Hello Guys, 

L.A. ANGEL'S Shohei Ohtani is Pitching today in Detroit  , 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

So, I got time for Nihonto this morning. . 

I know I am not up to the level of the other members posting here, but, I am interested in Dwain's blade and the Kantei.

Not to Highjack this Post, but, that " Sanbonsugi" that  Austin mentioned , and Dwain's Blade photos  caught my attention.

Just before I was fussing around my Shimada Blade, I was looking at my "Kanesada"  Wakizashi.

I  too, can up with that "Shubonsugi" , and, it looks similar to Dwain's Hamon.

Also, I too, can up with Mino , but,  Aizu Kanesada , Oshu District?

I think I bought my blade as a Koto Bade. 

Polish was rough and looked like rust started to show over the surfaces. and, Kanesada mei might be a gimie.

I did not post , as, I wanted to Ask Bob Benson about the Blade first.

Alton < Enthusiast Level  < Japanese call this " Gasa Gasa  " ? 

Hello Ron,

Nice to meet you. 

As we say in Hawaii.. "Aloha". 

 I'm Alton T.  

Ken Hawaii is one of our top leaders, an  Ambassador and spokesperson  of Nihonto in Hawaii.

I'm just a Nihonto Enthusiast.. 

There's Steve Shimanek, Screen name SAS  here too.  

There is the Japanese Sword Society of Hawaii. ( JSSH ) 

https://www.facebook.com/Japanese-Sword-Society-of-Hawaii-77369135884/

Had this posted there:

"Japanese Sword Society of Hawaii monthly meetings postponed indefinitely due to Covid ... online postings and information will continue."

They usually meet on the 1st Sunday of each month. One of the members is a Nihonto dealer Steve S.. He had lots of items.

There is only people on Craigslist that buy/sell Nihonto. I think Hawaii is too expensive to operate /have a store front.

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/d/for-sale/search/oah/sss?query=Japanese swords&sort=rel

As for me. I only got Dagashi . ( Worn/Tired Blades ) The only kind I can afford. 

Robert "Bob"  Benson just came back from San Francisco, I was in contact with him before he left.

I thought I'd let him rest the week before I contacted him again..

http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/index.html

Bob at Facebook :

https://www.facebook.com/Bushido-Antique-Japanese-Swords-225060844187074/about/

If you scroll down , you can see the photo of Woody Hall, Togishi . 

Robin Buntin and Family -They were at the 2012 JSSH Sword show too.

https://robynbuntin.com/

Not sure if they have Nihonto. Their son is an Iado swordsman and might have swords.

He did a demo with his fellow swordsmen at the JSSH Show in 2012.

https://tfujiiantiques.com/welcome.htm

Not sure if they have swords.. 

I do not drive, or, own a phone.

I'm old and I just watch my Mother. 

Sorry, I am useless. 

Alton 

Hello and Good Morning from Hawaii.. 

John, Geraint and Jussi,  >  Thank you for posting Guys..

"  NTHK tends to always use  " den "  in their attributions for mumei swords.  "  - Jussi

Guys, 

I like these little bits of information ( Tidbits) that are told as you guys post/reply.. 

Thanks for the added/extra time that it takes to type in these details.. 

I was going to watch "Sekigahara" (DVD) this weekend. 

To think/imagine, that this Blade was made just before / around that time.. 

It's also makes you wonder..

Was this blade used ? Like, to hurt someone? 

Have a safe/ fun weekend all..

Alton   >    Dai Ichi     Dai Mon     Dai Kichi 

Habaki

Copper.

Could this be the Original?

Blade is in Shirasaya..

Alton 

Hello Gentlemen.. 

Thank you . 

John,

I should have explained it better. Sorry.

    The up-loaded "Origami" are photos I took and are color printed copies of the originals.

Now, I am also, not sure if it was on the same Origami Sheet . ( writing on both sides ).

