Japan2112

Mark, If you are referring to Nihonto.us, Andy Quirt is a fine gentleman and helpful dealer. I will say that there was a spell a time ago where Andy had some lapse in communication, but that is not typical. P.S. - I saw that Nobukuni sword in person a few years back - indeed, stunning.

Neil, Of interest to see the scope of the Bizen Sukesada smiths you might Google Nihonto Club on the web, use the swordsmith index and it will list the large group. A solid reference to Bizen works is Nihon To Koza Vol IX Koto Part 2 translation by Harry Watson. Grey usually has a copy on his website. Not cheap ($150+), but I found this one handy for a deeper dive into Bizen works. Nihonto To Koza Vol IV Shinto also covers Sukesada works but largely just the main guy - Kozuke Daijo. I concur with others that Markus' articles are a free and very helpful resource. Best, Mark

Dear Neil, I can offer you some thoughts will also suggest some homework. * From the nakago - crisp yasuri mei, light rusting and pretty vivid mei it seems Shinto to me. * Its sugata has some taper and shallow sori, and so Kanbun Shinto (1661 or so). Having some dimensions would help. * The mei is naga (long) mei which is better than mumei, or even niji (two character) mei, but Shinto Sukesada makers tended not to use 'Bishu" but instead "Bizen" so, curious. * The blade appears ubu (unaltered) by only one hole and signature lined up pretty well where it should be. Nagasa (cutting edge length) would be helpful, as during Edo times wakizashi length was regulated in 1645 and again in 1688 for non samurai. * I really can't be sure from the pic, but the nakago ana appears drilled and not punched (as done pre 1550 or so). So Shinto again. * Shinto Sukesada mei were not very "precious", and so, probably not a fake signature. It would be more likely that a fake signature would be zaimei (e.g. Kawachi no Kami...). All in all, several points toward a Shinto Bizen Sukesda nihonto in my limited opinion . There were around ten or so smiths signing Sukesada working in the later 17th century. My recommendation is to take these measurements - kasane, motohaba, sakihaba, nagasa, and sori and post again. Trying to match the mei could then follow later. I hope that others, more knowledgeable than I, will chime in to help you along and, of course, offer any corrections to my observations. Best, Mark

Tanada ni tsuki - Reflection of the moon over terraced rice paddy.

Thank you Steve, and for your comment, Tom. It is a really nice piece, in condition as if made yesterday.

Hi everyone, I just received a nice TBH Akasaka (rokudai) tsuba from Japan. Attached to its box's inner lid is a sticker with kanji that I would appreciate some help in translating. I have attached an image of the sticker and of the tsuba. Of interest, the hako is kiri but has a clear varnish finish applied to the exterior-. something I had not seen before. Thanks for any help.

I received the poster today for the July 2021 Orlando Japanese Sword Show and have attached it here for any interested members. Once again, a growing show with lots to see and learn. Orlando Japanese Sword Show Poster 2021.pdf

Well, Stephen, as we say in Florida - ya don't shovel sunshine. The Orlando show is becoming a nice one. Hope to see you there.

First one looks Early Edo Katchushi. Maybe earlier. It is thin and the plate looks older. As for the second, late Edo, maybe Bushu? (A big basket). Plate looks young and carving sharp. A little bone and oil can clean up the active rust on that one.

I watched Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" on the TV sometime around 1960. I was seven. Evidently it left an impression on me that led me to my first sword in 1987, the year of my son's birth. I bought a Showato in gunto mounts. I wondered where the hamon was, and became less satisfied with that purchase once I read through John Yumoto's book and learned more. Believe it or not, a few months later this dealer offered me a full refund towards another sword more to my liking - this time a wakizashi, niii mei "Yoshimitsu" with also a shu mei. Probably gimei, but had visible hada and hamon for study. What a nice man. He still travels the shows with his son who has stepped into his father's role of mentor and collector. Since then I have been in a constant state of acquisition, study, and upgrade, having now a modest collection of Nanbokucho Period Soden Bizen works. It took me many years of study and savings to get here from that humble start. What I have enjoyed most about this journey are the people I have met, most of who have been so unselfish with their knowledge.

