Grey Doffin

Just from the placement of the 2 names and Sandai in the mei, don't we learn something? If the smith was Sukekuni who was Sandai Sukenao, wouldn't the mei be Sukekuni Sukenao Sandai (or Sukenao no Sandai)? In Japanese, wouldn't Sandai follow rather than precede the name it refers to? Someone who understands the language better than I do (won't take much) please help. Grey

I'm not so sure that is correct. According to Hawleys there was no Sukekuni working in Bizen ever but there were 2 generations of Sukenao working in the Bizen Yokoyama group in the 19th century, and this sword is lay down correct for Yokoyama work. My thought is that this is by Sukenao who is the 3rd generation of some Sukekuni. Bryce and I hope someone here will know the answer. Thanks, Grey

Noshu Ju Ozawa Kanehisa Saku (Resident of Noshu Province, Ozawa Kanehisa Made) with the Seki Arsenal stamp at the top and a hot stamp (personal seal) at the bottom. This is a non-traditionally made sword and there is no date but during the war for sure. The red paint is the number 533, used to keep track of parts. Grey

Hello again, I have begun listing the swords. Just finished with a 29" Yokoyama Bizen katana with near pristine gunto koshirae and earlier this week I listed an o-suriage koto Bizen wakizashi with dragon koshirae (this blade is quite good and should be paid attention) and a spectacular, 28" katana by Gendai smith Yoshihara Kuniie. In the coming days I will be listing others; have a peek if you're interested. http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Swords The new swords will have numbers that start with K. If any of them catches your eye please contact me by email through my site, not by personal message. Thanks, Grey

There is nothing about this sword that is even remotely relatable to Sanjo Munechika. Munechika worked about 1,000 years ago and is known as a great master. This sword was signed (if not made) during or after WWII, most likely after the war, to make it appeal to members of the Occupation force who wanted to take home a sword as a souvenir. The blade could have been made earlier but best guess is not much earlier. Grey

Hi name please, Looks like your signature is the same as example B in the linked article: Wo Motte Yasuki ko Kanesane kin saku (kokuin) (using Yasuki steel Kanesane respectfully made). David McDonald in Montana can do a great job of rewrapping your handle; I'm sure he is linked on the top bar. That is probably all the restoration that makes sense right now. Grey, also in Minnesota

Hi guys, All of the new Holbrook tsuba have been listed to my site. You will find them at the top of my Tsuba & Kodogu page with item numbers that start with H. http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Tsuba-&-Kodogu Grey

Hi Guys, My business partner Mark Jones and I have recently taken in 40 tsuba out of the Skip Holbrook collection and a significant group of swords. The tsuba are from those that Skip had decided to keep for himself when, a few years ago, he parted out a large chunk of his collection that I sold on my website. Some wonderful pieces here. Same with the swords: haven't been on the market for years and 1st class quality. I don't have a list; sorry. They will be available for the 1st time when they go on our tables next week in Tampa. Come by and have a look. Thanks Grey

Hi guys, I think I remember a post on reading/understanding Mr. Tanob'e saya-gaki, most likely by Darcy Brockbank. I am unable to find it; can any of you point me in the right direction? Thanks, Grey

A tsuba that wasn't so lucky: http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/tsuba-%26-kodogu/t167-dont-transport-tsuba-tsuba-box Grey

Thank you Paul; glad I could help. Grey

Hi Dan, A real tsuba, probably late Edo and no tying it to a specific school, in less than desirable condition. You did well to buy the book; you should buy others and study so you can collect with knowledge. Attend the sword shows here in The States to see many tsuba of much better quality and ask questions. Youthful exuberance is fine but should be tempered by experience so you don't end up with a collection of rusted, mediocre pieces. Study Grasshopper. Grey

Ken,, there is a list of plates and introduction in English inside the book; no total translation I am aware of. Grey

The book is less expensive when bought from the local book guy. http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b1037-swords-kyoto-kyoto-national-museum Grey

Hi Brian, The arsenal stamp above the signature tells us this is not traditionally made and from WWII. Unless someone knows something about this Kanesada, he was one of many unknown craftsmen making swords for the war effort. Grey

Hi Carol, Here is a care & etiquette site; you would be smart to read it before you attempt to take off the handle. http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm Grey

Kanesada. Grey

This may or may not begin with Noshu and then you have Seki no Ju Okada Kaneyoshi Kore wo Saku. Arsenal stamp above the mei. And Piers beat me to it. Grey

Bizen Kuni no Ju Osafune Sukesada saku Grey

Thanks Mariusz, I agree. I have just finished going through the books and made many reductions. That's all for now. Grey

Hi Stephan, All 3 are authentic Nihonto and could be (could also be something else) what the seller states, and there could be problems that aren't apparent from the pictures. The pix provide too little information. Why not buy from a trusted dealer who gives thorough descriptions and who will stand behind his merchandise? Grey

Hi guys, Wood shrinks across its width but not along its length; shrinkage isn't the problem. Maybe the new fuchi has a thinner plate than that of the military fuchi it replaced, and thus the wiggle. Adding a seppa moves the fuchi and spring clip too far away from the saya and the clip doesn't catch, so how about putting a paper shim inside the fuchi to take up the gap (effectively lengthening the tsuka). Could work. Grey

Hi Manny, Unless you plan to take the sword to battle, why not just leave well enough alone? A tsuba that wiggles a bit isn't a problem that needs fixing unless you plan to use the sword. Grey

Hi guys, In the last couple days I have lowered prices on many of the swords and most of the kodogu on my website, and I hope to do more of the same with consigned items in the near future. I plan also to take another look at book prices but, as I recently lowered most of them and many are already below replacement cost, I probably won't be so ruthless with the books. Have a look if you please; there are bargains to be had. If you see something you like, please contact me through my site email, not personal message here; I need your email to keep track of business. Thanks, Grey japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com

Not a good idea to do the candle soot and tape oshigata as the soot can effect the patina on the nakago. Traditional oshigata done with thin paper and an ink stone isn't difficult; there's no reason try shortcuts. Grey