runagmc

In my opinion, non-ubu swords made after Muromachi period can be OK (occasionally), because they can still have artistic and educational value... but the price should be right, and far lower than an equivalent ubu sword. New collectors normally won't make good decisions on swords like this, where good judgement on the quality of the sword, and market vakue, only comes with experience. It goes without saying that collectors at a certain level normally won't be interested in collecting these swords. This gives other collectors an opportunity to own examples of a level of quality, or of a level of swordsmith, that would otherwise be beyond their reach. I do agree with this rule of thumb (as stated by Jean) in most cases though, especially for new collectors...

Very nice! Very unique suguta and excellent koshirae... I agree with Morita san...

Maybe it was made for an aiguchi koshirae.

Mr. Hallam, First, thanks for the post. It's always enjoyable to see the step by step process of high quality craftsmanship. Second, I was wondering why you did the sekigane (I assume that's still the term) the way you did. Is this a traditional way for this type of tsuba? Please forgive me if it's an obvious answer to some, but I'm not that knowledgeable on tsuba history.

On #1, could it be 2 kanji saying NYUDO?

Robert, this is stating the obvious, but if you can see any utsuri, that would go a long way in helping form an opinion about authenticity... obviously that doesn't mean it has to be there for the sword to be authentic... This is taken from sho-shin.com on Iyemori, sandai...

I have a terminology question that I can't remember ever hearing addressed before. It's probably kind of nit-picking, but it would be interesting to know how the terms saiha and yakinaoshi are used by kaji... and if they are used interchangeably, or not. To me, it seems it could make sense to use the term saiha (translated as 'redone edge') only when the entire edge is rehardened, leaving the term yakinaoshi (naoshi meaning to correct or repair) for partial corrections or repairs to the yakiba. Anyone have any insight on how these terms are used by the craftsman themselves, or any thoughts otherwise?

Here are the NBTHK shinsa standards... there are rules regarding saiha. http://www.nihontocraft.com/Nihonto_Shi ... dards.html PS Retempering should technically be termed something like "rehardening" (as Chris B already poinyed out)... I think the word saiha would translate literally to "redone ha".

The 'tadpole', I would think, is more like a melon or something...

Not surprised the kogai sold David... It was a very nice one,with excellent carving...

Could the one you said you weren't sure about be a flower bud of some sort? Or was that the ginger? Edit- Never mind, I googled it, and ginger it is, I think...

Calm tree, strong tree,... or a mix - calm old tree, strong old tree, beautiful old tree ... maybe "quiet old tree". now that's a good one

Your welcome Morita san. This sword really impressed me. I felt like this... . If anyone is interested, I have a very hi-res version of the pic where every little detail is visible, and if you PM me with your email I can send it to you.

The Juyo Bijutsu hin Kanemitsu from this post viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16809 will be up for auction there, according to Aoi-Art...

Hi agian, if anyone is interested, I contacted Aoi-Art and they were kind enough to respond saying the sword is attributed to Kanemitsu, which was my first thought, but I thought the hamon was more like Omiya. It is Juyo Bijyutsu hin. Aoi-Art wrote this:

In the meantime you can wipe the blade down with mineral oil to keep any further corrosion from taking place. If you take some better pictures and post them, you might get some offers from board members... that is, if you want to sell it.

Shirasaya are for when the sword is not being used...

I wonder if the lacquer was polished down at the time of manufacture to reveal the high spots from whatever is underneath (like the high points of the waves in this example). I'm thinking about the way they do on urushi-nuri-togi-dashi-same-koshirae. Just a thought as I know nothing about lacquered tsuba.

My thoughts exactly, which is why I was wondering what the accepted terminology was. I guess we'll go with inlay unless someone informs us it should be something else... Thanks

Ford , something that I have wondered in the past, and that came to mind as I was writing my post earlier... is it incorrect to call nunome zogan "inlay"?

The vines look like nunome zogan to me ( I think I even see some cross hatching that wasn't totally erased by the ground texturing)... which if that's the case, it would make sense that the flowers were inlayed too.

Hi everyone, a while back I saved a pic of one of the appraisal test swords on aoi-art, but I never got around to see the answer, and now I can't find it in the back issues. It's an amazing looking Nambokucho jidai Osuriage katana. Here's the pic Did anyone see the answer? The jiba is basically perfect looking with a fairly tight and even itame hada (some mokume), and an unusual hamon which is midare w/ all kinds of tiny crabclaw and flame like appearances, all undulating in a notare pattern along a lot of the ha... anyway I have some ideas on attribution, but I'm not so confident, so it would be nice to know the attribution. Thanks My best guess...

I love these little cuts in between the flower petals. The shape that they give to the petals, along with the petals being different sizes, adds a lot of character, IMO. Very nice piece Pete.. As far as the small damaged spot, it probably could be pushed back in place to be made less obvious, but it sounds like the consensus is for leaving it alone, which is probably best...

Paul, I'm wondering how in depth you plan to go. I mean, will it be directed more at beginner type info, or will it be more advanced. I assume it will have to be a balancing act to try and put in content that will keep both the experienced and inexperienced viewers interested. Sounds like a challange... :D

It never gets old seeing that level of meticulous craftsmanship. Really nice tanto