Vermithrax16

JP, I will show an example of how I will go through a study session (most nights, this was from like 20 minutes ago) and how I try to learn. A friend from NMB sent me a sellers archive link to a sword from a maker I love. I spent quite a bit of time going over that sellers archived listings (excellent sales items). I was enjoying this Kiyomaro Juyo daisho set of swords (early signature of Minamoto Masayuki 1845) and especially the wakizashi. The hamon screamed Bizen Ichimonji throw back. It was wonderful and full of movement and character. Have a look: http://iidakoendo.com/4947/ That sword was made in the middle 1800's. It reminded me of another Ichimonji work style, that of Ishido School. And one maker in particular. It was hard as all get out to pass on this sword, loved the work so much. This one is shortened a bit, but is signed <Kiku Mon> Heki Yamashiro no Kami Minamoto Ippō, and was made in the middle to late 1600's. Take a look: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as08188-%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E8%8F%8A%E7%B4%8B-%E6%97%A5%E7%BD%AE%E5%B1%B1%E5%9F%8E%E5%AE%88%E6%BA%90%E4%B8%80%E6%B3%95-katana-kiku-mon-hioki-yamashiro-kami-minamoto-ippo I just try to take in as much as I can. Here is a cool side by side picture: Now compare the two above to a real Ichimonji, and I think you may take away quite a bit of being able to see what different works are.

Cannot be more proud of Gakusee (Michael S), Darcy, Ted, Raymond, and many others on all this. A rare opportunity at history. All went above and beyond for this effort, and it makes me happy to see that. Very nice gentlemen.

Actually surprised this does not come up more, good general ask Greg. Capital is always an issue, decisions have to be made. Things always seem to change on a dime when events happen. But for me: 1. A katana, wakizashi, or tanto made by Shodai Norikatsu in the 1860's 2. Shodai, 2nd, or 3rd gen Sendai Kunikane katana 3. Yamato Hosho katana or tanto 4. Ko Uda katana 5. Soshu Tametsugu

Worth it's own thread, but have seen this argument made quite a bit across NMB. So under 3k is ok, over 25k is ok or say 30k to be safe from the crap. Well, that summarizes the slow but steady loss of people that will ever learn anything or appreciate nihonto. If you are paper crazy or chase the same 6-12 names everyone else chases, maybe this is true. Give me $15k and I can find something well worth appreciation and study.

As the new caretaker of this very sword (thank you Jean forever) I can say after exhaustive research, someone is going to have to show me a Tegai Kanekiyo that is remotely close to the sword discussed. Maybe some examples exist only in rare Japanese books, memories, but I cannot find anything that even makes sense in a comparison.

Peter, responded via DM

I have been studying this one for a few weeks. This is a sweet offer Nick has up. I am still a newbie on koshirae so I can only say that I really like the set. It's far too intricate a work for me to offer any real thoughts or analysis on. 13th gen Kunikane works are seldom seen (or at least seems that way to me). Aoi has a nice katana up by this smith ( https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-ou-kakae-masatomo-oushu-sendai-ju-kunikane-saku-kore-13-th-generation/ ). What I LOVE about this tanto is at the kissaki the masame lines condense and then turn UP and out the mune. Throw back to Hosho masterpiece works. The blade seems period correct to my eyes, though the execution level is high, so maybe seems like an older work? Later Kunikane gens did not display the nie deposition that the best masame smiths often feature, and that's really the only thing missing here. If the providence can be documented, it's a historical and important piece.

Member paulb sent me a spectacular article he penned (it's here in the articles section) in regard to Taima that's well worth the read: http://www.militaria.co.za/articles/A%20Katana%20attributed%20to%20Yamato%20Taima.pdf Great work as usual Jussi!!! Major tip of the hat. That's a LOT of Tegai blades it seems to me.

Only have the one:

I can't even imagine the steady hands that were able to make something like that. Spectacular works.

I'll just add another myth to this list that's worth thinking about: - green papers or no papers to some obscure smith, good - no papers but obscure smith in fittings, probably good BLOWN away at the number of fakes for even seldom notated makers; after research, study, and asking around, many fakes. This makes zero sense, but it's real and it's prevalent.

You know I have read that thread quite a few times Jean I made the classic mistakes in nihonto at the start, so I too learned the hard way. Luckily found some mentors that helped me out greatly. LOVE all your new guns BTW, and thanks for answering my Josey Wales gun questions my friend. Let me explain what I meant as it relates to one of the points in that thread: -Buy always the best you can afford Well I can only speak personally, but what I can comfortably afford is NOT what I have decided to apply to nihonto at this time. It's a capital management decision. So other rational inputs must inform a decision, not just absolute capital available. Robert S, not sure if you were kidding, but yes, all auction swords go on the main page at auction end if no bids. The sword above I think is a fine example. The Naoe Shizu Raymond has now (formerly Jean's, another outstanding find) I feel is a better example, but this one is pleasing as well.

No one bid so now on regular sales page. I evaluate swords on what I am seeing, not an era, name, or paper status. Sometimes I think the discussions here drift off into "well there are toku juyo swords that are better, so just save and buy that" which is both silly and a non starter.

Rabbit Zenji okimono I got a while back to keep rabbits thread alive and kicking:

Dwain, also would like to see how you arrived at Sue Tegai on this blade?

Good story!

This is the tanto on Aoi: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as18096-%E7%9F%AD%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E2%97%8B%E8%B2%9E-tanto-sada Aoi does not miss a trick. Price is correct for package IMO.

Absurd no one has bought this sword as yet.

Obscure or lower end Smith's are well represented in the gimei scene. Its bizarre, but very common.

Ugh, if it's super glue it's some cyanoacrylate, so acetone should work to dissolve, but I am not sure what that solvent will do to the pieces.

Congrats on the buyer for the Akinori, that was going to be hard to pass on if still available by weekend. Great deals Ed.

The Akinori is super nice, what a price.

I have reached out to the site, will see what I hear back.

This is a real treat, well worth a look: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as18611-%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E7%84%A1%E9%8A%98%E7%9B%B4%E6%B1%9F%E5%BF%97%E6%B4%A5%E7%AC%AC63%E5%9B%9E%E9%87%8D%E8%A6%81%E5%88%80%E5%89%A3-katana-mumeinaoe-shizu-63rd-nbthk-juyo-paper

Epic posts Ray and Jussi. Excellent. For myself, I rely on examples I have seen (mostly online scans) over the years to make a bid. Not as well structured as the more advanced people.