Grey Doffin

Hi guys, The last issue for the year of the JSS/US Newsletter will be a translation and full color reproduction of an article on early kogai by Hajime Zenzai that originally appeared in the Japanese magazine Me no Me. I have seen and read this and I can recommend it. If you would like a copy you need to join the JSS/US, which you can do on our website: jssus.org. Your membership will get you this kogai issue and the 5 other issues that have already been mailed this year. You have about 1 month, I think, to get your dues in before it's too late to receive this year's issues. Cheers, Grey

Thank you Steve, I will make changes to my listings. Grey

Thanks for the help but nothing seems to fit. I have listed the 2 tsuba with blanks for those Kanji. Grey

I would expect a hamon but nothing special. Grey

Hi guys, 2 tsuba, both of which will be for sale, I'm needing 1 Kanji each for. The 1st I have Myochin Osumi no Kami Ki Mune (or So) something Saku. The 2nd I have Choshu Ju something taka. Can one of you fill in the somethings? Much appreciated, Grey

I think this was made exactly the way it is today. The short habaki, poorly shaped nakago, and mei on the blade are all typical of a piece made no earlier than Meiji and possibly as late as 1950, and made to sell to a western tourist. Looks like dock work to me. Grey

Showa Ni Ju Nen Ichi Gatsu (January of 1945). These Showa-to smiths had terrible handwriting; they aren't easy to read. Grey

Hi John, You should take in the show in Minneapolis (next door to North Dakota) next month and get some in hand appraisals. I'd be glad to have a look for you. Grey

Hi Marcello, I am sure that this is a good quality chisel and properly sharpened it will be a great tool. You can find sharpening directions online, I bet. It isn't the same as sharpening a western chisel. Grey (a furniture maker)

Looks like Yoshimitsu 吉光 to me; no idea which Yoshimitsu. Make sure you send it to a properly trained polisher and ask him if he thinks it is worth the expense. Grey

What serious collector of Japanese swords lays a newly polished blade in the palm of his hand? And why all the self reference in the 3rd person? Very strange. Grey

Hi guys, I recently took in a collection of 30 swords and one koshirae on tsunagi; for the last couple weeks and for the next month I will be listing most of it on my website. Some really fine pieces up already and more coming; have a look if you're interested. http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Swords Thanks, Grey

I think what is happening with this thread is that we are confusing accuracy or lack thereof of a paper with whether or not a particular paper adds value to a sword when sold by a dealer in Japan. No doubt a paper form the NBTHK (especially the newer Hozon, Tokuho, ..., as opposed to the older Kichi, Tokubetsu Kicho, etc) adds more value than does a paper from any of the 3 incarnations of the NTHK, but the NBTHK, like any other organization, can make mistakes (witness the current thread elsewhere on NMB about the oil tempered Showato recently papered by the NBTHK). Sales in the west are different from sales in Japan and I personally value any of the group's opinions. Grey

They were for sale at Mr. Yoshihara's (believe that's who it was) table in San Francisco. It may be that someone associated with the show has some copies to sell? Grey

When I get copies (none at the moment) I list them at $100 and they fly off the shelf. Never been able to keep one long. Grey

Hi Gary, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20033-2016-san-francisco-show-schedule-change/ Did you see this thread? Grey

Thank you Steve (and Morita-san). Grey

Hi guys, I can get parts of this but not I'd like the whole, if someone would be so kind. The sword will be for sale, in case that makes a difference. Thank you, Grey

I don't see shintetsu in the pictures. In the 2 mentioned pictures I see ware' along lines of masame hada but otherwise the blade seems to be healthy. I can't speak to a possible acid wash but my 1st reaction is that this should be left as is; no touch up polish is necessary. Of course, someone holding the blade will know better than I can from photos. Show us a picture of the other side of the paper; the saya-gaki doesn't say Norinaga but maybe the paper does. Grey

The cord wrapping on the scabbard is not Japanese; most likely done by a westerner after the sword was surrendered in Japan at the end of the war. If there isn't a pin through the hole in the handle and tang (nakago) of the blade be sure to whittle a new one ASAP. Without this pin the blade can crash down inside the scabbard and shatter its point. A chopstick will do fine. Looks Koto to me (before the 17th century) but hard to tell for sure from the pictures. You need to get this to someone with knowledge who isn't trying to buy it off you and who can give you a better idea what you have. Grey

Cheers Bob, Grey

Probably the best choice for a book on Military swords is Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan 1868 - 1945 Cyclopedia Edition. Another good choice is Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks by Fuller & Gregory but this is more expensive usually. Both are on my website if you'd like to see what they're about. Grey

Hi Zack, What has been said already makes great sense: no shortcuts, study. But about your plans to give your swords to the Marine Corps Museum. Unless your swords are exceptionally valuable and the museum they are given to specializes in Japanese art (or better yet Japanese swords), odds are very good that the swords will rust away in a box in the basement until sometime in the future when a curator will discover them and sell them off to bring in funds. The swords are much better off if you sell them to a serious collector who will take care with his investment. Grey

No one could judge from those 2 pictures, which is a huge red flag for me, not to mention the battle damage (nice way of saying serious problems). Save your money and buy books, study, attend shows (Chicago next year and Minneapolis in October: both driving distance for you). Ebay is a snake pit for a beginner; if you must own a sword buy from a trusted dealer (many active here) and seek good advice. Grey

How about a chrysanthemum in a wind (mirroring the wind that makes waves) and the twist in the petals adds visual motion to the tsuba. Kiku is such a prevalent motif for tsuba; little reason to discount it here. Grey