Ken-Hawaii

Beach mats down under must be a lot more robust than our Hawaiian counterparts, Jeremy. It would take a dozen of them, plus bamboo, to give a decent tameshigiri target!

Always interesting, Yurie. Thanks for keeping us updated.

I've given up on my HK package, & applied for a refund.

Yeah, beWARE of black holes on a blade!

Very nice, & obviously far too sophisticated for me to really appreciate its value.

Shaft looks origianl. A sharpened blade could do some serious damage in close quarters. Our Sensei hasnt taught us Sōjutsu, yet, but I'll ask him when we can go back up the mountain to train. Piers, please check your PMs.

Agreed, Doesn't need enamel to be outstanding work. Good buy, Mike.

Welcome, Eric. The Rai school is well-known, founded by Rai Kuniyuki in mid-Kamakura (approx. 1250), & there were quite a few famous tosho (swordsmiths). Rai Kunitoshi was one of the more famous Can you show or tell us what you're looking for?

Wow! Gorgeous blades, & fantastic photography, Kirill!

No project goes untouched by Murphy, Piers.

I guess you guys must have missed https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-brian-robinson-to-dti-2020. Yes, quite a few things have changed, due to the pandemic, of course, but it's also a very-easy way to send money to Brian, which he can use for NMB, even if the trip doesn't come off. You can follow the thread at http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31297-gofundme-for-brian-send-him-to-dti-2020/. Ken

An interesting look at how a business model made an abrupt change. Someone should probably point him to NMB, so that he'll learn something.

Roger, try these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Grade-Tsuba-Edo-Antique-samurai-katana-sword-Free-Shipping-from-Japan/264688465876 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Tsuba-Bukan-sukashi-Yoshiro-Noble-Colorful-84mm-Box/264594702605 I've bought from the second seller, with good results.

You're in the right place on NMB, Matt. Just add your first name in your Profile, & you'll see Japanese swords of every description. Check out the For Sale threads for blades you can depend on as shoshin (real). If I may ask, which iaido ryuha do you train in? I've trained the longest in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu, but will go back to Shinto-Ryu iaijutsu when the pandemic allows.

They're even better in hand, especially the Jumonji. The workmanship is excellent, but the actual photography leaves a lot to be desired. Certainly not up to images by Darcy, Kirill, RKG, etc.

Nice gallery to peruse on a quiet Sunday afternoon, when you can't go anywhere.

I don't recognize the school, either, but I really like the workmanship.

Matt, no, not everyone who is using a shinken (live blade) is using a shinsakuto, which will eventually turn into an antique art sword. First, has your sensei allowed shinken in the dojo? I have more than 30 years of iaido/iaijutsu experience, & I've only had one Sensei who allowed them. Please ask to be certain. Second, do you specifically have permission to use anything except an iaito? Third, please don't consider using any hand-made blade in your martial arts training. You'll notice that this forum is dedicated to the preservation genuine Japanese swords, & since you're not fighting battles for the Shogun or your Daimyo, then there's no reason to use a Nihonto, or even a Showato or Gendaito. Buy a shinken from Cold Steel for tameshigiri. Mine has worked very well for decades, & I teach tameshigiri for several local Sensei. Welcome to NMB.

Welcome to NMB, John. I would start looking in the NMB fuchikashira orphanage, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/13286-the-fuchikashira-orphanage/

Sanbonsugi hamon, & the polish isn't that bad.

There have been quite a few studies by our members on this topic, Jeremy, so do a quick search.

Wayne, the fastest way to get opinions on the jidai (age) of your blade is to post photos of the completely-bare blade. Be sure to remove the habaki, as it can hide valuable info. Welcome to NMB.

When a major seller sends out an e-mail blast that she can't sell swords, that's a real indicator of what's going on worldwide!

That's gorgeous, Ray! Even though we're much closer to Japan, there are few Japanese gongs, compared to Chinese.

Don't think it's nanban, & I rather like it. Bushu or Choshu?