The Orlando Japanese Sword Show is on for July 9-11, 2021 at the usual spot, DoubleTree Hotel just 1 light north of the airport, with free shuttle service. Great location and a growing show. At this point, Orlando looks like the only Florida sword show for 2021. I plan to have a table, as usual, and some kind of display of swords or iron tsuba. Let's see... right now 72 and sunny in Orlando.

I wouldn't submit it to NBTHK Shinsa due to the expense and unpredictability of international shipments in present days. In August the SF Token Kai has its show that may give you an option. The sword and mei, though, looks shoshin to even a semi experienced eye like mine. It's sandai Yoshimichi hamon is unmistakeable and there are plenty of references to compare that well carved mei. Nice sword.

Well, not Higo. The Edo Myochin used a mokume gitae iron technique of which your tsuba is reminiscent of, but is much more pronounced making me think of something modern. The Edo Myochin focused on their plate and not so much on carving decoration, and so I feel that it neither Higo or Myochin.

Chris, I like that you are able to assign a provenance to the tsuba. I find that it adds a little bit of enjoyable history to a piece.

Hi Chris, While its plate looks old the bamboo fukurin seems later. I also like that tiger, and the tsuba itself, but I don't know if I would submit it for papers, and would enjoy it as is. Mark

Hi Dale, Congratulations on your publishing initiatives. A favorite quote of mine is by Henry David Thoreau, and it goes: “There is always room and occasion for a true book on any subject; as there is room for more light on the brightest day, and more rays will not interfere with the first.”

I have not seen bowls of water in displays at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, Boston MFA, George Walter Vincent Smith in MA... for either sword blades, armor, or koshirae. I am not certain of their case specifications, and admittedly I may have not been looking too hard at anything but the Nihonto.

Hi Adam, I second Jussi's recommendation. A focused, shorter video allowing for some feedback from viewers might be a way to go. Any way you decide, though, sound like a fun and learning experience many can enjoy. Good luck with your project.

I also wanted to mention that when shipping tsuba from Japan to the US, I would recommend Fed Ex. my ltest experience (January) was 3 days. Fed Ex does contact you in advance of your package hitting US customs to clear the way with declarations (especially if the value is above $2500. Fed Ex will not ship swords from Japan. UPS is another story, and would not recommend just now, although some Japanese dealers are saying that they would ship swords UPS.

I just shipped two tsuba from the US on January 19 by USPS Priority -one to France and one to Germany. Both had been received within 15 days, the German customs sometimes having issues requiring the recipient to physically go to customs to pick it up. Swords to Germany are another story, having one delivered back to me after 6 weeks. I think German customs generally do the contact for pick up. So, if you haven't been contacted by customs for a pick up, lets say because the recipient's phone or email wasn't properly included on the customs paperwork, the item may be shipped back. I experienced the same issue when sending packages to family in Germany. Never lost anything, as Grey says, just a hassle getting the pick up.

Thank you, Thomas. Very helpful and much appreciated. Mark

Hi all, Can you take a look at this example and tell me what you think about its, age, condition, uniqueness...? I bought this at a sword show years ago and yes, it has been hanging on my den wall. The Myochin hachi (Yamato (no) Kami Fujiwara Ieyoshi 大和守藤原家慶) I'd posted last year provided great insight and taught me a lot. I am hoping for the same here. The lacquer is 90% intact, but shows signs of cracking (nice old iron patina where there is loss). The throat lame are perfect. Silk lacing is 90% intact with some loss or fraying, I am guessing later Edo. The fierce expression with teeth, horse hair(?) moustache, awesome nose and wrinkles gives me a feel of an artistic piece. Thanks for any interest. Mark

Hi Bob, Super assortment, and something to be proud of. You may decide to slow down in acquiring, but you have many projects of study or display in that grouping. If you are handy, simply construct a "shadow box" for your wall to display 5 or 10. Rotate your selection each month as you mentally categorize and rank. Put the rest under your bed. I really like the deep orange color of some of your old brass inlay.

John L. Your Akasaka yondai Tadatoki is very nice. A similar rendition of this design (ko Akasaka) is on Bob Benson's website. I think it is by the sandai (Tadatora). Mark

I really like that motif, now that I am looking at it. Am I to assume that some represent the ten ox herding pictures (poems) of zen enlightenment? Is there another meaning for the ox? Really nice works.