Mark S.

Was looking closely at my WW2 Unjosai Katsunaga (undocumented smith) which has the appearance of an oil quenched blade and noticed a feature I never saw before. I’m not sure if it would be considered utsuri or another feature? Is utsuri even obtainable with oil quenching? Attached pics show light and dark striping perpendicular to the hamon that is very faint and I just happened to see them in the right light today. Does anyone have any thoughts? Thank you in advance, Mark S.

Darn it Stephen... I was eyeing that one as well!!! Good catch.

Sorry Peter but ????

Disappointed about the cancelled Show... so in honor of all the good memories of past Shows... today I laid out my meager collection and am spending a little time looking at my blades. Not the same though...... Also treated myself to some incense, a tea sweet, and a bowl of matcha. Who knows, maybe I will sit down at my tea table and practice Chanoyu (tea ceremony). Stay safe and healthy everyone. Looking forward to next year already!!!

Thank you both so much... amazing how generous everyone is with their time and knowledge.

Would anyone have any idea of the meaning of this shodo kakemono? Thank you.

George, Thank you so much for the additional info. My knowledge of tsuba is VERY limited, so the help is VERY welcome. Mark S.

Ganko... thank you for the help with the mei! Stephen... thank you for the moral support! Going to be a long slow process I can tell.

So a new Tsuba arrived and I am gently just starting active rust removal, and low and behold a mei started to emerge. I know some parts of the mei are still obscured, but does anyone have any early opinions on a translation? Thanks for any help, Mark S.

I know sometimes photo angles make it difficult to judge blades, but the overall shape seems ‘off’? Is the center of the blade ground down? Seems to narrow considerably and just doesn’t seem right.

But I live just down the street and this only happens once a year! I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!! OK... foot stomping temper tantrum over. Everyone stay safe and healthy. Feel bad for Mark and all his hard work. Thank you sir!

Plan to be there all day Saturday.

Guess not...

Bought one from Grey a while back. https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/k33-wakizashi-papered-tamba-no-kami-yoshimichi

Kaneie? 兼 戸

Dale, Depending on where you live in the US, there are a few sword shows each year. If you get a chance to go to a show, it is a good opportunity to have your blade inspected in-person by qualified individuals. Mark

Been a while since we shared some tea... bowl is Shigaraki-ware made by Rakusai Takahashi. Enjoy! Mark S.

Don't you think we are being a little hasty? I mean: 1) NO BLIZZTERS! - You guys want swords with BLIZZTERS? 2) Strong presence in his hands - you don't like presence? 3) He'll never see another one in his lifetime - and hopefully neither will we. And to think... I only have $950,000 saved up... missed it by "this much" (fingers held an inch apart). DARN!!!

Thank you for the quick responses!

Here is the 'identification tag' that is on the back side of the scroll which can be seen when the scroll is rolled up.

Found this scroll in a resale shop and took a chance for $4. In a way, I felt sorry for it sitting there and who knows what it's fate could have been It is very plainly mounted, and I would assume it is simply a decorative piece, but I liked the theme. From info I found from Joly's "Legend in Japanese Art", I would assume the theme is Shochikubai (Ume-Plum, Take-Bamboo, Matsu-Pine which are "Emblems of Longevity"). I was just wondering if anyone would be able to give me an idea of the meaning of some of the writing or the artist name? I don't expect a word for word translation, but any help that can shed some light on this one would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Mark S.

Suburbs of Chicago

Evan, I like to try different types of tea. A few that I have tried are: Kanbayashi brand from Japan Incense Co: http://www.japanincense.com/index.html They have several varieties of koicha and usucha. All are pretty good and reasonable prices. Yuuki-cha: www.yuuki-cha.com They have organic matcha in several grades. My favorite is from the Kirishima region. Reasonable prices A couple different teas from Matcha and More: http://www.matchaandmore.com/ They have quite a few selections. A little more on the expensive side. And most recently (brand new purchase and the matcha in the Ido bowl) is from Maikotea: www.maikotea.jp Initial reaction is favorable. If I may ask a favor, the one bit of information maikotea does not give is the name of the company that produced the tea. I know you mentioned your wife is Japanese... would you mind asking her to translate the company name on the canister (in red) of the attached pic? I would be most grateful. Also attached... my modified "table style" corner of my sun room (with my Mishima bowl displayed)

This thread made me stop and take some time to make tea yesterday in a Korean-style Ido chawan. EDIT: I apologize for glare on left side of teabowl... from sun shining into room...