Edfest

Interesting, the mekugi ana is placed differently in the questionable mei, also.

I had the same concern with my children, so I put a lock on my closet... $15. One of those gate latches with a small padlock keeps curious children curtailed.

This is a very interesting question! Speaking as a relatively new collector/enthusiast (less than a year), the amount of information needed to evaluate a sword is daunting (not to mention fittings). I haven't posted much since I honestly don't know enough to contribute anything useful, and as a matter of fact, I don't know enough to even ask intelligent questions! I have been reading books and this amazing forum, but what I feel I need is to see and hold quality (or even flawed) blades. I try to visit museums whenever I travel, but that's behind glass. And the shows, so far, have not been possible for me (I had the Baltimore show blocked out on my schedule, but then the weekend was changed). This brings up the other limiting factor in this hobby; time. In order to get the funds to afford the hobby, we have to work :-). And then there are the families/loved ones who don't quite yet understand the obsession (at least early on). But these are the same problems with any hobby. I think one of the best ways to increase the number of Nihonto collectors is to get Nihonto into their hands. Shows, clubs, etc. Sometimes it's difficult to find where a group will be meeting, maybe that is something that could be listed somewhere. As for price being a barrier, there are always differing prices and quality levels in every field of collecting. A flawed diamond is still a diamond and someone will treasure it. Sadly, I, too, am geographically challenged, but hopefully I'll be able to meet some of you at a future show/meeting. Or... everyone could move to Pittsburgh? That would solve a lot of my access problems :D As for the positive, this message board is amazing, and the JSSUS newsletters are a pleasure to read (especially the last 2!). Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to further this field of study! Ed Mistler (i almost forgot to sign my post, but then i read the above posts:-))

Thanks for the info, Grey! I just wish it was in September (I had that weekend saved!) I'll have to get creative with my schedule Ed

I'm assuming this show is replacing the Baltimore show that was advertised for September?

Fyi- the Walters museum collection of nihonto in Baltimore will be unavailable for the next 2 years due to renovation of the building. Unfortunately, I found out in person, the day the exhibit was closed. They didn't know if the collection would be exhibited in a different area. Ed

Thank you, Mark! -Ed

I humbly ask for advice regarding a sword I recently aquired. My grandmother was a prostitute in world war II and... just kidding. I bought it at an auction. It was listed incorrectly at the auction as a naval world war II sword, but obviously it is not (I figured that much out before the auction). I thought it may have an older nihonto in the Kyu-gunto mounts (from the bad pictures that I was provided). Now with it in hand, I realize it is a machine made sabre in kyu-gunto mounts? The "hamon" looks to be etched. Do you think my assumptions are correct? And in what time period were these sabres produced? (I can find documentation of when Kyu-gunto mounts were produced, but I wasn't sure if the blade helps to date the piece.) And lastly, I'm thinking of selling it as a military collectable (my wife only lets me keep a certain number of swords, and this one takes up space that I would rather fill with a different blade ) What is a fair range in price for a mounts/blades like this? Thank you very much for everyone's time! (I learn so much from reading this forum everyday! ... although, I apparently didn't learn to not buy a sword without examining it hand... but I did learn from the actual sword- mounts, history, etc. so i'm happy with the purchase)

In Connoisseur's and Facts and Fundamentals, the width (mihaba) of the blade is from the ha (cutting edge) to the iori (the ridge) of the mune. I'm new to this subject, so I'm not sure if there are differing opinions And the line between the shinogi-ji and the mune is called the mune-kado according to Facts and Fundamentals... Which, by the way, is currently my favorite book! -Ed

I tried to order Connoisseurs in March/April this year from Books-a-million, amazon and from BookByte.com. All sites said they had it (and one of them even charged my credit card), but then sent emails that the title is on back order, and the wait time was weeks to months. I waited a month... Then cancelled the orders. Grey didnt have any copies at hand at that time (he did a few days ago) but he could put me on a waiting list. Michael at satcho.com had two copies on the shelf and I got it in a week! It's out there somewhere, but don't necessarily expect it from the big web sites, even if they say they have it. -Ed

How long...? About a month... Pretty straight forward. :lol: I sympathize with your sense of frustration! I'm just trying to accomplish little steps. Reading a book, trying to retain a bit, then reading it again, etc. From everyones responses, it seems to be about the journey, and less the destination. Ed M

Thank you for your help!

Hello! I just purchased this katana and I'm trying to puzzle out the mei. I've made some guesses (with the help of the swordsmith list) but i'm having difficulty with a few of the characters. So far I think I've figured out: Noshu ju Tashiro Kakebe ? ? Kanenobu I'm having trouble with the 8th and 9th characters (and possibly the rest if someone corrects me :D ) Thank you in advance! -Ed

Thank you for the info! I'm putting it on my calendar to save the date. I just got back from the MMoA in NYC... Dragging my 7 and 3 y/o to press their little faces up against the glass. 14 hours round trip to ny, Baltimore is a lot closer.

Excellent! Thank you. Ed