Ken-Hawaii

Very interesting! I've used bokken in martial arts for more than 30 years,& have never run across anything like these. Thanks!

Well, the first think I recommend, for your reading pleasure, is NMB member Guido's https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/files/file/36-collecting-nihontō-–-what-how-and-who/ That's really invaluable, when it comes to deciding what your Nihonto interests are. Net, I highly recommend NMB member Markus' free, on-line https://markussesko.com/kantei/ This is a university-level discourse on everything you want to know, but, it gets deep, really fast. For books, Yumoto's https://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Sword-Handbook-John-Yumoto/dp/4805311347/ is a great primer, and I really like https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Fundamentals-Japanese-Swords-Collectors/dp/1568365837 but the best source is https://www.amazon.com/Connoisseurs-Book-Japanese-Swords/dp/1568365810/

That might be the most secure way to hide a message that I've ever heard of! Translation, anyone?

Follow http://www.nbthk-ab.org/swordcare.pdf for details on how to care for your blade.

Follow http://www.nbthk-ab.org/swordcare.pdf & you should be okay, Mike. Nice blade.

Nice to have a first-responder on-board, again, Martin. Let us know what we can do to help reeducate you.

There are also yakidashi that terminate abruptly, like that.

Mifune, welcome aboard. Any red rust on your blade is active rust, & should be removed as soon as possible. You can use a piece of bone, or anything made of ivory, but please don't use anything that can scratch the steel.

Hi, Dave, & welcome aboard. After more than 30 years of kenjutsu (MJER & SR), I can easily believe that you're hurting. Happened to my wife & me more than once. Feel free to ask lots of questions, & be sure to dig into the NMB archives - lots of great info just waiting to be uncovered.

Thanks.

Kirill, do you have a few smiths' names who were doing those steel combinations?

Unfortunately, I view her more like a loose cannon, John.

Trust me that it's no better in the U.S. I sent a new laptop computer to my sister, in its original box, & insured for $500. It got to her, with the box opened, & the screen smashed in. The post office refused to even open a case, let alone pay the insurance! I went to their Inspector General, who just referred me back to them. So, I'm meeting with our Congressman, who I happen to know, & we're going to get some people fired, federal employees or not!

That's been discussed before, but it's good to bring it up again, for newer members.

https://historical.ha.com/itm/edged-weapons/Japanese-aikiuchi-signed-by-x-shu-ju-masahiro-meiji-period/a/6099-32011.s

Measurements?

Can the tsuka be removed, Brian?

Welcome, Barry. Try rubbing a little corn starch or talcum powder into the mei, & see if you can get a better photo.

Very nice blade, & well worth studying.

Wow! I thought that only the U.s. was craxy.

Thanks, Piers. Yup, solid silver. I drank sake out of a silver cup, one time, & it really added to the taste & "feel." That little pitcher feels like it weighs a pound! I bought a nice daiginjo for tomorrow, & will be cutting up a nice block of ahi for sashimi, a little daikon, & some homemade pickles. Still too warm for hot matcha, but I make up icy-cold chai, matcha, milk, & cream - decadent! Say Hi to your lovely wife, too.

Robert, please post a photo of the completely bare blade. That's how we can determine jidai (age), & is the first think to do in kantei (evaluation).

This is a gift for my wife on our 42nd anniversary tomorrow. Translation?

Welcome to NMB, Doug. I always chuckle when a new member wanders in, with a blade he got from somewhere, not knowing just how deep the swamp is, when they get interested in their blade. Just a quick warning that this is one of the most-expensive hobbies! Please read http://www.nbthk-ab.org/swordcare.pdf This will teach you how to take care of your blade.

Great find, Nicholas!