ken kata

Thank you for posting Steve. You're such a helpful guy.. Guys, I can "see" the dilemmas when looking to obtain/renewal an old blade. The risk maybe costly, rewards may be wonderful. I was thinking, it might be better to just buy a Blade that's polished, in a shirasaya and has Origaml. Since I'm here.. Polishing Trivia : I was reading "THE ART OF Japanese SWORD POLISHING" ( Taikaiwa,Yoshihara, Kapp) Chapter 4 - History of Polishing - Had this.... Blades excavated in the 6th century and 7oo's had some preserved sections that has a polish similar to the Nagura stone, which was said to often " bring out most of the details of the Hamon". Thanks for viewing.. Alton

Hello forum/Guys.. 1st. - I did not want to bother any Togishi with this question, because they are busy Polishing/working , and they must have many important e-mails / messages to reply/answer. I was wondering... If there is a blade that people might want a small section polished, ( Window ) to see " what the blade has/shows " What if , or can we, ask for the Kissaski is Polished, to see the Boshi 1st? I remember Steward Ueno. said , the Boshi can be unique, showing the Swordsmith's or School's traits.. If so, isn't that want the window was trying to do? 1) I don't know if it is a "cost" factor, as, many be a window is cheaper to do? Or, any other reasons, like the finished Kissaski might get scratched if the rest of the Blade is "worked on/polished " later. 2) Another thing is, if there is a window made, and the blade is not worth polishing: Would the blade look odd with a polished section? And, would it be more acceptable and still look O.K. if just the Kissaki was polished and the rest of the Blade was not? Here's the link to the video. The whole series is time well spent. "Beauty of the Blade" - Episode 2 6:40 timeline into the Video:

Hi Christian, Hello all... I watched Akira Kurasawas's Biography, and, the Seven Samurai with commentary , and, The Technical Advisor for the Seven Samurai was Muniyuki Myochin , the 51st for the Myochin Family. But, as you say, since it is a fictional.

Is this a good example? Mifune with a Nanbokucho Sword with a big Tsuba?

Oh, sorry.. 4:45 Timeline into the video. Mr. Shizuka Tokuyuki starts the lecture.

Hello.. I am not a knowledgeable Nihonto person.. I did watch this part of a good Nihonto Lecture about what I think Rich is mentioning. Just trying to help.. 6:54 Time Line ... into the video : Added 9/2/21 : 4:45 timeline. Sorry

Hello, Hi John, Thanks again. For me, this thread had many post that lead to lot of readings that seem to connect, and form part of the Nihonto world (Blade history and smiths). I enjoyed the articles. Time well spent. Also, the worn/tired low cost Swords I have must be one of the many made throughout the times. There was more Kanesada Schools/smiths, too. Hachiya Kanesada, many Seuseki and Ganmaku School students that many have been Kanesada.. I was going to try to get the blade "re polished" and into a shirasaya , but, .... I do have other blades to look up and read/learn more. This post is over.. Thanks all . Alton Added : Ohtani Hits 41st Homerun ..

Hi, Is that Dave, that used to live in Honolulu? I think I met him once. He was in the JSSH Hawaii .. He had lots of good items.. Sorry for the redundancy. Was there a name? Shodai, or Nidai ? I, too, was looking, but, for Nidai. I read Nidai had two sons, too.

" Life is a Fractal" - Alton When I saw "Parallel Universe ", in his post, it made me think Chris H had Star Wars in mind.. ' Some of it lives on in Hizen in a parallel universe. " - STAR WARS Episode IV : A NEW HOPE " Smashes the right tail of the distribution of geniuses , which would have turned grand-masters. " - STAR WARS Episode V : THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Suishinshi Masahida Revival - STAR WARS Episode V! : THE RETURN OF THE JEDI

Hello Forum/Guys. John and Michael , again, thanks .. John, About the 1591 Yoshii Flood. I did not know the details . Thanks for the link.. The flood maps in that link, are known as Flood Inundation Maps. Your 2nd paragraph, Satsuma Grand Kei chi Sugata. Kiechi, in 1596 / deep Sori? I was searching for that part. Paragrph 3 was for this : ' Some of it lives on in Hizen in a parallel universe. ".. " As regards shinto Hizen swords, the core style of the founder of the school, Tadayoshi, was aimed at reproducing the works of the Rai school from the late kamakura and early nanbokucho period and this influenced the works of the later smiths. Swords with elegant sugata, suguba hamon and finely forged ko itame ( konuka hada as it became known ) predominate. " Enjoyable post. The attention to detail for your kind of explanation really does paint a better picture. and Thanks Michael.. You guys " Point the Way ".. I read that there was no record for the 5th to the 8th Generation . And , there was Kazu uchi mono, made/imported in the "Millions"? The hamon saved me? Alton

