Mark S.

Hmmmm???… interesting statement located in a post that is pretty much one long screed of moralisms… I think ‘hypocrisy’ was the term you are looking for? I’m sure low-ball private offers had NOTHING to do with $$$? And to be smarmy about the whole thing says a lot…

Kunihiro

Just to add, every once in a while I gently clean the inside of the habaki of old oil with a Q-tip. Not necessary every time, but I think it’s good to keep it clean on occasion.

Worked for me and a good idea! Maybe every once in a while, highlight an article or reference, and include links to the above mentioned ’reference and resource’ areas that I think a lot of our newer members should use? There are books, research, and articles that really need more exposure and are totally free!!! I will work on getting the image re-sizer. Being technologically stunted is a curse…

I don’t want to disappoint you, but something very ‘off’ with nakago and kissaki of this blade… Mechanically buffed/polished beyond recognition?

I try not to put all my eggs in the ‘worksheet’ basket as really the final paperwork is what counts and the worksheet is more notes that the Shinsa team takes back with them and they can do further research before issuing papers. But I also asked my questions just to be sure. I am glad the NTHK groups give out the worksheets as it adds to the learning, but I rely on the final papers more.

What do you feel should have been the result?

Realized I promised to post about daisho tsuba… and forgot. There is a story behind why it was submitted to Shinsa, but probably only interesting to me. The set passed as a daisho set with a score of 74. I was a little confused by the worksheet as it did not state “Saotome” (which I thought was pretty much a slam dunk). It also stated “2nd generation”, but not 2nd generation “Who”? It just states Aki (Geishu) and the era. I contacted Chris B. with my questions and he said he would check with Shinsa team for verification. I figure it’s better to get it worked out BEFORE official kanteisho papers are sent out, although I’m sure team would have probably put more specifics on the papers.

Kaneshige? According to the Nihonto Compendium by Markus Sesko, in the 8 stroke category, Kane and Kin (along with a couple others) are attributed to that kanji... although it is slightly different.

Thank you for taking the time to answer such a simple question.

I’m not a dealer, and I have only made a private offer ONCE by PM… but only after the member clearly stated in a post (albeit NOT in the For Sale Section) that they were considering passing the blade on to someone who could care for it and appreciate it. But what you describe Brian doesn’t only happen here. I witnessed the same type of thing happen at a show (won’t say which one do as not to shed a bad light on that show). A couple brought in a family blade for ‘advice’ and one of the dealers (who over the years I have learned to stay far away from) followed them out into the hallway to work a side deal that made the whole situation uncomfortable. He really wouldn’t quit, but luckily the couple stuck with “No”. I rarely if ever speak up, but after the situation ended, I politely said to the couple that there were many good dealers in the room they should trust… but in my opinion, he wasn’t one of them. They smiled and agreed. And no, I didn’t make them an offer on the side. DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BRIAN AND DON’T FEEL BAD!

I have seen the time period 1684-1688 referred to as both Jokyo and Teikyo. Just wondering which one is more commonly used? Thank you

Well done! Sometimes these just come out of nowhere!

A pic or 2 would be appreciated. My yari and this Katana have to meet!

Was great meeting you and thank you for taking the time to stop and say hi and introduce yourself to me. I know you were busy, so I really appreciate you sharing some of your time. I know it is impossible, but I would love to be a fly on the wall during the discussion of blades to know more of the ‘why’. Chris B. went out of his way and let me watch the team for a short while both Saturday and Sunday and I was lucky enough to watch them judge my daisho tsuba (from a distance) on Sunday. Of course, not knowing the Japanese language made it a bit difficult. For everyone else, say what you will, but the judges take it seriously, are willing to talk back and forth, the time they take with so many items, and the research they do is impressive. If there is any discussion about the Sadamori you can share, I would love to hear a little background. If you don’t want to air it in public, I’m more than happy with a PM. Thank you, Mark S.

My results posted in the “Sword Show and Events” section.

