Barrett Hiebert

Thank you all for your input. It is greatly appreciated. This is an invaluable forum.

Rivkin, I can definitely see a world of difference as to what the blade should look like. Thank you for presenting an example of such as to what a healthy Yamamura should look like. The Yamamura in question is most assuredly nothing to get excited about as PNSSHOGUN says. Upon seeing more pictures and video from cell phone by Aoi Art I can confirm that. It is a very tired blade one that I decided even with it's Tokubetsu Hozon distinction is not worth purchasing. Jussi, Always good to hear your opinion and thank you for chiming in. And yes I like my sunnobi tanto of hira zukuri shape that bridges the gap from tanto to wakizashi. I love how wide hira zukuri are laterally. I think it would be a great tertiary weapon to add to my two current blades, that or a yoroi-dosho tanto. Of course I would love a earliest koto osoraku tanto but those are near impossible to find and very expensive. As well of course I intend to increase my knowledge in the mean time and save for at least one Juyo in my remaining lifetime. Sukaira, Yes, I can see what you mean. Thank you though for the distinction for my education through the picture presented. I can confirm though after seeing the 18 detailed pictures and 2 videos of both sides of the blade that the Yamamura is very tired and there isn't much jihada anymore only ware, more so on one side than the other. So as I said I won't be purchasing this blade. It does have the right shape and length that I was looking for but it is too tired. Thank you for your assistance in helping me decide. Best regards all, Barrett Hiebert

Brano and other Forumites, Seeing as it is echoed here by yourself and Sukaira, Rivkin, Sebuh while I know technically what "tired" means from research as being the condition of its skin showing coarse grain, openings, blisters, core steel I don't know necessarily if I can reecognize it definitively. I asked for greater detailed pictures in better lighting from Aoi Art and a video of either side of the blade. What seems to be shown in the lateral both sided picture combination initially is also shown in those more detailed pictures and videos. While I know PNSSHOGUN says there is nothing remarkable to be seen here as nothing to get excited about, I am wondering what exactly is unremarkably "tired" that this blade is showing? Are the little grey openings in the jihada on one side more populated than the other showing coarse grain with openings to show the core steel? Is that what makes this blade very "tired" from many polishings ? Or are these grey openings jihada characteristics of the combined mokume and itame hada forging process that are revealed after polishing (s) ? While I know forging flaws such as lamination openings (kitae ware), don't necessarily make for a tired blade this blade still has a little bit of the ha-machi showing while still showing the hamon, (temper line) running off into the nakago so while it does look "tired" to a certain degree, the NBTHK still saw fit to give it a Tokubetsu Hozon certification. From my inexperienced eyes I don't necessarily see any clusters of shintetsu (core steel), showing shigane with the pronounced grey lines more populated on one side more so than the other. To me that seems to be the jigane result of forging from mokume mixed with itame hada as the forging methods combined resulting in the jihada you see after clay is applied, quenched and tempered and then unveiled through polishing. I only say such as I have a Nambokucho Omiya O-kissaki Nagamaki naoshi Katana and it has many lamination openings among one side and a few down the other side and the NBTHK still saw fit as well to award it Tokubetsu Hozon status. While such forging flaws detracts from the aesthetic beauty of it being valued as a purely art sword such kitae ware in no way compromise the structural integrity of the blade to my formative knowledge while its first and foremost function was a weapon. And while such forging flaws distracts the eyes from a perfectly mirror polish with the little black lines of openings, to me it goes hand in hand with the randomized results from the inherent forging process that the smith couldn't specifically control. To me they give a blade character so long as they aren't jarring to the eyes to such severity or compromise the structural integrity of the blade as to compromise its use in battle. So in closing would I be able to get clarification from the more knowledgeable, experienced eyes here to give me some guidance, and / or correct me where and if I'm wrong on my postulating questions above on the Yamamura extended tanto wakizashi ? Thank you of course for your time in reading and replying. I of course am only wishing to learn and increase my knowledge. While I know the Yamamura blade here is viewed collectively unanimously as being very "tired" and nothing to get excited about, remarkable in any way a part of me still really likes it. Sometimes certain blades just hit you just a certain way dependant on the person of course. Of course I've seen two videos and 18 other pictures that Aoi Art sent so I have that greater detail to give context. Though I look forward to if any of the members who have already replied in this thread can answer my questions aforementioned. Thank you again. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Good day, Just wondering what is anyones thoughts on this particular blade? https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi：mumei-yamamura-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-token/ Aoi Art said they would give the blade and shirasaya for 400 000 yen because I prefer just the shirasaya. Though Robert Hughes who I bought a Juyo Nakajima Rai and a Mukansa Minamoto Moriyoshi, which I ended up selling back to him because I realized I prefer blades without fullers, told me I shouldn't buy any blades from Aoi Art since they had "problems". That statement has been agreed upon by one other forum member who I've talked to in private messaging. Though saying that my usual findings of Aoi Art online reviews and forum reviews are mostly favorable. Though I've been told that pictures and descriptions can be misleading and not correlate with in the hands experience after perusing such blades. I really do like the extended tanto size making it a small wakizashi and hira zukuri profile giving it a flat fat lateral profile. Though I'd love to find an earliest koto osoraku tanto though those are probably all taken as I've never been able to find one online for sale. I absolutely love the variation of kissaki's on Japanese swords throughout history. Totally iconic and instantly recognizable. Only culture in the world to have such tips. So please give me your thoughts. Thank you. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Nicholas, Hope all is well. Beautiful tanto. Does it have NBTHK paperwork for Hozon ? Motokasane measurement ? Sakikasane measurement ? I presume from pictures the habaki is a double habaki and gold foil ? Do you have any closer pictures at all of both sides of the blade ? Also what era roughly is Yoshimitsu ? Muromachi from my research. Found this one on Aoi Art. I presume they are the same. https://www.aoijapan.com/tantoyoshimitsunbthk-hozon-token/ Signatures look to be the same. Thank you for your time in reading and replying. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Matthew, What is the weight of the blade? Thanks. - Barrett

