Eric H

Metezashi per definition refers to the koshirae rather than to the shape of nakago. Eric http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... 7c2a3b437a

according to Sesko Eric

Sometimes swords of Shinshinto and Shinto times usually with lengths over 73 cm can be seen with a second mekugi-ana placed in the bottom area of the nakago. In performing martial arts f.e. tameshigiri the hikae (reserve) mekugi should be manufactured of iron or steel, whereas the primary mekugi is made of bamboo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtDZ0sStEU Eric

You are right Eric

Magoroku Shodai Kanemoto 孫六初代兼元 (Kyoroku 1528–1532 in Mino province) The name „Magoroku“ is only used for the 2nd generation -nidai- Kanemoto, Seki no Magoroku. Eric

Jokeishi Masaaki (1861-1864) a student of Hosokawa Masayoshi is known to have performed tameshigiri using deer horn. Eric

The Tokubetsu Kicho paper is from 1979. It‘s a regrettable fact, that the older system „kicho - tokubetsu kicho - koshu tokubetsu kicho“ has lost credibility because of manipulations by local NBTHK appraisers... and involved dealers. To discriminate ALL these papers as Certification of gimei/gibutsu is disproportionately. Only the thought to replace these papers by submitting those swords in collections outside of Japan again to NBTHK is absurd. However some questions and considerations by Lance are qualified. Eric

According to Nagayama and Nakahara, the Shin-Shinto period started around the Meiwa Anei eras, ca. 1764 and lasted until Meiji 9 (1876 Nagayama) or Meiji 10 (1877 Nakahara, the year of the Satsuma Rebellion) Masahide wrote two books: Token Jitsuyo Ron (Theories on practical use of swords, a technical study of Koto of the Heian and Kamakura periods) Kenko Hiden Shi (Secret techniques of sword production) Eric

About this Nagatsuna topic: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16930 Eric

No Eric

as for reference...check the mei carefully Eric

Fedex from USA...fortunately the sword was undamaged. Eric

google: JOE EARLE The Katsuhira tanto - an outstanding masterpiece - will fetch a high result. Eric

Stamp "w"...not made using traditional Tamahagane Erich

it is rather "Yoshi"...but for the rest Eric

I see strong similarities to a Tanto by Seishinshi Masayuki which was for sale by Nihonto.com Masayuki, Keio 1865-1868, Musashi, student of Jikishinshi Masahiro Eric

The Kicho Ninteisho Origami (white paper) were issued from 1948 until 1982 The mei reads: Hitachi Daijo Fujiwara Narisada....the Origami issued in 1956 is Ok. Eric

Shibata Mitsuo origami to Ikkansai Kasama Shigetsugu Eric

A Hizen Tadatsugu Wakizashi has been sold at Christie's 2004 03 11. The Lot description reveals a considerable deficit of basic knowledge: "Wakizashi...signed Hizen Ju Nim Tadatsugu...36in. (96.5 cm) long approx." I'm inclined to believe this is the same Wakizashi. Eric

similar Handachi fittings Eric

same year : Taisho 3 (1914) ...to compare "sada" Eric gassan teiichi.pdf

The business with $ 400.00 Wakizashi or whatever else in these categories is very very marginal and without interest for Nihonto collectors and likewise for dealers. If a rusted sword merits a polish depends on its quality....a professional polisher‘s advice is requested and perhaps the opening of a „window“. To dictate a ridiculous price to a supplier by a client is all-around unusual. In my understanding a „touch up polish“ reveals at least the features of a blade at a minimum. Well I am skeptic on Mr. Tsuruta‘s project when he writes „If you like, our company will teach polishing methods for free. Needless to say, the skill level differs by each individual but if you could attend in serious manner, it is not difficult to gain income by polishing“...really? Mr. Tsuruta usually overwrites the description of the swords on sale with „The blade was polished“ and rarely „The blade was polished by good polisher“. just my opinion Eric

Markus, thank you very much for this supplementary essay on Kiyomaro... http://markussesko.wordpress.com/about-this-blog/ Eric

People should read carefully „Paper levels and their effect on value“...and consider why a „Kiyomaro“ is at auction on ebay. Eric

Why not give the link to ebay? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Sword- ... 33847eeed7 Eric