Mark S.

Which is why I stated: “He is recommending the use of paper bands so you won’t be tempted to try some other type of glue or adhesive.” There is a specific reason a specific type of ‘glue’ is used.

Thank you (as always) Steve. I have seen the last two characters referred to as “o tsuruku” and “tsuruku kore”. Based on the context of “made for”, are either of those two correct, or would they read as something else?

Just to add a bit to Grey’s wonderful information, the storage scabbard (shirasaya) is designed to be taken apart if necessary for cleaning and the proper ‘glue’ he mentions is basically a paste made from rice. He is recommending the use of paper bands so you won’t be tempted to try some other type of glue or adhesive that is too permanent and then the scabbard is ruined if it needs to come apart later, or worse the blade is damaged if some of the uncured adhesive gets on the steel. For the peg (mekugi), another alternative to the chopstick is a bamboo knitting needle. They are usually very hard bamboo, fairly well made, and come in several diameters. You will still need to cut and whittle a bit for a good fit.

What is it you would like to know beyond the description provided and the info on the THozon paper?

Trying to decipher a ‘special order’ mei and having a little trouble working it out: 1) Not sure of first character. 2) I have not come across “Kasa” in a mei before, so I provided the formal and less formal versions of the kanji that I could find 3) The second half of the name of the person who ordered it. Taken individually the kanji combine to Hayahito. But I am also led to believe it could be Hayato? 4) Correct version for last two characters in reference to a sword made for someone. Thank you all

Steve went all high tech I had this from Hawley’s “Japanese Swordsmiths Vol 1 & 2” but Steve’s answer is more informative.

Not sure why you would bring them outside in the rain? Water and blades don’t mix. While not fatal, please make sure to do everything to limit any further possible issues. Step 1: DO NOT put blades back in sayas wet or even damp. Wipe everything down with soft dry clean cloth or tissue. Let everything dry out completely and when you think it is dry, wait longer. Wood and other softer items tend to soak up and hold water much longer than we think. Step 2: Wipe blades down with highest percentage isopropyl alcohol you can obtain. Step 3: Oil blades lightly. Search NMB for oil recommendations. Step 4: Do not attempt red rust removal until you do a bunch of research here at NMB on proper techniques. Trying to do it quickly or incorrectly will do more damage.

And some other questions you need to ask yourself… what is it about this blade you like? What do you hope to learn from it? What ‘boxes’ does it check for you and your collecting goals? Only you can decide if this blade makes you happy. If you ask others, they will tell you their opinion based on if the blade makes them happy… and that is ok too. But YOU have to live with it and look at it every day. Just a bit of advice though… and this is only to save you money or disappointment (not to dissuade you)… you might want to take some time and study more (although, I admit I don’t know how much you have already done this) so you can answer the “why am I buying this?”, “what is it worth TO ME?”, and more knowledge of “is it real and what is it?” on your own, not to say we don’t mind helping. We always recommend buying books and studying more first. There will ALWAYS be more blades… ALWAYS. Just don’t want you to rush into a purchase, but I DO understand the excitement. We have all been there.

The ‘generosity’ of our members never ceases to amaze!

I will have to remember this. The ring of arrows (#3) would be one I would look at, now I will have to make sure I’m looking twice. Thanks for the heads up.

I just learned something new today. I apologize from the bottom of my heart for giving out incorrect information and my ignorance.

It really would be call for a qualified polisher. If the answer is “no”, then you still have a few options: 1) The polisher could open a couple windows in safer spots so you could see and appreciate some of the activity, 2) you could gently treat the blade to some uchiko and over time some of the activity could show, or 3) leave it as is, keep the blade stable, and try to appreciate what you can see until you decide to keep or pass on.

I am a bit confused, but that is nothing new. Would it be possible to get a picture of the papers and oshigata along with the score sheet? I assume you are speaking of the San Francisco show? Were they doing oshigata right there at the show? Doesn’t seem like there would be enough time to make oshigata for every blade?

