ken kata

I thought it was a wonder project. I was kind of disappointed, as, I donated to this project at the Kick Start Web Site, and, it was delayed so long, I lost all the information and my e-mail account I had then... I never got anything.

Thank you for your compliments. Here is a link to more of my Works. The photo is a Bloodwood Tanto/Wakizashi Stand made for Sensei Hayashi. JSSH 2012 - 2013 Exhibition of Japanese Swords. www.kenkata.weebly.com

I make my own Sword Display Stands. I wanted something different for my Japanese Rooms. I love Japanese Collectables. It is a paradox, as, in Buddhism, it is impermanence.. I make all kinds of stuff for my rooms. My pride and joy is my Utagawa Kuniyoshi's 1836 Triptych "Battle of Ishibashiyama". The last photo is a "Maki-e Beetle", I call them "Maki-e " Beetles, , but, the real name is Midway Beetle. I use them on my display Stands. They are abundant here. They look like they have Japanese Maki-e (Sprinkled Painting) on their backs. I have many more Unique Sword Display Stands. Would you guys like to see the others?

Hello Forum Gentlemen, Mumei Wakizashi with hopeful Paperwork.. In the "Low End/Low Cost" category, (Blades from $500.00 to $700.00 range) Is this a " Good Blade with Good Papers " ? What / Who is the Organization that certified this Blade? ( edited) Price fitted in my " Dagashi Budget/Collection" . About 1/2 of the blade has a double BoHi . Thai is also why I wanted it. Anyone got time to translate? Thank s for viewing , have a safe weekend everyone.. Alton Takata ADDED Saturday , 10-8-16 : Thank you Steve Thanks for the link I posted, as, I try to be an "Active member". I just post these "Newbe" type post , to ask questions, and, I thought it would help by being an "Active Member".. If not, I'd be a silent member.. I don't have lots of $$ to buy the swords that everyone loves to see. Sorry Maybe, someone might see this and have the same question and learn something new to them? Alton

" Ignorance is not a bad word, but, it does cause a lot of problems" - Alton Takata All my "collector clients" have Ivory in their cues. These cues cost 10 G +... and, they each got many cues. They want matching custom Ivory Joint Protectors from me. There is no substitute for real Ivory. None of the synthetic "alternative " Ivory products come close to matching Ivory. I've worked with all of them. They will not look the same when next to real Ivory. Can you imagine how much $$ they will lose, or, get stuck with. All those collectable investments. Gone.. Me, I stopped.. My clients are in turmoil.. At the February Japanese Sword Society Meeting, a lady approached our formal president Albert, and asked about the Ray Skins on the Tsuka.. Ahhhhh... Alton Takata

Hello Guys, I got this Tsuba a while ago. It was on a Katana, and, not originally from that Blade. I wanted to show you guys and, maybe some of you might know something about it. The simple beauty of this Artisan's design, seems to show, he/she had a conceptual realm of Fractals.. Just as the NOVA Documentary stated. That is what attracted me. I was glad to get this.

Paul, Wonderfully stated... Thanks for your thoughts. and suggestions. Jean, the other side's thin line , has some parts worn down, form polishing/age.. about the mid part is really shallow, compared to the rest of the line.. I guess my approached, was more like that old 'Kids" game , where I'm trying to put the square block into the round hole... Guys, The reason I worked this research "Backwards", is that, I bought it as a Noritsune/Kamakura, and, only had that to work from. I am not able, (Yet ) to "decipher" all the physical traits, that would have lead me to start from a "Logical" approach, when starting to "Reviewing" this Blade. and, the other (Easy way.. ) is, to come here and "ask"? "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" - but, made ass in the process. Plus, this is part of the "fun" , and learning process.. (? ) Thanks, Alton Added : I looked at the Mekugi Ana in the Nakago.. The lower "Hole", looks like the "Punched" holes,. I can see a small counter bore/counter sink, at the top portion of the Ana. not as pronounced as the one in the example photo. I just got another "Koto" Blade. It has NTHK papers.. I feel it's going to help my confidence..

Hello Jean, Looks like I don't have those "Countersunk" type holes.. mmmm "Trouble in Paradise".. No Choji either... Strike Two... Hello Paul, I was looking at the Nihonto Club listings , the name Noritsune, and saw a reference to the Senoo Family and Bitchu Province. Then, back to the "Blue Book".. (Ref. A) to read more on the Senoo Family. Maybe I'm on the wrong "Road"... ...

Hello Mark, Hello Forum.. Hope all of you are having a good peaceful Sunday night... Attached is some photos on the Mei, Nakago and the Hi... Thanks for viewing. Alton

Thank you Brian, Thanks for that site's link... The Mei I have is not a "Thick Chiseled".. It is thin lines, no date. I was wondering, if, I actually got a Edo, or, Bakumatsu period Tachi.. I read (from an old NBTHK booklet) , stating, " Swords produced by sword smiths of the Hizen Provence between the Shinto and Shinsato times ( Edo and the Bakumatsu period) as well as some Shinshinto swords were formed in the Tachi style." My Tachi is short.. only 72.4 cm. mmm Thanks , Alton

