Grey Doffin

Hi Guys, Dmitry's book is wonderful and a bit expensive but it isn't rare. If you will excuse my self promotion, I can get you a copy new and unopened. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/c265-Japanese-swords-soshu-den-masterpieces-by-pechalov/ Thanks, Grey

Nothing to be sorry about Mark; it's the guy who runs the site I have a beef with. Do you think the Fujishiro family was consulted before their book was put online? Grey

The person who is behind this - no idea who it is - has copied (stolen) my text from my website to describe the book. Wonder what else he is using without permission. Lie down with dogs; get up with fleas. Grey

Thank you Rohan. Grey

Hello again, Just back from a very talented book binder: The two volume edition of Shinshinto Taikan, $375: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b666-shinshinto-taikan-by-iimura-2/ The two volumes of Shinto Taikan, $375: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b666-shinshinto-taikan-by-iimura-2/ And Yumei Koto Taikan, $325: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b564-yumei-koto-taikan-by-iimura-2/ If interested please contact me by email through my site. Thank you, Grey

Hi Justin, By whom and when was the tanto made? If the tanto is special it deserves better koshirae. If it is mediocre or worse, you would be smart to move on and find something better to throw your money at. Grey

Hi William, Do not clean anything. Do not try to remove rust. The sword is OK as is; it won't disintegrate if you don't tend to it immediately and, knowing as little as you do about Japanese swords, any attempts at repair could/would be counterproductive. Here you will find a brochure on care and Cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ You should read it twice. Take better pictures on a dark background and post them here; we will tell you what we can. And don't pay any attention to anyone who tells you to have the sword polished; that is terrible advise to give a beginning collector. Grey

Hi Roland, Here you will find a brochure on care and cleaning; it explains how to remove and replace the handle. You would do yourself and the sword a big favor if you read this at least once. And, don't try to fix anything; leave it as is. https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey

Leave it as is. Grey

Hi folks, Mark Jones and I have, for years, sold tsuba and kodogu that we acquired from Skip Holbrook as he whittled down his large collection to something more manageable. After his recent passing, we were contacted by his family and we have purchased a large portion of the pieces he left behind. Today I have listed the first (Kyo Sukashi tsuba, see below) of what will eventually be near 100 tsuba and other kodogu; my plan is to keep at it till all are listed. Many of the pieces are quite fine and with papers but many are within reach for a beginning collector. You will find them at the top of my Tsuba and Kodogu section: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/item-category/tsuba-kodogu/ All will have a number that starts with an H. Much, much more to come. If anything is of interest, please contact me by email through my site, not by personal message here; I need your emails to keep track of business. Thank you, Grey

More books to tout: For the collectors of military swords, B806 Gendaito Made at the Minatogawa Shrine. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b806-gendaito-made-at-the-minatogawa-shrine/ And for the rest of us, B582, the 7 volumes of Nihonto Taikan. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b582-nihonto-taikan-by-homma-sato-otsuka-others/ Thanks, Grey

Hi Joseph, If you are asking about the areas where the hamon is discontinuous, one end dives down and the other rises up and they cross over and under each other, that is koiguchigaiba. This is not a defect; it is a characteristic hataraki of the Yamato Tegai School, and probably others also. Looks good. Grey

Hi Hoshi, I've had only a quick look but that was quite interesting. One suggestion: your choices for background and text colors make some of your text nearly invisible to my old eyes. Thanks, Grey

If you take your pictures on a dark background we'll be able to see better. Grey

Hi folks, THE HAYNES INDEX AND ADDENDA ARE SOLD. More fine books have been arriving, including among others Toso Kodogu Meiji Taikei and Nihonto Swords of Japan A Visual Glossary. Find these at the top of the book section on my site. I'd like, however, to offer a deal that won't be listed to my site. I have picked up a copy in excellent condition of the three volumes of Robert Haynes' Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, with their plexiglass stand, accompanied by both of the Addenda & Corollary to the Index (both in like new condition). One of the Addenda is inscribed by Mr. Haynes to an important former owner. These books are already listed on my site, offered by a consignor. Rather than compete with him on the site I am listing them here at a discount. On the site the Index is $185 and the Addend are $40 each plus post. You can have this copy of The Index and two Addenda for $225 plus post Here is a link to the books on my site: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b760-the-index-of-Japanese-sword-fittings-and-associated-artists-by-robert-haynes/ If you are interested in the deal please contact me by email - gdoffin at gmail.com - not by personal message here (I need your emails to keep track of business). Tell me you'd like the discounted set. Thanks, Grey

Hi Gerry, The sword is signed Bishu Osafune Suke X (not sure of the kanji; the blade has been shortened a bit). It is dated Taiei Ni Nen Hachi Gatsu (August of 1522). It has a ray skin saya (same' saya); after the skin is glued to the wood saya it is lacquered and polished down to what you see today. The tsuba appears to be a meld of Nanban and traditional Japanese made. Grey

Thanks guys, Grey

Hi guys, I need Romaji and translation of the hakogaki for the pictured menuki. Much appreciated. Grey

Hi Mike, Here you will find a brochure on care and cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ You would be doing yourself a big favor if you read it at least once through. Do not try to fix anything; amateur repairs often damage both the sword and its value. If you'd like to call and ask a bunch of questions all at once, my number is 218-340-1001 central time, and I won't ask you to sell me your sword. Cheers, Grey

