almeister

Hi Morita San , Re page 49 As a collector of Miyamoto Kanenori blades , I was led to believe that he wasn't awarded Teishitsu Gigeiin until 1906 ? Are you please also able to tell me when he received Shoshichii title ? Thanks AlanK

The shortening appears to have been very roughly done ? Does the edge of it look like its' been broken off or cut off ? There appears to be a dag on the end as well ? Does it look like its' been heated in that area at all ? Cheers , AlanK

Interesting Post , However , If I'm missing something - please explain ! I can understand that this could happen with a mumei blade -- certificate may not even have to be faked if the characteristics of the blade are the same However with a signed blade -- all characters are translated on the certificate , as well as characteristics of the blade The governing authority issues a certificate if the blade passes , so as discussed already - a duplicate of the certificate is held by the governing authority - the certificate has been issued a #number , the certificate is also given a sectional stamp that joins the two certificates perfectly together before they are separated ( is this what you call the pressed stamp ? ) This stamp uniquely can verify the authenticity of the certificate by perfectly adjoining the counterpart certificate - this side of things cannot be faked - however both original certificates must be on hand at this time The question I ask is : Example -- We by a vehicle & we can search history/stolen/money owing on it etc.. via the vehicle identification # - provided identification # is correct Why could we not scan/send the governing authority a copy of the certificate & pictures of the blade/tang etc.. as a form of a primary check , from there if something doesn't look right - then the authority demand to have all items sent over to be visually viewed first hand Obviously this would only be a primary type check & would work for the benefit of the owner/purchaser to have some piece of mind that things looked OK Going back to original post , we are talking about "Fake Certificates " - I'm sure this type of primary check would help to eliminate fake certificates without having to go to the expense/stress of sending everything back to Japan ???? This could be done on line & even give the governing authority extra income Cheers , AlanK

Thanks for your prompt reply Trent , Hope all goes well for you at the fair Sounds like fun & will get there one year Regards , AlanK

Trent , I just clicked on your link & it only mentions the arms fair itself Are you the proprietor of the fair ? I now have a particular interest in "Cutting Test Blades ! " & wish to acquire one I also have the opportunity to get a late booking flight to make the show Whilst browsing the forum this afternoon , I see you are quite active on the forum , however you state that you buy off ebay cheap & sell cheap @ a better price than the dealers Are any of your blades actually certified ? Do you actually have a website for your blades so I can view them ? If not , would you please post some pics of the cut test blade in reply to this so I can see/get an opinion from other members on the blade ? Understanding , that if you want to restore a blade , that may be worthwhile restoring , you can be up for polish/koshirae or shirasaya if needed/fittings etc../CERTIFICATION/Freight/Insurance & so on , this all adds up obviously ( average katana polish + freight etc.. can be in excess of $3000 ) from there , you have "THE BLADE" -is it worthy of it ? I generally buy & have restorations done through the same dealer for security & piece of mind Nevertheless your post has my attention , wait to hear back ! Cheers , AlanK

Hi Chad , Try Doug at guntoartswords I had a couple done by him some time ago More than happy with the work done ! He is also a fellow Queenslander Cheers , AlanK

Hi Alan , Orange/yellow rust = "Active Corrosion " = Bad News This however is not detrimental in your case It's only a small area I would clean only with oil & cloth only Do every day & monitor until the coloured area " darkens " Then the corrosion is no longer active From there , monitor & oil regularly Just my opinion . Cheers , AlanK

A blade can be re tempered & certified by Shinsa panel - however it will be notated on the certificate as such . Re tempered blades seem to be an avoidance/deterent to most collectors What should be considered is the fact that some blades are solely retempered due to the fact - it is the only chance to preserve the blade Therefore in the case of an old blade by a famous maker - does one consider it worthless due to the fact it's been retempered ? Beauty & value is in the eye of the beholder At the end of the day - anything 2nd hand is only worth what someone is willing to pay ! Cheers , AlanK

George , Thank you for initiating this interesting/informative post ! Other members , Thank you for your comments/opinions/feedback/facts ! This is an invaluable thread as we are now all more aware of what "MAY BE " involved in the polish of our blade/s ie : If a prospective buyer/senior collector/dealer condemns our blade as an acid/partial acid polish ( provided the blade has been professionally polished ) - we at least can be prepared for negative comments as such & know how to counterpunch it - whereas before , we would consider this a "brutal insult/false accusation " if the polish had been professionally done ! Would I consider having another blade polished , Yes ! "If it's the way things are ... then , it is what it is ! " ( BTW George - Sashikomi is nicest - as you know! ) Cheers , AlanK

Good points George ! For those of us who have paid for a polish ( @ approx. $100 per inch ) with an average katana @ around 25 - 26 inches + freight & handling fees etc .. - I'm sure we would like to know it's had the blood/sweat/tears put into it as per the old days & not just completed in one day ! How do we know - we don't ! We are now in an electronic era/environment & with everyone & everything , there can be easier ways out . Old school is the best , I'm sure there are a few left who practise this way, however it's all to easy for some to adapt to current trends , if it saves time & creates productivity /profit Therefor perhaps , the issue needs to be discussed in depth with acting person/dealer before submitting blade for polish - could be the most sound advise - is one way of looking at it & even then we may not know what lay within the final product A long time ahead in the future may disclose any hidden nasties Cheers , AlanK

Kunitaro San , I thank you for replying to my post ! I'm guessing that you would be suggesting my blade is of reasonable polish with perhaps some use of acid applied to the polishing technique ? Although different blades/steels differ in polish outcome , are you suggesting similarities between your lower picture & my lower picture # 5581 ? Again I Thank You ! AlanK

