Mark S.

To get you started, the left side of nakago I believe reads: Sakuyo Bakka Shi Hosokawa Masayoshi Tsukuru and then the Kao (stamped seal) in lower right.

The rest of the horimono looks pretty polished down so this is definitely a possibility. Could it also be remnants of an old flaw in the blade that the horimono was engraved over to cover up… or just an area of core steel that is starting to show through from numerous polishes?

I can’t figure out why you guys try? Discussion is not part of the formula. Charlie Brown… Lucy… Football. All these threads end the same. You’re wrong.

Elitism There is a huge difference between saying “I only LIKE the best 10 smiths” (and by default “so should you”) and “I KNOW jack about those 10 smiths”… or anything else for that matter. I’ve met many people who have money and claim to like the best (of whatever… cars, wine, etc.) only because they could afford it, not because they knew or appreciated anything about it. And I’ve met people who ‘claim’ to like the best of everything because they think that is what they should say to impress people. You can never be wrong with that claim and you can even pretend to ‘hang with’ the ‘right crowd’ based only on your words. I’ve also met many people who can enjoy the best of everything, graciously share some of that experience with others, are grateful for their ability to have all that, and still treat others who don’t have all that with respect and dignity. Rare maybe?

And there you have the perfect definition of an elitist… they become an island unto themselves because everyone, sooner or later, gets tired of their attention whoring and making everything about them instead of the subject. When they start to realize everyone isn’t enamored with ‘them’, they start to crap on everything to still get the attention they need. How can you find the elitist in a crowded room?… wait 5 minutes and they will be the first one (only one) to make sure they tell you they are an elitist… they can’t help themselves. Chirac??? Nobody cares what he said.

If it had been around tax refund time, I wouldn’t have thought twice… of course an engagement ring later this year is also in the cards…. I’m guessing it will be Tokubetsu Hozon level… if I don’t get Juyo, neither does she.

Just email them and ask about your specific blade. I just bought a yari from them. When I asked about shipping, they said it was included in the price they quoted on line for that item. They do respond.

Ishihara Kanenao

Love the tiger and moon as well as the mountain scene with hut and farmers. ‘Saving’ items from a thrift store is always so much fun, but usually not as grand as this story. Well done!

I will add, if you can go to some shows, or join a club to see blades in hand, it is the best way to learn. Study enough to know WHAT you like and WHY.

Do YOU like it and why? Can YOU afford it and think it is a good deal? Can YOU own it and not care what anyone else thinks of your collection? Are YOU ok if you find out later you might not get your money back or it will be difficult to sell? Does it make YOU happy no matter what anyone else thinks?

Check the Dealer section here at NMB

PM sent

With all the things that could potentially go wrong during a cut and the chance to devalue or ruin something that can’t be replaced… what’s the upside?

Breaks my heart…

Original E-Bay listing Nagasa: 38.0cm Sori: 0.4cm TOTAL length: 59.0cm Age: Muromachi (provided by the seller at katana-boutique) - no reference information provided in the listing.

I assume there is story behind this? If there is an old thread on this one, please let us know... or has been requested, pics and a story PLEASE!

So it would appear that the reference taped to the shirasaya was a mei comparison reference. Still interesting. Yari in the article is a standard yari, mine is a jumonji yari. I do appreciate all the help in the hunt for the information. Just the idea that I could have purchased something that was referenced in one of the NTHK articles was interesting. See below for the standard yari mei in the article vs my jumonji yari mei.

Thank you so much Michael! The NMB (and the people here) never cease to amaze me. First, the resources we have available, but second, and more importantly, how generous so many of you are with your time and information.

In case you want to see how it looks:

Usually a sayagaki is written (and signed) by a trusted 'expert' in kantei whose sayagaki written opinion will be known and respected by others who trust that person's reputation. Format I have seen is: attribution, description of quality (why blade is important), date of blade, length, date sayagaki was written, signature of scholar. There is also what is know as an 'inventory' sayagaki. This can contain any information you wish. One (old one) I have is: attribution, zaimei or mumei statement, and length. I would think adding blade date (if known) after length would be in order, but usually that information should probably be on the nakago or at least on the papers, otherwise it is a bit of a 'guess' (my opinion only). If you ever find out the blade is a different date, it's not like you can erase it and change. I suppose you could make note of the Hozon paper, but that is probabaly getting to be too much info. Once again, my opinion, but I don't think the calligrapher should sign as they are not 'authenticating' anything other than their written artwork.

You are both AMAZING! Thank you Mark & Jussi. Went to look at the link and found Volume 611 pages 25-30 is titled (translates to): Genealogy of Yamashiro no kami (Governor of Yamashiro Province) Shige Hyakukoku Nyudo / Yoshitaka Mori / p25-30 So I believe Kunishige worked in Yamashiro and did receive the “Yamashiro no kami” title. Not sure if I will be able to obtain copy of article to see if this yari is referenced specifically or if there is information about the smith.

I know this is a longshot. Recently I purchased a jumonji yari at the Chicago Show (shared in a previous thread). It came without papers. Seller didn't think he had papers for it (owned it a long time) but was going to check his archives just in case he was incorrect, but I haven't heard back yet, so I am assuming no luck. Per the attached image, taped on the shirasaya at the bottom is a reference tag. The Heian Jo Fujiwara Kunishige matches the mei. I'm just wondering if the last line matches anything anyone can think of? I read it as NTHK 611 P27. The seller did not know/did not remember what it meant. Did the NTHK ever publish any information like a journal or other publication? Just wondering if the P27 is "Page 27"? 611 could be June, 2011 or a publication number? The "P" is a little blurry, but it doesn't look like a number so I don't think 611P27 is a serial number to a NTHK Kanteisho Paper (the blurry "P" being a number instead of a letter)? Does anybody see anything else? This will probably remain a mystery, but if you have any thoughts, I would appreciate it.

WW2 Era. I believe Seki smith.

When nothing new that you pick up impresses you enough to give you a feeling of enjoyment. Sometimes we pick up things we can't afford... but we still 'collect' knowledge. The collecting stops when the enjoyment stops.