Hello , Thank you Michael. I got Yuri's book on order / in transit. I have the Blue "Connoisseur's' Book and the Red Book ( Facts and Fundamentals). Just received both books, "THE ART OF" Polishing and Japanese Swords .. Kapp/Yoshihara versions Markus books in transit. $$$.. I got Ian B. and Clive Sinclaire books. I got a J. Yumoto book, and, it is signed. Y. Kubo / P. Martin Book (signed too ) I do read a lot, but, poor Random Access Memory.. Not to be or sound arrogant, but reading is passive memory. (No to sound negative, as, it is very important) I do notice, a lot of times, you guys explain something and I remember reading/seeing it and now it all falls into place. ( Most times...) Recognition and Recall.. Active part of Memorization? John, Thanks for the good reading /post. Lots of the asking , could be related to the things I am going through with this Kanesada Blade I have and am "Going over". It seems to be Gimei, now. At first, I thought it was a type of Sanbon-sugi, but, I read about Gunome with Togari-ba. no photos to compare mine to. then, I read about Gunome-Madare swings on Notare line and has Togari. Sugata / Sori looks to be Tensho, but, could be Tenna . Blade seems Mino, but, could be Nara mono from Osafune.. Or, Satsuma Shinto smiths started by Ujifusa of Mino. The Tograi lead me to Satsuma. If the blade is Kanesada.. Akasaka Ju Kanesada, Aizu Kanesada in Iwashita, Izumi no Kami Kanesada ( Name change from Kanemoto) None of their Mei matches the mei on the Blade I have. Thanks for viewing guys, Alton

Not sure if this is your friend's post..

Thanks Alex, Guys, I forgot to mention, it was mainly questions #'s 1, 2 , 5, 6 and 7. Like question #2, ' Some of it lives on in Hizen in a parallel universe. " Question #5 had, " smashes the right tail of the distribution of geniuses which would have turned grand-masters. " Question #6, Suishinshi Masahida Revival ? Search feature gave me this link: https://yakiba.com/tanto-suishinsei-masahide/ Question 7 Was it a Split the Kabuto Test? Question 8 I saw "Amadeus" .. Thanks.. Alton

Good Morning to you all... from a quiet, peaceful Sunday Morning in Hawaii I was reading one of my favorite Thread on NMB" , "What Makes Koto Swords So Desirable" , and, Chris H. posted these interesting " Tongue and Cheek " nuggets ( Thanks Chris) Being ignorant, ( rather than being arrogant ) for my level of Nihonto knowledge, I thought it was humorous . But, " My ignorance caused me problems, again " ... May I please ask... Can someone tell the history/facts of each of these " Nuggets " ? <><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Some nuggets: Late Muromachi, Seki methods spread and dominate during Shinto times, leading to loss of school-level variations. Brief Momoyama effort to resurrect the old methods, fades quickly. Some of it lives on in Hizen in a parallel universe. Shinto peace times reinforce the non-utilitarian aspect of swords, craft is driven by fades and fashions which are disconnected from function. Centralized Tamahagane production leads to loss of regional specificity in iron Reduction in demand for swords during Shinto times leads smashes the right tail of the distribution of geniuses which would have turned grand-masters. Shinshinto Masahide revival starts from scratch after observations that swords are no longer functional. Two generation, destruction test on Naotane swords reveal that the Masahide school wasn't successful in returning functionality. Mozart Kyomaro manages to reproduce some of the beauty of old Koto but then dies young and full of debt. Sword ban strangulates the craft even further... <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Hello Brian, Small donation sent. Do not credit me and, nether, do I expect any thing. It's just to give something back and help the expenses. If anything..... give credit, thanks, and accolades all the guys that help me, the forum and members , and , LOL , put up with me. For the amount of Nihonto information, comradery, time well spent, and learning experiences , it's a small 'Price to pay".. Thank You Brian and Richard (?) ( the other gentleman that helps) Alton

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....