I’m not going to be shy. Hope more members post results. If you would like any more details about any of the blades, let me know. Here are my results from Saturday. 9 out of 11 of my blade submittals passed. I’ll post one more result of Sunday daisho tsuba submittal later… KATANA — Mei: Hizen Kuni ju Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro - judged Gimei - however judges notes say “Kanbun Hizen”, so still same school. I knew this one was probably gimei, but it was a good looking blade (for me) and I submitted to confirm it was not a total disaster. When I asked ‘on the side’, I was told if submitted mumei, it probably would still have scored 71 or 72 points, but of course you will have to take my word for that. WAKIZASHI — Mei: Omi-no-kami Minamoto Rai Sadamori. 77 points. One point away from possible Yushu submittal! Was kinda proud about this one as it was not a high cost blade and I trusted my research before buying… but as always, it was still a gamble. Was told it was one of the higher scored blades of the Shinsa weekend. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and again. WAKIZASHI — Mei: Bizen Osafune ju Yokoyama Sukekane / A day in February 1862. Mount Fuji hamon. Nagasa on border between ko-wakizashi or o-tanto. 73 points. Had previous old NBTHK Kicho Hozon white papers and I wanted to re-confirm. Originally judged as tanto but NBTHK corrected to wakizashi in 2020 at a previous owners request and NTHK-NPO also stated wakizashi. WAKIZASHI — Mei: Kuwana ju Morishige - Judged meikan-more. 71 points. It was in a very out of polish state when I purchased and while a blade with interesting activity, unfortunately, a fukure opened during polish, but still a respectable 71 points. And I felt it should be included in shinsa to get smith’s name recorded ‘somewhere’. If you do a search on NMB, you will see blade previously discussed. WAKIZASHI — Mei: Omi no Kami Hojoji Tachibana Masahiro (1st Gen). 74 points. This blade sparked my interest in the Hojoji school. It also fueled a recent purchase from Grey Doffin of a Hojoji Tachibana Kunimasa katana. Most definitely a school that has peaked my interest and will be a focus in the future. WAKIZASHI — MUMEI - was bounced as saiha. A little surprised by this one. Thought it might get Bungo which I was ok with, but did not expect saiha… oh well. Back to my blind squirrel status I guess. WAKIZASHI — Mei: Kanazawa ju Darani Tachibana Katsukuni. 74 points WAKIZASHI — MUMEI - judged Den: Kashu Iyo Daijo Katsukuni. 73 points. Thought it was a Mino blade, so I need to study more. TANTO — Mei: Sei-ryu-shi Moriyuki. 71 points. Was a little nervous about this blade as I could not find much about smith and example mei’s, and one kanji in mei seemed a bit ‘off’. Blade is probably a bit tired, but I was pleasantly surprised by result. JUMONJI YARI — Mei: Heian Jo Fujiwara Kunishige 75 points HIRA SANKAKU YARI (a last minute addition that showed up in the mail earlier than I expected - Shinsa team was able to squeeze it in with my other blades) — Mei (signed on all 4 sides of nakago): Izumi no Kami Kanesada (11th generation) / Keio 3 U (year of hare) 8th month / Made at Echigo Kuni Kamo / Made for Kasahara Hayato. 31.5cm nagasa. 73 points

When you research the tsuba signed Kaneie, please know that it is a big name and there were MANY later copies that signed Kaneie. Just want to manage expectations. Doesn’t mean it is a ‘bad’ tsuba, but want you to know the odds are it is not a national treasure. Good luck with your research!

I am the last person to like change… but I think this one will work out just fine.

I’ll post a more detailed list of results in the near future… but, 8 out of my 10 items passed yesterday. One of my fails (Hizen Tadahiro katana) I pretty much knew was a no go, but wanted to get an opinion on what it was. The team still felt it was a Shinto Hizen blade, just that the signature was gimei. The other fail was a saiha (retemper). That one surprised me a bit. But, oh well. My best score of those that passed was 77. I have a daisho set of tsuba going today. We shall see.

You would have to ask if there are any extra available slots open. While it does happen, it is very much on a cases by case basis. You are also competing with people who buy a blade at the show and want to submit at same time if possible. It never hurts to ask.

I ‘think’ (and I use that term loosely) the shinsa team started yesterday for mail-in items and for people who could drop off early? I could also be completely wrong. But the show officially starts today.

Results not what you hoped I take it?

Care to elaborate?