I was not sure if I should post this.. But, here goes... Ref. A - The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords TYPES OF MEI Tachi Mei - "There are a few exceptions, such as those by....and the sword smiths of the Ko-Aoe School, who carved their signatures on the inner side, facing the body, when the sword was worn cutting edge downward..".. Page 71 THE AOE SCHOOL The Ko-Aoe School - " The other Family group was called the Senoo " Page 141. Nakago - Aoe-school swords bear a unique two-character signature, which is inscribed on the side opposite that of the usual Tachi. " Page 142 Now, may I please ask, is there a chance an Aoe Smith might sign on the traditional side of the Tachi? - ( No disrespect to anyone or references. ) I am hesitant, because I sometimes wonder.... "Do I really what to know?" Yes, I think I got one, but, the Mei, IS, on t he traditional side.. mmmmm... Thanks for viewing guys.. Alton Ken Takata ( I did do a search.. )

Thanks for the replies guys.. As I looked at the photo again, maybe it is re welded .. I would never have dreamed that someone would do this. I did not even think of it being welded. And, I'm the fool who bought it.. ... Oh well, caught by my own ignorance. I wrote to the guy and told him , and that I am a fool to have bought it. Have a safe weekend everyone... Reply added later: Please know, I still like the blade, It is different than the other Wakizashis I have. And, it was affordable when offered. (Affordable for me ) He got lots of neat things, so, I am still grateful he sells items at affordable prices for me. Please know that. Thanks... Alton

Hello Forum ... Just was wondering , if this Wakizashi was formally a Katana Blade.. Looks beefy and the Hamon pattern (wavy at the Ha-machi ) seems to continue into the Nakago.. Yes, I'm still a newbie ,wannabe .. Mumei .... ? has no Mei on the Nakago.. Thanks for viewing.. Alton

Thank you Brian. Thanks for the quick reply. I did not know it was for registration/legality reasons. I thought it was a descriptive document.. Sorry for my ignorance. After embarrassing myself now, I will use it to commit ......, to save my honor..

Hello Forum, 1st.. Happy Thanksgiving !!!! When my Wakizashi arrived, it came with a copy of the original small white card with the Documentation, that was shown in the photo when I bought it.. Question.. Why would I not get the actual paper/card that was shown? I would think that paper work is for this specific blade, and, why not give it to accompany the Blade. Please know, I am not accusing anyone or method. Just wondering.. It would be of no use to anyone without the blade, unless.... (any answers?) Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!

HI Steve, thanks for posting .. Hello Ken, Thanks for posting.. I am already biding on the other wakizashi. (I hope no one here bids on it... hint ) The wakizashi is in poor condition, but, that is all I can afford to collect.. because, I'm in poor condition ( no kane ) About the JSSH Meetings.. I do not drive, so, I do not go out anymore. I just stay home and surround myself with dagashi... Alton - " The Dagashi Samurai " ... Haven't you heard the old saying , " Alton Dagashi, collects okashi "..

Thanks for posting John. That is the seller's asking price. Hey guys, Here is a link to this and another Wakizashi I am interested in buying: http://katanabladereviewer.weebly.com/ Your opinions are wanted, as, I would, please, like more insight. Thanks Guys, Alton < no confidence when buying..

Hi Jason and forum, Here is some photos from the seller. I'm going to make a temporary website to show a couple of blades I am interested in buying. Will take me about an hour to post the link. Thanks for viewing.. Alton

The Blade is a Wakizashi. I did not buy the blade yet.. Now, I mei not buy it . ( Pun intended ) It is in "fair" condition. Is just under $500.00 , in Shirasaya. The seller has many Shirasaya Blades under $1,000.00, many of them are said to be from the Muramachi Era. There's many with out mei. Sometimes, I worry they are Blades made in China. Or, I have read, in /about 1840's, Swordsmiths were not putting their signature on their blades, as, they were trying to sell to Both sides of conflicting families/parties. I can not find that internet site that I read that in.. And yes, There's Ken G. and the JSSH , full of knowledgeable/ friendly guys. Thanks , Alton Takata aka Ken Kata

So, it is not an original Mei, that , someone tried to "Bring out" ? Ahh, I wanted to buy this Blade, because it was "Low Priced" , Under $500.00 I also was looking at a couple of "Low Priced" Zunari Kabutos. Even those are "Touched up".. Nihonto and Katchu < More money = Better stuff Have a good day gentlemen.. Alton Takata < The "Cheap Samurai"..

Hi Brian, I'm not "Advanced' , only in age.. LOL I got cheated every time I bought a sword. Only once, I got a honest deal.. ( From Adrian Jordan )

Hello Hoanh... Thanks for the post. So, no serious collector would be interested in a blade like this.. The blade was "Low priced". That is why I was thinking of getting it.. a) Do you guys think it is worth more if it had no Mei, just blank? b) Is this blade "Ruined" ? frowned upon? c) Would be a shame ( no Pride ) to have this as a Japanese sword representative in a collection? Just for the blade and not that Mei?

Hello Forum, Please tell me your opinions.. I was interested in this Sword, but, the Mei seems to be "tampered with"? Is this acceptable, or, Okashi... Thanks, and, thanks for viewing.. Alton Takata

Oh Christian, Looks really nice..

Hello Tobias and Forum members.. I learned a lot from watching NHK's Begin Japanology (Now on You Tube) . There are episodes on Hanging Scrolls, Tea Ceremonies, Japanese treats, and one on ikebana. I'm not sure which episode it was, but, they discuss the Tokonoma and the things that has to be known about them. They all, and many others of their episodes, tell about the seasonal changes and what Japanese people do and use at those seasons. Host Peter Barakan is a wonderful , charming gentleman. I find their show to be very informative and is presented in a very learnable format. I think I've seen every episode. Alton