Jean

My fantasm : buy it, put it through shinsa and have it kanteied to Kiyomaro

yes Guido, that was the one

I missed a step : Sorry but I have not seen it mentionned in USMC-LCPL post I have only read of a papered wakizashi being polished ...

What has written Reinhard is true and has already been stated several times by our Japanese NMB members. You won't have access to these swords unless going through NMB members as Guido or others. But the main drawback is that you probably know nobody in Japan able/willing to market for you. Main on-line shops have already been discussed (I launched the topic a few weeks ago). Aoi Art is probably one of the cheapest and from time to time has a beauty. I am quoting Darcy : A It is the only on-line shop where I have seen an ubu signed Ichimonji blade (6 M yens), it was bought in less than 24 hours. Ginza Choshuya is a top shop with top prices but you have to subscribe to their magazine There are a lot of other on-line shops in the Commercial links listed by NMB (Seikeido ...).

Probably in "la Tour Eiffel" my friend and in

Thierry, je pensais à nos amis de langue anglaise Thierry, I was thinking to our English speaking friends Thierry, 私は英語の私達の友人について考えた :D :D :D

In fact, this site has only one drawback which is to be in French Idioma and in consequences not as lively. This being stated, it is much more precise, has a lot of valuable information and the post-it of Serge Degore "Kitsune" are outstanding, he is probably one the 3/4 top French experts in Nihonto. By curiosity, I invite NMB members to subscribe (Rich T. has done it) and try the kantei section, you'll be astonished. Kitsune has published a book on Shinto schools which is probably the most understandable I have read - Unfortunately in French.

Wilfrid, Serge Degore (aka Kitsune) has already written a splendid book on Shinto and shall issue a new one within year end on Koto. Here is a link with French books : http://token.alldiscussion.net/les-livr ... s-t110.htm

More seriously, Wilfrid, if you can spend 20k on a sword, wait a little, read a little and be aware that with 5 to 10k more you'll get juyo blades. Advices given by Stephen and Brian are very good. When I was young I was very fast in my decision and I have bought many things which I have regretted later, lacking cash at the instant where a fantastic deal appears. Make-up your mind on what foolows then make your move fast. You must decide what kind of blade you are aiming at : Koto, Shinto,...With/without koshirae ...Which sori/nagasa and above all, which school. For obvious reason, you will find more Juyo choice in Japon than elsewhere. Prices variy a lot depending on the smith "rating"/fashion. I have seen a juyo Motoshige at 23k$, a signed/ubu Ichimonji at 63k$. Have a look at this page, it will give you an idea of what to expect and you will notice that some swords TH or H are worth the price of a Juyo.. but my advice is go for a Juyo. http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/sale/main.html What's important is to buy something you won't get tired of within a year All is a question of taste, The Sokan shown by Brian is more or less at the same price that the Rai Kunizane, were I to chose, I'll go for the Rai (School Prestige+Juyo paper) :D :D

Be my guest, Wilfrid. Stephen, I am reddening at your comments

John, I am not competent enough to say if the kanteisho is good or not. System changed because of abuses that is sure, that is all we can say. I don't know who have done the kantei (Nengo), but it is not Koji but rather Tensho, we are out of the great sue koto period for Bizen. This blade has a Kanbun sori (very shallow). Nobody has talked about the hada, tell me what you see? We are not in the Bizen hada. Now, where are the ko-ashi and yo, I can see on a picture something like ara nie. On whole, perhaps sho-shin but totally atypical for a sue koto Bizen blade (the one that everybody is looking after as the one in my above link), not worth 7000 Euros (10 500 $) IMHO By the way second Sukemitsu blade discussed here : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2531

Hi John, http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sw ... se_sword_2 some explanations

By its look, it seems there was some trouble/problems in removing the habaki (it seems much embossed), it could well have been stuck to the blade on one side and give this appearance once removed

Moriyama-san, That's the shortest, simplest, clearest illustrated explanation that one can get

I fully agree with Stephen (till new pictures less blurry), i shall place it (from the nakago) late late Muromachi circa Tensho.

Unfortunately, there is no worksheet from the seller on this blade For example, here is a link for a blade dated 1554 : http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/sale/07192.html As stated by Jacques, Have a look at the Nakago (length, Jiri), have a look at the sori which does not match at all the existing one at this period. Just a precision, a mei beginning by "Bishu Osafune Ju ..." are not frequent at all but can exist at the opposite of "Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju ..." which are gimei at 99%, but this mei linked to Nakago/sori as was saying Jacques .........

I have this doll which was given to me by a dear old friend who passed away at the age of 90, ten years ago. He told me his sisters were playing with it when little girls. She has 10 wigs which can be changed. I have no idea if it was made on purpose for export in the Meiji area

Hi Piers, Book was written in 1932, differences are encountered in Muromachi/Shinto even with Allbert Yamanaka Extract from Teiryo Yoji :(it is a general "quote") : page 14 Muromachi : From Oeï First - 1304 AD to Choroku 3 rd 1459 AD With a Footnote from Albert Yamanaka : In most History books the end of the Muromachi period is dated as Bunsey 1st - However, in this writing of Koson, the date is set has above page 16 : Sengoku period : From Kansho 1st 1460 to Bunroku 4th 1595 With a Footnote from Albert Yamanaka : The 1st year of the Sengoku period or Momoyama is commonly placed at Onin 1st (1467) as far as sword studies are concerned. Koson later corrected this in his writings. page 18 : Shinto - Toyotomi or Tokugawa Period : From Keicho 1st 1596 to Kyowa 3rd 1803 With a Footnote from Albert Yamanaka : The last year of the Shinto period is places at Anei 9th - 1780, the Koson date is placed 23 years later

I have already save a copy on my computer Thanks a lot Guido I shall post this evening Koson's date

Excellent small article from Jacques on our French Forum, you'll just have to Babel fish it. :D :D

I have for a few years been aware of the split of Japanese history in Eras, ...Heian, Kamakura, Nambokucho, Muromachi ..... A year or so ago, I bought from Michael (Satcho) The Teiryo Joyi by Honami Koson, I have not the book with me (fantastic one) at the time being but I was very surprised that the eras listed in the book does not match at all (dates) the ones which are usually accepted. I shall check tonight and give further details. I would not have mentionned it, were it not for the fact the other day I was reading an article written by a Japanese expert (I can't remember who, but a top one) who was dating Muromachi from 1333 totally erasing Nambokucho... As anyone any idea about these datings???

It is always a pleasure Michael and while we are at it I am going to order the Nihon To Koza on Kodogu as my wife as decided to offer me something for my birthday :D :D :D

Paul, I am glad everything turn out well for GB Nihonto owners :D :D On another hand, my hope I could get at ridiculous prices very valuable swords from England has just vanished

Kanetoyo-san is right, I think that it is difficult to say anyting without hoding it. It would be interesting to put it into shinsa. One thing for Reinhard, if we look closely to this dividing line, it seems it has been done witha a chisel. Any good craftman could have reshaped the upper part of the nakago without doing this and preserving the mei. I am not satisfied with the down part being welded neither, (from pictures)