NihontoEurope

Hello, Why would not a Star stamped blade be valid for papering? Why would a traditionally made blade not be valid for use by the army? /Martin

Alex, The name of the file indicates Eishou. Would be great if there is more info though. /Martin

Adam, That was spot on. :D Thank you! /Martin

Next question: How and where do you store the blade? /Martin

One thing is for sure. It is a high risk item. /Martin

I agree with Veli in full. I did not have the guts to stick out my neck on the Tsugu. When I say full I mean that I'm also open for another interpretation of Tsugu. /Martin

Steve, Thanks. Not a ringer. /Martin

Hello, Speaking of Kiyomitsu. Does anyone here have some Oshigata of Kiyomitsu between 1400-1600's I think I have a Mumei Uchigatana from anyone generation. /Martin

Morisada Missed the last one though : ) Need to check further EDIT: Sadagoma it should be /Martin

[attachment=0]kill-bill-gates.jpg[/attachment] /Martin

Mariusz, Thanks, I found exactly that page when searching previously on info given earlier. A zillion times is a lot of times²²²³. I will take a picture of mine, the mei side of it. Then we have two of the zillions documented here. [attachment=0]IMG_6672.JPG[/attachment] /Martin

Btw... Does anyone know when in time this was made? /Martin

Jean, Yes, there would otherwise be an inflation in high level paperwork, again. Not good. The hamon actually runs off at some points. Not a good picture earlier and I would guess, by judging what's left of the hamachi and the flattened out hamon, it would not pass high level papers. Hozon, every time. I'll try to zoom in here: [attachment=0]mm3.JPG[/attachment] /Martin

I guess it would pass, because the overall condition is good and ... the Name. Early Muramasa. EDIT: It would not pass Juyo. Here it is: [attachment=0]MM1.JPG[/attachment] [attachment=1]MM.JPG[/attachment] /Martin

Hello, My opinion is that they value the historical value slightly more than the quality of the sword at hand as opposed to NTHK where the quality of work has a more important factor. I think you actually may get Hozon on a "bad" blade where hamon runs off and hagire all over the place. What matters more is what the nakago says or to whom it is attributed. Let's say Mr Masamune... Recently, early this year, I got a Hozon judgement on a blade that was rusty and somewhat tired hamon almost out of polish. I was surprised to get the Hozon. Of course, submitting a blade bent out of shape and deep rust would not get far. I think NBTHK never will surprice me... /Martin

Helloouuii, Thank you for the comments. Always good to learn new things. /Martin

Curran, What is mirrormaker tsuba? Did this tsuba artisan make mirrors usually? /Martin

Hello, It is actually possible to translate from an image. There are several applications that allow you to do this. I know a few Android apps that are free: You must search for yourself, but here are a few: Photo Translator Free ScanDic Camera Translator Lite Go to and have some fun: https://play.google.com/store/search?q= ... tor&c=apps /Martin

Howdy, I have a few questions. 1. Is it possible to get any paper/appraisal if the tsuba is in cast? 2. Does anyone of you guys know anything about Masayoshi as in the subject row? I have found a few on the internet with the exact same motif and at a first quick look they appear to be identical, but they are not. This is when question #1 grew in my head. The image of this Masayoshi is not mine: [attachment=0]YAMASHIRO JU MASAYOSHI KAO.jpg[/attachment] /Martin

I think Brian is right. A battlefield pick-up or likewise. Nice Habaki (one upon a time) /Martin

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3655 /Martin

I concur. If someone can find a Mei with Saku used it might be good. /Martin

It looks legit to the style of writing of Kanbun Shodai Yoshimichi. If it is dated around Oan...well The downside of the Kanbun Yoshimichi; I cannot find the usage of Saku in the Mei. /Martin

Grey, Mei looks legit. /Martin

I was referring to the pictures when following the url, which is now removed, where the kissaki looked strange. When looking at these pictures here it looks not like Chinese. The pictures on the url target was not so good, almost like the person behind the camera wanted to show and hide at the same time. Can we see the Kissaki here? /Martin