Martin

this might be Kikusui Hamon (Chysanthemum in the river).

So it might be an Orikaeshi-mei ? "When a sword is shortened by a smaller amount the signature and surrounding steel can be folder over the Nakago and onto the other side." cheers,

I´ve received a feedback from the dealer who arranged the submission to the NBTHK. Unfortunately he does not want to take any action in this case and told me to speak to the NBTHK directly :? I already sent them a FAX on Oct. 8th but no reply until now.... cheers,

Hi Henry, I also frequently carry a Tsuba with me that I covered with some soft cloth before. I use Molton-Cloth (supplied by the baby-industry ;o) ) for both rubbing and carrying and it works fine. I use to remove the rust before and made the experience that the Tsuba gets a much nicer surface after carrying it for some days (a week or 2). But what I also suspect is, that some areas where some shiny iron looks through get even more "polished" up. That would speak against the thesis that the "pocket-treatment" actually builds up (new) patina. So I actually never carried them with me for more than a few weeks... I could be wrong with my assumptions and would be keen to hear some experience of the "old boys" :D cheers,

Hi Rich, best wishes for a quick recovery from Germany too. Cancer in my opinion is one of the most "unnecessary" things we have to deal with (not to forget Hagire of course :D ) Keep your tail up!

Could it be Matsukawa-Hada by Norishige? cheers,

thanks very much for your advice. I will send a Fax to them tomorrow. best,

Hi, it definitely is no fake - otherwise I would have to suspect a very trustworthy Japanese dealer as he was the agent in this matter. I already contacted him and will wait what he says. I will also try to contact the NBTHK but can´t find any email-address on their website... Does anyone know how to get in contact with them? cheers,

Hi all, I recently saw a Tanto that had a Nakago with strong Kesho Yasurime. As I read in some other threads lately Kesho Yasurime are an indication for Shinto or post Shinto times. Is this a rule (if there are any in Nihonto :D) and is it IMPOSSIBLE to find these filemarks on a (late) Koto / Momoyama sword? I ask because the owner introduced the sword as a piece from the early 1500s (1520-1530). Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of the blade in question so this might be a less illustrative discussion. Any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. cheers,

yes it does. It´s not a faked paper. Strange, isn´t it? best,

Hi, I just came across this one and suppose that it was treated (patinated) the same way. http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d77695393 cheers,

ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/A017-JP-SAMURAI-SWO ... 0167040204 Bidders: http://www.bidders.co.jp/item/92535502

Hi Jacques, I know that. But there is none, that´s why I ask cheers,

Hi all, I recently received the Tokubetsu Hozon papers for a sword of mine and wondered that there is no section about the blade measurements. Aren´t those statements mandatory for NBTHK papers? Maybe they had so much stress due to the flood of swords submitted to this years Shinsa that they simply forgot it Any thoughts? cheers,

that´s a gorgeous Tsuba, Ed. Have never seen a similar design like this one before. Any ideas on it´s age? Drop me an email if you plan to sell it :D cheers, Martin

thank you very much Koichi-San !

Hi all, may I kindly ask for help translating this Origami. All I have managed to translate is the date of issue: 47th year 11 th month 1st day of Showa (01.11.1972). As the rest is rather similar on most NBTHK papers, I would be very grateful for a translation of the highlighted area. thanks,

Hi all, look at this link: http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/7350-7399/07398.html cheers,

Paul, received the results. Thank you very much for your kind assistance best,

Hi all, I am looking for a list of the realized prices from the Compton Collection Auction Part I which was held on 31.03.1992. I´d be very grateful if anyone could provide me with this single list (scans or copies). kind regards,

Hi Doug, just have a look at the Top-Links on this page. There is a link "Fake Swords" ( http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/fake_j ... words.html ) that leads you to a page with lots of information on how to recognize a fake Japanese Sword. best,

Hi, Guido Schiller helped with this exhibition. See http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/opening.htm for some (maybe familiar) faces ;o) cheers,

Hi all, here is the result of the Google Online-translation (French > English). best, HAMON-DURING-THE-NANBOKUCHO-AND-MUROMACHI-PERIOD.pdf

Exactly Patrick, that is what the NBTHK stated in the Origami (Yasuiye from Bushu) ;o) Do you know more about this smith as he does not appear in any of my books except Hawleys... I thought a second Mekugi-Ana was only made for long and heavy blades... best,

In order not to hijack another thread I decided to open a new one :D Hi, I also have a sword that has a second Mekugi-Ana. It´s a Kambun-Shinto piece and I wondered why a Wakizashi (Nagasa: 54,2 cm) should have a second Mekugi-Ana... Is this an indication that it was mounted as a Gunto during the war times? Thanks for any enlightening answers cheers,