benatthelake

Agree..... I don't understand the appeal...looks grossly defaced. Edited....perhaps interesting from a historical perspective however, and obviously a conversation piece. Ben M.

Ian: I would like to complement you on your photography....very nice. What camera/process did you use? Best regards, Ben M.

Rich: Well now I'm sure people are curious as to what the full blade looks like. "Found this" stories are always interesting. Additional context and more pictures would be great. Ben M.

Welcome....but as John noted, you need to sign your posts. Out of respect for individuals time, it's always best to post the best pictures possible even if it takes a few days/weeks for you to get them. Additionally, you may get some enjoyment trying to get at least a few of the characters yourself. Several sites can provide some assistance including the one below. http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_mei.html I have to ask this question....what would possibly compel you to remove a possible authentic Nihonto from it's shirasaya and put in into a Chinese koshirae? I would suggest you start with a few books to see if you truly enjoy the hobby of collecting Japanese artifacts and artwork and will appreciate them while contributing to their preservation. There are links here to dozens of great books. I would suggest you start with Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords by Nakahara. Better yet, you will find plenty of articles and discussions on this board. I wish you future enjoyment, but please remove the modern Chinese Koshirae. It is disrespectful. Ben M.

I tend to agree with Grey on this one.....not due to shrinkage. Further the mekugi-ana has clearly not been enlarged. Although I tend to believe it may have been made to fit a different blade as the Koshirae is not original (meaning not the first). However the Nakago fits in the tsuka very nicely...blade does not move at all. Hmmm... Perhaps the habaki is too short? I'll look at it closer and any additional thoughts are appreciated. Either way, the need for extra seppas (loose fit) was fully disclosed. I still find the Koshirae quite beautiful and complete and has some good age to it. The blade style, characteristics, health, polish, mei quality, etc. are what originally drew me to the Tanto...of course relative to my small budget. A bit flashy for some people but I love it and look forward to a Shinsa review. Appreciate all the comments and PMs. Stefan has got me wondering about the Jumyo influence...need to follow up with him on that as I'm not seeing it yet. Ben M.

Yoshisuke Tanto is now in hand and I must say I enjoy it very much. I’ve been looking for Tantos with Koshirae for some time and the Uno kubi-zukuri style really stuck with me. Pictures are attached as the link is now disabled. It was a pleasure to do business with Touken Komachi. I took a bit of a risk with no papers on this blade but the price was very reasonable. I believe Yoshisuke generations spanned Eisho(1504~) to the last 11th generation around Meiwa(1764)….according to Touken Komachi (Shiho Tsukada). Does anyone has any thoughts on which generation it might be or approximate period? I’m thinking later generation based on the look of the Nakago and mei not matching earlier generations. I will be submitting it to the next Shinsa board in the U.S. Another papered Yoshisuke was discussed in this thread and shares some ….see link. http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... 2e90a65586 I see many similar characteristics in Jigane …mokume mixe and Gunome-midare hamon. Although clearly the Mei is different. I have looked at a few different Yoshisuke and have not found any which match. Frankly most of them look more sloppy than the mei on my Tanto. Any additional thoughts are appreciated and of course if anyone believes this to be Gemei, please speak up as honesty is preferred over politeness. Ben M.

John: Can you post pictures of the blade? It is a learning point to see blades which have not passed. Greatly appreciated. Ben M.

Does this meet your criteria? Guido....thank you....wonderful. I really enjoy the 2nd one (brown tones). Did you buy the stands with the swords or have to search for them separately? Again...very very nice. Best regards, Ben M.

Would be nice if more NMB members posted pictures of their stands. Especially ones that complement the Koshirae nicely. The one pictured on this thread to me would be too much and distract or clash with the sword. Still beautiful on it's own or perhaps paired with a more subtle higo koshirae. Ben M.

Brian: How can one tell when a family mon was used as a common decoration and when it was used as identification of family and ownership? I too have a tanto on the way with Kiri Mon on the fuchi, gashira, and tsuba. Would later Edo be more decorative and earlier (perhaps < 1800) be more family identity? Are some Mon's more commonly used for decoration versus others? I can't imagine a samauri with a Katana Saya with a different family mon other than his. Certainly when it is also common on armor...that can't be for decoration. What am I missing here? Ben M.

Correction...its 3. Front and back. Duh. Missing one which makes it loose. Thanks for the comments. Ben

Site shows 6 seppa. Ben M.

Jean: I don't necessarily disagree with you that the Koshirae is not "the first," but how can you be sure? Clearly the Koshirae has some age. I believe Yoshisuke generations spanned Eisho(1504~) to the last 11th generation around Meiwa(1764). Do you believe the Koshirae is not that old? Would appreciate your further thoughts. Personally, I think it is likely not the first Koshirae, unless this was the work of the last generation as it looks more like 1800s work to me. I did have some conversations with the dealer and confirmed the fit is correct and tight...only a seppa is a bit loose which could be the result of wood shrinkage...at least that is what I have read. On a side note, I also enjoy the family Mon on the Tsuba and fittings....to me it adds an element of identity, ownership, and perhaps a bit of pride. Certainly I know the owner of "art" is not terribly important but I find many of the family Mons artistic and beautiful in their own way. Best regards, Ben M.