Forumites, I really do love the Itomaki Gata, (Vertical Spindle Shape), style tsuba seen here in this diagram, bottom left. Though, as much as I've tried, I've never found any historical tsubas in such a style online. I've only found such a style ever with a circle surrounding the equidistant symmetrically sized spindle shape. Though, does anyone know of any historical examples that they can direct me to of this Itomaki Gata, (Vertical Spindle Shape), tsuba? If I can find an antique example I'd like to purchase it for study and replication. I really love it because it seems very uncommon, rare and the equidistant spindle shape that is symmetrical along its horizontal and vertical axis makes me think of a shorter style of crossguard on either axis. As if this were taking inspiration from traditonal cruciform medieval sword crossguards, though I know entirely such reason for development was not at all occuring. Thank you for your attention in reading my post. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Brano, Thanks for the link. I’ll keep it in mind. To me the weight is a necessary component to understanding a blade. I like to compare and contrast with all the other elements of blade composition, mass distribution. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Jean, We shall see more in depth when I get both the blades in hand and use a digital calliper to get even more of the exact reading of both specifications of mass distribution to compare. (In greater detail than what is provided on their respective webpage descriptions). I shall post them here or send you a DM if you are interested. Forest, Thank you for the recommendation and video link. I did pick up an electronic scale though shall keep this in mind for the future.

Thomas (Sabiji), Thank you for the correction. I checked with Danny Massey. He confirms…

Moriyama-san, Thank you for the translation of the NBTHK paperwork. The correct 60.9 cm nagasa is an important distinction that undoubtedly labels it as a katana as per the NBTHK Japanese Sword Index. As to all others thank you for your posts and examples. Danny Massey lists the blades nakago conditon as being ubu though it may be MACHI OKURI. I will have to ask him about that though. Thank you all again. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Scogg (Sam), Apologies for the late reply. Didn’t have thread notification on. I just wanted another data point plus I like to compare blade weights to get an idea as per its mass distribution, specifications, etc. I found an appropriate electronic scale (to 1 gram accuracy) and sent it to Danny Massey at nihontocraft.com who measured this nihonto for me which came out to 17.4 ounces = 493.281702 grams. http://www.nihontocraft.com/Kaga_Fujishima_Koto_Katana.htm I wanted to compare it to this other nihonto that I also purchased, which comes out to 625 grams. https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/en/product/shousai/KA-0672# Hope that clears things up. Thanks again for your reply. Thank you to everyone for their replies. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Forumites, So I’ve done research on the forum and found that the Japanese Sword Index of the NBTHK classifies a wakizashi nagasa as being between 1 shaku at 30.3 cm to 2 shaku at 60.6 cm. So why then does the NBTHK certificate of this Kaga Fujishima Katana classify this blade of 60.2 cm nagasa as being a katana when the nagasa falls within the range of 1 shaku, 30.3 cm to 2 shaku, 60.6 cm that it should be labeled as a wakizashi? The nihonto in question… http://www.nihontocraft.com/Kaga_Fujishima_Koto_Katana.htm Thank you for reading. I look forward to your replies. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Thanks for the reply Mike and everyone. I shall go for it.

Thanks all for the replies of confirmation. I had no doubt.

Yes I thought so too. My friend just searched online and found this... http://kool.corrections.ky.gov/KOOL/Details/509227 I think it's mere coincidence and some sick way of character assassinating him. From all my searches of his name and his website on the forum, I've read favorable posts, reviews, engagements so I was never worried. His website also looks legitimate in its entirety. His blades are accompanied with the appropriate NBTHK paperwork, etc. Thank you for the prompt reply PNSSHOGUN.

Forumites, As the title states my question is simple. Is Danny Massey at Nihontocraft.com legitimate and reliable? I've done a search on the forum and seen that he is trust worthy but I need to convince a friend, who will be making the payment for me for a certain blade that he has listed. Also just for my extra peace of mind I come to the forum asking. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Jason, Thanks for the reply. I shall keep all that you say in mind when purchasing. Barrett

Thanks for the reply Chandler (nulldevice). Much appreciated.

Forumites, Do any of you have any recommendation for a preferably electronic scale that I should get for measurement of nihonto? Thought I should ask here. Thank you in advance. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

The price is 800 000 yen. I did end up reserving it and pay for it. The payment has already gone through with my bank. It's definitely not a Juyo like this Nakajima Rai I bought once but it's still beautiful in my eyes even with its flaws. https://www.shoubudo...l.php?product_id=182 It's Nambokucho period with an o-kissaki which I've learnt over time that it's my favorite. I'm okay with how coarse the one side is from what I percieve to be lamination openings and the rust on the nakago. I didn't buy it for its resell value as being only 800 000 yen according to the market I probably wouldn't get that much today if I were to resell it. I personally think 800 000 yen is a fine price to pay for what it is. That Nakajima Rai was 3 600 000 yen if I remember correctly so I know a very big difference but at the time I was only aware of a few websites and had the money to splurge. I was eventually introduced to more websites and realized I really didn't need a Juyo although its nice. Not a collector. Just want a cool blade for study. Barrett

Forumites, Just would like to get your thoughts on this sword? https://www.touken-m...duct/shousai/KA-0672 Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Yurie-San, Thank you so much ma’am! I’m sure everything shall be fine. I look forward immensely to reading your book! I will definitely let you know when I receive it. Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

Brian, She has already messaged me. Thanks buds both! B.

Thomas, Thank you so much for taking the time to redirect me. Blessings be upon you.