AndyMcK

Like pointed out in previous posts, you really need to know from whom you are buying from ebay or you take a huge risk. But there are some good ones there with quality stuff, but you usually see it in the price tag. Antti

Ditto on the please... I get enough of foliohat-people in my day job thank you... Antti

Thank you Brian! Antti

Thank you! Off to experiment I go. Antti

Thank you Ken! Antti

Thank you James, still trying to figure out how to balance the colours, tried longer exposure and less iso and ended up with yellowish photos. Antti

Hello Grant, Just taken photos to my own pleasure, never had any actual courses or training, just figuring things out by myself. These photos were taken with Nikon D3100, about 1,2 metres distance with 70-200 objective at max andmanual focus, ISO 800 and shutter at f/5.6. Light is from 40W regular lightbulb approximately 90 degrees angle from the camera at same distance with the blade and maybe 40 degree angle towards the blade. Background is black satin cloth to absorb some of the light. I focused the objective to a such angle that it didnt get too much glare from the light. Like you said, now in the process of testing different angles of light and also combining regular 40w bulb and led-light etc. so probably have to figure a way to get the lights fixed to a stable mounting that is easily rotated and elevated etc. Also have to try 300x objective as soon as I can manage setting up the distance to the target, my missus doesn't really like me invading the living room with all the blades and camera stuff. Women, go figure. Antti

Hello all! I recently started to dabble with photography on my nihonto and could use tips. In the link are few shots on two blades, early shinto kodachi and shinto katana. I tried to get the focus on the details, how does it look for the more trained eye? Any tips on it? Antti http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/anttimakinen/library/Photography%20testing

Thank you Steve! Will start with that. Antti

Hello all, I am humbly asking assistance on translation of these kanji. Hopefully they are visible enough in my photos. Antti

More photos on the blades? Antti

Also interested! Antti

Hello, it has some resemblances to old katana I had, Kaga no kami Sadahiro. It was from 1688. Havent found my better photos on it yet but I wouldnt trade that katana to three blades of yours. Antti edited the photo in, not too shabby though.

Paypal donation and article works nicely! Antti

Looks like it has Seki stamp in one of the photos. Antti

I will add a tsuba to the pool also, will send you photos on Sunday when back at home! Antti

I have bought one katana from him three years back, excellent communication, had shirasaya made for the blade through them and shipped to Finland, very trustworthy dealer to do business with. Antti

Interesting blade! Does look like a good find. And a small answer to that question on the role of Japan in WW1: If I remember my history classes correctly, Japanese involvement was in the Pacific area and mainland China. In the Pacific they drove off, blockaded and captured both german and austro-hungarian vessels and took control of several islands that were controlled by Germany. One that will be later on remembered well is Marshall islands. So basically a cordoning effect in the Pacific area and of course they were able to use that as an excuse to spread Japanese influence in the area. Antti

I purchased from him few years back and price was very reasonable and shipping plus other communication excellent. He seems to find something to sell every now and then, a good seller to keep on followed list. -Antti

Definately not an iai-to, I would place it in the area of late shinto, early shinshinto, there is something familiar about the hamon that I can not place. Antti

First to say my bad, it is both entertaining and interesting, brings out lot of informational posts so sorry for my spiky ones, my old teacher personality pokes out. Antti

Very important I'd say.. Would love to have 1st gen Tadayoshi but alas, I am also forced to watch them from afar through endless secrets of the internet... Antti ps. Had I one, wouldn't show it to you just to keep your braincells bubbling...

I'm just dying... Well I think it was just a matter of time until we got our own Prof. R. Langdon here.. Like stated earlier, even a code-breaking genius, as someone here presents himself, is arrogant if he claims to know more than people who have actually done hands on and feet in the ground research on these subjects for decades and have combined knowledge of centuries in the field. Well it might just be my subtle Finnish nature but... and don't get me wrong, it is entertaining, in a "blows coffee out of ones nose" kind of a way. Antti

And hopefully the kasane measurements are off as well. I havent seen a blade that healthy with 2mm kasane. Antti

Ok, if it is going to be so hard, I am going to sell my nihonto and start collecting stamps or star wars toys... Really good information! Loving it! (without the burgers.. ;D ) Antti