Strider

Good morning to all, I am interested in making a stand using some red deer antlers that I have, and I need pictures of different examples so that I came get the scale correct. I was hoping that the members here had something that they might be able to share with me . Close-ups would be the best, but I will take any pictures that you can find. Regards Scott Enloe

This is a public thank you to Roger at hizento.com. I sent him a picture of a Tadayoshi Mei that I suspected was gimei and he kindly took the time to confirm it and respond back very quickly. I had hoped that it was genuine, due to the care that was taken with this blade over the years and the fact that it was housed in an older, darkened shirasaya. But, alas it was not to be. While it is a nice old blade in fairly decent polish, it is a fake signature. Thanks again for being so kind Regards Scott Enloe

I will try to find time to post a picture of what I have. I have not had very good luck getting my photos on this forum in the past and I think that I had to go through photo bucket the last time. I even had Stephen post my first picture a couple of years ago. I now sort of understand the mixing of the themes, flowers for life or rebirth and bones for death I don't know why it did not come to me originally Regards Scott

Does anyone have any examples of the life/death theme fittings that feature skulls and or bones? I have a set of menuki that were on a wakizashi tsuka that have this theme but the F/K were a very nice shakudo floral theme and they always seemed to be an odd pairing. If you have any links to fittings for sale, these would also be appreciated Scott

I am sorry to get off subject, but I need to tell Colin that I have swiped his catch phrase 'Tale tarts when tarts are passing" We recently got possession of a foreclosed property after 8 months of dealing with the banking industry and we considered it a good tart to take. I am even having a wooden sign carved with a lemon and cherries and his phrase that we are going to mount along the long driveway . I will post a picture for him when it is finished and up. Sorry for the redirection of this thread. Scott

Could this be a representation of two different mon? Maybe the joining of some large house represented by the leaf, and a smaller house represented by the three branches or fronds. Just some wild speculation Scott

It looks like they made enough money in the repro junk market and now wish to pass on their skills and secrets to someone else. Scott

I would not be too quick to state that this is a false hamon[ although in this case it may be]. The Takayama-to that I have does indeed have a temper into the metal even though it is simple and straight and tough as hell. I will try to get a picture posted. If I am understanding this thread, there might have been a special steel developed by a man named Takayama. Would all swords made from this material be classified as Takayama-to? Would this be a specialized area of collecting as in Mikasa-to [ was that the battle ship?] and Manchurian railroad swords? The plot thickens Scott

This may be a little off topic, but would a togishi polish one of these blades if they were not "true" nihonto? I feel that the scarcity and variation of these swords may make them worthy of proper preservation. Would this be considered a "courtesy polish"? If there are any polishers watching this thread, please respond with your opinion. BTW, I was so excited to see a thread related to something that I have been trying to research. Scott

Stephen, over a year ago, you helped me post a nakago photo for translation. The mei read as follows; Shinbu fusatsu takayama to ujinaga saku. I have also tried to find a reference to a Takayama prison or shrine that made swords. I think that the sword I have may indeed be made of this rust resistant steel that was mentioned in this post. I do not know how to go back and look for the post I made to compare photos. Keep up the good work. Scott

Brian, I would be more than happy to send a voluntary fee for board upkeep. While I cannot do any great amount, I would like to contribute $20.00 towards the cause. How do I get this to you? Happy holidays and warmest regards to all Scott Enloe

Has anyone ever bought the cheap tsuka ito from ebay? It looks like it comes from China and I was wondering if a person would ever receive their goods once the money was sent. I do not need high quality material as I am still perfecting my technique. If anyone could point me in a better direction , it would be appreciated. Regards Scott

Thank you for your response. I tried to upload directly to this site, but it always tells me that the information is invalid. I use a MAC and I do not know if there is a better way to get pictures from there to here. I would certainly like to be able to show pictures with a direct link and I agree that people do not like an extra step when viewing a photo. Scott

