Dino

Hello everyone, I have been looking at Shinshinto Katana's for a while now and I am amazed how expensive they are (I have been looking at papered in polish sword's). I was wondering if anyone can explain why. It seems to me that similar rated smiths in Shinto Katana's are a priced much less, is it because there is a greater number of Shinto sword's that were produced? I noticed at the last Christies auction at Rockerfeller Plaza NY the majority of swords that did not sell were Shinshinto Sword's (i am assuming because thier reserves were not met). Any information would be greatly appreciated. Dino

Hi Yitzy You might want to try Mr Benson at http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/ Dino

Moriyama-san Thank you very much for your help, it is always appreciated. Dino

I appreciate any help I can get on translating this sayagaki. I don't need the date translated that part I'm all set. Thank you Dino

Thank you very much Grey and the JSSUS !! I look forward to the new book. This week I received the Sue-Koto 2-book set from the JSSUS and I am very happy with the books. I also received the Art and the Sword set and they are excellent as well. It is nice to be able to get quality Japanese sword reference book's with out spending a small fortune. I have been building my library up and these books are great references that are very resonable. I hope more people will take advantage of these books and join the JSSUS, it's an absolute bargain for all the information that you will receive. Take care Dino

I HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING A QUALITY SWORD FROM MODERN TIMES AND WAS WONDERING WHAT OTHER'S THINK ABOUT NEW OR RELITIVELY NEW SWORD'S. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE AOI-ART WEBSITE WHICH SEEMS TO SELL A GOOD NUMBER OF NEWER SWORD'S, SOME THAT SEEM QUITE REASONABLE IN PRICE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN (HEAVILY EYEBALLING) A SWORD ON MODERTOSO.COM WHICH IS A KOMIYA YASUMITSU DAITO THAT IS VERY NICE. IF ANYONE HAS SOME SUGGESTIONS ON NEW SWORDSMITH'S THAT I SHOULD BE LOOKING AT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. FOR MYSELF I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO AQUIRE AT LEAST ONE NEW SWORD FROM A MODERN DAY SWORDSMITH WHICH INTURN HELPS TO KEEP THE HERITAGE GOING AND FOR OTHER'S TO APPRECIATE YEARS FROM NOW. THANK YOU DINO

Here are a few more picture's, sorry about the quality of them, I need to purchase a better camera. Dino

The Nagamitsu is signed, they have some foam pieces under the blade for protection. The exhibition is quite small, they have some laquered pieces: writing boxes,table, they have some pottery, inscent game?, kimomono's and a strange looking object that looks like a hour glass? I am going back down this weekend and I will try to take somemore picture's and get more information. I have some other picture's I will post later, I have to reduce the size of them before I can attach them. Dino

The new exhibition runs until October 5, 2008 There are three swords in the exhibition. Nagamitsu Tachi Kanetane Wakizashi Rai Kunitoshi Tanto The Nagamitsu Tachi is the most impressive sword I have ever seen! If you live in the Northeast it would be well worth the trip to view the swords they are all wonderful swords. I have attatched some picture's of the swords. Take care Dino

Thank you all for your book suggestions! Time to go book shopping! Dino

I am just starting to get interested in Tsuba's. I was hoping to get some recommendation's of quality books that I should be looking for. I would prefer English text if possible. Thank you Dino

Hi Paul I was on the Met website today looking for info on the "Art of the Samurai" exhibition. If you put Samurai in the search box and then hit the Go button it will bring to another page find the Press room and click on it then if you scroll down that next page they have information about the exhibition. (Talk about jumping through hoops to try and get information, it took me 10 minutes and ten different pages trying to find it). I was at the MFA in Boston last week and they are going to have a exhibition starting on March 08, 2008 for a few months on Japanese swords and various Japanese art. If it is a good exhibition I will post it on this site. Dino

Hi Brian Thanks for the picture and information. The last Yoroidoshi I looked at was from the early 1500's and the dimensions were as follows: 22cm Nagasa , 8.5mm thick at Kasane, 2.2cm at Moto Haba. I have very little experience with Tanto's and thats probably why I find them diminutive in size. I guess when you look at the length of the Nagasa versus the thickness at the Kasane and the witdth at Moto Haba the measurements don't seen so diminutive. As always thank you for the information given and also for The Nihonto Message Board. Thanks Dino

Hi Everyone I am hoping to get any information on Yoroidoshi Tanto's. The history of them, what years were they primarily made, dimension's, current collectability, etc. If any member's have picture's they would like to share that would be very appreciated. I have only seen two up close so my knowledge is very limited. I have recently aquirred several more Nihonto reference books but there is little information about them in the books and almost no detailed picture's of them . They are quite diminutive in size but I find them very intersting. Thank you Dino

Thank you everyone for the helpful information on my Sayagaki and on the Kanefusa smiths. I appreciate the book suggestions as well, in this hobby it would seem that you could never have enough books. I am a newer collector and I am amazed how diversified and how much research and knowledge is needed. Thank you all Dino

Thanks guys for working on this The only information I have dates the sword to (ca.1550). That should eliminate some of the swordsmiths using Kanefusa. Maybe this Seki Kanefusa was the father of Ujifusa, the dates would seem to make sense? Dino

I am looking for any Information or known books on the Mino Kanefusa line of swordsmiths during mid 1500's, any references would be great. If at all possible some help on translating the Sayagaki to English, which would be very appreciated. I really like this Naginata Naoshi it's over 2 Shaku and has a extremely sharp point "I found this out the hard way". When I was taking the pictures this morning I did not realize that the point had hooked onto the material and I moved the sword forward and went through the top sheet and then through the bed comforter and into the sheet below within a fraction of a second! I will have some explaining to do when my wife get's home! I hope someday I will be able add to this forum instead of always needing help. Thank you and Happy Holidays Dino

Moriyama San I joined this forum less than a week ago and you have already helped me. Thank you Dino

Thank you Jean, Brian, Bugyotsuji and Nobody for your help on this, it is highly appreciated!!! Thank you again Dino

These are the Pictures of the Sayagaki for the Yoshimitsu sword, sorry about that. The pixels needed to be reduced for the attatchments Thank you Dino

I was hoping someone could read this sayagaki and give an me English translation of it. If I am asking for too much please tell me. I have spent a couple hours a day for the last few months reading several Nihonto books learning about the swords and trying to translate NBTHK and NTHK papers of swords that I have aquired. I think I'm getting worse than when I first started, without a doubt this has to been one of the hardest things for me but I REALLY ENJOY THE SWORDS! Thank you Dino

I want to thank everyone for replying to my question and I appreciate all the great advise. I have used "break-free" oil for years on new and vintage Firearms and have had great success. I have been told by a couple of people as well as Rich S. on this posting not to use it on Japanese swords, so I won't. I am a newer collector from New England USA and have aquired some nice swords and would like to gain more knowledge. I have found this website to be a FANTASTIC way to learn more about Japanese Swords. Thank you Dino

I was hoping to find out what is the best Oil to use to preserve Japanese swords that are in polish. I would also like to know where the oil can be purchased. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Dino