Mark S.

Seller pic

Just posting some pics of a recent acquisition. I’ll break it up into several posts. Not a lot on-line about this smith, but it was a nice blade in pretty good condition. I’ll start with a couple references, then pics of blade (one from seller and then my poor attempts). Blade activity seems to match descriptions and the one on-line reference I could find with pictures. Finally I’ll include two mei comparisons that I feel match pretty well. Mei on this blade reads: Omi no Kami Minamoto Rai Sadamori. From Mr Sesko’s reference, Sadamori had roots in the Mishina school and a student of 2nd Gen Iga no Kami Kinmichi. Active period was Tenna 1681-1684. The blade has the same heft and feel as a Mishina (Yoshimichi) blade I have so I can see the connection. Nice long, heavy wakizashi: Nagasa: 54.4cm Sori: 1.2cm Motohabe: 32mm Motokasane: 7mm Sakihabe: 22mm Sakikasane: 5mm Weight: 543g Any comments are welcome.

As was previously stated, remove the habaki (collar with the angled lines) and take some photos. It may give a hint at condition of blade and if polished down a lot or if there is damage to the hamachi area.

My opinion only… katana and tanto market has held price, although I think there are fewer buyers due to economic issues. Sellers are willing to hold them hoping for future upturn. Wakizashi market extremely soft except for exceptional pieces. I find wakizashi a good choice if you want to inexpensively study characteristics of blades (hamon, hada, etc, & knowing you may not get $$$ back when selling) but katana and tanto are more ‘collectible’.

I keep all my original NBTHK/NTHK documents in their envelopes and store them in an acid free document storage box (kinda looks like a shoe box) I purchased at an art store. First I scan the documents so if I wish to print them off, or do other things with the images, I can do so. I’m also a bit OCD and do a translation of all my paperwork to keep in my files. If your going to display, I would use copies as sun and climate can degrade any paperwork. Really no reason to display the originals, but they do belong to you. I’m not saying I am right… just saying this is what I do.

Honoring my responsibilities, but realizing others have explained it better than I…. Here are a couple sites to learn more… http://www.ncjsc.org/gloss_hi-1.html http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/grooves.html

Possibly made to match double bohi that extends through nakago?

This blade would not last long if around tax refund time… and I would be in a LOT of trouble.

Thank you again Steve. And now we get closer to the ‘mess’ (or disconnect between sayagaki and mei) I mentioned. While I admit my reference materials may not be as complete as they should be, the latest “Goami School Moriyuki” I found was at the Sho-Shin website and that was at the end of the 1500’s. Then, we jump to the 1800’s with the “Seiryūshi Moriyuki” mei. That’s over 200 years I can’t account for… unless I’m wrong. I am also concerned with the little ‘jump’ in the kanji in the attached pic (red arrow). Not sure if this is something that happens from time to time, or not sure if it is a red flag? On the other hand, not sure this is the type of smith (not a big name) that would be a target for gimei?

Actually it is… but I won’t speak for the person who runs this Board or the general feeling about this issue. I have a bad feeling this won’t end well. Take it for what it is worth but before you continue down the road of letting everyone know your plans, please take a look at: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/35486-a-word-about-amateur-polishing/ I also am a little concerned about the machi area of this blade, but it could be the pictures.

Here is a better pic of mei and yasurime

Steve, Your knowledge and willingness to help is always appreciated. I don’t know if the mei helps or hurts, and I was going to wait because I had the strong urge to believe it is gimei, but I will attach it if it puts things in context. Once again, this is my attempt at translating the mei.

So I may have a bit of a mess on my hands, but that will be for a future post. Right now, I am having trouble with a few parts of a sayagaki translation. As always I tried my best first. Could you please confirm what I have and help with the missing. One section of writing is worn so I added a pic to try to highlight the worn spot. Thank you for your help. Mark S.

Oh, I wasn’t accusing you of that. I was just remembering back fondly to my youth and lessons learned… some more painful than others But really well earned. Be patient and wait for the right teacher to guide you. You will not be disappointed. The old saying… “when the student is ready, the Master will appear”. Wish you the best with your training. And do not worry about your perceived physical limitations, a proper teacher will help you find your Way.

Some ‘general guidelines’ regarding these signatures. Please remember there are always exceptions to nihonto ‘rules’ but lots of good info and lots of leads to other research. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21234-bizen-and-bishu-signature/

I always use this as a default answer. Weapons were a part of my karate training and I was told by my Sensei what would work for me… and what he would allow. Funny, I knew better than to argue with him. Yes, the sai he told me to get were a little too heavy for me and a little too long, but he knew I would grow into them and it would make me stronger. Always trust their guidance. In the long run, it will work out… and will probably be a less painful experience

Also, I have seen this little ‘jump’ (see attached photo and red arrow) in the stroke mark of the kanji on a couple of blades (and from this seller). Just wondering if it is at all common or could point toward gimei? I ask for future reference.

It would probably be easier if you listed one blade at a time (so we know which date goes with which mei) and made sure the are oriented correctly so they can be read easier. I believe this one is Izumi no Kami Kunisada. If there is another kanji at the top hidden by the seppa/tsuba (and I think it is there peeking out a bit) that looks like a #, then it would read Inouye Izumi no Kami Kunisada.

Unless you are unaware, it’s Brian’s site… his $$$… his playground… his rules… and seriously… it is Gestapo-ish. At least spell snide comments right. Funny… MOST of us have no problem here. Sometimes if it stinks wherever you go, you might want to check your undies. You always have the option to go somewhere else, or better yet, show everyone how it is done and start your own, better run, website (you know, to PROVE how much better YOU would be at this), but you don’t have the option to dictate your expectations on something you don’t own or have responsibility for. “What i have heard from others…” (you have made this statement several times) is at best hearsay, can be considered to be completely made up, and has NO validity. I can claim I have heard ‘from others’ about a lot of things about you. Doesn’t mean it’s true. When you have actual FIRST HAND documented knowledge of events, then maybe you would have a little more standing here. What is more interesting is that I’m just trying to figure out what is in it for you to try so hard to convince the poster that he didn’t experience FIRST HAND what he says he experienced based only on your SECOND HAND (and THAT is a maybe) “what I have heard from others” accusations ? Things that make the rest of us go hmmmmm???……

I saw this yari on eBay as well. I don’t mean any disrespect… but it sold (with shipping) for about $250??? Why?

Thank You Bob!

Two things to take note of: 1) MANY gimei (fake signatures) of this smith 2) Katana almost always (in nihonto, never say always… but usually always) are signed tachi mei by this smith. Yours is signed katana mei.

This is a note on AOI Art’s website that was posted recently. I highly suggest reaching out to them to get estimates before you order. Also note that some long or large size items (full naginata / yari poles, etc.) can be expensive to ship: “Thank you so much for giving us your patronage. Some of you have already experienced that we have charged you an extra shipping fee to ship the parcels. That was the effect of the suspension of all EMS shipments to European countries. And now, other couriers like FedEx and UPS have raised their fees so we cannot afford shipping fees anymore. Please note that it is very probable that we ask you for an additional charge to ship items, depending on the countries you live. We will let you know whether you have to pay the additional fees when you order any items. Make sure that you write your shipping address including your country name when you make an order. If not, we cannot calculate the shipping fees. We apologize for what we have decided but we have to get profits to keep our business. We truly hope you all understand.”

I have found the following site to be a nice resource: http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10338