tokashikibob

I'll list it on my omiyage resume to move up a bit on the screening process!

Gents, Chris B helped out with a kanji tag that came with this tanto. Kanewaka Kaga piece. Original post here.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22567-tanto-with-hi/ So, looking it over and consulting the various tomes the characteristics may place it as a shodai Kanewaka nihonto forged late in his life. Mainly I say this due to the tight itame/masame, he worked futasuji bi and bobi according to sources while the later generations did not. I suppose this blade originally was a wakizashi, but I don't recall ever seeing a wakizashi u no kubi zukuri. Was this common in a wak or just tanto? Now the thing I really liked about this particular school is what was posted on Aoi art about a Kanewaka back in the day was worth a high class samurai daughter as bride. A few days ago I got a job offer in Japan for a 2 year stint, May or may not go but, I wonder if a nice Kanewaka is worth 2 or 3 high class women 400 years later. Nihonto always go up in value right? Best regards, Bob

Lovely set!

Wow Ken! that silver one is really cool! I've never seen these at a nihonto show or the antique circuit. But it seems like they are available.

Hey fellas, Did a search on NMB and read a bit on Okimono in general i.e. quality, fakes. What do you seasoned vets think of this Myochin? I can go look at it if I want to make a bit of a drive. He's asking $600 Best regards, Bob

Here is one I own with the bullet going through the steel saya and the blade.

Fellas, Over the last few years I have gravitated to tanto as my main interest. They usually seem discounted more so than even wakizashi and are high quality forging in a small package. I am looking forward for this one to be delivered and doing some study. You may have seen that bunch of shirasaya swords that were sold online, I place a bid a few days before end and was surprised when I won this. The antique shop said it was part of a Japanese collector's estate and that his family was selling them. Do not know why they were in NYC, and not in Japan but they all looked pretty nice and went what I thought were cheap. Best regards, Bob

Chris, Nice pieces, Curious if kaigunto mounts are high end? Btw, Can you post a pic or two of field ops of Aussie gold hunts in Izakaya? Best regards, Bob

Gents, Saw this on Moses's site and was surprised at the audacity of the forging on this presentation blade. A lot of things to look at when you pull this out. http://www.nihontoantiques.com/project/name-sword-fss-728/ Best regards, Bob

Great Pick Fletch! I like it. When you get tired of it let me know, maybe we can do some swapping. Best regards, bob

Wow! That's a beauty Ray!

Nice find Ed, looks meaty and I don't see any forging flaws. Nice pick up!

Fellas, Can anyone make out what this sticker is on a shirasaya? Best regards, Bob

Enjoy as is for awhile and learn then upgrade to a better blade when opportunity arises and enjoy the hobby. Read Carvell's "Shogun" if you have not already.

Good looking blade Ed, can you see any characteristics in the forging? Maybe a inspection and window is warranted by the togishi?

Thanks Jean!

Gents, Doing some reading today and thought about the two character mei. Now if it has saku on the end for a total of 3 characters is it still considered 2 and maybe of older koto era? Best regards, Bob

Keep me in the loop so I don't mess you up. Are you moving out LRRP to take a look see at them? If so I send you some new cammie sticks!

Guys did we not try this once before? I foget the details but the guy was moving to China and ran a auction on NMB. We should look at that afteraction report to see what was Groovy and what was Square. I paring down and could put some tasty bits up. when we have a final consensus. Best Regards, Bob

I think they already have, which swords are you picking out for me at RIAC Stephen?

Might be of interest for someone? Surely very unusual. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Samurai-Battle-of-Kawanakajima-/192117839355?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

Beat me to the punch Bruce! We must have been typing at the same time!

Hi Gert, I believe you have a very nice old sword in Navy fittings. The tsuka looks like the faux samegawa that some koshirae outfitters used. Maybe the officer requested the faux samegawa or maybe the real skin was not available. Rayskin saya was a upgrade too, probably cost quite a bit more than the lacquered wood at the local Navy sword shop during WW2. Best Regards, Bob

Dealing in antiques part time, all the time, for a long time. It is interesting living thru the changes of the collecting culture. I wonder like Jean every weekend in regards to furniture. Victorian dark furniture is next to worthless now while when I was a young antique buyer circa 1980 it was quite expensive. However you will pay thru the roof for 60's and 70's furniture and objects from that era that were thrown away in the past i.e. Lava lamps and velvet paintings esp. semi nude women and who wouldn't like one of those, or a classic velvet Elvis! Things change when people of a certain generation die off and their collective interests lose much of their popularity. Shirley Temple, stamps, Lionel Trains for example. However new subject matter do move to the forefront, mid cent items, starwars, video game related gear and even old computers I think. Military related items will always be there ebbing back and forth in popularity with anniversary's, movies and a major current conflict moving the needle. Is anyone a fan of the "Forged in Fire" show on history channel? That show is a real boon for our hobby as I have enjoyed every episode over the last few years. It must be doing all right in viewership as it has run multiple seasons. I also agree that a blockbuster movie would be a great thing to drive 20 year olds to search out the hobby. Maybe a remake of Shogun would be a easy thing for Hollywood to produce. One last thing, as far as Shinsa goes; I ponder the idea of having U.S. based professionals offering a alternative summery paper at the U.S. shows that don't have Shinsa? In lieu of getting a Japanese based group at a show you could have a panel of our U.S. based professionals render valuable information on a submitted sword and sign off on it for a lower fee. I know I'd like to have assumptions on my favorite blades verified or disputed by a group of pros at a reasonable cost with paperwork to back it up. Best Regards, Bob

Nice work on the Tsuka Sal, your skills are top shelf.