Ray Singer

Chu-Mihara can sometimes be very beautiful. This is one that I own, also most likely around Oei, and was from the collection of Masayuki "John" Yumoto. Congratulations on your new purchase. Best regards, Ray

I actually had the impression that there was something reasonably worth purchasing at any price level. It did seem that the best deals went by Friday evening though. One friend purchased a very nice signed and dated shodai Tadayoshi daito and another went home with a well-mounted Omi Daijo Tadahiro. In the first day of the show one of our local collectors bought a Oei Nobukuni wakizashi with what I am certain was a good mei, for less than $800. Bob Benson had a number of wonderful swords at a range of prices, from an Uda katana at $3k to a spectacular Tametsugu. Also worth mentioning was a set of blades by Yokoyama Sukenaga, the katana being one of the better examples I have seen from this smith, which went unsold at the end of the show at what I felt was a reasonable $10k. Myself, I could not resist buying a beautiful little katakiriba tanto by Yamato (no) Kami Kanekura (reference Compton III) in the last hours of the show Sunday.

Presently Tokubetsu Hozon (kanteisho attached).

Ordinarily I would agree with you, but in this case it is not an issue of tiredness but perhaps more of how well the tanto's attributes have been brought out.

If possible, I will try to photograph the nie-utsuri in the Enju tanto I own. Like the daito I previously shared, it had a previous attribution to Rai Kunitoshi. The tanto was polished by Kajihara at one point, who also issued papers to Rai Kunitoshi. Purportedly, Dr. Homma felt it was Rai but recommended a better quality of polish if the intent was to resubmit up to Juyo. The tanto was repolished by Ono Kokei, but afterwards received an attribution to Enju. Studying the sword, there is a prominent nijuba which is an Enju trait and I am sure played a part in it's current attribution. Best regards, Ray

Here is a reference example of Kunisuke from Token Bijutsu in which the nie-utsuri are described... https://books.google.com/books?id=HtgPBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA453&lpg=PA453&dq=enju+%22nie+utsuri%22&source=bl&ots=apkN7hJQJZ&sig=ZGAWVgs80rzvyWPWBIcuqqxnpqA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwid0baG2JDSAhXMLSYKHTM5AVMQ6AEIKzAF#v=onepage&q=enju%20%22nie%20utsuri%22&f=false

I believe: Oite (Edo?) Yonezawa ju Tsunatoshi Ansei Ni Nen San Gatsu Kichi Jitsu (a lucky day in March, 1855) Chōunsai Koretoshi

I am very certain this is fake. As is the other example you shared from icollector.com.

I believe that I have mentioned before, but I own a sword which has currently been attributed to Enju but likewise is very similar to Rai. It previously had a Hon'ami Koson kinpunmei to Rai Kunitoshi but a prior owner removed this when submitting for shinsa (after it did not pass as a Rai). Tanobe-sensei even commented on the similarity to Rai in the sayagaki. 但大磨上無銘也 静穏ナル出来口ヲ示シ滋味豊ニ候 概ネ来氣質ナレド大丸帽子トナル点ニ 此派ト可鑑者有之 同派極中屈指ノ優品而地刃健体ナルモ好矣 珍々重々 However, it is O-suriage and unsigned. It shows calm workmanship and has its own charm. Although it generally shows Rai characteristics, it can be attributed to this tradition because of its O-maru Boshi. It is the best piece of this tradition, and it is also good that the blade is healthy. It is rare and valuable. BTW, both Enju blades I own have a vivid nie-utsuri.

Unfortunately this is a Chinese fake. Among the many other clues (including the way that the mei is carved vs. the way a mei is traditionally cut), note that the sword has an S curve. Best regards, Ray

I agreed Jussi. I will say that I have seen this particular boshi (Kanemitsu style) on his work before and believe I would have keyed in on that even if the uzumaki was unnoticed. Separately, I really dislike the approach they are taking of using Photoshop to stamp over and disguise the mei. Much better to simply hide the mei with a black square as they have done in the past.

Uzumaki attached. Naotane.

I contacted Tsuruta-san earlier today when the hack occurred and they are working with their sysadmin to update site security (apply the latest Word Press updates, new credentials, etc.). Best regards, Ray

Reminds me of the very large Chogi which sold at auction from the Museum of Sword Fittings. Look forward to seeing photos of the Hasebe. http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-soden-bizen-katana-unsigned-attributed-to-4376914-details.aspx Best regards, Ray

Interesting, as there was recently another Ota Chikahide for sale (Aoi Japan) that also had large areas of loose hada just like this sword. I did not follow through to the end and do now know what the final auction/sale price was. Best regards, Ray

This is the message that Fred posted on FB. The Nihonto.com website has been experiencing some server problems since our existing host switched platforms. We are going to take this opportunity to re-vamp and update our website so please be patient. We will soon be back better than ever with an exciting new format. We will keep you updated on our progress on our Facebook page. In the interim, if you have any questions, please contact me at hageyama@mindspring.com. Thank you, Fred Weissberg

丹波守藤原照門 - Tamba (no) kami fujiwara terukado A Mino smith who worked around 1658. Best regards, Ray

Previously shared here by another member of the NMB. Best regards, Ray

While I am definitely not pursuing this for myself, just curious what the appropriate costs and timeline would look like for restoration of an armour in this condition. Would this even make sense financially? Best regards, Ray

In addition to some interesting swords which showed up at the antique shows this weekend (there were three large shows around South Florida) one dealer brought this armour. I have little background in this area, do not collect armour at all and have not investigated what would be involved (time or cost) for restoration. If anyone is interested in following up with this dealer please PM me and I will send you his contact information. Best regards, Ray

If anyone is interested, there are a few Japanese swords for sale at the West Palm Beach antique show this weekend. Nothing that I felt I had to bring home, but there was a wide katakiri-ba Kaifu-to wakizashi by Ujiyoshi that I found interesting. Also scattered about the show was a Sukesada wakizashi dated Tensho 3, several Mantetsu, a mumei Sue-koto wakizashi in shirasaya, two hachiwara, a signed Bizen tanto in koshirae and assorted gunto mounted Showa-to. I assume most of our Florida members will be attending the Tampa show next weekend where there will be more & better swords for sale, but this is a large, fun show to spend the day at and worth the visit. Feel free to PM me if anyone needs directions and details. http://www.wpbaf.com Best regards, Ray

My feeling is that this is a gimei intended to be passed off as a Kiyomaro.

The mei may be good. The Kaneuji line went on through late Edo, and the later generations used the mei Shizu Saburo Kaneuji (Nōshū Ōgaki-ju Shizu Saburo Kaneuji). The later Ōgaki Kaneuji smiths were kogatana specialists.

It does appear to be Sukesada. Shizu Saburo Kaneuji (kogatana)

A very fine ko-itame, densely covered with ji-nie. Nashiji-hada, chirimen-hada, konuka-hada, etc. That paired with a suguha (or suguha-based) hamon in consistent ko-nie with a bright habuchi that is not too tight. Ko-Aoe, Awataguchi, Rai and top Hizen-to are all very appealing to me.