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Richard Arias

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Posts posted by Richard Arias

  1. Tozando In Japan has informed me Nakagawa Taiten Lives! He is a Monk in Shiga Prefecture Temple. They have contact with him and a few students of of his. They are helping me find out if Taiten Remembers my sword. It unlikely he would remember 1 sword he made 27 years ago. But I would love to know more about who it was made for. And if it was forged in Kobuse or Some form of San Mai.

     

    I know people love antiques. But I like the possibility of picking a master Smiths brain on a less commonly seen sword.

     

    I'm trying not to swim in possibility... But I can't help but wonder ;)

    • Like 1
  2. The age of carrying swords to fight with is over.

    A Nihonto is first a object of art and culture.

    The times of samurai and feudalism has gone. Now it is the time to preserve the symbols for coming ages.

    The thread reminds me more on romans and celt, cowboys and indians and other playing groups. Many collectors here do a scientist job in many aspects of Nihon-to. Playing with guns and swords to learn to kill is not part of our interrest in Japanese swords.

    A sword nor a gun is a toy. So "play" is not the word to use. Until people evolve past the point where a sharp tool can hurt them swords will always be relevant in fighting. Many modern arts and fighting systems are based on things centuries old... The Japanese sword found effectiveness in WW1 and WW2 during the "modern age" of weapons automatic or otherwise.

     

    But again I don't have a problem if you collect for whatever reason. Same with any other member here. But hopefully your collection is in a safe because if someone breaks in you may find your art relic a bit more threatening than you want to. But I also warn people who hide firearms in their house of the same thing.

     

    But again what does this have to do with a simple question?....Nothing.

    • Like 1
  3. I didn't sense any abrasion in your responses - I've admitted that I can be quite dense though. I hope you understand that my responses are as much and likely more, for the people who deem themselves collectors that are looking for a short cut and stumble across this post. No offense intended, but as you say, we are looking at the same or similar object from two different lenses.

    I don't consider it a shortcut exactly. Randy Black is held by some to be one of the most reliable US mounters in the business. Yet his prices are fair and he is not a common Googled name. People find him word of mouth. No website, phone or Facebook ex. I was looking for that here. Not cheap per say, but someone people knew enough to trust with work. I had already asked the obvious People. Same if you go to my local town I know a body and machine shop you won't find online that people come from all over the state to work with... So again I don't consider my original question to be bad or odd.

     

    People mistook that as I wanted some random guy to rub Stones on my blade for as cheap as possible and that is not true at all.

     

    Funny thing is you guys would go a lot further towards that preservation goal if you found someone wanting to learn and helped them along. Much can be learned from Books, Videos, Seminars ex. Even take donations to send someone to Japan who wants to pick up some things. There was a self taught polisher in Canada who earned the respect of a master Togi. So it can be done like anything with desire and hard work.

     

    My sword was made to use. It was made with Cutting in mind. So to have it sit (like it has for 6 years) and not be used for to me is disrespectful to the sword. Like a car that just sits, show car or not cars were made to drive not be stationary objects. But I sacrificed a lot to get the blade, it is my only one and will compete October 22nd. I would almost say I value this sword more than its previous owners. I think the clash is the logic of what you guys see as "proper" and "bad" or "ruined" Polish. I did autobody work for a while and used to hate places like macco. But now I get work done their often because you realize paying $3,000 for paint that WILL get scratched and fade is silly.

     

    But that is a point you guys may shudder like I used to seeing uneven paint spots, runs, over spray, bubbles ex. When you look at a regular shop Polish. But even the Lazy Hadori seen on Japanese Shinsakuto would make me happy just because it would show me more than I can see now and I would not feel bad cutting with a polish like this. It's not that I don't know the difference... But for my need and intended use the difference does not matter.

     

    But even the Polishers did not give me the guff that I got here. They simply gave "I'm busy, don't know anybody" and even commented that I might send it to a shop in Japan for a standard Polish because of my needs. So my point is even though it Annoys you guys you can point out an option while also making sure people know what they are getting (if they dont already)You don't have to agree with a choice to be helpful. If someone asked me where to find the nearest McDonald's I would not say "So you want to be fat and possibly give yourself cancer?" "You should save your money and buy grass fed beef". I would point them in the direction if I knew it because everything has a place depending on need and intended use (like macco).

     

    Collection and Ideals aside that is just common courtesy.

    • Like 1
  4.  I imagine it's not Easy. I teach shooters and Swordsman so I again run into more practical questions. Helping people find the right gun because the wrong one could risk their lives more than Normal for a high stress situation. Funny thing is self defense instructors will tell you that if you want truth you have to put aside your opinions. Also If you don't build a box you won't have to think your way out of it. This is not easy but a goal you shoot for.