    Since I started positing again,

I have not been able to find my envelope with all my Nihonto Origami (s)...

Guys, I forgot to ask/type in the question the 1st. part..... 

What does the second page say?

Thanks for viewing..

Alton

The Blade Sori and Nakago :

About the Nakago..

The second situation i have is..

Is the Nakago cracked/welded  on? 

I saw this the other night 

Shimada Yoshisuki

SHOSHU Tradition

SURUGA Province

Page 208 and 213 in the Blue Book.

Had KOSHO ( 1455-1457)

Gisuki TENSHO (1573-1592)

YOS1677

YOS1600

YOS1671

YOS1670 ENBUN ( 1356-1361)

Hello Forum/Guys.. 

I was looking at a Shimada Yoshisuke Wakizashi that I had.

There are two "additional situations" ,  I came across.

First,  is an second / additional "Origami" that I might have forgotten to upload on the original post about this Shimada Blade.

 Jussi was helping me , but, did not have a chance to see the 2nd "Origami" paper. ( Thanks for that Jussi    )

1. If you have attribution to Gisuke it means Shimada Yoshisuke. 1st gen (Gisuke) would be in the middle of 1400's. There are 9 gens coming up until mid 1700's. I'd guess a long hira-zukuri wakizashi like that one could be from 1500's. 

2) For the Shimada Yoshisuke wakizashi, the papers give Tenshō as the era. That would point it at the latter part of 1500's. As the sword received attribution to Shimada Yoshisuke rather than just plain Shimada I'd think it's good quality Shimada work.

Below are the 1st and 2nd 'Origami".

Hello Michael,  

Postal Service Exclusive Carrier of Packages to the Last-Mile for DHL

Maybe this is why? ( Link Below) ...

Was the items/package Insured?

Do you have your DHL Tracking Number?

Try using that in the USPS Tracking System.

Use that for tractability and accountability and documentation for now and later to file your claim.

https://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2008/pr08_062.htm

Just trying to help.. 

Alton < Insures everything 

SHOUT OUT!!! >> Shohei Ohtani is Pitching today. Ohtani is the " Samurai of MLB Baseball " 

Added 8 - 12 - 2021 9:46 p.m. :

https://japantoday.com/category/sports/ohtani-hurls-6-innings-doubles-in-angels'-6-3-win-over-jays

Had this, but, no mention about the Japanese sword....

Hello Forum/everyone.. 

Sorry to keep posting..

Jacques ,

Thanks for the  Nihonto Meikon research..  

Jussi and others, your thoughts for 1400's was strong.

That does connect with the NIHONTO CLUB 's helpful site.

I use that site often.

NOR 407  Oei Era Katayama Bitchu

Hawley 20    NMK 745-8

Jacques , you , and others mentioned " Utsushi" ?

I do remember a lecture back in a 2012 JSSH meeting, and forgot that word..

Looking back at the "Handout" from his lecture.. 

He expressed: 

" Late Muromachi and early Shinto blades were often made imitating the sugata of suriage Kamakura or Nambokucho .

Oei tases favored a return to Kamakura sugata, .... " 
He doubts that Oei  bades can be confused with Kamakura. ( Not to be taken negatively.  )

Another , different site on Utsushi  had:

" Utsushi is simply not copying or reproducing a masterpiece or motif from the past.

Instead, Utsushi promotes a dialogue between the artist and the masters of the past, connecting past, present, and future. "

Funny in that.. Thru the years.

and even now... Like for me. If I went to Japan ( like on a package vacation trip)  and could stay with a smith for a month, and, at the end, make "My own Blade" there.. 

Guess what I. or most of you,  would "chose" to Utsushi ? 

600 years from now, would have lots of "Masamunes  ".

Thanks for viewing. 

Alton

HI Jacques,  

High,  "wide".

looks high. High/wide is sometimes point to older Blades?

I read that in the sword book..

