Fuuten

Tsuba, blade or the entire package. It doesn't really speak to me. If you want something like this, depending on the price is may be an OK deal.

Very nice guinomi, may i inquire where you bought these? I'm not mistaken gallery Suki sold these but unfortunately i don't believe they speak English, or at least i never got a reply.

Looks great. And very tidy in appearance too.

Hi Eric, That's quite a pleasing looking hada! Something that definitely speaks to me. I would accept the guarantee on Hozon Aoi offers. On Tokubetsu hozon I can't really offer any help as i'm not experienced with dealing with the NBTHK. Also i wasn't aware of any specific changes for 2017. Sorry

As far as the subjectivity of personal viewing of these items, i thought the requirements for at least the NBTHK were pretty straightforward (with some exceptions as to every rule). The text is in a bunch of different places but for instance here: http://nbthk-ab.org/Standards.html It would be easier judging on a case by case basis, if you have an item in mind.

Hi Brian, time goes to fast i suppose? I meant to add this link to the opening post but forgot;) http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18001-year-end-fund-raiserraffleetc/ Its from 2015 - you're right. I'm totally in for it, i don't have a huge collection of nihonto, togosu etc. But i do have a ton of ceramics and love to fully participate if something is organized! I appreciate the work it costs, especially the one taking the lead, but i for one would love to do it. And i love this place, each day at least once. I try to keep up and wouldn't mind doing some charity raising for this place

Hi everyone, ladies & gentlemen, I was going through the history of topics and one stood out, last years the raffle 2 years ago! . Now hold on, i didn't win so that's not the reason I'm bringing this up - though i did enjoy partaking. Since it might be a little late for a new year raffle and all, but how about a "epic start to 2018 and the upkeep of this place" - raffle? Last year i didn't get a message and couldn't offer any ceramics, but this year if we manage something I'll definitely throw in a nice chawan or yunomi; or both (this in light of last years state of affairs, which hasn't changed at all only got more ceramics since then). Or maybe the raffle has already been initiated and i totally missed it? (i searched but nothing stood out). I'd love to participate in a raffle again! Lets get something going, the system last year seemed to work great.

Probably, however the link doesn't have the greatest photo's so i couldn't really see the blade.

But why would it be shortened if from Shinshinto? I ask because that would obviously not be ideal.

Very strange. Why not just create a new nagako? This doesn't seem to be all that sturdy and safe to use.

Hi Ray, From my "archive" i could find 3 pieces by Nobukuni, 2 were signed, but both have that very clearly right angled stroke compared to your photo.

This is the first time i see the website, but wow, that's one hell of a catalogue. Especially the ceramics, holy

I think you are recalling is the list of standards for tokubetsu hozon if i'm not mistaken.

The silver inlay on the mask, I could very well be remembering incorrectly but i thought those plushes were placed on the "forehead" portion of that type of mask, however this appears to be on the forehead and cheek? If anyone could explain more about this, i'm interested. Sorry i can't help much:)

If by any chance it came in a box with calligraphy that might help a lot as well.

Hi Joe, There is also a meeting on the 27th, but in London should that be an option. http://to-ken.uk/Meetings/upcoming%20meetings.html

Apologies for the misleading title. Somewhere in my mind i knew

So gents, who has some funds laying around? Here i would recall that the worst Masamune is still a Masamune http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords3/KT327059.htm

Apart from the signature (which doesn't look great), we need better photo's.

I'm going with Hosokawa school. Sorry can't be any more specific as it would be a pure guess.

In some if not most cases, it can be helpful to discuss a guarantee on authenticity with a dealer.. And what Matt said.

I'm not too sure about the hamon. Better pictures might help.

Since some gendaito are also antique and if not will be in the coming years, i think most folks here will say do not clean the nakago at all. In a hundred years your cleaning now might affect the status of the blade.

I was thinking and looking for this one yesterday, but couldn't find it. Today i stumble on it Not mine - http://www.nihonto.com/5.3.17.html