     

         But again that is the difference between someone who uses a sword for training and spiritual growth to Just collecting. When I see people collect guns they lose sight that it is a tool and a weapon. That happens more with swords because people believe they are a part of "dead arts".

     

           But in dealing with people who only have movie and video game knowledge of swords and Martial Arts I try to be helpful. Because if I treat them the same way some here have acted then people never want to learn anything and find the path for themselves. I get people here love collecting, but I also have the Sword Art to demand my focus and money... You think that is easy? A sword is not much without the hand that carried it.

     

       I am sorry if I have been abrasive to people, but I have gotten a lot of offensive offers and advice lately and it's starting to get at me a little. 

  5. Depends on the car I suppose. If a ford, no. If a Lamborghini, then yes. But even considering a Lamborghini, it isn't a fair comparison as no matter how much care you take to preserve it, it will not be around in 1,000 years to appreciate for future car connoisseurs, where as a sword CAN be if the proper care is taken. In 1,000 years a shinsakuto made for the Iaito market will be considered a treasure. Perhaps like late koto kazuuchimono is today. They're not to the quality level of an Ichimonji, but a treasure nonetheless. A lot of the problem in my opinion, is that people make justifications when deciding what to do with their swords, thinking, "My sword doesn't deserve an expensive polish" mainly because they done want to spend the money, but they've lost perspective of the fact that if cared for properly, the shelf-life can me measured in hundreds of years and all it takes is one bad polish to destroy a sword.

     

    In 1,000 years the world may not be here. It kills me because that thinking about Collecting and Blades is why the Gimei market is thriving at the moment. People being sold a modern blade with a fake signature or a Mumei with an appraisal of who the appraiser thinks made it and when. A leap of faith at Best.

     

    My point is that you guys have to understand you don't apply that reason to every area of your lives. There are far museums, so you don't know where a Lamborghini will be in Futurama times :) Anything can be art, but sometimes you go to Outback or Chilli's because you don't want to pay $75 for a steak at a 4 Star.

     

    I have seen art swords and they don't speak to me. I have seen a Honami school Polish blade and would prefer my blade in a plain old Lazy shop Hadori Polish. Because I would rather have a Fully loaded Subaru than a Lamborghini. But I prefer modest and practical.

     

    But it all goes back to me asking for a simple name. All anyone had to say is What Mr Hoffine said "nobody comes to mind".

  6. There are plenty of fully trained togi in Japan. The problem isn't the supply of polishers or training. The problem is that many people are unwilling to spend the money to have a proper polish applied. They also feel justified when they get there cheaply "polished" blade back because usually, they do not have the experience to know a good polish from a bad one, so all they see is a shiny blade, that used to be dull or rusty. When amateur polishers have a longer wait list than Mukansa polishers in Japan, you can see that the two year wait list DOES imply that something is not right. A lot of people who feel they care for swords but disrepect the art and the craft all to save money and (in some cases) time for a wait list.

     

    In my opinion it's a sad state of affairs.

    The funny thing though is there is a Point where once things are Symmetrical, Sharp, Properly Shaped ex. Your paying for the fact that the polisher has a big name and is from a school of tradition more than what he is actually doing to improve the sword. Not that this isn't justified someone like David Hoffine (Very nice prompt Guy) deserves his fee for what he does. It's just that I don't think my blade has that need due to its tight hada and simple hamon. It would be like me paying to see a Standford doctor for just needing some stitches. Any basic urgent care can do that at a fair price.

     

    People keep asking me why I had Nihonzashi do the work. But they did correct a lot of asymmetrical geometry, scratches ex. So I made the choice to have the sword sit in a proper functioning Polish that might not look pretty but is Symmetrical, Proper and Sharp. I didn't let some DIY polisher rub Diamond hones on it. Whatever a traditional Polisher might improve on they would not have to go all the way back down to foundation. So either way it's time and money saved.

     

    But it seems like the option I took was the best option. And I think I will take Dave's advice and stick to my Sharpening Polish. Because there are no good options in my time frame...

     

    I agree that right now the market is either cheap or expensive with no middle and that is sad.

  7.  

     


    I am a free market guy, believe if demand is there then there will be a market.

    If there are only say 3-8 good polish guys, that seems like a real problem. So either:
    1. training and study for a correct polish is very rare
    2. it's possible (modern techniques, but not much demand)

    If a polish shop has a 2 year wait period there is something not right.


    Many shops in Japan have apprentice drop outs doing refinish work for about $500. Even master Togi in Japan have their apprentice doing work and projects they decide the apprentice can handle. But in America it's a lower price point because of the mass production market. Even Gunto are not allowed In Japan but good market here. But here there is a "what's practical?" Mind set. So shops here are 1 person and I have yet to see a togi here with an apprentice still doing work... But much of the arts and craft is dying here. I have felt that first hand for years on the JSA side.


