Vermithrax16

Not my field of interest or knowledge (limited as it is) but I know quite a few people love the military swords and this one seems pretty cool: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as16121%E5%88%80%E8%88%88%E4%BA%9C%E4%B8%80%E5%BF%83%E6%BA%80%E9%89%84%E4%BD%9C-%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E5%A3%AC%E5%8D%88%E7%A7%8B-katanaguntokoa-ishin-mantetsu-saku-showa-mizunoe-uma-autumn

I was looking at this at work (easily sidetracked.....) and 1st blush was shinto sword, Kanbun to maybe later era. Choji looks Ishido-ish but not quite. I knew I had seen a blade like this, recently as well, with this hamon and yakidashi. It was still buried in some saved links (was on Nihonto France site) and I think it's a match for this sword. So, my Kantei skills are minimal, but my bookmarks help me Agree with Andreas and Alex.

Jean had a somewhat similar post a while ago (sadly died out) but as a newer nihonto admirer these discussions are important. Peter you bring up some interesting points and I can only try to add what I have learned in my journey to the discussion. We all scan the auctions, web sites, For Sale section here on NMB (where you get the best deals at best prices IMO) about everyday. As my desires have changed over time, I have had to branch out to other sites, private sellers, and other avenues to find what interests me. It's a long slog. And we must finally talk about budget, which gets ignored or passed by too often in our discussions here.

Great piece!!!! Never checked that site before. They have a Juyo Naoe Shizu blade that's mind blowing.

Great work so far Eric, and Markus Sesko has many references that could help, all electronic, that will aid your research. I really like the sword you bought, and am happy you are studying nihonto. Let us know if we can help.

Any Sue Tegai examples out there?

Sesko books and latest updates are my #1 references. As such, this one went unbid. Still a nice sword.

He hopped right off!!!

Good info Guido, thank you. I think the price reflects what you are saying.

In 2017 I was successful in my tsuba hunting, now time to focus on a new sword!

Very nice!

You did really good in my opinion, Ishido swords are wildly cool and bought from a member here. Koshirae is nice, but get the best sword you can. You will store it that way anyway. A great sword in polish in shirasaya beats others that fall short.

Well, you can just say I am predictable, I would take no offense

Koto sword with dimensions that are good, hada is well done, polish is excellent. Worth a look. I am looking: http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as17462-%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E7%84%A1%E9%8A%98%EF%BC%88%E4%B8%AD%E5%B3%B6%E6%9D%A5-katana-mumei-nakajima-rai

Thanks BaZZa, great pieces.

From the pictures it's not quite the masame grain I would expect for a Kunikane sword, but it could just be the pictures.

They were tie down holes to keep discipline about unsheathing a sword.

I am no expert either, but that sounds reasonable from a finish/flow way of thinking of it. Maybe the more knowledgeable tsuba folks will weigh in.

Yes, the edge is layered on the larger one, I think the edge of the rounded one has been polished/smoothed over.

Well, if you are in the Northeast corridor, you know it's been a tough winter already. Today a blizzard here in Massachusetts (12 inches snow) and now high winds and soon to be -25 degrees. Great. Luckily, the USPS still gets it done and I was cheered up today when two new tsuba showed up. I have become very interested in mokume style tsuba. Their pattern folding work reminds me of masame hada. I find them very pleasing to study and enjoy. I bought these two a bit ago and very glad I did. First one is a signed Masahide tsuba. Dimensions are 7.5cm X 7.7cm. Great swirls and flowing bends, I really like it: Second is a vary large unsigned (any ideas?) mokume tsuba and the movement of the mokume is excellent in my limited opinion (cleary I am biased anyway). Even the rim shows layering. Dimensions are 9.0cm X 9.0cm.:

I LOVE Ishido swords!!!! Very nice buy Anthony, congratulations! Enjoy it.

I would love to see a Juyo pass/fail listing for even one session. I will contact Markus and see if I can get one, would be fun to see.

Anyone seen any rabbits as of late? I am not finding much.

If Aoi is submitting for Hozon, you can double send for TH for an added cost. They may advise you as to the swords chances if you ask them.

Thanks for this place!