Grey Doffin

I am the guilty party; Mark Jones and I bought this tsuba off Brian's table in San Francisco. I've just listed it on my website; you'll find it here: https://www.Japanese...by-akasaka-tadatoki/ Cheers, Grey

Hi Ben, There are no Tokubetsu Hozon katana for less than 5 or $6,000, unless something serious happened to the sword after the paper was issued. You are taking a big risk by throwing money at swords on ebay with little knowledge. You would be doing yourself a big favor if you held off on purchases until you know a lot more. Grey

Hi Chris, Doubtless members will write in to suggest you have the sword polished but that is expensive if done right and foolish if you have the work done by someone without the proper training. What's more, it isn't necessarily a good idea for rank beginners at Nihonto to have their swords polished; lack of knowledge leads to mistakes. The light coat of oil you've placed on the blade will suffice to keep the sword from deteriorating. Take some time to learn a lot more before you make any large decisions. If you'd like to have a dozen questions answered at once feel free to call sometime. I'm not an authority but I have been at it for 40 years and will help if I can. Grey 218-340-1001 central time

Hi David, Here you will find Care and Handling for your sword: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ Cheers, Grey

Hi Andrew, Don't know what you consider reasonable for a drive but there is the show in Las Vegas next January. There you can get opinions on your sword. Grey

Hi Andrew, Here you will find care and cleaning, how to keep the sword safe: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ The sword needs its shirasaya to be put back together. Don't put any glue on it. I have a method that is 100% easy, reliable, safe, reversible, won't do any damage to anything, won't cost more than a few cents, and won't leave a trace. I don't have the time or energy now to type out instructions but I've done it before here and maybe someone can find the post for you. Otherwise, if you'd like to call sometime I'll gladly talk you through the process. Best, Grey 218-340-1001 US central time

Ron, Take your pictures against a dark background; they'll be better. Grey

Hi JJV, How to care for your sword: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ And stay away from ebay for your next purchase. You didn't get burned badly this time but that was largely luck. Ebay is a snake pit for beginners in Nihonto. You can do better with a reputable dealer you can trust. Grey

Hi Rob, Here you will find a care and handling brochure you should read at least once: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ It will tell you how to safely remove and replace the handle. Like Ray said, do not try to fix anything, unless the bamboo or horn peg through the handle is missing or weak, in which case it should be replaced. And I disagree with Gene. Wide and bumpy temper line isn't necessarily better or more valuable. Cheers, Grey

I wouldn't bother trying for the next paper. The Hozon paper verifies the signature and that is enough. Grey

The smith is Masanori and the date is Showa Ju Ku Nen (1944) and after that I can't see the characters well enough to read. Doubtless they will be a month and possibly a day. Grey

My pleasure Markus; thanks again. Grey

Hi Christina, Here you will find a brochure on care and cleaning of a Japanese sword: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ It will show you how to remove and replace the handle, among other useful information. Grey

Hi Brian, Not trying to rain on your parade; I see this as part of all of our learning curve. Another concern I have is the solid construction. Menuki aren't solid because they are worked from the back by repousse' as well as carved on the front. Solid construction precludes work from the back, making finish more difficult, and suggests that the pieces were cast. Are there other menuki with solid backs and authentication (paper)? Grey

There are 2 Yasu, one Chika, and another I haven't tried to decypher. Yasuchika is a big name in kodogu. I've been watching this thread. At first I thought something was fishy but others said they were good or better so I kept quiet. I'm bothered by the fact that the pairs are identical, both in design and size: not what I'd expect from a daisho, let alone one with a big name. Someone prove me wrong, please. Grey

My vote is real mounts and fake blade. The kissaki is wrong and the bo hi end strangely. The hamon and hada are weird. Grey

Hi Noah, The task at hand, removing the handle to see the sword's tang, might be relatively easy, if you're lucky. but it might be difficult and there is no way for any of us to know which it will be just from the pictures. Explaining how to safely go about an attempt would be too much typing; there are too many variables. If you'd like to call sometime, I'll tell you what I know, talk you through it. I'm not an authority but I've been at this for 40 years and I've removed many difficult handles in that time. Cheers, Grey 218-340-1001 central time.

Hi Noah, I agree with Brian. This needs to be seen by someone who knows Japanese swords before you'll have a better idea what you have. Maybe the handle can come off without cutting into the string maybe not, but it needs someone with experience to attempt it. In the mean time, don't try to fix anything yourself; well meaning amateurs often do damage. Here is a care and cleaning brochure that will tell you more: https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ Grey

Hi Dale, In my years of book selling I have seen only the 1964 and 1975 editions (your 4th link, to my site). The major difference between them is the addition of English in the later edition and there are differences between the pictured tsuba. Grey

Fuller & Gregory have him as Mitsutama in their Swordsmiths of Japan 1926 - 1945. Grey

Looks like Mitsutama and November of 1943. Grey

Hi Jeremy, I have ordered copies of the Haynes Index. If you send me an email - grey at japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com - I'll let you know when it is available. Cheers, Grey

Hi guys, If all goes as planned, I will be taking possession of a pile of books at the show in August. I fly to the show and can't possibly get the books home with me. I'm looking for someone who drives to the show and would be able to take the books and mail them to me. I expect to pay for the service; not asking for a gift. If you're interested give me a call. Thanks, Grey 218-340-1001 central time

Hi Brian, You probably know this already but, just in case, don't travel with the tsuba inside their boxes. Here is why: https://www.Japanese...suba-in-a-tsuba-box/ That was a tsuba I received from a Japanese dealer. Grey

Hi Teddy, Check out my website for current inventory: https://www.Japanese.../item-category/book/ Cheers, Grey