singlechange

P.M. received. It's yours. Sent you P.M. on how we can proceed.

Bert, You are getting good advice here. You are doing the right things before making the decision to buy, like buying books and joining this wonderful forum. There is a Facebook group devoted to traditionally made Japanese swords. See https://www.facebook...ups/1728933930663768. Also in just two months there is the Las Vegas Traditional Japanese Sword Show. These are some ways to further your education. Good hunting.

If I was in your shoes, I'd not have the sword restored and just oil the blade to keep as a keepsake in your gun cabinet. Who knows and perhaps your lucky find may spur you to go deeper into the nihonto hobby. You may decide to even find and purchase a fine gendaito in very good condition like the ones here being sold on this forum. Years ago, while browsing one autumn morning a the local Goodwill Thrift Store I stumbled upon a genuine complete wakizashi with koshirae for $19.99. That purchase spurred me into finding out about Japanese swords and I got some books about it and attended a local sword club meeting. My wakizashi was not worth the $2,000 polish and the long waiting for shipping to and fro to Japan for restoration. A year or two later my interest piqued high enough that I got my first katana, a piece that was once in the sword collection of a well known sword collector named Col. Dean Hartley. Congratulations on your lucky find.

From my own collection is a copy of ART OF THE SAMURAI: Japanese Arms and Armor: 1156-1868. Edited by Morihiro Ogawa, printed in Japan, 344 pages. Dimensions: 12.5 inches X 9.25 X 1.5. Hardback with dust jacket and clear plastic cover. Excellent condition. Originally from a public library's reference section and appears to have been rarely used. The book is an illustrated catalog of an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City that opened October in 2009 and closed January in 2010. Asking $35.00 plus $9.00 shipping within continental U.S.A. Feel free to ask for more pics. Contact me at singlechange@icloud.com

Kirk, A month ago I sent a sword package to N.M.B. member in Canada from Virginia using United States Postal Service. Like Grey says it is very easy. Only thing your friend has to do at the post office is to fill out an easy to use customs declaration forum. First I went to a local U.P.S. (United Parcel Service) store and purchased a long and narrow cardboard rectangular shipping container 4 inches by 48 inches. Use lots of bubble wrap and shipping popcorn. It is also a good idea to add extra layer of packing to the two ends of the long container. (I cut square pieces of styrofoam one inch thick to place at each end of the package to secure the sword from breaking through the top and bottom). Robert

Ed, When you decide to buy this sword please make sure you ask for and receive 3-Day Inspection and Approval contingent with the purchase from the seller. Robert

Peter, Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Darcy's Blog...from following his posts here on this forum I liked the way he conveys his thoughts and his writing style. On the Blog itself Darcy's writing and style is on another level and even better...as if with more time and greater effort his writing really shines. Robert

I'd like to recommend our own forum member Peter Bleed's book entitled NATIONAL TREASURE. It was recommended to me early on in my journey. Passed the book on after reading and enjoying it to my best friend who isn't exactly a nihonto enthusiast. He even liked it a whole lot.

Sean, I think leaners often overlook other resouces for knowledge and somehow go for books. I think this has a lot to do with schooling and the formal educational system. There are sword people as a resource for example. I would try to find them and meet and talk or even just listen at sword clubs and meetings (like Joe Kraninger in midwest has just started organizing). One of well known early sword scholar and collector who has been on my mind lately is Colonel Dean S. Hartley and he did not use sword books as reading material but first got involved with talking, meeting, finding other people in America and in Japan and used books to find out certain information at the time he needed it. Books are used properly when in larger context of investigation, projects, etc. If you can find articles in newspapers, journals about Colonel Hartley you will be surprised at all the wonderful information and perhaps give you some ideas on developing some sort of personal sword project of your own and then use books to further that investigation. Another resource is places or environments. Joe Kraninger traveled to Japan fairly recently and not only learned much about the culture of the country Japan but met lots of interesting people and visited a swordsmith's forge. There are gun shows everywhere and you will find a few dealers selling swords who turn out to generous in sharing their experiences. People, Places, Books need to be used. Not just books.

Sean, The sword kami was smiling upon you. Very good day finding Danny at Nihontocraft.com. Danny is my first nihonto source for purchasing and I like the fact he is more of a sword scholar too. More and more I subscribe to the adage "Buy the seller." Enjoy your nihonto. Robert A.

Joe, Thanks a bunch. Now I really think I should try to get to your Midwest group meeting in November with special guest speakers Markus Sesko and Chris Bowen. By the way, I really like the way you put together your website and find the special section for photographs of the group member's sword collection a very good idea. Robert A.

I came across a swordsmith by the name of Imaizumi Toshimitsu. I was reading a letter that sword scholar and collector Col. Dean S. Hartely wrote in 1965 after he visited the home of the swordsmith in Osafune and he was privileged to observe Toshimitsu at the forge and took photographs. In the letter Col. Hartley says Bob Haynes owns one Toshimitsu sword. I am having trouble finding details about Toshimitsu. I would appreciate any help from members who have heard or come across the smith's name or have examined the smith's sword. Where might I try to get more information about Toshimitsu? Robert A.

Mark, I would like to thank you for your help and taking your time to assist in the translation. My hope is that even with all the flaws and poor condition someone may want and use this for study and keep its preservation for years to come. Robert A.

Short background to my request: The sword was discovered in an attic some 30 years ago by a construction worker in Nevada. It is in shirasaya. The cutting edge is 20.5 inches. I would try myself to attempt identifying the kangi but I have much to do after a very recent death in the family and clearing out the home and contents for sale to meet a dateline.. I am planning to sell the sword and use the translation (after requesting full permission from the translator) so it can find a good home. I would much appreciate help from some member here. Robert A.

Ray, Thanks for the link to the Japanese tv program. Interesting to find out that the Truman Library in Kansas City is caretaker for the Masamune waki. Robert

BulletSprinkler, This idea of yours to use old obi for sword bags is very good. Will your bags be hand stitched or machine stitched? Robert

I too have found Colonel Dean Hartley's writings very interesting and useful. As a someone still new to Nihonto, I am fortunate to have purchased one sword from his vast collection and even have one of his business cards. My favorite article he wrote is entitled "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Collecting Japanese Swords."

Anne, Private message sent regarding Washington, D.C.-Baltimore, Maryland sword club contact. Robert

Would someone please kindly give me information on how to find out who to contact regarding the Maryland and Northern Virginia Japanese Sword Club. I am a newbie Japanese sword owner in northern Virginia and wish to hook up with a club. Robert Arief, Falls Church, Virginia