jeremy

Hi Adam Rising diagonal cut or gyaku kesagiri involves more power in the right hand because of the mechanics of the cut. It is a difficult cut to master properly for most people. Shinchokugiri or straight downward cuts use left has for power and right hand for guidance. Same as migi and hidari kesagiri. Beginners are always taught these cuts first. Hope this helps. Regards Jeremy

That is exactly how we are taught to cut in Toyama Ryu and Nakamura Ryu. Regards Jeremy

Hi Geraint, Im guessing its a rikko/ryugo even though the waisting is not that prominent? Cheers Jeremy

Hi guys, Is this a rikko/ryugo style or haichi style tsuka? http://s201.photobucket.com/user/jezah8 ... sort=3&o=0 Kind regards Jeremy

Hey guys, ended up sending my sword to the US through Australia Post ECI service which is similar to EMS. I put the description as "old forged metalwork" and I had no problem with post office staff or Customs problems in the US. For now I'll be sticking with this service in the future if I need to send swords overseas. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. Regards Jeremy

Hey Barrie, Cheers for that mate. What did you write as the description of contents? Regards Jeremy

I've read there has been issues regarding shipping nihonto from Australia to international locations using Australia post and other shipping services. I would like to hear from those with experience what's the best way to send swords overseas from Australia? And any further instructions to avoid hassles with the postal services. Cheers Jeremy

Im guessing mumei (unsigned) shinshinto period sword (1800's) . The experts here may need more info like thickness and length and width of the blade. Kind regards, Jeremy

Do you mind elaborating on the differences please Chris for my own education learning. Thanks Kind regards, Jeremy

Ive sent u a PM mate. :D Cheers, Jeremy

I guess something serious to one person is not so serious to another, I normally see serious flaws as flaws that. Compromise the integrity of the blade as a user weapon, not as something serious to look at. But I just wanted to hear others more expert opinion :D kind regards, Jeremy Hagop

what you see is what im talking about Mark. Its a Muromachi period Sengo blade. The loose grain in the first link is very hard to see, you may need to really zoom in on it. its very fine...even hard to depict in hand. Kind regards, Jeremy Hagop

What do you guys think of this flaw? Looks like loose grain opening, about 2 inches away from yokote. Serious or nor? Besides the chip, does the opening seem serious? http://s201.photobucket.com/user/jezah8 ... sort=3&o=0 http://s201.photobucket.com/user/jezah8 ... sort=3&o=1 Kind regards, Jeremy

Jason, As adam has said flaws such as hagarami has to be taken on case by case basis. My swords hagarami isnt as bad as the ones depicted in the photos, however it is there and visible and close to the edge. However, the nlade itself has alot of niku surrounding the cutting edge which reinforces it somewhat, making it suitable for cutting. Tired blades shouldnt be used for anything other than collecting, regardless if it has flaws such as hagarami. Hope this helps. Kind regards, Jeremy

I also have a blade which isnt tired and seems to have this kind of hada-ware near the edge. Been cutting bamboo and wara for years with it and not problem. Like other blades mentioned here, it is only visible on one side of the blade. Kind regards, Jeremy

Thanks for the clarification Paul. :D Thanks for the chart Jean. :D Regards, Jeremy

Hi Paul, Tensho period is in koto or shinto period of sword history? 1578 for the second sword would make it koto or am i missing something? Kind regards, Jeremy

From what ive read Kiyomaro and Koyama made swords with slightly flat niku also. Kind regards. Jeremy Hagop

Hello, Is there is a construction method called kofuse gitae or is it supposed to be kobuse gitae? Kind regards, Jeremy Hagop

Most likely between 1650's to 1680's. Cheers, Jeremy

Id agree with Echizen Seki Edo Shinto as i have a Hirotaka Echizen katana with identical hamon, hada and mihaba and kasane. Wouldnt be surprised if it were a mumei Hirotaka katana. Kind regards, Jeremy

My Okamoto Kazumune katana is also made in sanmai construction but doesnt have any obvious lines demarcating the kawagane and core steel. it does have niju-ha in the monouchi though. Should all sanmai blades have some sort of obvious line like So's blade in the link? Kind regards. Jeremy

Several years ago,i accidently chipped about1mm of my training shinsakuto kissaki and the damage looked identical to your swords. however my sword is in a cutting iaido polish unlike yours. Chris Osborne fixed mine, without polishing off too much material. at the time Bob Benson told me he could of fixed it easily for $150usd. this was a few years ago though. drop em each an email and see what they say. Best of luck, Jeremy

This law must be a recent change. Me and my other sword swinging buddies took our Okamoto Kazumune shinsakutos to Japan last year in October through Osaka airport, and even though it took us four hours to get through, we were issued with temporary permits to keep the swords in Japan until our taikai was up. When it came time to take the shinsakuto out of Japan, we showed these temporary permits to the flight officials at the airport and we just checked in our swords as normal baggage. I would like to know more about this as well.......... Kind regards, Jeremy

Thanks for the reply. Do you or anyone else know, if this smith (Echizen Hirotaka) has any signed blades out there with a nambantetsu inscripion? Kind regards, Jeremy