Gakusee

Gents, we can generalise and have bad experiences in every country, especially with the tightening of national rules and posting regulations of various carriers. Use code 970600000 for articles and antiques over 100 years of age. Provided you have indeed secured the funds and have declared the good as antique it should hopefully work (even though I have not shipped to Bulgaria). Also, the various Chinese replica wall hangers can be bought and delivered there. Genuine Nihonto are rare but available in some antique shops in the capital.

Dear all I have finally managed to scan the NBTHK flyers I took with me when I visited the exhibition (which I did twice during my stay in Tokyo - so remarkable was it). I took those with the conscious intention to share them with our ToKen Society members but also with the NMB. I have to preface my subjective comments below by admitting that I am an ardent Bizen den aficionado and to me that was the greatest collection ever (mind you, my Tokyo visit also included marvelling at the Kokuho swords Sadamune and Munechika in the national museum). My absolute favourites were the two Tomonari tachi, the two Masatsunes and the Nagamitsu. All of them had the most vivid, resplendent utsuri imaginable, which glowed from afar even in the dimly illuminated showroom. Darcy B had previously written up about one of these two Tomonari tachi - in my view, the pinnacle in swordmaking, it was rumoured that Masamune had admired it and tried to emulate it (after Ishii Akira - please refer to Darcy's website - I have extracted the quote and hope Darcy does not mind as it eloquently and succinctly describes the magnficence of this sword). That tachi has a nagasa of around 93 cm, if memory serves me right and is the largest Koto sword I have seen (the overall length easily exceeding 120cm overall, probably more). It is remarkably well preserved, with visible mei and so many activities that one could spend many hours studying it. Among Tomonari's signed tachi, this is the longest and has a very powerful feeling. It is more than 3 shaku long, and the jihada is a consistent itame hada from the moto to saki. Masamune, who established the Soshu Den school, is supposed to have admired this sword, and particularly its very natural ko-midare hamon and the nioi-guchi. The entire hamon, including the ha-saki, has fine thick ha-nie, also a controlled but varying thickness of the kinsuji, niesuji, and frequent sunagashi. The hamon is similar to those of Ko-hoki swords, which have a wild feeling or presence and an interesting hamon. Among Tomonari’s swords, this was made not later than the Heian era, and has a dynamic shape and at the same time, a very elegant look, and we could say that this is one of his best works. One of the two Masatsune (the earlier one) was similar in calibre and elegance (while the later one was perhaps not so elegant in terms of hamon but still a sword with great sugata and ever-so-fine kitae). The Naritaka also held their own strongly and of course, the Ichimonji swords (of which I expected more examples - perhaps to come in the next phase of the exhibition?) were amazing. The Osafune swords were also very impressive - starting from the founder Mitsutada through to the even more flamboyant Nagamitsu and the more quietly beautiful Kagemitsu tanto. I have attached the flyers and map for those who might decide to go and visit this first instalment. The trivial cost of 300 yen for members is negligible given what is on offer. Unfortunately one cannot take pictures in there without a special permission. Michael S Supreme Sword Country Bizen 1.pdf Supreme Sword Country Bizen 2 - English.pdf NBTHK map.pdf

Has anyone recently (in the last couple of months) shipped from the UK to Japan and from Japan to the UK? Paul Martin suggested to me last month that sending from Japan back (to the UK) is best done via FedEx. When sending to Japan the best option is Parcelforce Global Priority, according to Paul. However, I have seen a lot of negative publicity in this discussion thread around FedEx and that they would not send swords out of Japan as of late. It seems that EMS has a direct (International EMS Guarantee) service to the UK but, again - has anyone used them successfully to receive swords in the UK? Thank you very much, Michael S

Markus I believe the translator you are looking for is Gavin Frew. http://www.kodanshausa.com/authors/9/ Indeed, it will be great if we see more publications in English from the NBTHK. Kind regards, Michael S

This is massive: today through 24 November, get 30% off all softcover books with code FLASH30 and 50% off all hardcover books with code HC50 Should make great X-mas presents... Michael

