Ray Singer

Its seems that the internal Aoi rankings are not so much a rating of the smith but of the actual sword at hand. There was a shinsakuto tanto for auction recently that they ranked as Saijo Saku. He commented that it was an extraordinary work for a modern smith resembling Awataguchi and gave it his top ranking. I do appreciate seeing him use a rating system because it gives insight into how he personally feels about the sword. Jojo Saku or Saijo show that he thinks it is an especially good example worth collecting, similar to when he writes that a piece is 'highly recommended'. It might have been better though to use a ranking system that was named differently from Fujishiro though, to eliminate customer confusion. To get back to the sword at hand, Hojoji Masahiro is one of my favorite smiths and I do not find the Ju-to example at all boring. His work often have a beautiful hamon with a wide/deep nioguchi that is very bright, along with thick ashi. I acquired one by the nidai a few years and became an instant fan. Best regards, Ray

I actually do see Mitsuhiro (光廣) in that mei. Best regards, Ray

Yes, I shared that listing on Facebook last night because I thought it was such a great deal. There was a time that I was looking for an ubu Tadahiro katana to pair with a wakizashi I own. There was nothing available even at the 10k range. To have two swords together priced at that level is an exceptional buy that won't be seen again any time soon. Best regards, Ray

The Sukehiro has sold offline. Thanks everyone who expressed an interest in this sword. The Masayuki and Masatsugu are still available. Best regards, Ray

I received the koshirae today and it is a nice type 3, however there are some losses to the lacquer and a crack I want to point out. Please see below for detailed photos of the Tomita Sukehiro koshirae. Best regards, Ray

Outstanding, thanks for sharing Nick! Do you happen to have the oshigata to share from the Juyo Token Nado Zufu? Best regards, Ray

I just received photos of the Sukehiro gunto koshirae from the owner. I did not take these pictures myself (unlike those for the blade) however I am told that the koshirae is in perfect condition with no chips or issues at all. Joe, I don't want to overtalk a sword I am selling but whoever buys the Sukehiro is going to be ecstatic. The sugata is fantastic. Broad mihaba, large kissaki, just a wide and powerful shape. If it was financially feasible, I would be buying it for myself. Best, Ray

Thanks Daniel! Both the Masatsugu and Sukehiro are in shirasaya. The Sukehiro additionally has a gunto koshirae which I have not yet photographed. The owner just located the gunto koshirae today, so I hope to at least have photos ready this evening. Best regards, Ray

I would have thought to call this one shobu-zukuri. Best regards, Ray

Appears to be Suishinshi Nyudo. Best, Ray

Thanks Joe. This is my first encounter with this smith. I recall that Chris Bowen had one for sale but I unfortunately never studied the sword in hand. If this is a typical example of his work, Sukehiro was a very talented smith. Best, Ray

I have added better photos of the Tomita Sukehiro and Taguchi Masatsugu this evening. Best regards, Ray

3. Iijima Masayuki Nagasa 67.7cm with graceful shape and ko-kissaki. In naval gunto koshirae. Out of polish with some pitting. - $1,800 (plus shipping and PayPal fees)

2. Sukehiro Saku (Star stamp) Koki Ni Sen Roppyaku San Nen Sho Gatsu Katana by Tomita Sukehiro of the Kato family. Flawless with a wide, powerful sugata. 63cm, 3.3cm Motohaba, 7mm kasane - $2,750 (plus shipping and PayPal fees)

Hi all, I received three very nice gendaito for consignment this evening. Please see below for details. Best regards, Ray 1. Hizen (no) Kuni Masatsugu Kitaeru no Showa Ju Kyu Nen Roku gatsu Kichi Jitsu (Star stamp) This sword is by the RJT smith Taguchi Masatsugu. Nagasa is 67.5cm. Hamon is Ko-choji. $2,400 (plus shipping and PayPal fees)

Paul, I have heard the same and the more general comment that some smiths who would almost always sign with a long mei would use a nijimei to distinguish special pieces made for individuals of importance (kenjo mei). The Shodai Korekazu on my website has a nijimei and was described by Tsuruta-san as a kenjo piece. To keep this on topic, I recently encountered a Nidai Tadahiro of fine quality which had only a nijimei. It was Tokubetsu Kicho and had a recent sayagaki by Tanobe-san. Best regards, Ray

Unless I am seeing things there appears to be the remnant of a mei on the nakago, either removed or corroded beyond recognition. Best regards, Ray

Appears to be an attribution to Choshu Akikuni. I am not certain whether it is a kinpunmei (gold lacquer). The gold appears rounded and raised above the nakago as one would expect to see in a kinpunmei mei. If it is a kinzoganmei then yes, there would have been a mei chiseled into the nakago in which the gold has been inlaid. If it is a kinpunmei as yours seems to be, then the gold lacquer is simply applied to the nakago. Best regards, Ray

Stephen beat me to it. What he said. Ray

For $1,000 I would suggest you jump on this immediately. The nakago will need to be professionally repatinated however the price is a deal for the koshirae alone. Best regards, Ray

Hi Stephen, sorry I missed this posting but as we discussed yesterday this is my listing. Best regards, Ray

Perhaps a Kaga Kiyomitsu, once. Rest in peace. - Ray

Hi George, there was actually an earlier discussion on this I read through recently. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12933-yasukuni-swords-in-type-3-mounts/?fromsearch=1 Best, Ray

I found it interesting to see that this sword was awarded Tokubetsu Hozon. A mumei Muromachi blade of ordinary length, not ubu, atobori horimono, and by a smith who would not be considered of the top-ranking or most famous for the period. Seems outside of the current Tokubetsu Hozon ruleset. http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-zenjyo-kaneyoshi Best regards Ray

I think it's telling that Tsuruta-san rated the sword as saijo saku. Clearly he also felt it to be Juyo quality. Best, Ray