    A good polisher is like a stylist as opposed to a Barber. They know exactly the technique to achieve a look based on what they want to represent in a sword. Nihonzashi would be a Barber shop or say a Neighborhood mechanic. They went to 80 grit stone up to 1/4 micron on my Shinsakuto to fix the geometry, scratches ex. So any complaints a traditional polisher would have are from a style perspective where they would have done some things differently ex. But people lose sight of this fact all to easy when your taking about ideals of collecting. At a point your paying for who rather than what or how.

    I doubt when people here have car trouble or need a paint job they head to a custom shop or the highest priced shop in town. I doubt they always buy the best parts. I doubt they only drink Jonny Walker Blue and only eat the porter house steak or Kobe Beef... Sometimes you prioritize based on what you think is right to spend with what you have and the situation.... Am I going to pay $400 for a Kona Nigari Water?... No but man even though there are good reasons it's expensive... it's still water.

    Randy Black is someone not common knowledge outside a certain circle. I was hoping to find his polishing equivalent here, but alas no dice.
  8. Well well well....

    Collecting anything is mostly for people born to a higher privilege or people that have acquired "f**k you money"??

    Mkaaay then. Can only laugh at that, since most of the collectors I know including myself are well below average income, but are happy to save their money for things they enjoy. I personally think people who collect or study nothing at all have shallow lives filled with instant gratification. But hey...to each their own, right?

    You aren't just refusing top professional polishers, but are rejecting anyone "known" who polishes for a living or is well known. Ted does a good job, and isn't a top Japanese togi. But he is too well known, so you are clearly looking for a cheap amateur.

    And even for a shinsakuto used for iai, that is a no-no here. Yes, there are lower level polishes done by professionals purely for functional items. But expecting that someone can just hit your sword with some fingerstones and bring out a decent polish is not going to happen. Sorry if that doesn't fit in with your philosophy, but it is ours.

    As Malcolm said..why bother on an iai-to?

     

    Every known you or someone you can simply Google is busy or not working.... So that was the meaning in my post. I am looking for someone not obvious... Yet that is all people keep giving me. The usual suspects...

     

    Sending to Japan I was advised that was not a good idea by my Sensei in Japan at the moment with customs and the lack of paperwork I have.

     

     

    As for collectors... Yeah some are normal, but maybe it's just the level of condescending comments I have gotten in just a few days that is making me abrasive. But when your take home pay is $8 an hour your income is most likely privileged or upper class by my scale.

     

    I asked for an unknown avenue... Not to tread the same ground I already have even before posting people.

  9. Well guys I'm not a new to this. I have been a Swordsman for 10 years and before that I was a vendor. Yeah I have been to the Token Kai and seen $40,000 swords. And honestly you can't get me to see the light of collecting in almost any form. It's mostly for people born to a higher privilege or people that have acquired "f**k you money".    

     

           I am sorry I plan to use my sword to train for a competition in October. So I can't sit and wait 2 years on some high class Polishers backlog and pay him a small fortune for what is pure cosmetic finish work that does in now way alter the swords cutting ability. A simple " no we don't know anyone " would have been nice. I honestly feel for my needs sending a blade of full Polish is like a custom paint job on a stock car.  Hataya Sensei used to touch up blades at tai kai for the swordsman and I was looking for someone more of that level. Just someone with experience that Could give me a little cosmic light without draining my wallet.

     

        I honestly feel like most collection hobbies are a rip off that only pay dealers. And I the attitudes I am met with by some just reinforce that view. I would be happy with the grade of Polish many Shinsakuto arrive in... Because it will allow me to see a bit of hidden beauty and not feel bad for ruining the finish.

     

    -Richard

  10. I know the heavies that have 2 year back logs. I'm looking for someone lower key that can work a little finger stone magic on my Shinsakuto to see a little of the hidden beauty.

     

    Can anyone vouch for a forumite or Shop that won't charge me a small fortune?

     

    -Richard

  11. Can I ask that people be respectful. I have had 3 people try to offer me 1/4 the Swords value. I don't need to sell this blade I am happy to keep it. I feel it's very disrespectful to assume that when I say I am willing to work with a JSA student that people have assumed I won't be a little offended at being offered the price of a Cheap Hanwei blade.

     

    I am being reasonable. There are trade options and PayPal financing. If there is a REASONABLE offer I am willing to talk it over.

     

    -Richard

    • Like 5
  12. Nothing wrong with that! My wife & I have trained in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu for for more than 25 years, although we use iaito in that dojo. We've also trained in Shinto-Ryu for a decade, in which we use Nihonto, with our dojo on the side of a mountain. We're lucky to have family all over Japan, & so visit, & train, there regularly. I'm not sure how many NMB members will want to use a shinsakuto for batto training, preferring to let it age quietly, & tameshigiri does leave scratches that are easily noticeable.