BTW,

France's Ciryl Gane just won the Interim UFC Heavy Weight Champion.  

Hi Matt W.  

I was in contact with Robert "Bob" Benson about a Kanesada Wakizashi.

I might ask him to see what he says about the Shinsa.. 

He was packing to go to San Francisco.

Bob came to visit me once.

He liked my Raku Tea Bowls.  Bob likes Japanese Ceramics too.

Gentlemen, There is/was lots of odd things about this blade. One big factor, is, like many say/think, it is probably not an important smith. The proof is that, somehow, It filtered down to me.. Being unknown and worn and tired..

The Breaking News is..

I got no Funbari..  questionable Yaki-otoshi.  Sai Ha , and, Possible Crack . Maybe Mizukage...

Maybe that is why the Nakago might not look Right? or, the Sugata is odd? 

Did you guys see "Zatoichi's Cane Sword" ( Shitaro Katsu ).. When the sword smith tapped the "Cracked Blade"?

I was tapping the end of the nakago and moving up and as I get to the mid section of the Nakago, I get that feeling.. 

or, is it the Jigane separating? 

Here is photos I've been taking as requested , to help me with the Blade.

My Camera is like15 years Old.. 8.5 Mega Pixels.

Hi Matt, Here is the best shot that came out tonight. Hada and Hamon.

Hi Tom,  Here is the Kissaki. Looks bust up..

Hi Franko, amazing, I was thinking of that same "Is it live, or is it Memorex" today.. 

Hello Gentlemen, 

Hi Jacques . You helped a lot on my other post about Kamakura Polishing.

Thanks for that.. It's O.K.  I understand.. 

Some Breaking News!!!

But, first, ...  Thanks for replying.. 

Jussi, Here is the Blade with the Hibaki.

Thanks for posting those photos Michael S.   

The mei on the blade i have is going gimei on me.. 

Quote form somewhere: 

Ko-Aoe artist's mei in most cases consists of two characters incised with a thick chisel.Tachi-mei in general on works produced by other schools in the Heian and Kamakura periods were chiseled principally on the haki-omote, while the works of the Bitchu-Aoe artists are often found on the haki-ura of the tachi. Nagamei and nenki (dates) are almost never seen.

Here is my original post of the Aoe experience: 

On another note:

About the " Holes" in the Nakago..

I saw , somewhere, that, if this blade was/is old, it was /about the time the Uchigata appeared (?  - late 1300's or early 1400's ).

and, was displayed as Katana.

I am the victim of my own quest for knowledge, as, the old saying was " To teach a guy nothing, is to teach him everything" .

  Alton 

Hi SteveM..  

I lost my Facebook account, but, thanks for  the time when you were there.. 

PaulB asked me , in that old post about Ko Aoe...

" Alton

I cant see much in the images but what led you down the Ko-Aoe path? "

I will go to that link Steve... 

This was from an Old Post by me : 

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

About the "Grooves".. Jean replied with this: 

Not so frequent grooves, the small/thin one (soe bi) is still incredibly healthy for a 13th century blade. Could be added later.

Jean replied this for the Noritsune smiths:

Noritsune smiths,

One Oshu, 2 Bizen, one Bitchu. The Bitchu one was a son of an Ichimonji smith so the hamon must be in accordance (choji midare).

Thanks Jean..  

Thnaks Jussi, Micheal and SteveM.. 

Jussi,

This is the original/ first time Post when  " I had more  ignorance, than I have now "... 

Noritsune I notice that this does not have a paper. Noritsune is quite rare name, most of them are early Bizen smiths and few other early smiths too. Could you show the signature on this tachi? If it is legitimate signature it is highly valuable. Of course there is always possibility of an unknown smith.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the tachi. The highlighted section has some high quality early school Noritsune smiths highlighted. From right to left Yoshioka Ichimonji, Ko-Aoe, Katayama

Narishige has the added part in brackets, province unknown, era Muromachi. Narishige seems to be very rare name, only 3 smiths listed during Muromachi in Sesko Index. Kuni fumei is very reasonable explanation in a case like this as signature is rare and there is a high chance the smith is unknown. I have kuni fumei on other one of my tachi and I think it is perfectly reasonable as it is (most likely) not work of famous smiths of same name working at same time period.