And it would be helpful if you would define ‘value’. Value is a very subjective term. By ‘value’, do you mean real and authentic? Well then yes, it is a real WW2 era blade. It has ‘value’ to some who collect WW2 era blades but less value to those who only collect earlier blades. If you like it, can afford it, and enjoy it, then it has value to you.

Not sure if I am reading your question right, but I think most papers are now all photo at least at Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon level and both the NTHK organizations. Date has more to do with photo vs. oshigata than anything else (older papers are oshigata).

So going back to your original question, is the blade worth shinsa to you? That is all that matters. If you ask others if it is worth it to them, you have to be ready for many to say “no”… and that is an honest answer because it isn’t worth it to them. I guess in the end you have to decide if you are collecting/shinsa’ing for you or them. By the way, I have blades that many would think are not worth a shinsa that I sent to shinsa for me… and even a couple blades I have had polished for me that others would not consider worth a polish.

You are correct. In all collector markets there are ‘levels’ of collecting. Each person has to decide where they fit in. Some will only collect and be satisfied a completely original, one of a kind Michelangelo. Others might consider hand sketches done by Michelangelo as practice or to work out ideas for a great masterpiece to be collectible. Others might only be able to afford other lesser known artists who worked in the same time period and style as Michelangelo. Others can only afford limited edition prints and copies of original work. Others tear a page out of National Geographic of a Michelangelo painting and hang it on the wall.

Tell you what… repost this in its own thread instead of being an albatross and crapping all over this thread. Then I will politely explain to you what other photos I need to assist with ID instead of being a tool and dismissing you out of hand. Then I will do my best to give you an OPINION without being a tool to you or anyone else on this board who gives their OPINION and tries to help. All skills you completely lack and/or are just too much of a $&@$@! to share. Get it??? If you don’t, then you just continue to prove you are a silly, unserious person who is here for completely different reasons than 99% of us. Honestly, I have never been able to figure out what you offer or what you get out of all this… but that’s on you. As my Mother (90 years and still going strong) always says, “Be a help, not a hinderance”, which was always a warning to her sons that we better get our $h!t straightened out…

You would think giving endless gimei opinions without a blade in hand on an ON-LINE platform would be “harmful”…

You participate on an ON-LINE platform and then complain people use that ON-LINE platform to ask questions or give advice ON-LINE. Try to get this straight… IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT IS WHAT WE HAVE. We understand that and we accept it. If you can’t, don’t or won’t, then you have choices. We have heard your concern ad nauseam, and just because we ignore you doesn’t mean we don’t get it. We understand it, but don’t accept it or agree, you are given permission to stop. We will continue on. And stop with the ‘harmful’ over exaggeration. No one is being harmed, the earth isn’t spinning off its axis, light and dark matter aren’t coming into contact, and the universe is not out of balance… well at least not because of a few ON-LINE opinions. Please just stop… you are becoming a caricature.

Of course not! You’ll find many dealers willing to help you. But do understand that these hunts require patience. They can be fun but frustrating as well.

I believe this may be a cast reproduction.

From the “Shows and Events” section: Mr. Ohashi (kodogu), Mr. Sasaoka, Mr. Kawashima, Mr. Kuwabara, Mr. Morikawa You can get more shinsa and show info there. With the passing of Miyano Sensei it will be interesting to see how the shinsa results shake out moving forward.

I do agree with you somewhat, but I also think the ‘someone’ is the issue. If I am giving my opinion on the kantei of a blade and sign a piece of paper saying this is what I think it is, well, that’s worth less than the piece of paper unless you agree with me too. And if another person doesn’t agree with an NBTHK or NTHK opinion, then no ‘convincing’ is gonna convince them. In every field, there are ‘experts’. We don’t HAVE to trust them. Many do. It really is a personal opinion (just like the paper) as to whether you give it weight or not. It’s not good or bad, it’s just the way it is.