Fuuten

Always love these kind of finds. Amazing stuff like this survives.

This is one of my favorite books. I highly recommend it if someone has the funds to spend. Exceptionally well preserved pieces, from the top of my head ±10 Hoju, ±10Gassan, Yasutsuna, Chogi and more. https://www.aoijapan.com/catalogspecial-exhibition-an-early-style-of-a-Japanese-sword/

Hold up, i thought this was only at Easter!

Usually this is done with lacquer or something. In what world the stamping was an appropriate way to number items i have no idea - i wouldn't want to live in that world.

Upcoming exhibition. Now if i had articles like this in newspapers where i live i might actually get a subscription https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2018/10/16/arts/cutting-edge-kyoto-swordmaking/

This must be where Banksy first came up with the rats..

My condolences to his friends and family.

They seem to be cloisonné not lacquer. Sorry to be short, have to run for work.

Ah a little bit. I did recognize some of the spiraling waves to resemble the wings of a nose. But couldn't really place them. The one on the right is sort of double, but with the part of the dragon's back as the tongue is the easiest to see:)

I was wondering about the listed length, it made no sense to my eyes. Also stumbled over it and took some time out of my day to go over it.

Lets not condemn eBay just yet, i just got a bunch of new shoes from one of my favorite stores.

Financial sense.. sometimes very important. But if you can afford it and that is what you desire i think its sweet that you went through with it:) The results speak for themselves. Any chance you could link the article here too? Thank you in advance,

I'm tempted to come over Especially alluring are the tea ceramics. Any chance there will be photo's made (and then shared here)?

I recall from a documentary that basically they just show up and ask the smith to become their apprentice. I don't think that case had any institute appointing the trainee or licensed the thing. I don't think there are that many people that actually finish the 10 year study.. Then again since some do there must be quite a few more starters.

Also, it shows you on the profile page how old certain feedback is. If its older than .. it won't show up in the overall rating.

Hi Kathy, welcome. Most bone fitting koshirae (the fittings), are export pieces (for tourists). As such they are often not made the traditional way and therefor aren't really Nihonto. If you want to learn more about it, coming here is a good step. Others will chime in. For now see if you can remove the mekugi - peg in the handle, then remove the handle gently and make a photo of it (and add it here). The tang often says a lot. Also just in case it is a genuine piece, never touch the blade with your bare hands, only the handle. And don't put things on top of it (like the shirasaya/scabbard - like in the last photo). Search this forum for some basic care and maintenance for Japanese swords. Also you could search for tourist pieces, bone/ivory etc. Too. Edit: check this link out and take heed of the 'do not' portion. https://japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm

It makes me sad to think someone might actually buy it, or even try to learn anything from that .. thing.

Hi Edward, i'm not sure if its what you intend, but if you plan to paper your item(s), be sure to show them here first to hear from others and what they thing is the right thing to do. For some/many tsuba its just not worth it spending say 300-400USD.

Yeah but he already bought the blade.. Now its better i.m.o. just to just enjoy it as is. Still good as a lesson or as a first blade, doesn't appear to be a outright chinese fake.

For a start you could start looking around shops to see real works. That's the quickest way to get an eye for it and to spot shabby work. You can start here: http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Tsuba-&-Kodogu http://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_kogatana&tousougu&youhin.html just look around. If i were you I wouldn't get the f&k or tsuba you listed in the first post.

Hi Ohtar (is that your name?), and welcome. Blade looks OK, not sure on the price you paid though. Then again i know nothing of showato. The blade looks good, the horimono (engraving of the dragon), isn't that good but OK (in some cases the engraving was used to cover up defects / flaws). Fuchi & kashira don't look too good to me, tsuba also looks low quality. Depending on your budget i would personally search on for other items. Others more knowledgeable here can help you with the signature. This might be a gendaito not showato.. Maybe its an idea to keep the blade as is in shirasaya (wooden scabbard for storage), and enjoy it as is. Then perhaps buy a few books about tosogu, fittings for the sword. Then you can make a more informed decision once you really know what you're looking at. Either way happy to see a new enthusiast!

I stumbled on this, a book with funny, horrendous and creative woodcuts. Hitoshi Akira Hyakki Yako yokai woodcuts.pdf

Well from what I've read there have been smiths making fake signatures.. I'm assuming there have also been brokers and others who did the same. I think smiths were forced in case business was bad, just like today when the less scrupulous find ways to make money. I'm hesitant to mention this, but if i recall correctly it was Naotane who did some gimei as well - now i could be totally mistaken, but it was one of the big names.

WIth exceptions like Mingei were often the works were traditionally unsigned. But really then it comes down double hard on the homework. And on the other side many imitations exist in for instance the Kichizaemon family (especially Ryonyu).

Well i must say these actually came from Ebay. But they don't come up very often. I also must admit that i have bought from 2000 cranes; a yunomi by Suzuki Tomio. Only because i couldn't stand not having one of this works. Just for fun this is the yunomi: PS: that website on Musashi is really cool. I'll have to go and see if i can get my hands on that list. The 2003 movie really looks like Musashi as portrayed in Vagabond (manga).