16k

Nothing special? I think it is quite nice!

Yikes! 🙀

Very interesting theory, Dave. I was well aware of the sad end of Takamori and the circumstances, but I think it’s the first time I hear about Satsuma-age. That’s funny, because Usagiya is one of my favorite website, but I guess I must have missed that one. Thank you for this, Dave! Actually, I’ve just reread Usagiya's page and had seen this before but if I knew the shortening process, I had never noticed it was linked to Satsuma. Very interesting. EDIT: by the way, here’s an excellent book about Saigo Takamori https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00DRDS1L2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I think it is an urban myth. You can have activities with other steels than tamahagane. The activities are created by the temperature, the water quenching AND the fact the metal is folded. I think that if this condition isn’t there, you can’t have activities.

Excellent job! That is what I was taking about. I have a T10 sword with exactly that kind of sunagashi.

One of the possibilities is they are indeed Satsuma Rebellion swords. It was the end of the Samurai era with swords being banned. Maybe they used arsenal swords to prevent their hereditory heirlooms from being destroyed in an attempt to eliminate swords as a symbol of the samurai class. They knew they would probably lose and die and maybe they didn't want their swords to go with them. Pure speculation of course!

I agree with you guys. I use the term Satsuma Rebellion Swords because that is the common term used, but I see no reasons why the Satsuma rebels wouldn't have used regular swords. So unless there is a rational explanation, the armory theory sounds logical. Dave, I'd be curious as to what your theory of the origin of the name is. It could be interesting and maybe lead to new researches.

I have seen it on a Chinese folded blade, but never on an oil tempered one so far.

I know that at the beginning of the Internet, my two favorite sources of knowledge were Richard Stein site (thankfully still among us!) and the late and regretted Jim Kurrash. I remember printing and binding most pages of those sites and to this day I keep them as a sacred treasure and still refer to them. Jim’s contributions can still be accessed via the way back machine, but I think that such contributions, provided they are not copyrighted, should always be preserved. They deserve a place on this site. People like Jim Kurrash and so many others I may not even be aware of have unknowingly kindled the sword fire in many a person throughout the world. remembering them and preserving their work is, I think, a task that befalls to us. It is our way to perpetuate what they have done and pay respect to their memory.

No, Sir, I’m a gentleman and only bare with women! I do agree, Satsuma Rebellion sword. No a great sword or great mountings at first glance. However, once I have said that, I would keep it. It’s a piece of history you have here. Not that many have survived and if I had one, I would certainly keep it.

If space is indeed a consideration, then I have but to agree with you.

Is it really impossible to create a subsection in the Izakaya?

Not exactly a history book as it doesn’t read like one, but I would advise getting Papinot's Historical and Geographical history of Japan.

Yes, would be our shrine, where we remember those who have passed and we miss.

Oil and uchiko , but keep the tooth brush away.

Ware, not fatal, although the second one is in a very bad place.

I do prefer Kiyomaro to Naotane, but that is a damn, beautiful sword. AAAAAH! To be rich....

ive never had the pleasure to meet him or even discuss with him, but it is always a great loss to the sword community when someone (and especially someone as knowledgeable as him) passes. R.I.P.

Another cool one...

You read my mind Chris! I'll add for anyone hesitating, Leon is a pleasure to do business with!

That is a very beautiful sword. At first glance, I thought there were no activities and muji Hada, but the close ups show a gorgeous sword. Beautiful! EDIT: found this but don’t know if it’s one of those guys... oh, and you papers are NTHK I think.

An actual piece from the Shisen Gumi, juyo or not is something I wouldn’t mind having in my collection!

Too bad he didn’t continue this way, but hey, what can I say, as a rather okay painter and sculptor Who doesn’t believe in art but in skills, I hate modern art.

Come on, Chris, even real Picasso's are ugly, you probably can’t do worse!

For me, I’d say the Hamon will look flat. When you look at a Hamon, it varies in intensity according to the way you light it. An etched Hamon will look very white and flat. It will be seen whatever the light you use. Also, very often, the Hada will look conspicuous and enhanced., or on the contrary, washed out. pictures would help.