Mark S.

I would keep the green papers as a part of the blades history. And even if the green papers are invalidated by a follow-up Shinsa, it would be interesting to see what they tried to pass the blade off as vs. what it is now thought to be... and to have a historical copy of green papers showing your blade was a part of the 'great controversy'.

If you haven’t already read it, Darcy had an article about green papers in his August 2017 blog. Look up “Green Papers = No Papers”. Interesting read no matter what your view on these papers are. https://blog.yuhindo.com/2017/08/

My guess is Brian is too much of a gentleman to bring up a very nice, appreciated, gift that was privately given and I would assume meant to be kept private... until now when it is publicly thrown in his face. Well done. I guess elitism doesn’t always = class... some things money just can’t buy. I guess he was speaking for all those who share in his current financial situation, yet still try to enjoy the hobby of nihonto.

I was just shocked I got it right! I think this was my first translation!

Please don't... same end result as the vinegar and sandpaper. I highly encourage you to hang out here at the NMB and READ and ABSORB as much as you possibly can. Over time, you will most definitely learn and come to hold a deep appreciation that polishing blades is not a 'hobby'...

So... to increase your knowledge, please never do this again. No matter the condition of the blade, as a general, blanket rule on the NMB, such amateur restorations are not supported. You have no idea what you might be destroying and in no way is sandpaper and vinegar an 'improvement'. I know it is hard to hear and you may not believe it, but honestly, it is ALWAYS better to do NOTHING until you REALLY know what you have.

Tsune... something... Tsune Yasu? REFERENCE: Mr Sesko's Nihonto Compendium Tsune: page 19 (9 strokes) Yasu: page 25 (11 strokes)

Brian, I am sorry I did not see your ‘move on’ post before I posted my comment. If you feel the need to remove, please do. I meant no disrespect.

I’m going to try to tread lightly so as not to push my luck with Brian when he is clearly already dealing with a difficult situation... and please accept my comments with a grain of salt and a bit tongue and cheek as they go against what we usually speak of around here... but I’ve always wondered what should REALLY happen to the blades that collectors like Rayhan feel are beneath everyone? Should they be melted down?, used to chop weeds in the garden?, thrown in a pit?, can I sharpen them just for fun to see what happens? We tell people all the time around here to not touch ANY blades for good reason... but then we are told by our betters that these blades are useless and have no value... so should we REALLY care? Did Rayhan never buy lesser blades? Was he always the perfect collector? And if he did, did he later destroy everything that was beneath his collectors sensibilities rather than inflict them on the great unwashed? Or did he sell them at the time?... and then have the added benefit to denigrate those that bought them for being uneducated? Being critical, dismissive and judgmental about the blades you want to collect is perfectly fine. Being critical, dismissive and judgmental about other people based on blades they have is rather... you fill in the blank. I guess we seem to be a slob if we own them, a crooked thief if we sell them, uneducated if we discuss them, and clueless if we cast our gaze upon them. So what should happen to them? And what level blade is it finally ok to not worry you will get a kick in the nuts from the Illuminati?

Just working on that patina!

I know that sometimes it is difficult to represent the real color and condition of the nakago in pictures (it can appear lighter or washed out) but something about the condition of your nakago makes me go hmmmmm???? Cleaned and an attempt at re-patina? Some other kind of damage? I’m not sure, but something doesn’t appear right especially in area just above mekugi ana?

Interesting. While Kuwana falls in Ise Province proper, it is also very close to Mino border. So I would assume there may be some crossover/influence in style? A Mino smith signing with or working in Ise/Kuwana? And yes, there are some hints of higaki yasurime. The nakago 'feels' older and much of the yasurime marks are obscured.

Skinny dipping?... on my sword?... the AUDACITY!!!

Boshi Pics

General Pics 3 Last two pics highlight an interesting (to me) feature in hamon... almost looks like a helmet with two horns? OK... just my imagination!!!

General Pics 2

General Pics 1

Sugata pics. Used line in wood floor to help show shape & sori. Was VERY gentle laying it down!

Pics of nakago & mei

This blade was posted by another member in the General Nihonto Related section of the Board. I am the new owner of the blade. The blade was covered in a heavy dried grease(?) which I have carefully tried to remove, but there is still quite a bit of “white staining”. The staining makes photographing details very difficult as it tends to cause glare and ‘wash out’ photos. There really is a lot to see with blade in hand that I just haven’t been able capture with photographs yet. Here are the basics: Wakizashi Mei: Kuwana-ju Morishige - translation originally provided by NMB Member Steve M. (Thank You!). No date on other side Nagasa: 51.5cm Nakago: 14.5cm Overall: 66cm Sori: 14mm Very active midare hamon that is almost impossible to capture in photographs so far So, with my limited references and the internet, I am assuming that based on the mei, this Morishige is from Ise Province (from the Kuwana-ju reference). The only school that I can find attached to this Province is the Sengo School (which I know may also be wishful thinking), but this smith could also be a provincial or country school smith. However, I can find no mention of a Morishige working in Kuwana, or Ise, or as part of the Sengo school or any other school in that area. Possibly a member of the later Shinto Masashige school? Does anyone have any ideas/records about this smith or could he just be Meikan-more? The next few posts will contain very inadequate pictures, but it is the best I can do at this time. ANY help or comments would be appreciated. I know in the end, this will have to get into the hands of people much more qualified than I for an assessment of quality and a future polish (if warranted). It will have to wait for next year’s Chicago Show… God willing that we have one! THANKS ALL, Mark S. NOTE: Full blade pic below is how it arrived covered in the grease.

Well... if you're buying the cold beer and crawfish, I may have to plan a trip down! For the swords of course!!!! :)

I know this gets said here all the time, but in this case the opinion of a qualified polisher would be critical. The polisher should be able to give you their opinion of Kantei while at the same time judge the best option for polish and what you will have left after polish is done, 1) nice blade, 2) nice blade with a bunch of nicks, 3) toothpick with not much left, 4) etc

A couple more good reads... https://markussesko.com/2013/09/04/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-bingo-smiths/ http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mihara_Nihonto.html

Of course it's not detracting! It's very interesting. Thank you for your input and help.

Thank you guys. The polishing answer seems like the logical answer. I just never noticed it before until I really looked and it hit the light just right... but once I saw it, it stood out and I couldn’t miss it. The more we stare at our blades, the more we see...