Kotetsu1959

George, Prices and quality do vary widely. Matched sets are obviously going to command a premium, as will gold foil seppa. Also, in respect to old Japanese seppa, as Rob observes above, there are many more smaller ones than larger ones. There are sometimes good deals to be found at shows. As with swords, the quality and quantity are diminishing. Timing and luck loom large. If you check the link Bruce posted, you will see that the price is $20-25 apiece rather than $25 for the lot. A nice large seppa that works for your needs is a bargain at $10, and perhaps worth considerably more depending on how well it fits and looks. For odd military seppa, I would say $25 is on the very high end.

David, You have picked out two nice wakizashi, either of which is a better choice than most folks make when they catch the bug. The input you have received urges you to first ask yourself, why you have to make a decision tonight? Could there be an even better choice that you will enjoy more if you take a bit more time? As has been pointed out, there are many nice swords searching for a home. Don't get in a hurry. There is always another train, and another sword. Don't wait forever, but don't rush. Knowledge is your friend, and it is your best friend as you begin collecting unless you are incredibly lucky to have a true mentor in this area. One exceptional mentor in the Dallas area, Keith Evans, is no longer around. He was was a person of great knowledge and integrity who had the opportunity to study and learn while he lived in Japan in the early sixties. We used to have a small sword study group, but Keith passed away and the other key member returned to Japan to live. I saw there was an Austin based group mentioned, but it does not look as though they are very active. There are a good many opportunities to examine Japanese swords in the U.S., but they will probably involve some travel. There used to be some sword shows in Dallas and Houston, but no more. Sword offerings at most gun shows are pretty poor unless you are extremely lucky. Get some books, and take the time to travel to one or two shows so you can see and handle different swords. You are more likely to select one that will hold your interest in the long run if you take more time to study.

This book arrived today and has already been the source of value and enjoyment. Thank you Mal for getting this book to me, and for the considerable effort involved in researching this very useful source of information on Mino-to. Swords of this school pop up often at shows. I should have acquired this book long ago!

Malcolm, I would like to purchase this work of yours, and will need to pay you to ship it to me in the U.S. Will you please private message me payment details so that I can get you paid? I look forward to learning more about Mino swords with your help!

Please let me update this post to say that I am offering only the English descriptions/ explanations --Single Volume -- of the three volume Masterpieces set, which is apparently the most difficult to find of the three volumes. The price for this single volume, with the English translation that sets out what is illustrated in the two Japanese language volumes, in slipcase and excellent condition as pictured, is $350 or best offer. Thank you again Brian for your most valuable input!

Brian, It has been too long since I pulled this set out. I have two of the English translation volumes, and thought I had two complete sets. I will revise what I have listed to show I have only the English explanations volume for sale. Thank you very much for your helpful input, which has perhaps saved me from foolishly splitting up my set!

Yes sir, the text in these two volumes is Japanese. But, as Harry “Afu” Watson used to say, the pictures are in English. The volumes are a very nice quality overview of Biden school work. Hopefully we will reach the point soon where AI offers a high quality translation of works like this one.

Good looking sword Dee, It appears to have nice length, despite being trimmed a little. Happy for you and your sword! Ray

This is a sword I own Michael. It shows the classic Mino features of irregular peaks and abundant nie. I plan on submitting it to shinsa.

Thank you very much Michael and Moriyama san for your kind translation assistance. Enjoy your weekend!

Thank you Moriyama san for this helpful information and interesting photograph!

Thank you to those who contributed for your kind input. I neglected to show the inscription on the reverse side, and will correct that oversight. Note the blade is katakiriba, hirazukuri on one side and shinogizukuri on the other, an unusual feature. The question of whether tamahagane was employed in the forging probably cannot be definitively answered. The carefully controlled shape of the piece, precision of file work/signature and yakiba/polish are not consistent with an item that was "churned out." Both time and skill was required to produce this little knife. It is certainly no masterpiece, but I am confident it is Japanese. Any additional input is welcome, though perhaps we will have to settle on it being a high quality utility knife.

Bruce, You have that B series in naval mounts that I sent pictures of. Does that fall in 1939 according to your research?

Thank you for doing the implicitly necessary suffering attendant to writing this useful work, and so perhaps saving us a portion Dr. Rivkin. There is information here that is of benefit to most all of us!

I concur with Bruce. The tassel looks as though an older skirt was married to a newer strap, with a never seen before addition of random hardware thrown in. I think of AOI as a reliable dealer, having been very pleased with a naval dagger I purchased from them. I am surprised to see an item like this on their site.

Paul was incredibly generous, and would often invite friends to examine his treasures in hand. He was also generous about loaning pieces for sword study events. With a collection like his, it was a considerable effort to pull out all his amazing pieces to share. I was fortunate to be invited to his home, and to bring a Japanese American engineer friend. On that occasion also present was the late Professor Arnold F, among the kindest and most sophisticated men in this field, who with Paul's permission brought another friend. Paul had prepared for this visit by having all his best pieces laid out, including his impressive matchlock collection. He and his wife hosted us all for dinner. They went to a great deal of effort to create this opportunity for us. Paul spent a lifetime carefully studying nihonto, honestly and generously sharing what he knew and what he found. Hearing Paul describe the process of purchasing the Norishige tanto, with other interested parties trying to convince him it was a gimei piece he was crazy to throw his money at, was by itself a fascinating treat. He trusted his own judgment, while at the same time realizing his judgment was fallible. Also memorable was how Paul would happily admit to being much impressed with some swords that Tanobe Michihiro would dismiss as completely unworthy of a man with Paul's exceptional collection. Paul never lost his enthusiasm for nihonto, or his generous spirit towards others who shared his interest. Paul's loss is a great loss for all who were fortunate to know him, and to our field of interest. He was an amazing and modest man, who patiently built a truly incredible collection. We can only hope that some of his treasures are acquired by people who possess Paul's generous spirit of sharing this art.

Here at a couple more genuine general grade tassels not previously pictured. Note the fineness of the thread used, and how subtle the zig zag effect is relative to reproductions. The knotting of the “berries” differs on these two. They are both significantly more lean, tight and flexible in form overall than reproductions, which tend to be stiff.