Hi guys, More books have sold but I can't edit the post now to mark them SOLD. Grey

And I have just listed another large group of books. B209. The Sword Mountings of Higo Province. $70. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b209-the-sword-mountings-of-higo-province/ B475. The Art of the Samurai. $70. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b475-art-of-the-samurai-metropolitan-museum/ B521. 3 great, beautiful books on Higo fittings bu Mr. Ito, with translations. $1,675. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b521-kanshiro-nishigaki-hirata-shimizu-hayashi-kamiyoshi-3-books-by-ito/ B699. All 10 Haynes Auction Catalogs. $325. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b699-all-10-robert-haynes-auction-catalogs/ B661. Japanese Armor Makers for the Samurai. $195. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/armor-books/b661-Japanese-armor-makers-for-the-samurai-by-chappelear/ B935. Tsuba. $95. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b935-tsuba/ B539. Echizen Kinai Tsuba. $165. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b539-echizen-kinai-tsuba-by-tsuruoka/ B759. Chic Sukashi: Akasaka Tsuba. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b759-chic-sukashi-akasaka-tsuba-by-sano-museum/ B214. Nihonto Koza Translation by Watson, Volume VI Kodogu Part 1. $195. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b214-nihonto-koza-volume-vi-kodogu-part-1/ B513. Bushi no Issho: Sukashi Tsuba. $60. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b214-nihonto-koza-volume-vi-kodogu-part-1/ B973. Akasaka Tsuba by Sasano. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b973-akasaka-tsuba-by-sasano/ B289. Meito in North America & Yagyu Tsuba. $35. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b289-meito-in-north-america-yagyu-tsuba/ B707. Gai So Shi by Haynes. $150. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b707-gai-so-shi-外装史-by-robert-haynes/ And 9 or 10 catalogs from Kokusai Tosogu Kai, various prices. Find these at the top of my tsuba and kodogu list on my site. As before, if you are interested please contact me through my website. And more fine books are coming soon. Thanks, Grey

Hi Ryan, Not a lot we can tell you from a few pictures; a true appraisal needs to be in hand. Where in The States do you live? Maybe there will be someone knowledgeable and honest nearby who can help. And pay no attention to anyone who sends a message asking if you'll sell the swords. Grey

2013. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b768-dai-token-ichi-2013-2/ If you're interested please contact me through my site, not Personal Message here on NMB. Grey

Hi Nick, What Ray said, and here you will find care & cleaning, which you should read twice. https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey And if you have a bunch of questions and would appreciate talking with someone who is not an authority but has been at this for 40 years and won't try to get you to sell the sword to me, feel free to call sometime. Grey 218-340-1001 US central time

Hi folks, I recently purchased a large collection of Nihonto books. Here is a list of some of them with links to them on my website, where you will see a bunch of pictures and a short description for each. You can access all new stock by clicking on Books in Store Categories and scrolling through the top 2 pages. There will be more to be listed in coming days. If something catches your eye please contact me through my site, not here with Personal Message; I need your emails to keep track of business. Thanks, Grey B474. All 59 issues of English Token Bijutsu. $1,295. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b474-token-bijutsu-english-edition-all-59-issues/ B590. Mino To Taikan by Tokuno. $275. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b590-mino-to-taikan-by-tokuno/ B868. Shosoin no Token. $200. SOLD B645. Issues of Juyo Token Nado Zufu by NBTHK. $50 each. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b645-juyo-token-nado-zufu-volumes-1-to-19/ B241. Early issues of Tokubetsu Juyo Token Nado Zufu. $60 each. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b241-tokubetsu-juyo-token-nado-zufu-various-issues/ B628. Kotetsu Taikan. $225. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b628-kotetsu-taikan-by-dr-s-homma-sato-2/ B735. 8 Volume set of Toso Kodogu Koza. $375. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b628-kotetsu-taikan-by-dr-s-homma-sato-2/ B724. Shumi no Menuki. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b724-shumi-no-menuki/ B782. Mon The Japanese Family Crest. $125. SOLD B992. Nihon no Hinawaju. $50. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/other-books/b992-nihon-no-hinawaju-1-2/ B331. Hizento Taikan. $200. SOLD B364. Nihonto: Swords of Japan A Visual Glossary. $175. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b364-nihonto-swords-of-Japan-a-visual-glossary-Japanese-volume/ B639. Choshu no Tsuba. $175. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b639-choshu-no-tsuba-by-murakami/ B119. Inoue Shinkai Taikan. $200. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b119-inoue-shinkai-taikan-by-nakajima/ B654. Nihonto Koza translation. Koto Part 1. $200. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b119-inoue-shinkai-taikan-by-nakajima/ B939. Niihonto Koza translation. Koto Part 3. $225. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b939-nihonto-koza-as-translated-by-watson-koto-part-3/ B656. NIhonto Zuikan. Koto Hen. $550. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b656-nihonto-zuikan-koto-by-kataoka/ B394. Masamune: A Genius Swordsmith and His Lineage. $50.https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b394-masamune-a-genius-swordsmith-and-his-lineage/ B880. Illustrated Catalogue: Sword Guards. $100. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b880-illustrated-catalogues-of-tokyo-national-museum-sword-guard/ B678. Minamoto Kiyomaro. $150. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b678-minamoto-kiyomaro/ And others.