     

    Ken

    Well the blade holds up the similar to the Swedish powder steel the Hataya Kotetsu are made from. I asked the Nihonzashi polisher how the Shinsakuto compared for work difficulty and he said the Hataya Kotetsu felt similar on the stone. Not chewing up the stones, but not getting eaten by them. Not to hard to get scratches out of.

     

    The price is fair enough that a member wanted a full Polish they could get one. Or if they want to compete with it right now it's ready to go.

     

    Since this is my only sword if someone has a Citadel or Coreasword they want to throw in I could be persuaded to a trade and cash.

  13. Richard, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. We want to SEE the details of the bare blade, more than the koshirae. No one would expect you to split them up!

     

    Ken

    No I understood you. But it gave me the thought that maybe the mounts are not to some buyers taste. I like them being a Iai Batto Swordsman, but I like Simple and functional. I love the Nihonzashi sharpening Polish because I can cut with it and not feel guilty about scratches.

     

    But I am a Cashier and part time teacher. I don't have deep pockets can't afford an art Polish. So maybe someone here wants a more elegant Polish and mounts. They can make an offer. I would prefer to sell to a Swordsman or Woman who would appreciate the sword and the fact that it cost me over a year of savings and about 400 hours of pay at my crummy job.

     

    I don't need to sell I am not broke. But if I made it to Japan I would be the first one from my Dojo to go in almost 10 years. Before I say it's not possible I want to give my all and sacrifice my obsession with this sword for the good of the Art and the Dojo.

     

    This sword cost me more than money. And I am not selling it for money, but for knowledge, experience and adventure :)

    • Like 3
  14. If someone wants just the Blade and Habaki I can ship it in the old split Saya. I just thought it would be a waste of the new Ito, Wrap, Mekugi, and a nice Tsuka core with a full Same' wrap. I would take a fair offer on the blade if someone wanted to go from scratch.

     

    But the mounts as they are now are good user mounts. The sword draws and returns from the Saya well and the Koiguchi fit is nice and firm. The Tsuka is well shaped and solid, yet with the Suede has a soft non slip feel. Nothing's wiggling or rattling.

     

    The Tachi Kaze the blade has is surprisingly good. I have seen few no hi blades with good sound like this. The blade has heft and feels solid, but not so heavy that you can't use it. Those of you who own light blades might be sore after a class, but it's a blade made for cutting and Batto rather than Iai. It is fast (relatively) compared to other swords of the Nambokucho variety. The sword is slower than an Iai blade, but smooth. And smooth can become fast.

     

    And Niku aside this blade passes a paper cutting test Easy. The sword only lacks cosmetic visibility, because there are some goodies hiding in the Tameshigiri Polish.

     

    I love the blade. I don't want to sell it. But being invited to Japan is a big deal and I want to try all I can to go.

  15. I have a Shinsakuto made 1990 Signed Goshu Taiten. From my research Taiten's family name is Nakagawa. So he is known as Nakagawa Taiten and forged out of the Shiga Prefecture and his registration number is 15104. He later opened a school in Okayama Prefecture to teach smiths. I have been told he is in his 80's and stopped forging in 2006.

     

    The blade is in a fresh Sharpening Polish from Nihonzashi sword shop. It is high grit, smooth as glass, symmetrical and Sharp. But Nihonzashi does not use finger stones so the hamon is visible, but the Tight masame hada is pretty clouded. It looks like sand specs visible only at the right angles. But details are there. The blade has a solid silver Habaki.

     

    Specks: 27in Nagasa 31mm Motohaba, 8mm Motokasane. 25mm Sakihaba, 6mm Sakikasane 15mm Sori. 8.4in Nakago 9.5in Tsuka. Blade has Niku. Weight is just over 2.5lbs

     

    Mounts: Tsuka is a Nice shaped Japanese core with a full wrap of Same'. The mekugi are brand new as is the tsuba fitting. Everything is tight and solid. The wrap is brand new Lohman Navy Suede.

     

    The Theme is a Simple Bamboo theme. The tsuba is Japanese with a metal base that was copper plated and aged. The fuchi Kashira are copper with Silver Bamboo leaves on them. The menuki are solid silver with copper accents. User quality fittings.

     

    The Saya: my biggest disappointment the original Saya was damaged beyond repair in shipping so I had to have an Iaito Saya fitted. It fits well and only rattles if I shake hard. It is perfectly workable for an Iai Batto sword. I have a brand new gold Japanese Sageo for it.

     

    I need 3k for my trip, so 3k I cover paypal and shipping. Let me know about reasonable offers.

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