Henry Wilson

That is a nice spread. The Hiroshige print in question hangs in our study and is the first Japanese print I feel in the love with. It is a modern repro mind. There is an original (maybe a late printing) going for something like 1,500,000 yen in the Oriental Bazzar in Harajuku...... Also saw the Van Gogh in Amsterdam too which is actually quite small. Thanks for that

Hi Reinier All you need is a jar of choji oil, one of the brass hammers and a good supply of good quality non-sented tissues. As for the uchiko powder, I think it is a bit of controversial subject sometimes. Personally speaking I do not us the stuff as from direct experience it dulls a new polish. I use a microfibre cloth I got with the last TV I bought to wipe a blade down when changing the oil. I get my choji oil from the sword museum in Tokyo and I think 3 part hammers that are available are the most useful. This link might be useful http://www.satcho.com/supplies.htm

I found this. Not sword related but it is relevant to people buying stuff on line. I think new members may benefit from it the most. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20070415x1.html

Who were Kanzan and Jittoku?

You're welcome and also from me too, thank you Noboby for the information

Hi Noboby The design you have is warabite 蕨手 or fern stalks. The difference between yours and Martin's is that in your example the ends are turned in. In Martin's example the ends are straight which I think has significances as warabite is quite a common theme and from my limited experience they all tend to have turned in ends.

"Katachi bori: Carving or engraving in which the motif is shown in the round, or in full. Some menuki will have the head of an animal in katachi bori" Nihonto Koza volume 6. AFU research

Yes, the grass is a long shot I know, but just have one more and look at the following link. The fifth one down by Tadamume 5th / Tadatora 3rd, has the Musashino grass in overlaid circles and looks sort of like Martin's. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/akasaka.htm

Might be Akasaka, early Edo. The design could be stylised Musashino grass.

Is it a common practice? I have not seen such a thing before. From what I understand, someone was worried the nakago would fall off or bits of it anyway and the nakago has been protected by a metal rim. Woud such a rim not reduce the value of the sword as we all know that you do not fiddle with the nakago.

Looks nice but what happened to the nakago? http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/tanto/06365.html The nakago looks like someone was intending to alter the shape of it but decided against it.

Some one a while ago told me something along the lines of that the dog was barking it socks off while he was holding a sword and just then he gave the dog a quick sidewards glance.... The little pooch was quickly ushered into the back room :lol: Harajuku area is a nice place but the the cost of accommadation is increidble. It also has the St Patrick's parade which should be-value property (I'm from Ireland) in MHO

Thanks everyone. Great stuff.

Congratulations Reiner! Looks very nice. When you can I would love to see a close-up of the fittings. Enjoy and one more bit of advice, stay away from the uchiko as it could dull a nice new polish.

A while ago I asked about the themes expressed in tosogu and what I thought was a lack of some sea animals being represented. You guys helped me out then so on the same kind of note, does anyone have any examples were stars (as in the things in the night sky, not Tom Cruise and Nicole Kiddman :| ) are depicted in tosogu? Thanks

Must agree with you there Brain. Brings me back to this one. http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessageboard/viewtopic.php?t=1140

Sokendo is having it's spring sales expo from April 28th to March 5th from 10am to 6pm. If you don't see me there (hanging around the bargain table) you will probably see the marks left by my nose as I pressed my face against the glass looking at a Nagamitsu blade with utsuri ....... http://www.sokendo.net/samuraisoad.htm

My suggestion would be to not remove it if you are going to destroy it. Why do you want to remove it?

Just say that the sword did NOT pass Hozon, I think that it could lead to a lot of bother. :x

On the same note, I have heard of tsuba that were made of laquered leather. Does anyone have more info / pics on leather tsuba?

I like Jim Gilbert's site. It is good for new collectors with nice digestable explanations and good photos. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/tsuba.htm Also send an email to the NCJSC as they have plans to reprint "Tsuba: An aesthetic study" in the very near future. This book is one of the must haves for beginners and is not easy to get a hold of and the more peole request it the quicker it will become avaiable. Write to Jack Edick at: jack.e@ncjsc.org

Any pics?

Here is something on katchushi tsuba (armour maker) from Jim Gilbert http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/oldiron2.htm One of my favourite styles at the moment

I was told by Jack Edick that NCJSC plans to reprint "Tsuba: An aesthetic study" in the very near future with a spiral bind, priced at around 25 USD. Drop him an email and let him know as it could be on a demand basis. His email is jack.e@ncjsc.org

I agree with what was said above. I have shifted from swords to fittings over three years when I first started and am surprised how my tastes have changed. It seems that nothing is that long term in this game unless you have been collecting for quite sometime and have seen everything a few times over. If you want to get a taste for a swords and fittings I think this could be a good deal for you. http://www.japaneseswordcollector.com/wak/wak.html Just my two pennies worth