NihontoEurope

I can vouch for that. I was there and spoke to most of them a couple of hours ago. However, there has been several earthquakes here in Tokyo between 18:00 and 21:00 local time. So If the buliding still stands, I do not know. The hotel is shifting from side to side and the walls are screaming in cracking sounds as i write this. /Martin

Hello, I think it could be Bishu Osafune Sukenaga - 祐永. Well, it is an option. The chiselmarks and size reminds me how made his signature. What looks a bit strange/awkward is the distance between the -shu and the Osa-. /Martin

Thx Piers and Ernst. /Martin

Ernst, Thank you for the effort. The second should be YASU. The first one is difficult. /Martin

Curran, An update: The "章" character can be intepreted/read as "AKI", "FUMI", "TERU" and "MERU". The most common though, is "SHOU" or "SHō". /Martin

Curran, The "章" character can be intepreted/read as "AKI" and "FUMI". I'm looking for other solutions... Please hold. /Martin

Hi all, I'm working on a Mei that I think is SHIZUYASU, but I'm uncertain. The topmost horizontal line at the 2nd Kanji is very disturbing to me and the first gives me a headache. /Martin

Martin, Regarding "behind of a sheep" The kanji for sheep is.... 羊 :D /Martin

Here is a reference attached... /Martin

Howdy! Where did you buy it? The image/horomino looks like a cartoon character. Never seen that on a sword before. The Kanji looks like it has been randomised along the tang. /Martin

Interesting point! I have a blade that is attributed to Hizen Masanaga 1st gen. Masanaga changed his name to Masahiro 1614 (I think, but beside the point). My question have also been; Is this attributed to his early work for some special reason or if not...do they default the first name? I hope to get an answer here as well. /Martin

Adam, Thank you for the comments and observations. You have a very good and trained eye! /Martin

...adding more. /Martin

A fresh one here... If you have an answer, please only give a hint. /Martin

Hi all, I am trying to find out what school/smith this would/could be; a hira zukuri wakizashi. I strongly believe that the nagako is ubu since it is very thick. Special features: Motogasane: 10mm Hamon at the boshi is differs of each side. I want to do as much research I can on my own, but need a push in one or two directions. I have read somewhere that some Bizen smith/s or school/s made swords with different hamon at the boshi. Two questions: Based on the nakago. What school/s could this be? [EDIT]Based on the different turnback hamon at the boshi. What school/s could it be? /Martin

One suggestion to a "registry" of stolen items would be to open a Facebook page with a connection to this site. Then it is as anonymous as the uploader of images wants to be. What do you say Brian? Easy to manage and small effort/easy to set up. /Martin

Ouch! Too bad that items are stolen. A caution though...Keeping registers that hold information about sword possesions/collections would be not so good. Keeping a good record of your swords, photos and photos and even more photos and documentation, would be the best option. If stolen post it on every board possible. I have seen some issues, where sword and tsubas been stolen, before where documentation was from: The name of the smith in text to a poorly taken photo without focus and size, so bad that you would pass it without blinking one eye. In my country there is a firearm law that states that you have to register firearms to the police (not uncommon) and where the firearms are stored. That register is, by law, public. Criminals seek out the information prior to a burglery to see what can be expected during entering (if interupted) and/or what to expect to get. Post images here and you will have more eyes watching. My thoughts. BTW - If the polish was supposed to be performed in Japan...it is registered at the police by law and would be checked when change of owner in Japan or if exported. /Martin

Eric, It is Gimei. /Martin

Hi all, I did make one observation when reading the articles I found; NBTHK did apply for a diviórce from the government in order to go for public service organisation instead of the current setup. Is this good or bad? What are the impacts? What are the benefits? I am afraid that prices of their services would raise. /Martin

Howdy, Two links to the story: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/201 ... 2000c.html http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20100930a5.html /Martin

Ouch! Let's buy the Ichimonji then... was it 40-50k or something /Martin

Nice! What do you think about the estimates? I think that not one sword will be sold within the predicted limits. My prediction is that 80% of swords the will go for at least 180% of their estimates. In the Hizento text on page 135 (by Victor Harris) the swords are raised above the stars. No correlation to the estimates. Perhaps they want to draw as many flies to the party as possible! That was my thoughts. /Martin

Keith, I will post results. I am planning to attend the Tampa session. /Martin

Keith, Thanks. I like worst case scenarios : ) I'm trying to add some swords to the Get-This-One-Papered pile. I think it could be fun to see to what smith this sword might be attributed to. /Martin

GorillaCrab, You need a name and a picture of the tang/nagako. /Martin