Dear all, We are glad you find the To-Ken Society of UK archives useful. This was the main purpose why earlier this year we decided to publish our archives on the web for nihontophiles' benefit. They contain a wealth of information and research collated by some of the most knowledgeable UK collectors and experts over the last fifty years. We are in the process of extending the archive with some more of the old programmes, and in combination with the UK sword register (Clive's oeuvre), they present a valuable source of study. Best, Michael

MATEY25 gives 25% off printed books until 22 Sept. Michael

Darcy, Could you please elaborate on what you mentioned: "Juyo at the moment is also 'very very difficult' and extremely unpredictable. So there have been good blades like this that look to pass the Juyo threshold that have come into the market without Juyo papers over the last couple of years". I have heard similar statements from others but conflicting and contradictory explanations or guidance as to why, and how to discriminate when submitting to Juyo shinsa. Many thanks for your views. Michael

Dear bibliophiles, Please note the following promotion being run by Lulu for two days: 25% off all print books through 14 August with code TWODAY25. Separately, I have been trying to find e-book Lulu codes but these seem quite scarce. Best, Michael

Thanks, Chris - appreciate your feedback. Others I have heard/identified good feedback on include: Kenji Mishina, Tsuyoshi Morodomi, Ono Takahiro, Mizuta Yoshimasa, Sasaki Takushi, Fujishiro Okisato but again, I was trying to identify certain strengths and preference of specific togishi. Eg, that polisher is very strong at Bizen, this polisher really specialises in Hizento-to, polisher X is particularly good at yari/naginata, etc. Eg, there are numerous very knowledgeable collectors and contributors to this forum who work with a multitude of polishers - how do they decide which sword to send to which polisher (aside waiting periods and assuming we are considering quality blades which are worthwhile investing in) I shall again go to my example of Mr Fumio Sei - I have not previously heard of him but he has been recommended as someone who does a really good job of polishing yari, is fairly experienced (several decades) and the price is competitive given his expertise. Michael

Dear fellow members, There have been various posts in the past about specific polishers but many have been discreet or unclear about the name/identity of the polisher. This could perhaps be attributed to concerns about defamation, offence, etc. Many of you have said that certain Japanese polishers are better at specific schools or periods, or have a preference (and thus really put their hearts into polishing) for certain smiths. Could you please mention some of the polishers you have used in the past and your experience and view of where they are most "at home". More specifically, who would you recommend for an Ichimonji blade in a very good state of polish (but probably not at Juyo level, which I am considering submission for)? Lastly, has any of you used the services of Fumio Sei and what are your impressions? If you prefer you could send me a private message in case of concerns. Thank you very much for all your views. Michael

Piers, Impressive - especially that they chose you, as non-Japanese, to take groups around. It is the best testament one can receive about one's ability, knowledge, recognition, etc. And thank you for the detailed account and the pictures of the Muramasa blade. Hopefully we can get together when you are next in the UK. Best, Michael

Paul, Many thanks for the upload of the magazine edition and, hopefully, there will not be any copyright problems. Your photography and presentation of the various blades, koshirae and tosogu are great. I hope the exhibition will soon come to the UK as well. Ganbatte kudasai. Best, Michael

Many thanks to both of you for preserving this important legacy! Michael

Piers, It was great to meet you at the To-Ken meeting and thank you for the lovely items you brought along. Hopefully, we shall see you at some of the other, perhaps the summer, meetings Michael

Dear all Thank you very much for all the responses - kindly appreciate the feedback. I shall try to take some decent pics of the koshirae and post them here. I shall also do some reading on Kyo Sukashi tsuba. Best, Michael

This wisteria sukashi tsuba came as part of a relatively modest, true samurai style koshirae/tosugu set for a sword I bought. I am not sure about the period (Edo?). school, value. Any insights will be appreciated. Many thanks, Michael

Thank you kindly, Kunitaro-san Michael

Many thanks to all for looking at this post. As far as I have been told, the Yoshioka Ichimonji sayagaki (first one) was written by Tanobe sensei indeed. I get that some of it is about the fact that it is a Bizen Yoshioka Ichimonji blade, and some of it about the nagasa and also the period (late Kamakura). But is there anything qualitative about the workmanship of the blade? I have no information about the second one. Thank you again. Michael

Hello Could you please kindly help me with the translation of two sayagaki, the pictures of which are attached below. Apologies for the low quality of the photos. Thank you very much for your help. Regards, Michael