Mark S.

Ouch! Don’t think it’s fatal, but not pretty. I’m guessing that damage like this is one reason we see machi-okuri on blades.

Hope he posts a little on the process and any other details he would like to share.

Hi Max, Glad you asked here first. While it can be difficult to wait and we all understand the excitement of a new blade, you are the prime example of why many collectors recommend “wait and study more”. It’s not because we want to ruin the excitement or fun, or think you aren’t wise enough, it’s just that many of us have gone through the same thing. You see… ‘we’ can’t tell you what flaws you can/should live with or what level blade you will be happy with. Some only collect the highest level and could never be happy with less. Some collect at a more modest level and are willing to accept certain things. My recommendation is to take time and study more until you have an idea what you like. As has been said already, we can give you advice… but we can’t decide what will make you happy… but we do want you to be happy with what you get.

I would view it as swordsmiths are craftsmen… some of whom are able to elevate their craft to the level of art.

I hope it helps. Once you get it and take a look, please give me an honest evaluation. I don’t want to recommend it if it doesn’t help at least a little.

Not to hijack, but if anyone is interested in understanding a little bit more about stroke counts and the formal, semi-formal and informal versions of kanji characters, I highly recommend the book: “Shodo, the Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy.” By Shozo Sato. Not directly nihonto related but interesting nonetheless. VERY reasonable $… about $25. Just a quick side note… he was my Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) instructor when I was in college at University of Illinois. He was (unfortunately he is no longer with us) a master of tea ceremony, calligraphy, kabuki, and other Japanese Arts. Google him if interested. I will always be grateful for Sato Sensei and all he passed on to me…

Also, it took me a while to catch on that the “Kane” with the ‘4 separate strokes’ underneath was the same Kane kanji. Once I made that connection, besides “Kuni” it is one of the most recognizable kanji to me now.

I’m not sure if what I am about to say will help, but I’m pretty sure the answer is “yes”. The stroke count is based on the formal way of writing a kanji character. If you look at Sesko’s Nihonto Compendium translation charts, the stroke count is based on the first formal kanji, but then he includes the semi formal and informal versions and variations for each. They still remain within the same stroke count category. Not sure if this answers your question?

I managed to screw up the quote feature… in response to: “Probably again the aliens....” Maybe we are asking too many questions!

From Sesko A-Z Japanese Swordsmiths:

I don’t understand an attribution based on WHO OWNS a blade? Doesn’t make any sense to me. You evaluate the blade, not the person. And there is a huge difference in attribution between Koto and Gunto. Not sure how that happened. Gunto is not a “worse attribution” if that is what it honestly is… unless of course you wanted him to say Masamune. An attribution is what it is. Our expectation is what makes it ‘good or bad’ in our minds. And there is always the possibility that in some cases a really good Gunto is better than a really poor Koto depending on who is collecting what.

Resurrecting this one rather than starting new. One more Katsunaga blade to add to the list just popped up on EBAY. Too old and technologically challenged to copy and paste the direct link.. but here is a screenshot of the site/blade.

Book arrived safe and sound. Thank you!

Once again… THANK YOU!