Ian B3HR2UH

Johan , I regret not adding that I think your Kiyonaga piece is a good one . Ian Brooks

Johan , If Steve cannot read your kogatana mei then no one else here other than Japanese members will be able to do so . The reason people have difficulty with this signature is because it is so poorly written .This poor writing speaks volumes about the quality of the blade. Being blunt it is not a good piece (and I am being kind here) . Ian Brooks

It looks very suspicious to me . Look at the almost new saya lining, binding and paint on the saya. On the other hand the fittings show age and as Bruce points out the seppa and tsuba come from a sword that had a retention strap .I would bet the woodwork underneath the fuchi is new as well. All put together I think, Ian Brooks

I am surprised that it has gone unremarked upon that Darcy Brockbank has a Juyo Tosogu Futatokorimono with menuki by Somin for sale. This shows why he is the pre-eminent western dealer. I had imagined that these were probably the only genuine pieces by Somin outside of Japan. Last week however I had the pleasure of looking at the catalogue of the museum of decorative art Copenhagen. Lot 1156 is a stunning kozuka with a design of fireflies also by Somin. The author Ogasawara Nobuo obviously accepts these as genuine as he also does with Lot 1157 a tsuba with katakiribori engraving . I hope that my copy of the photograph does this magnificent piece justice . If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and have a look at Darcy's menuki. Ian Brooks

Keep doing what you are doing thanks Yas . Ian Brooks

It is signed Yasuhiro . I have a piece with an elaborate dragon lacquered on the saya which also has a snapped off tang . My impression has always been that these were put together for the tourist trade . Ian Brooks

Hi Dale , it is in the catalogue of an exhibition held at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery in 1964 entitled Arms and Armour of Ancient Japan . Robert Haynes was one of those who put the exhibition together. Ian Brooks

Hello Jussi , I can only echo Barry's sentiments . This is a herculean effort which will be of huge benefit to all collectors . Many many thanks . Ian Brooks

Hi Ron, I hope the attached piece will give you cause for optimism . It is described as Shodai and is from Aito Volume 293 . Regards Ian Brooks

No need to post any more photos . It is signed Inoue Shinkai and is dated on the other side . This will almost certainly be gimei . Ian Brooks

David that is really unusual ( and nice ). Could you tell us what the blade is like ? Ian Brooks

Hi Steve , I thought that the writing looked very 'amateurish' and wondered if a non Japanese hand was at work . Any thoughts on this ? Ian Brooks

I think Doug at Gunto Art swords would be horrified to be associated with rubbish like this . The vendor of the other two swords seems to be a dodgy English dealer . Does it not strike anyone as really odd that the same non specialist dealer has turned up two of these monstrosities ! Ian Brooks

Keep persisting Hamish , I agree with all that Jussi has said. It is easy to transact although the postage for books is expensive ( it is expensive from the US too ). I use what they call surface mail which is cheaper but takes about 40 to 60 days to get to Australia. The stuff is always well packed . Ian Brooks

This is great thanks Jussi. It has answered a couple of questions that I had . I have a book Kokuho 8 that was published in 1984 ( my copy is I think a 1990 reprint) . This also lists 122 Kokuho swords . Does this mean that no new Kokuho have been designated since 1990 ? Ian Brooks

Having a piece mounted as you describe Steve ( nanako with mons etc ) I too would love to know when that regulation came into effect . I have the auction catalogue from 1928 when the Shimazu daimyo sold a lot of their swords . Virtually all of the Katana have a kogai . Only one side of the sword is shown so you cannot see if there is a kodzuka as well . I wonder if having a kogai in a katana was a status thing . Ian Brooks

Does anyone have any idea what the bottom right hand mon is ? Clouds passing in front of the sun or the moon ? Ian Brooks

That it a nice looking sword Neil . I have difficulty seeing Kanetsuna there and if I had to guess might say Kaneyoshi . Why don't you put it up on the translation page and see what others think . Ian Brooks

Hi Jussi , i have those magazines and will drop you a PM . A great project . Regards Ian Brooks

It screams wartime blade to me Ian Brooks

I don't think that this has got a hope in hell of being genuine . Years ago I saw a similar piece with a crude horimono , engraved cutting test and Kotetsu mei . I am certain that that piece was a showa fake . I would take yours to someone who knows what they are talking about for an opinion before wasting money on shinsa. Ian Brooks

Hi Leon , I like that your sword comes with the old paperwork . B W Robinson wrote some reminiscences for the JSSUS Newsletter years ago . He told a story about Capt. Reid-Collins going to an American ordinance depot during the occupation . There was a pile of about 1000 swords there , asking if he could have one he was told take fifty if you like . He drove to Tokyo and bought Inami Hakusui ( the author of The Japanese Sword ) back with him . Inami selected the fifty best ones . Reid -Collins bought them back to England and later sold them to Craig and Festing for ten pounds each . Robinson recalls that they included a superb slim Nagamitsu labelled meito by Inami , a splendid Rai Kunitoshi , an early Gassan , a fine Kotetsu, and many others .I wonder if your sword is one of the Reid -Collins pieces? Ian Brooks

The handle ,or parts of it , have almost certainly been added Barry .Perhaps the original tsuka is lurking underneath the crap binding and " kashira " I think someone referred to these as bubba jobs . Ian Brooks

These are fantastic Dick . I particularly like that first kozuka panel, it is outstanding . Do you have other treasures like this to show us ? Ian Brooks

Perhaps you should cut down on your consumption Tom Ian Brooks