kunitaro

Sure it is Kanayama tsuba. Beautiful jitetsu and tekkotsu. The design reminds me "a cross". We see sometime kind of cross design in old kanayama or ko-shoami tsuba. I think it is possible before prohivited Christianity in Japan. between 1550-1600....

Sorry Erid san, Just make it clear for other people. and (4) is also interesting. (4) Re-Tampered. however, If it is extremely important famous smith's signed blade could be possible issued Tokubetsuhozon, with proviso that descried as re-tempered. I have seen a signed Kagemitsu tanto with Hozon paper with proviso that saying re-tempered. Re-tempered Kagemitsu, kanemitsu class (in good condition) will get only Hozon. Re-tempered Masatsune, Tomonari class (in good condition) will get TK. not 100% though.

John san, Thank you for explaining. English is sometime more difficult than Iron Tsuba. Excuse me.

Pete san, What can not you agree with me ? Sorry, i didn't undersatnd, could you please explain ?

i explain only red line and blue line. " Tadashi " is meaning "however or but" Blue line 1. tadashi (however)　those can not be object (of tokubetsuhozon) bellow. (5) Un-signed from Muromachi and Edo period. Red line. TADASHI xxxxx BAAI GA ARU. meaning is "Rare Exception" "However, If it is recognized as a master piece of famous smith in excellent condition." it could be exception." Tanobe sensei said that it might be given Tokubetsu hozon, If there is typical Horimono such as Oei Bizen, or Umetada Myoju work in very good condition. normal un-signed blade will not get Tokubetsuhozon. Please don't take it personal, I am trying to share this new regulation for up dated study. And Un-signed Nanbokucho blade can be Juyo or Tokubetsu-Juyo, however, new regulation said that it need to be Tokubetsuhozon to enter Juyo shinsa now, Hozon balde need to get Tokubetsuhozon before enter Juyo shinsa. No more discount for Kicho/TK/KTK.

I think that not many people who can read Hagakure Original. Even it is difficult to understand in Japanese for Japanese. I like the Book " Hagakure Nyumon" by Mishima Yukio. (maybe translation book exist ?) however, Bushido is written in English originally. Nitobe was born in Samurai family, educated with Bushido, and he wrote the book in US for western people. This is reason that i mentioned as the best one. If you want to understand Shakespeare, you must read in English. Yes ?

The Patina is the most important matter for iron Tsubas. and ko-Tosho/ko-Kachushi tsubas are the ultimate. Most simple tsuba, flat round tsuba with simple sukashi. This kind of tsuba was made through all ages from kamakura till bakumatsu and Gendai... basically, ko-Tosho/ko-kachushi tsuba has No Hitsu-ana. (they are for fighting weapon / Nodachi) sometime we see with hitsuana, but, it was done later. i think that importance of Judging is 80% condition of patina, 10% size and thickness, 5% mimi, and 5% design, All of those must be excellent condition for Juyo quality. however, you must experience in your hand and with your eye. when you see maybe 10 pieces of Juyo ko-Tosho, you will see the difference from later tsubas. Yagyu or Kanayama are same as well, we can never judge by Design.

and This is the best to read. by Inazo Nitobe Chapter XIV The Training and Position of Women http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/bsd/bsd19.htm

They changed regulation a few time in the past. Heisei 18, Feb 13th Heisei 23, Mar. 10th Heisei 23, Aug. 1st and I heard from Tanobe sensei about this matter a few years ago. so, it must be changed at Heisei 18 (2006)... This is link (maybe only in Japanese ?) P-11 http://www.touken.or.jp/pdf/touken_shin ... -07-03.pdf If it is Nanbokucho, you can try Juyo shinsa. so, this is the point of study.

Sayagaki of Tanobe sensei is saying that the blade is from Oei period. and he knows that Mumei blade from Oei period will not get Tokubetsihozon. it is not meaning the blade is not good. just mentioning regulation of Shinsa. however, It is good to have self opinion with reason, if we don't agree with Sayagaki or Hozon paper. also, need reason to agree with them as well.

why do you think it is(was) ko-Tosho, if it is re-payined ?