Could anyone tell me what the subject is on this tsuba. My wife and I call it "pigs eating persimmons" but I doubt that this is the case. They almost look like dogs but they have cloven hoofs like a pig. Here is a bit of good news, my wife wears some of my tsuba as necklaces from time to time and the other day she was trying to decide what to wear and realized that she had worn them all. She promptly told me "you had better get buying". When was the last time a nihontophile heard that from their spouse? Here is the link to the photo. Thanks, Scott http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll33 ... CT0399.jpg

Hello to all after a long absence. I have several items that I would like to post pictures of for consideration by this forums members. What is the best way to photograph detail and hada? I will be using a minolta dslr with a 90mm macro lens. Are there any tricks with lighting, background colors, distance? Any input would be appreciated. I am trying to determine if my blades warrant professional polishing and saya. Thanks Scott

Hello all, I am watching these auctions, but do not know anything about the Red Cross connection. I am concerned about the language and phrasing used in the descriptions and the fact that the seller does not have access to his own bank account or possession of the sword. Not to be too paranoid, but is it possible that these sales are just an attempt to defraud by preying on our sympathies. Please understand that I do not want to ruin a good thing or defame a persons good name and intentions,and I do apologize if I seem to have done so. I personally have a strange "feeling" about this. Feel free to correct me and vent your wrath ha ha Regards Scott

Hello all, I ran into the eBay ban on gun parts here in the US. While there are ways around the rules if you choose your words correctly, anyone with a stick up their who watches and reports your listings will cause the listing to be removed. It seems odd that a company that makes 8%+ on millions of transactions would be politically motivated. Where is the power of the almighty dollar when you need it? Maybe it has depreciated also. VENT VENT VENT Happy April 1st anyway Scott

When and how will this be aired? I am interested in this subject and would like to be able to see or download the information. Regards Scott

Could someone please give me the correct pronunciation for "gimei" and "habaki"? I need it phonetically please with indication of which syllables are stressed. Thanks Scott

Hello all and congrats on the new format. Could I get some other opinions in this item on eBay 280204108276? The grammar in the description has me wondering if our friends in China are venturing into the project market also the mei looks too clean. Any opinions are appreciated. Regards Scott E

Hello all, I thought that you might find this interesting. I recently put in what was the high bid for some polishing stone pieces on eBay. The next day I was informed that my bid had been canceled. When I looked up the reason it said "these are not for guns". As I was selling some gun parts that I inherited at the same time, I think the seller looked up who was bidding and decided that I was undesirable as a gun nut or something. When I responded and told him that I also have a collection of Nihonto and it was not up to him to decide if I wanted these or not, I got this response. yada yada yada," Thanks anyway and I do not in any way promote the use of firearms in any circumstance. Also as far as phsychology is concerned guns and blades do not mix " ..I did not realize that I was such an undesirable and unstable Nihontophile. I then received another e-mail that said "if I still needed the stones, to contact him in week and he would set something up" .This seller goes by Hypnos420 and as far as I am concerned, he is entitled to his opinion, but he is not entitled to any decent, hard working, mentally stable persons business So much for my two cents worth Regards Scott

Has anyone ever heard about mon that features three "pine boughs" arranged to form a circle or clover leaf pattern? They look similar to paulonian(?) leaves I think. Scott

Please forgive me my ignorance, but I have a silly question concerning the direction of file marks on nakago. I was looking at a blade that I recently obtained, and noticed that the yasurime on the omote slope sharply downward and forward towards the ha ( ? ) , while the yasurime on the ura slope down and back. Both are in sujikai style, and I was wondering if there was a reason they are done opposite. Could it be that the swordsmith just turned the sword over as he held it in his left hand and filed in the same direction with his right, or is there another reason that a novice does not understand? Any education is always appreciated, Regards Scott

Wow that guy could really shape iron. A most impressive piece and I am sure the pictures do not do it justice. Did the sword come mounted or just the blade ? (as if that isn't enough) Congratulation on a great find. Regards Scott

Thanks Remy, I think I am going to leave it in it's present condition,afterall this is just part of the normal history of the piece and in my mind adds a certain mystique and charm. Regards from Missouri Scott