Jean

For people who read Robinson’s books, there was a chapter about taking care of tsuba. His receipt was to heat the tsuba and put it in liquid wax to coat it. Some of his receipts are frowned upon nowadays.

They have huge mei data base. They first begin to check the mei with their data base. If it fits, you have your kanteisho. No need and no time for a classical kantei. Sugata/sori/hamon down the sink.

In fact all these kantei elements are linked and the first step (sugata) must be confirmed by the second step hada and so on. For multiple reasons, sugata on its own can be very misleading. If you remember the chronological table of Japanese swords sugata from Heian to Meiji, all swords are ubu. Most of swords available for Kantei in Western countries are (for Heian to Nambokucho) O suriage, this can kill the sugata being the first step to kantei. Concerning the Kantei, if I remember well, Mike Y could confirm, one of the best NBTHK Kantei contest winner has learned hundreds of hamon

A pillar of the worldwide Nihonto world has gone, condolences to his friends and his family

Nor any photo available...

Everything went smoothly when suddenly an unexpected guest appeared... Scallop carpaccio with truffles with white wine Burgundy.

Yes , these tsuba are quite common

Ryan, Same remark, please gather your pictures in one post...

Ryan, You must be aware that all these pictures can and must be gathered in one post...

+1 (lazy but sincere )

Guys, you made my day. This is what NMB was born for. To gather the greatest world specialists outside Japan able to discuss at length the difference between two screws or tassels on Mantetsu or Showato. I bow to your knowledge and am proud to be part of this unique Forum which has become what it is thanks to Brian and John and you all my friends. Who has ever seen a Forum where all members are friends despite from time to time minor trifle disputes.

In fact this tanto is such atypical for Kunimitsu that you can say you buy the mei rather than the blade.. A juyo Rai Kunitoshi tanto in Japan is worth 6/7 M¥, a Kunimitsu with nice koshirae is worth around 6M¥ BTW, Fred W. Has a nice juyo Rai Kunimitsu tanto for sale on his website

It is because you are young Chris Here is one from my collection (it has two mon)

Horimono can be splendid (Soshu smiths, Tadatsuna...) and enhance any blade. This blade is very tired and won’t upgrade to Juyo. BTW, this blade has been for sale on Aoi Art website for at least a year... you can draw your own conclusions...

When I discovered this tanto, nobody was aware that this Yamato smith had made other blades than tachi and only 3 were listed. Nowhere in documentation it was mentioned otherwise. It is not because it is not mentioned in any documentation that it has not been done...

I have used both Paul Martin and Bob Hughes, they are both fantastics.

You can choose also Robert Hughes at Keichodo. All these people are very reliable/trustworthy

« To make matters more interesting, I have found no reference ANYWHERE that Kunihiro made Yari's. As far as I could find, Kunihiro ONLY made swords. » Be very careful, one never knows. I have an example with a tanto of mine: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19201-kantei-for-fun/

Most katana kake able to hold 3 or more swords were made during the 20th century or very late 19th century. I let you guess why

Japanese swords are not expensive

Google : espace 4 antiques

Bad idea at the time being Sylvain, he is recovering from a heart attack.

Keep faring well, Ford..

That’s a gift...

Ruroni Kenshin aka Jesus Christ (JC), Please signed all your posts with a first name and an initial as per the Board rules