CurtisR

Thanks Eric - very interesting to see how the old & authentic ones were done...I'm planning on building a new one (or two) over the next few months and really like the use of a lid vs. drawers, which were pretty challenging to build. Thanks for the kind comments, also! :D Curtis

Thank you Eric! Trust me..many mistakes and a long process but I enjoy it very much, and the wood is beautiful to work with. The dividers I just sort of 'made up' as they seemed to make sense. Planning on making another (single) soon but am thinking it will go smoother after making a large one (there should be an emoticon for 'keeping fingers crossed' lol). Thanks again! Curtis

Hello to all - here are the pics of the one I recently built...please go easy on the critique, as I'm barely able to put 2 pieces of wood together in general :D . Curtis

Brian you're quite right...I did pay less than one from Mr. Lohman so I like your suggestion on the Iai projects sword...besides, it's snowing here in Colorado so not much fishing going on currently :D . And David, yes I do study Iaido...Muso Jikiden EIshin Ryu. I have also had a nice day's seminar from a Sensei here in CO who teaches a form of Batto-do. His is a very 'closed' dojo and they no longer take new students, but they train solely with Shinken & heavy emphasis on Tamishigiri. Awesome stuff! We train with Shinken and Iaito, depending on skill level. Thanks everyone for the Reality Check - seriously! Hmmmm....project sword....hmmmmm.....lol. Curtis

Mr. Stiles and all, I agree - no more buying until I learn more. Getting ripped off stinks, even though the story is interesting . I appreciate the input from everyone and hey, if I put a trebble-hook on them they might make great Trout lures?? Thanks again! Curtis

Sorry for the lack of images...will post when I get home as my work PC is giving me fits Curtis

I recently finished a Tansu, 2-drawer, that I built from Kiri wood and white poplar(for some of the internal pieces). Top drawer holds 4 Katana or Wakizashi in a padded rack. Bottom drawer is 'open' to hold other goodies, or another rack could be made to hold 3 or 4 more swords. The pics below are not the end product, but was just before fitting the drawer bottoms. Made by looking at antique ones online, then just going for it. I learned quite a lot while building it (one being that it was much more difficult than I thought it would be ), but in the end, I'm very happy with it. I can post the 'finished' pics and rack system later if anyone would like me to. Also, PM me for a great source here in the U.S. for Kiri wood - he runs his own mill and gets it in from time to time. Happy Holidays! Curtis

Peter, the seller was a diplomat for the U.S. stationed on the island in the early 70's from what he tells me. The lack of the posts on the back bothers me a bit, but the detail seems better than cast to my (admittedly novice) eye. I know that Japan & the USSR disputed ownership of the island for a long time. Other than that, not much story to go with them. Curt

I just purchased this pair at a pretty decent price(IMHO) - the seller stated he found them when stationed on Sakhalin Island in far Eastern Russia. I'm thinking they may be late Edo or early Meiji? No tool-marks, very heavy (brass, possibly) and nice detail in the scales, claws, etc. it seems. The second is more worn than the first, but not sure why that would be the case. Any thoughts would be appreciated (as well as critiques!) Thank you in advance, Curtis

Thanks for the information Chris - very good to know before I run into purchasing (one day) a Nihonto that needs polish. Even the Canadian dollar is stronger than ours on most days now, which is not a good sign. Well, at least for those of use here in the U.S. :D . Personally I'd be interested in seeing the results of the polish done here in the U.S. by this gentleman. Always learning. Curtis R.

I'm curious now...even though I have nothing to send for polish, what would it cost per inch / CM (or what price range would be normal) to have a blade polished in Japan by a 'good', traditionally trained polisher? I've read enough to know that the shirasaya a habaki should be made for the newly polished blade as well...is this usually included in the polisher's payment, or billed as a separate part of the process? Curtis

I really like the Umetada Tsuba Richard! If you ever think of letting it go, pls. let me know :D Curtis

If someone here on NMB gets them in-hand, I'd be very curious what the final outcome is on their construction - from the photos I can see how it could be either material, but I'm a novice . Either way, I've learned a good deal from the discussion & thanks all! Curtis

Also, sorry I missed your post Mr. Stiles - the link (with pics of the reverse) is above...apologies! Curtis

P.S. Barry ~ The description does say they're iron...what period would these be, do you suspect? Curtis

Sure Barry - here it is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/120828889023?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Not a bad price but will probably go past my limit - hope they might be something for you. They do look old, and they're pretty large which I always find attractive. Curtis

Thank you Ian! I like them as well, but hadn't seen this form before. Very interesting. Curtis R.

Found these on FleaBay...haven't bid on them but like that they are unusual *however* I can't tell just what the pattern or theme might be. The pics aren't all that clear, so I probably will avoid them but out of curiosity.... (I can tell they are some type of creature, but other than that I'm at a loss Happy Holidays! Curt R.

Absolutely beautiful and masculine as well. I love seeing Ford's works and how he creates. Congrat's! Curt R.

Ahhhhh o.k.I understand now. And thank you Piers ...I will try to find something that will work. Still a neat little box for the $ though! :D Best Regards, Curt R.

As a follow-up....having had a large exposure to Korean writing, is this Chinese then? It doesn't appear to be in the Korean script I've seen. Also, any hints for opening the bar across the lock's back? Many thanks, Curt R.

Ahhhh well that might explain it ' Thanks! Curt R.

I acquired this wooden box (I'm guessing Meiiji period but others will know more than I) measuring about 14" x 7" x 5" which has it's entire interior covered in Kanji. I'm guessing it's a Buddhist prayer, but could someone give me help regarding the meaning or context? I recognize a few of the characters but not many so any help would be greatly appreciated! I've also included a photo of the lock it came with (as well as a smaller one of same design) which I haven't figured out how to operate yet . Thanks in advance, Curt C.

JP, please remember to go slowly at first regardless of the Shinken for Iai that you end up with. Be very careful (he said, after 16 stitches)...this hurt. A lot :D

Just a short video showing Ono-san at work (Discovery channel & Paul Martin). Curt R.