Kunitaro San , Please give opinion on 1921 gendaito done in full sashikomi polish in Japan 18 months ago . Thanks , AlanK

Hi James , My 2 cents worth : The other Guys have hit the nail on the head : "Generally you get "1" chance to glue something - if you F*** it up - then normally you've blown it ! Nevertheless , have a deep breath & grab another beer & trial fit the broken piece back on its' position . does it fit well ?? If so : Super Glue is the best I've found . Don't use the home brand/hardware store cheap crap - it doesn't work ! The product I use is "LOCTITE 416 " It's brilliant - I've repaired steel/wood/porcelain & whatever else , no need to clamp anything - so long as the surfaces butt up properly - just glue it walk away & don't touch it for a while & it normally does the trick ! 2 part epoxys etc.. will only make a mess of everything & won't work ! PS - The Loctite part # may have changed by now ?? but look into it ! & for heavens sake don't get your eyelids stuck together ! All the Best . AlanK

Hmm .. That's something different ?? With a well oiled rag , wipe the rust stains away from the blade towards the nakago - so you don't scathe/scratch the main area of the blade . Post pic of the other side & a close up of the (emblem/mark??) The shape of the nakago seems a little peculiar/could be the pic , could it have had some work /ground down done to it - is the mune upper edge under habaki straight or does it appear to be stepped ??? Interesting . Cheers , AlanK

Hi , The habaki/collar appears to be rusted on ??? If so , oil it well & gently work it to try & remove it in case there's active corrosion under it , on the mei side of the lower pics of the nakago there appears to be some markings/strokes coming out from under the habaki/don't look like file marks/maybe corrosion ?? Don't touch the blade with bare hands/fingers & keep it well oiled - sewing machine oil works well Cheers , AlanK

$8000 seems a bit expensive for an anchor , does it come with a chain ??? AlanK

Hi Morita San & Clive , I also have a Kanenori , with regards to the mysteries as to whom the blades are made for - I'm in the same boat . Mine is dated 1921 & made for Iino Kichisaburo , I can find close to no information on him - other than when Morita San "Kindly" translated mei for me - it appears he may have been a preist . I also noticed that in Slough's Modern Japanese Swordsmiths - page 60 the blade is also made for Iino Kichisaburo ? - made 1908 . My blade also has a 9 circle Mon on the ura side nakago , I've been told "Ku Yo Sei Mon" shintoism/shrine ? I've been told Kanenori worked under 4 emporers ? Did he actually reside at the Imperial Court at some stage ? Morita San speaks of a book "The 60 swords of Miyamoto Kanenori " Is there any books available on him in English translation as I'd like to research this Smith more ? Thanks for any Help ! AlanK

Hi Andrea , If it's the smaller blades you like , I would suggest considering Kunitaro San's current posting in for sale & trade ( currently sitting November 16) Spend that bit more for better quality , as resale value needs to be considered as a collector . All The Best ! AlanK

"Truly A Great Exercise ! " Thanks Chris ! As the other guys say , this is a Great Way to help broaden the horizon & look forward to seeing any more such posts to develop one's learning ! Cheers , AlanK :-)

As Dave just said , "Every sword is its' own sword , it pends on its' condition/originality etc ... Unless you've missed the recent posts regarding "Star Stamped Swords " - it would be advisable (if possible ) to post pictures of blades/nakagos/mei to get some input prior to purchase ! All The Best ! AlanK

Good game Chris , Some of the pics aren't the best on my little notebook , However my call would be - 2,5,8,9 Cheers , AlanK

To the novice collectors : This is an interesting post to read ! , however bear in mind : "A star stamp could be falsely added to the nakago at any time " Don't take the "Star " for granted ( You need to know what to look for ! ) - as the Senior members say " You need to be able to first be able to identify a traditionally made blade , do your research , be able to identify if the addition is original , otherwise Joe Blo on ebay with a stensil set will take you out with one hit that you never saw coming & be at the bar havin a drink at your expense ! " All the Best ! Alan K

This is a good question Tobias ! I often wonder about how many blades Miyamoto Kanenori could have made in his time . The katana of his I have is dated Taisho 10 (1921) , at the age of 92 . He was born in 1830 & passed in 1926 . I don't know when he began forging ? But I'm guessing his career to be in excess of 60 years ? If someone has any feedback on this for me - It would be Greatly Appreciated ! Cheers , AlanK

Good Information & good pick up Kunitaro San ! The crack approx 1 inch above the mekugi ana on the mune & consistent on both sides of nakago - Yeah ? With blade in hand - there may be other cracks also evident . Nevertheless good piece to teach newbies of what to look out for ! Cheers , Alan

A Perspective : (Based on katana/in koshirae/resale value) $30k = (1) Juyo (everthing perfect - however in times of resale - prices seem to hover around the same area - & you know the drill if you had to sale it in an emergency) (2) 3 x katanas in reasonable - good koshirae/full polish/certified ( eg - ranging from $8k - $12k each . At the moment it's a buyers market out there with some good bargains /? resale at the moment . Great enjoyment to have this # & quality of blades to study ) (3) 10 -12 katanas - Out of polish & flaws/poor - medium koshirae/no certification or guarentee on anything (possible to make a few bob & to also lose a few bob in times of sale - with the chance of some never selling or having a treasure hidden amongst it somewhere ) I know which way I'd go .... anyway - someone just pinched me & woke me up , it was nice while it lasted ! Cheers , Alan