smicha6551

I don't have the paper in hand, but in the email only Mihara was mentioned. Once I have the paper I'd be more than glad to post it up.

Its been a while, but the sword has come back from shinsa, Hozon token, attributed to Mihara.

Jean, would you be so good as to PM the ordering details to me as well? I'm on Facebook but I don't see a payment link.

I was sucessful - I think I didn't do terribly. My intention is to go through with the purchase, but request that the sword be submitted for Shinsa.

Yes, one bidder already has... Appreciate the heads up.

Stamps, coins, guns, motorcycles...all have bought pleasure and I've never made anything (financially) from any of them. Why should swords be different? Sword collecting isn't cheap but if you don't insist on the most expensive swords its no worse than high end cameras or nicer guns, and between my bike, protective gear, insurance and personal property tax I've spent Juyo money on motorcycling. Can't take any of it with me.

Can always use more books - message sent.

I'd be certainly interested in one hardcover, and perhaps a limited edition depending on final size and cost.

Email sent.

PM sent on #6

Might I suggest listing them all together but allowing sorting by price? This way one can scroll to the price points they're willing to entertain, and the buyer might find an item either slightly above or below the range, but that for whatever reason would be appropriate. If my limit was (say) $500 I'd hate to miss out on an item at $550 that's perfect for my needs. I personally don't mind seeing items I can't afford - I'd like to see the best.

I'd like the Mon Tsuba if it's still available - if you could email or PM me the total shipped I'll PP it over to you.

Weird - it depends on where in eBay you look. Still don't think they're Aoi Art - why would they hide that? On their about me page: Based in Japan, exjapan8 has been an eBay member since Dec 19, 2013On the page with the listings: exjapan8 (26) Feedback rating: 26 Positive Feedback: 100% Member since Dec-19-13 in United States

Ebay lists them as being in the US, there's nothing that claims that they're associated with Aoi art, there's nothing on Aoi Art that mentions eBay, Aoi Art has their own auctions (no eBay fees), and the text in the descriptions doesn't strike me as being written by the same person who comes up with the descriptions for the items sold on Aoi Art. Therefore I'd conculde that without any other evidence, it's not Aoi Art's eBay account.

Is there anything to watch out for when using a microfiber cloth and IPA on a sword in polish? I don't intend on using uchiko myself (on swords anyway) but I'm assuming there could be specks of it on a sword I purchase.

Not sure how F&F is still available when I had both asked for it and sent PM...

I'll take Facts and Fundamentals if it's still available - PM sent.

To that point what was done before shirasaya were around - were the blades kept naked when out of the mounts? As to the idea of laying a gun safe on it's side, I don't know if it's good or bad for blades, but it does expose the weakest part of the safe to easy attack - knocking a gun safe on it's side or face and attacking the side or back is a common technique to defeat them. Also, I'd be concerned about the lock working correctly, and also you'd either have a really hard to open or really hard to close door, depending on orientation.

If Shirasaya are really mini-katanadansu, and koshirae need a more humid environment, should the blades be bare in the katanadansu? I'm purchasing a sword that doesn't have shirasaya, but it's in koshirae - or perhaps I should just have Aoi Art make me one while waiting for export? Also, how humid/moist should the environment be for the koshirae - are we talking just comfortable vs. dry, or more like a humidor?

If there's someone that can be recommended for an authentic katanadansu stateside I'd certainly be interested. My only concern with the Eastern Classics chest is the lack of racks/dividers, though I'm sure that can be fabricated. I'm sure shipping will be less than the over $1,000 shipping estimate from UPS...

I'd edit my post vs. posting again - I did find this one though the forum. Shipping would be problematic though - UPS gave a prohibitive quote for example http://www.katanatansu.jp/katanatansu%E6%9C%83%E6%B4%A5%E5%88%80%E7%AE%AA%E7%AC%A5/katanatansu4%E5%9B%9B%E6%AE%B5/

Please correct me if I'm off base, but would the clearest signs be the limited file marks on the tang, weak mei, and the kissaki? Also, would the mekugi ana ever go through the mei that way?

Are there any sources for katanadansu in the US, or Japanese dealers that sell to the US? Are there any issues with storing swords in them (other than normal handling practices, of course)?

Mid-Atlantic Token Kai Baltimore, MD Contact: Dale Garbutt at dgarbutt@wtplaw.com or phone: 410-358-1228 I'm not sure how active they are as I've only been to one meeting. Not a terrible ride from Ashburn, VA.

Buying a house, alas. Otherwise I would have gone for it.