reservations about using a smoke oshigata, but it can be useful in the appropriate situation. Regards Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Could the second kanji be Sada or Mori? There are a number of "Nobusada" smiths listed in Hawley's Blue Books. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Thanks , gentlemen, for all of the great information. Best regards, Bill E. Sheehan {Yoshimichi}

Here is a good research article on these tsubas: http://varshavskycollection.com/onin-tsuba/ I just picked up this Fushimi-Yoshiro tsuba from an old collection. It looks to be in exceptional condition for something 400 plus years old, especially when these brass/copper inlaid tsubas tend to have a lot of missing inlaid metal typically. Your tsuba is nice, Bruno. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear NMB members: It's raining parade swords in my town. I just picked up three this last week. One is smaller, has a more elaborate back strap and the fuller stops about 8-10 inches from the point, I have attached a few pictures. Can anyone identify the one with the more elaborate back strap? Thanks for any information, I suspect the top two are type 19s. Not sure of the smaller one. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Listed today on Ebay: 274020470325. Thanks for looking.​ Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Dear Jon: I sent you a message. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan

Dear NMB members: I just picked this sword up at a local gun show about three weeks ago. I cannot make out the arsenal or inspection stamp next to the serial number. Any thoughts? Is the serial number incorrectly stamped upside down? Is the iron fuchi common on this sword? Any input is appreciated. It came with what looks like an English or U.S. cavalry saber scabbard. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

Disregard the $800 original price in the sentence below my name. The new price is $675. Regards, Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)