Mark S.

Might I also suggest that after step 5, you run the mashed rice through a fine strainer just to be sure there are no rice particles that got missed in the mashing process. Also, due to the fact that you are introducing water (even a small amount) into an enclosed area where you will be housing the blade and some water will soak into the shirasaya wood, an extra long dry time probably should be considered to insure complete evaporation of water before before placing the blade inside the shirasaya.

So now that it has arrived, just wanted to post that I purchased the following: Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm VERY HAPPY! Ed was great to work with. Will probably make a separate post about the blade sooner or later in the Nihonto section of the Board for further discussion. Mark S.

All, It should probably come as no surprise to those of you who have dealt with Ed at Yakiba that I am here to give him my kudos on a recent purchase: Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm Ed was excellent to deal with, answered questions and was very helpful. He also managed to have the sword delivered to me on my BIRTHDAY... and he didn’t even know it was my birthday! . Just want everyone to know you can buy with extreme confidence from Ed. Now to start studying the blade. Will probably make a post about it soon. Mark S.

And the wife doesn’t mind?

Mark, Really looking forward to the show!!! Once a schedule (even if tentative) is established with day/time of events/presentations, could you please update us here? I am only able to attend on Saturday, and would hate to miss anything because I didn’t plan accordingly for what is going on that day.

"YOU can be a millionaire... FIRST... get a million dollars... THEN..." - Steve Martin

Oh no... absolutely not! I was thinking the same thing and wondering what the asking price was? Although I would be almost positive that it was an M1 as an M2 is full auto capable and a no-no without the special license.

I disagree with the premise that viewing swords on-line is anywhere near as good as having them in hand. I suppose if you have a lot of experience already, it is much easier to spot good and bad through photos... but for the newbie or even someone with that dangerous ‘little to moderate bit of knowledge’, there is no substitute for blades in hand.

At the risk of embarrassing myself... I believe my translation is close. Sorry I can't help with the potter's name (bottom left).

I would say you made a very nice choice. So much to 'find' in a bowl like that. Here is my Shino chawan and mizusashi... since we are talking Shino

Try here: http://www.e-yakimono.net/guide/ But also just type “Shino ware” in your web browser and off you go! Very nice tea bowl. If you ever do choose to drink tea from it, it should be matcha (powdered tea), but it’s your bowl and your’s to do with as you choose. When you clean the bowl, it is better to use little or no soap (and nothing highly scented) and to let the bowl air dry COMPLETELY. Remember, the water/tea will seep into all the cracks and crevices and if you store it away in the box too soon, mold or stains can form and may give the bowl an ‘off’ smell. ENJOY your new acquisition!

For purely entertainment, I recommend "Child of Vengeance" and "Sword of Honor" both written by David Kirk. Fictional accounts of Musashi's life. "Child of Vengeance" is the first book. Surprisingly, I found them both at a Dollar Tree store, so cost was nothing!

Some fine incense... and a nice bottle of bourbon...

A Tamba Yoshimichi boshi?

Joe, Just finished up my 2 year divorce process in June. Unfortunately right now divorce keeps discretionary funds to a minimum, but slowly digging my way out and will be interested to see what you have to offer. Having been through the ordeal, I'm sorry to see you having to let your love of nihonto be affected. In mine, I lost "the car I always wanted"... but it is what it is. if you need to PM somebody for support who has "been there and done that"... feel free. Keep the faith brother and best of luck to you...

It also clearly mentions: "It is a shame the rust of Nakago was removed." I would believe their assessment.

Oh boy... as an absolute newbie, I’m extremely nervous dipping a toe into this discussion between much more learned men than I... but I’m going to do so anyway. Having said that, I’m asking a question to learn, not giving an opinion of something I have no rights to give an opinion about. My question has to do with Juyo and ‘importance’... but that it is also a ‘competition’ between important blades and not all important blades are equal at any particular Juyo. Can anyone (who has the patience) explain why a $100 bill is not always a $100 bill (and I do not use that example in a derogatory way... it just made total sense in the other example) when compared to another $100 bill ‘this time’ but might next time? Is not ‘important’, important at any time? I’m sorry my ignorance is clouding my ability to understand. I do get that my Kai-Mihara blade (for example) will never be important because it’s just not and I would never argue that it should be just because I want it to be. I guess another way to ask my question (and in no way is this questioning the Juyo process) is why do they use a ‘competition process’ as opposed to a simple judgement of ‘important or not’? Question submitted in the most respectful manner (of those involved here) as I possibly can. Mark S.

Only to point out the obvious Catch 22, I think many are using Shinsa to determine if a blade is worth the cost of polishing. And to the OP's question (which is vague on details)... it would also matter what the 3 different attributions were. Were the 3 close with regard to school/smith/style or where they wildly different? If the schools/style were similar and all have similar attributes (IF the condition allowed them to be seen), then it is quite possible that 3 different attributions are possible.

Below, please find pics of the bowl in place on my very modest tea ceremony table. Alas, poor knees no longer allow for proper kneeling, so I am reduced to a modified table style in the corner of the sun room in my home. We all do what we can do...

So I tried my first attempt at ‘kintsugi’… or at least a distant attempt to mock kintsugi and I thought I would share. Attached, please find some before and after pics. The chawan (tea bowl) was nothing important (no national treasure here) and was a $40 bowl I purchased for $6 due to the crack. I figured it would be a good test case and on top of it, I really liked the bowl! After some research (urushi and real gold not being an option), I used a food safe 2-part epoxy and ‘gold dust’ used to decorate cakes. While not a perfect result, I think it turned out acceptable and made the chawan useable again. I am waiting for it to totally cure before I make a bowl of matcha in it and see how it holds up to hot water and the whisk. One of the ‘before’ pics was taken from the original website where I bought the bowl, so the color is a bit off, but it still gives you an idea of the extent of the cracks. There were also some cracks that were hard to see, but could be felt on the inside of the bowl that needed additional sealing. Obviously, there are natural cracks in the glaze which did not require ‘repair’ that appear in the photos as well. I am not claiming this is traditional, or even well done (still learning how to use the medium)… however, it met its intended purpose… to make a bowl I like useful again so I can enjoy a cup of matcha with it! Mark S.

Congratulations Bazza!!!... and well played by everyone involved! It’s nice to see that out on the internet there are still places you can go that are civil up to the point of being happy someone else won... sadly, you just don’t find that too often anymore.

Was hoping Ray would give us a little preview...

In an effort to keep the fun and anticipation going, can I ask a couple general questions? 1) As a group (the members here), have all 3 blades (individually) been correctly identified by one or more members? and 2) Has anyone scored Atari on all 3? Not asking for names or results. Just a “yes” or “no” would be interesting

Good with Brian’s method...

So... just wondering (in an effort to make myself feel better)... is anyone else with OCD keeping a spreadsheet of answers???