raiden

yes, saw that example, but sometimes they use a Kao and sometime not, as in the case of Fords fav guy Hagiya Kappei. the guy listed in kinko meikan is from Haruaki school.

The questions remain in my opinion, is either example genuine, if so which one is correct? For example, the Kao in Hawleys may be drawn differently, OR taken from an example not genuine, or the tsuba listed is questionable (but looks ok in my opinion what ever thats worth) or meikanmore unlisted maker.........If I have time, I'll show my teacher in Japan this month.

excellent piece!, I love his workmanship, and i think he is too under appreciated in the west. i have a set of rabbit making mochi menuki by him as well and they seem to be permanently stuck to my hands......

I think Ford would appreciate these. I just got them and they are excellent! solid gold shitodome as well as the use of gold solder for the tenjogane

Let me find out if there are any with my friend in Japan. We are not a book dealer, but Cyrus likes to sell them from time to time.

Just a cover shot of Fukushi sensei's book, it is very good! Sorry for the bad pic!

From what I heard, the bad dealer re-registers the blade as a sword that lost its original torokusho. Of this I am not sure, but it kind of makes sense. Many of these blades, one or the other were seemingly exported and sold on ebay for example in the US. As I stated earlier, they have been back tracking the blades from the registrations done by the dealer and have been getting everything straightened out. It seems that there weren't too many so far.

usually in the case of Haruaki, most of his students names start with Aki_____ If I find out mmore info on this maker, I will post later.

Haruaki that I had a year or so ago

iron example that i used for the NBTHK machibori benkyou kai in San francisco

Ichihªdª 一方堂 W: Geishu ju, or Geiyo ju, Hiroshima in Aki D: ca. 1875, piece dated 1887. NTS: worked in gold and silver inlay. Was a student of Haruaki Hogen H 00760. AKIMASA 明政 from Haynes notes

As far as I know, Japanese law denotes that a tosho can only make and legally register 2 katana a month (I believe 3 wakizashi or tanto is the other option). Lower level smiths have a hard time making a living because of this rule and because their blades do not command the large sums that the higher level smiths can achieve. Ok that said, it is not good when someone falls off the path of right.....(bear with me now, I am making chocolate chip pancakes for my kids in between writing here) lets also say that if there was a blade signed "Kiyomaro", and was 30" long and (it doesn't have to be genuine) with a legit torokusho.... then someone makes a blade signed falsely "Kiyomaro", similiar shape, same dimensions roughly.....and this sword now appears with the legit torokusho (registration card), it doesn't have or will ever get a kanteisho from a educated group that can recognize a shinsakuto, but the bad dealer doesn't need a kanteisho, he just sells it on ebay or yahoo or bidders as a "fresh' blade to those that are looking for the hidden treasure in an online auction.......we know this happens all the time, guys looking for the great deal on ebay. However, from this source ( the bad dealer) the blades are being tracked down and recovered for evidence, as well as the tosho who made them. As I had stated before, all one has to do is just ask someone knowledgable or post a link to the item in question on the board for opinion. Or just buy certified blades from a well recognized source, or even better, just study as i do, I study shinsakuto all the time and appreciate them for their excellent workmanship.This goes for older blades as well of course. By doing so, you will come to recognize the differences very clearly if you have a good eye! Like I said, don't let a few bad apples ruin your collecting, there are plenty of good legit resources out there.

soon, I am waiting for it on final approval.will list pics if everything is ok.

I just bought another hikozo.....and yes the news is old already

Oh, and as far as anyone knows, there were no fake shinsa papers made on any of these blades from any group - NBTHK, NTHK , NTHK npo etc.... there are always bad apples around, you just have to choose the good ones.

Oh boy, why is there always room for misinformation..... 4 dealers went bankrupt this past few months due to one of them running away owing others money. 1 bad dealer (who shall be nameless) is getting investigated for swords that were illegally registered. Those blades are being tracked down as we speak. Also one can tell what these blades are if one has a good eye. That is why it really pays to deal with the reputable dealers, I have had to fix many situations of people that have dealt with dealers that did not have a stellar reputation. Basically all you have to do is ask to find the good guys (and there are some that are very nice!). Myself and a few others know the people that are reputable in Japan very well. I always say it is always safer to ask first, then decide. If any guys need help at the show in Japan, I will be there as well as a few others that speak english to help the foreigners. Mike

Fukushi sensei has completely retired offfcially from the NBTHK, he is getting quite elderly and is now enjoying his retirement in his new home. His newset book about the themes of the kodogu is a very informative and welcome addition to my library. It also has english translation done by his son explaining about each piece. Mike

To All, This maker may be possibly the person from the Haruaki Hogen School using the same kanji and workmanship style. Haruaki and Toryusai are very similiar in style. Just my 2 cents worth. Mike

not cyrus, his wife is shopping for one.... so what is your primary tsuba collecting type Curran? It snot Higo so then........

Curran, Cyrus has 4 girls....

Ok sorry for late response, 4 kids is a busy sunday not to mention the whole weekend..... momotaro play was today! anyway, back to Higo - my posted piece is Juyo, but when talking with a well known expert friend in Japan about specs and points for Hikozo, the "red" color isn't prevalent to either shodai or nidai. Perhaps one day I will do a lecture for advanced higo collectors. In Japan I took in many "invite only"study group meetings (one with Fukushi sensei when he did Higo). We got to see and handle some of the most famous Hikozo, Matashichi and Jingo that you see in most of the main books that feature top examples of main Higo. I have been a Higo fanatic for many many years, and I especially love Higo koshirae. Mike Oh all PM's have been answered!I actually forgot we have that service.

Hi Brian, Not papered yet, buy I guarrantee to pass at the Tokubetsu Hozon level rather easily (in writing if preferred) they will be on the site for a special fall price of $6000 Mike

Curran, just to be sure before I answer, can we see a pic of your tsuba and a pic of your seppa dai? \Mike

it was too large so I just made it fit, sorry guys!

For fun and interesting study. they will soon be up on our site though....I will post them twice, a larger one for download