b.hennick

#1 The shape of the blade. It the shape is poor then the rest doesn't matter that much. I never did like the shape of Kanbun Shinto blades; a close second is the hada. #2 It took a surprising number of years to really understand the different types of utsuri and appreciate antai. A blade by the Nagamitsu helped to turn the corner. Amazing utsuri. I can still see it in my minds eye, even though it was years ago. #3 I would sit down with one of the early Awataguchi smiths and discuss hada and hataraki with him. The steel has to be excellent but what came next. If one was not available I would want to chat with Norishige...

I think that these two are Ono. The upper one has bamboo-like frame, The lower one looks like a belt buckle... upper 6.5 cm lower 6.6 cm

Steve I think that he was just looking for katana. You referenced a tanto 28.8 cm

Welcome Nick. There is a lot to learn. You can search for kantei that word means how to figure out who made a sword and when it was made.

Hi Mark: Rotate the tsuba 90 degrees and then to see the other owl rotate a further 180. I did that and cropped the photos so that you will see what I saw.

Two owls!

Thanks Bruce! I have never seen that before. It is always great to learn something new. In Japanese swords there is always an exception to the rule (even this one :-) )

Here is a link to fake swords on the JSSUS website http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html Once he reads what is there he will know that this is obviously a fake.

Thanks for sharing the tetsubin. I have seen some that were works of art. There work could compare favourably to very good tsuba makers.

Welcome Alexander - you have come to the right place.

Bruce that I'd more likely if the sword has been shortened out at least had the machi raised.

Sorry Adam but I can't see the video.

I, for one. am looking forward to the book. You have a unique background and can and do provide a unique perspective. Sometimes writing is frustrating and goes much much slower than one would like. Other times the words flow. May you have many many days of flowing words.

Here is another example. The koiguchi has a tsuba like shape extending from the saya. I bought this blade in 1978. It was my second sword and my first expensive sword. It was shown at the Royal Ontario Museum as the sho in a daisho on a mannequin in period costume.

If put on the opposite side, the menuki would show.

Perhaps he was a lefty...

Welcome to messageboard. I collect iron habaki. If you come across any please let me know.

It looks like artificial patination to me. There is a straight line above the machi.

The patina on the tang goes up into the areas where the habaki did. This seems strange to me.

He probably means the Newsletter published by the Japanese Sword Society of the United States (JSSUS). He many means volumes, 6, 15 and 31. The current volume is 52. There are 6 numbers (issues) per volume. Then you need to know which pages are relevant. Ask for more information. When you know people may be able to help.

Welcome to the board. Not a Harley, but do enjoy the ride.

I'm impressed with this work. I think that I would buy some of these and talk into these traps. I will have to look more carefully.

5.0 mm The width at the top is 4.0 mm and at the bottom 5.0 mm

Other than this sword by Toshimasa, I still have not seen a blade with sunagashi and masame hada that has a Seki stamp or other showato stamp, I think that is is in fact a gendaito - traditionally made blade.