Kanenaga

The kozuka itself is also lacquerwork of flowers and a poem (can anyone read this?) and signed. I can't even tell if the poem is right-side up or not. Can anyone read the signatures? Apologies again for the photos, quickie phone-shots. Black-on-black is hard to photograph anyway.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but here's a kozuka slot signed I believe by the lacquer artist who did the amazing black-on-black carved plants and flowers on the saya. Apologies for the poor photo. Tanto is by Arikoto.

When I see a blade like this on a dealer website, I suspect it has already been submitted to Juyo shinsa and failed. The shinsa numbers indicate that there must be many such "near-miss Juyo" blades out there, that show up for sale as TH (which is a requirement for submission). Someone once recommended to me that this was a desirable category of blades for collecting -- near-Juyo quality at a much lower price.

Mike, The sword looks fine, but I really envy you the koshirae. I've been collecting fittings with the peach theme -- not very common, and as you likely know an attribute of Seiobo, Queen Mother pf the West, in whose garden grew the peach tree of immortality. I have tsuba, kozuka, kogai, and menuki, but I've never seen a fuchi-kashira with this theme, until now. Very rare. Congratulations. Les

If you find him, could you let me know? I think he may be the one who sent me down this rabbit hole many years ago. I'd like to say thanks. Les

Perhaps time for more photos. Sabi?

Nice that this thread has resurfaced. Not sure I can put it into words, but I think I know wabi and sabi when I see them.

Authenticity aside, why is a yomeiri tanto not collectible?

This thread, while distressing in some ways, is of interest to some of us lurkers out here in internetland. I would like to add a small comment, if that is not out of line. My wise and sadly-departed friend, Ralph Bell, was often heard to say: “It’s a hobby! It’s supposed to be fun.” That’s what I see as missing from this discussion, namely, the word enjoyment. Is that not why we collect these things – because they give us pleasure? I would not disparage study, but I think many collectors collect because they find these things fascinating, or beautiful. So for study, substitute appreciate, or enjoy; and then add on the study part for another, secondary, dimension – but in many instances is not really why we acquired that piece. How is it possible to argue with I bought it because I like it? To me, that’s what it’s all about. I think there is much pleasure to be found in the beauty of the sword or fitting, and also I suppose in the somewhat competitive aspect of collecting, which is different. It seems that Snowflake is focused only on this secondary aspect of collecting as a pursuit, some kind of competition, and disregarding the enjoyment to be had from the beauty of item(s) themselves. I see this as a loss of direction, a perversion of the original reason to be involved in this (or any other) hobby. And none of this excuses rudeness or boorishness. Rant over. One of my teachers once advised buy the sword, not the signature. I’d say there’s room for debate. Nevertheless, the OP bought a sword he found beautiful. No excuse necessary. We thank him for sharing it.

I've bought these from the gift shop at Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park.

Does anyone know the name for those dark lines in the ji of Barry's blade? They seem much too wide to be layers of masame lamination.

I'm planning to be there. Mask on, wearing gloves to handle toys (a good idea anyway). Les

In my humble estimation, shinsa papers are about two things: validating signatures, and identifying quality. All else is hubris.

Grey -- do you have (or can you get) a copy?

A couple more for your enjoyment. NTHK attribution to Mino.

Here's a photo. The label is out of focus, but it says "Sword Mountings, Hokkaido Ainu."

Sorry Alexsandr, don't have a link, don't think it is online. I saw it in person at the museum, which is in Ueno Park and well worth a visit when in Tokyo. Andy Quirt had a similar one for sale about 2-3 years ago, but his link is no longer active.

I believe this style of koshirae is referred to as Ainu (with apologies to Peter B who may consider this an inappropriate appellation). I was told these were made in Japan proper for the Ainu market. There is a very similar one, though not as flashy, on permanent display in the Tokyo National Museum with a label "Ainu Koshirae." Les

Sticking my neck out here..., but I'm confused. This sword has a very dramatic jigane, but none of it looks like ayasugi to me.

So -- 1st, 2nd, 3rd -- here's the only Jingo true daisho I've encountered, both cup-shaped. Hakogaki says nidai, but I think more likely yondai-godai. Les

I've spoken with Goran at several SF shows. He is knowledgeable and usually has nice things on display, but can be a bit coy about whether or not his items are for sale, or just for show. Like the website. I'm familiar with POR = price on request. What is POA?

https://www.nihonto.com/ima-aranami/ https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17926/lot/3085/ https://yuhindo.com/imagawa-shizu-meito/

Thanks again to Fred Weissberg, the NORCAL club, and the NBTHK-AB for another great SF show. A little smaller than prior years (as predicted by some here) but very lively. Many lovely things on display with pricetags, including 8 or 10 Juyos and 2 fabulous TokuJus -- and that's just the blades. Big-ticket and low-end items seemed to be moving well, mid-range pieces less so. Special treats were a lecture by Ted Tenold on the history and nature of polishing stones, and the now-becoming-traditional Saturday evening Kanikapila, this year organized by Mas Kawai and featuring Bobby Moderow, ably assisted by Wally Morishige and Yvette Nii. It may be true that the internet is causing shows in general to decline, but this one is still alive and kicking, and great fun. A few photos (hope it's not too many).