If the tsuba is re-patine or damaged, it wll not get paper. I think. and the listed number is market value in Euro or USD. it is easy to get attributed "Tosho" but "ko-Tosho" is difficult, because, it is very rare.

I think that The Blade is more important than Sayagaki and papers. Especially for mumei blade, it is important to understand of Why (or Which parts of Activities or Sugata ) leaded attributing to Oei period and Nagato Akikuni by Tanobe sensei or Hirado Sa school by NBTHK. What do you think ? And Un-Signed blade from Muromachi period or younger will not get Tokubetsuhozon. (except special characteristic recognizable Hoimono or something by high ranking smith in very good condition) It is written in the regulation for Shinsa of NBTHK. * NBTHK Dai 16 jo, no.1,SHINSA KITEI (Judgement criteria ) (Tokubetsuhozon) 1-(5)

It is all about Patine. Thickness must be thinner than 3mm, maybe 2.5mm. Hageyama san's description is Nanbokucho period, because of Size (9.5cm), which i agreed, NBTHK Hozon descriptor that "Ko-Tosho" which is meaning, Momoyama/Muromachi period or older. however, Size, can be faked, Design, can be faked, Hammer mark, can be faked, Thickness, can be faked, But, Patine can not be faked which is almost impossible to see by photo. so, you must exam in your hand, also, you must know how it should be looks like(old patine) To exam (judge) by photo on Internet is not possible, so ,we depend on Paper,,,,, Attributed Tosho and Ko-Tosho are different story. Ko-Tosho (Juyo) : 10000-20000 or more Ko-Tosho (Hozon/Tokubetsuhozon) : 5000-10000 or more, Tosho(Hozon) : Early - Mid Edo : 500 - 1000

Is this oil on the blade ? and is it clean now ?

No, Mumei attribution is not use for study of like Signed sword When they say that Hirado or Choshu Sa school (or Akikuni) from Oei priod. Try to find out WHY they attributed in that way. Sugata and activities. and If you are interested in Sa. try to see the original signed Sa blade with your eye ( in you hand if its possible) then you can see.

Hirado Sa school is almost same as Choshu (Sa) school. Nagato Akikuni a son of Choshu (Sa) Yasuyoshi (smith name)is better than Just Hirado Sa school ?? I think that Tanobe sensei looked at the blade deeper than NBTHK Shinsa. Big name Sa-monji (Oo-Sa) is different.

長門国顕国 但生茎無銘也　同工長州安吉子ト傳ヘ制作年代ハ応永頃 本作ハ地刃ガ同工の特色を示し野趣アリテ滋味豊也 Nagato no kuni Akikuni Ubu-Nakago Mumei, This smith is a on of Choshu Yasuyoshi, Jidai : Oei period. This sword is showing typical activity of Ji and Ha by this smith. Rich rustic taste.

櫃(Hitsu) Muromachi Period (box with top cover) or 長持(Nagamochi) Edo priod (bigger version)

I think it is kind of "Inden Shibori"-nuri or "shibo-nuri". we often see it Yari's Saya. It is stamped with squeezed leather or cotton just before the lacquer gets dry. It could be layered and polished as well.

Morita san (Sensei)

Most parts of color of the tang is not original. Darker spots are the original patine. The blade looks good though.

You have one extra Zero :lol: Dealers buy 10 swords for $2500 (200-300 for one) sale for $1000+ each on Auction in Japan. Poster is saying that, If you want to buy sword on Auction, you shouldn't pay more than $800 for Katana, $300 for Wakizashi. They are talking about swords (Gimei, un-kantei and Kicho/Tokubetsukicho) on Auction in Japan. and Hozon, Tokubetsuhozon are different story. PS : Contiue ? the contents are too radical to translate by myself ( as a Japanese myself )... If anybody would like to try, I will help ( for slang and converted characters )

When you see the Nakago. It is badly manipulated as we see. Dark brown color is original patine, and light brown color is newer rust. When you see the color of the signature (especially the bottom of signature), it looks more similar to color of newer rust. What do you think ?

Alcohol is good ( I use too) because of it evaporate quick. but, same time, it drops temperature of surface which could create moist from the atmosphere. so, still make it dry very well with dried cloth.