b.hennick

The author contrasts Bungo blades and Hizen blades and makes the point that Hizento are perceived as better blades. He thinks that the Nabeshima imported steel that was used in the kawagane. I can only suggest (plug here) that you join the JSSUS and get their wonderful Newsletter. ( I happen to be the JSSUS Ombudsman and a Director.) This Newsletter was sent out with the special issue translation of the Hizen lineage. Thanks go to Roger Robertshaw for making that available to the JSSUS. Sorry for the commercial for the JSSUS but it is only with members fees that the JSSUS can pay for the translation of work into English.

I would like to add to the discussion by mentioning that the last issue of the JSSUS Newsletter has an article by Francisco Couthino where he discusses the possibility of Hizento (Shinto blades) having foreign steel as their outer skin. It is an interesting read. As a Hizen collector I was fascinated to learn about the possibility of the kawagane being imported. At that time I do not think that one would consider that a traditional approach. Yet when looking back to the 1600s it seems that they did indeed make great swords with wonderful hada in the Tadayoshi school.

I have a Ginkgo on my front lawn. As it is fall the leaves turned a bright yellow and are in the process of dropping. Hint from the science teacher in me the correct name is Ginkgo biloba or Ginkgo biloba

Thanks for doing a thankless job! You humour, your thoughts and judicious use of "closure of a topic" are all well appreciated. You will be hard to replace. Where is Milt when you need him?

I too am travelling from Toronto Ontario to the Met. I will be at the symposium as well as the exhibit. I found a good deal on a hotel in Newark. Using Hotwire I was able to get a 3.5 star hotel (Hilton Newark airport) for $59 per night.

Welcome! Great folks in Florida. I love the Florida show. I'll see you there.

Hi Jon: I e have ko katana by Yoshindo Yoshihara. He did the dragon horimono. It seems to me to be well done.

Hi Peter: I am sure that the JSSUS would gladly host the database. It would add greatly to web-presence. We currently host three databases. Grey Doffin's index to sword literature, Darcy Brockbank's Ninhonto database and Rich Turner's Kanji database. This would certainly add to the set. Please contact me at barry@hennick.ca to discuss this further. Regards, Barry Hennick Director/Ombudsman JSSUS visit the JSSUS at http://www.jssus.org

Hi Peter: Welcome to the Messageboard. I have used your Tosho database for a long time. It is still one of my favourites. HAve there been any updates? The JSSUS is still looking for good material to publish. Please give it some thought!

Hello: I live in Canada and do not know of a "knowledgeable sensei" for nihonto. Who is this person?

Hello Guido et al: Life membership is no longer an option. We realized that this is a money loosing proposition for the JSSUS. We do however wish a long life to all existing life members - especially you!

Payapl is sometimes troublesome. You can always send funds to treasurer@jssus.org Your information would be included with any payment. If you want some confirmation feel free to contact me - Barry Hennick at barry@hennick.ca

Spammers struck the NKB Database on the JSSUS web-site. Accordingly we have taken it down until the spam can be removed. I expect that the work will be completed in a couple of weeks. Once repaired the database will again be available to the sword collecting community. Barry Hennick Director/Ombudsman JSSUS visit the JSSUS at http://www.jssus.org (webmaster)

Here is an example of what Gary was talking about. Jim Kurrasch (now deceased) always brought "Old" swords to look at to the San Francisco show. I got to know Jim and looked forward to learning something from him every year. Once I got to know "old" swords and expressed an interest Jim took note. Next year he asked if I was still interested in an "old" sword. He later introduced me to a man (Min Shintaku - now deceased) who had an "old" sword - one hole ubu late Heian, early Kamakura ko Naminohira tachi - my oldest and longest sword. It took more than two years of letters and calls before I got to see the blade. The following year I was allowed to buy it. The person who owned it wanted to be sure that I would take good care of it. So I too now care for his treasure sword. It will be a long time before I look for the next generation of care giver. So it is with some swords - they are passed on when the time is right.

Hi Franco: I agree that the blade confirms the mei. But for this discussion focused on gimei blades I still suggested looking at the blade first and then the mei. So the work of the blade should confirm the mei but once the two agree one still must consider the possibility of the signature being gimei. Someone other than the maker or his student may have put the "correct name" on the blade but the blade would still be gimei. My point was look first to the work then second to the mei then third see if the mei matches known examples i.e. gimei or shoshin. As usual we agree and certainly we both agree with Arnold but I guess my focus was off...

Jose and John are both life members of the JSSUS. Our last mailing to them was returned undelivered. If anyone is in contact with either individual please ask the person to send me a correct mailing address. My email address barry@hennick.ca Thanks

I know of a blade that had a gimei signature to Kunihiro that was removed. The blade papered to Norishige. It is a great sword. So my words of advice are to look at the blade and buy the work. The signature should confirm the work. If it does not it is possible to send the blade to shinsa. After two rejections I would consider having the mei professionally removed and the tang restored. It then can be resubmitted. Why two rejections - people make mistakes. Sometimes good unsigned swords are given signatures that are for the correct smith but gimei. These too can be removed and papered to the correct smith. I personally do not knowingly own gimei blades.

Hi Charlie: The show is open to table holders only on Thursday - mainly for set up. The show is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is a daily admission fee or a weekend fee. The American Branch of the NBTHK is putting on a display of swords of Etchu Provence. They charge $10 to see, handle the blades and listen to a lecture on them. I know that there will be a Go Yoshihiro for sure as well as other great blades. There is a lecture on sword etiquette Saturday morning - worthwhile and free. It will be given by Grey Doffin on behalf of the JSSUS (Japanese Sword Society of the United States). Things tend to close up early on Sunday as people have to travel home. On the other hand sometimes there are great deals on Sunday. People want to go home with less merchandise and more money or need to sell in order to buy. Drop by my table and say hello. I am bringing a bunch of swords and fittings priced to sell.

Here is an image of the date. I do not know of a gendai smith named Ujimitsu.

I worked on another image in photoshop. I hope this helps.

All help would be appreciated.

Is Pavel Novak back? If so run do not walk away.

Hi Gary et al: I will be there as well. I expect it to be a good show for buying as the market is soft. I will be trying to sell into this soft market.

I received one as well. I did not reply. A reply confirms that the email address is a good one.

I agree that this is a very poor horimono. I would have liked to have seen the blade without it. Mumei would also have been preferable. :D