Attached is a page with a  "highlighted" section , that came with the Tachi. The Nakago Mei, and, Koshi Bi on the Tachi Blade.

I do have notes from a previous post on my Blade.

one was ...

You replied /  interpreted to me, with your thoughts on the paper that came with the sword.

It mentioned Narishige and about Kuni Fumi , and, you had a Tach in that in was or might not be the work of a famous smith.....

I did not post good photos back then.. so, you were only working with what I posted then. I was ,and am most thankful..  

Guys..

I was reading the other post , " On the subject of Sugata"  by Johan , and, there was a lot of good info. that pertains to what I am trying to do.. 

As good advice to me , who is trying to "find the one  out of 25,000 smiths over the centuries "...  I liked Brian's post about " Little Boxes Fixation " .

Hello Jussi,   

I remembered I saw the Noritsune name under "The Katayama Ichimonji School " ,

in "The Main Schools and Evolution of the Bizen Tradition "..

Page i79 of "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords".

But, not sure if this in the Smith..

Got this from The "Koto Schools" site:

Katayama Ichimonji

Noritsune Rayaku Nin 1238 

would those Blades be more like 76 to 82 cm ? although the shape looks close to those ?

Hello all,  , good evening.

Thanks Chris, for the link. I like that site.  

Guys.. 

I am trying to know more about the Blades that I have now.

I'm stuck on the  Hamon part ..

and, not sure how else to proceed. 

1) The sugata part was..mmmmm

    The shape / length was closest to the "Early Muromachi Katana" , by Bishu Osafune Morikage . 1394 Blade length 72.8 cm 

     The blade I got measures 73 cm .  I used a  carpenter's tape rule ..  + or - 1/16" 

2) The "Observation of the Jihada" was mmm...  " weak " Mokume . hardly anything.  I am going to look and read more later tonight.

3) The Hamon is no longer what it was.. So, there is a ? in that part of "Research".

The other "clue" is the Tachi mei ... Noritsune ? i do know  members say the saying is " Research the Blade, not the name. " 

I remember seeing the name here and there, but, I don't bookmark that page before I move on., Thinking I know that site enough.

Lately, I have been at the " KOTO SWORD SCHOOLS "    - Five Schools and The 8 Roads          website. 

I am kind of in a dead end now.

Any suggestions on how or where else I might find a way to proceed ? 

I am reading the books and what I could fine and the links you guys provide.

Thanks for viewing..

Alton 

Hello Forum/Guys..  

I am still researching this Tachi Blade.. Which is tired/worn..

I don't know the correct term/name for this type of  hamon.

I was looking for examples on the internet, and, came across " Chu sugo ko midare ba upper and Chu sugaha bottom "

( After seeing a  description of a Noritaka Ko Bizen Blade )

As I was reading /researching/looking around, the closest blade shape was Figure 162 in the " Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords" book. 

Also, somehow, I was lead to the Katayama Ichimonji School at another site...

Anyway...

It is this hamon that I can not fit in to any description of smiths/schools.

Could it be that the Hamon is worn down beyond it's original temperament?

Added :  The midare is only one "piece/hump" that is about 7 inches from the Kissaki. the rest is all Chu Sugaha.

Thanks for viewing.. 

Alton T 

Good Morning Guys.. 

Cold Morning here in Hawaii.

Feels so good compared to our hot afternoons. 

Thanks guys..

Hey Jacques, no worries. You did good!!! 

Look at me.. i misspelt  Markus Sesko's name wrong..  

Sorry Markus..   

Thanks everyone, have a safe fun day..

Alton T