http://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_t ... 70413.html Looking hard at purchasing this Tanto and would like to open it up for review and comments. I'll have a review period myself of course. Would appreciate all open and honest thoughts in regards to blade, Koshirae, Dealer reputation, relative value, etc. I've been doing a lot of reading and looking for a Tanto for several months now with a limited budget. Already received some advice from a few board members on this one but always open to new thoughts. I personally appreciate the shape of this blade being Uno kubi-zukuri construction. Other aspects I also enjoy in the blade characteristics and Koshirae. Of course I've been looking hard at the Tanto offered by Mariusz K and the 2 offered by Nick (all recently posted). PMs or open comments appreciated. Donation made to the NMB as this board has saved me $$$ already in addition to enhancing my knowledge and steering my collecting direction. Thanks! Ben M.

Alan: Please keep us posted on your progress with pictures too. Newbies (like myself) soak all of this up. Do my eyes deceive me or is that also some rust running along the center of the Hi? Best regards, Ben M.

Barry: Is there a story behind this blade and how you came to possess it? What a lovely shade of yellow on this blade. :lol: But seriously, did the seller think it was a loss? Ben M.

Ok, clearly this is a new tsuka-ito, but I'm not seeing hasty work nor problems with symmetry. I don't get the goose and dragon theme ...perhaps that is a sign of something cobbled together as a bit more time could have matched the fittings better. The tsuba is not exactly the sharpest photo, but I'm wondering if that is a late Edo period or something newer...by itself, it looks interesting. The Fuchi/Kashira looks modern to me. Menuki? So is this for sale now at Y 682,500 and sold before polish, Koshirae, and papers for Y 400,000? Ben M.

Nick: Let us know if and when you decide to put this one up for sale. Will be interesting to see how you price this package as the Koshirae itself is wonderful. I'm sure you'll provide close ups and more blade detail should you decide to let it go. Very nice "find." Care to share how you found this? Best regards. Ben M.

Grey and all: Thank you for the posting and discussions. It adds more context and answers some lingering questions on my civilian Gunto Sword. I've been holding on to this one as it was made with Yasuki steel. Although clearly non-traditional (confirmed by the Showa stamp), I still find it interesting from a historical perspective and was priced right! It should be interesting to see if the one on ebay sells. Best regards, Ben M.

I was waiting for someone else to note this Stephen. This looks like a heavier application than my recent blade purchase. Of course, I asked for the advice before I made the purchase. A very thick blade however. I'm sure it still has a reasonable value provided it's not Gimei and doesn't have any serious kizu not shown in pics. Does anyone think it would have passed Shinsa? It would be interesting if members of the board posted pics of their blades prior to submission to see how people judge them right or wrong. I know...pictures are nothing like judgement in hand, but still would be interesting for those "boarderline" blades. Thoughts on a Friday.... Ben M.

Ebay Koshirae just sold for $4,250. Pretty impressive I think. Based on discussion here, I don't quite understand why..... I guess that's the market for a complete Koshirae with all the bells, whistles, feathers, etc. :lol: Time for me to research whether this is a genuine Yokoyama Kozuke Daijo Fujiwara Sukesada or Gemei. Thanks to the board for the comments. Ben M.

:lol: Thanks Chris for providing the link. Looks like a match. Should serve as a realistic market price basis for the Koshirae. To quote the late and great Colonel Sanders..."I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." Sorry folks...it's a U.S. joke and a line from a movie. But seriously, Markus' pdf link explains it fairly well. I believe this to be a late edo/Meiji mount. How rare seems to be a question...I guess we'll see how it is reflected in the final bid huh. Got to wonder if this type was more "flash" versus actual use/purpose. Other than in books, I have not seen a actual picture of any earlier ones as noted in Markus' book. Ben

Wow. What a shame that it is an orphan. Ben M.

Adam: I agree with your points and I have the same questions. I plan to reach out to Tsuruta san of Aoi Art perhaps he can shed a bit more light on his torikubi no tachi Koshirae. I too was surprised at the price tag for a Gendai era....500,000 yen. Of course it has all the fittings whereas my friend's is missing some on the Saya...still very confusing to me why they would be removed. Will see if anyone else from the board weighs in on this mount. The direction I need to take for further blade research is fairly straight forward. You would think I own the thing. ...but I don't mind helping him as he gave me some good deals on some other swords. Plus it's enjoyable to unwrap the mystery. Ben

Adam: A bit earlier than Genroku as this Sukesada was Era Kanbun (1661-1673). Clearly it was remounted as many swords from this earlier period have later Koshirae. I don't think that is the question. According to Markus' book (see pdf link above) "The torikubi no tachi (lit. „bird-neck tachi“) is a ceremonial tachi mounting which as its origin in the Kofun-period keikantō no tachi (鶏冠頭大刀, lit. „cockscomb-pommel tachi“)." I would think that a mount of this quality and significance would not have a lower grade blade. If anything it makes me more inclined to believe it is authentic. I defer to the experts however on the technical and quality aspects of the blade as to whether or not the it is Gemei. I agree with your advice to have it evaluated by someone "in hand." Again, welcome all opinions and direction. Ben