DRDave

It's Aoi-speak. Anei 7 = 1778, which would have been a year of the dog. https://chinese-year.com/1778

But no doubt well beyond my means.

Juan, Do you have access to a blade with a scratch? If not, perhaps someone can post a photo of what a scratch looks like. When you compare the two, you'll know the answer.

My memory has gotten so bad that I have fun finds all the time.

God bless you, Mark.

I've heard they're the only means available right now. And the pricing makes UPS look like Usual Profiteering Scheme.

1. What interests me is a matter of perspective, and since I initially view blades as a whole (e.g. from a distance, relatively speaking) sugata comes first. I'm either attracted by the overall shape or I'm not. It's when I zoom in closer that I'm looking at hada, hataraki, utsuri, etc. 2. Everything is difficult for me. Foreign language, reading kanji, the schools, the schools within schools, the blends of schools, the history, genealogies, time periods... you name it. When I first got into nihonto, I was interested in Showa/Gendaito, because that's a time period I can relate to. Five uncles fought in WWII. I know the battles, etc.. And because much of it was recorded on film, I even know what it looked like. It's not as easy to relate when we're talking 3 or 5 or 7 times that long ago. 3. If I were to sit down with a smith, I probably wouldn't ask questions about sword making because I know I'll never have a chance to do it myself, much less make a career of it. I'd probably ask them who their hero's were. Who did they consider the best, and why.

Nice blade, Brano!

I have very few tsuba and like them all, but my favorite is this iron work by Tosho Sadayuki depicting natto in warazuto (I think). There is one very similar in the Ashmolean.

Doh! I meant Peter. Can't even keep my apostles straight anymore.

Here's one for you, Paul. https://www.samurai-nippon.net/SHOP/N-112.html

I would not have thought it possible. Did you get a photo before you received it back or did you have to pick yourself up off the floor when you opened the box?

Quick, get the Clorox!

Just saw this thread and was stunned. Praying for you, Ford. Please slow down and rest up! Everything will be okay. Fully understand your proclivity to work too hard. If I could do what you can do; I'd overdo it, too! Life is a marathon, you've got to pace yourself.

Central? Talking about this one?

Congratulations, Jussi !

At the top of this page under Research, click on JSL Index in the drop down, then Sword Smiths, then enter Naomasa in the search field and click apply filter. Hover over the double-alpha prefixes to see the publication name.

I'd be thrilled with just the habaki.

I need help understanding what I'm seeing in these two photos. The first shows the rim where the rat's nose touches the foot. Note the pinkish color, the two kind of solder-like colors, and the smooth, curved line where the surface color ends. What is going on, there? The second shows some damage to the rat's leg. What was the likely cause? Thanks in advance!

How about turtles? This one on Tetsugendo appears to have some dragon ancestry. The Yoshioka school piece is very attractive

Hmm...The winning bidder in the first auction had 558 feedback. The seller in the second auction has 360 feedback; and judging from the other items listed, is an art dealer. Took it on trade maybe?

Have you considered commissioning an artist make one? https://youtu.be/pM0VnL30rDc?t=649

Here you go. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g342386055 Another Minatogawa. https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c729024669

Same seller, similar blade . Interestingly, the polished one brought $355, and the rusty one is already up to $305

Posted today on Samurai Shokai and currently on hold, but thought some might be interested in seeing it. https://www.samuraishokai.jp/sword/19604.html