David Flynn

This is a photo of a Shingunto mount from a Special order Kanemichi. What is unusual, is the naval emblem attached to the Saya. This is on both sides. If anyone has any information on this type of mount, I would be grateful for the imput.

Here is the best picture of the blade, available with my limited photography.

Wishing all, a happy new year from Oz. May we all pick up a truly excellent sleeper.

Here is the other side. Noshu seki Ju Kanemichi saku

Aniversary Jacques. Also, it was the 8th dec Japanese time.

Thanks Chris and Koichi san.

Hi, I've aquired a special order Kanemichi and was hoping, someone would translate it for me. Many thanks.

Ah, reminds me of a movie, One night in Paris

I don't think he wants to marry her.

Ah, Reinhard does like to stir the pot.

Check out this sword on Andrew Quirts site. Nakayama Yoshikazu Utsushi S0178

Unfortunately, there are always the few who manage to spoil things for everyone. I hope that this is not the case here.

here you go Brian 320633074985

Showato (Showa and Seki stamps) are good cutters and a better proposition than Hanwei etc. Buy a paul chen and try to sell it later, you will be lucky to get half your money back. Whilst showato continue to rise in value.

Many swords like this were produced in Inonesia, particularly, Java.

G'day James. This sword looks to me to be Gendai. It could be shinshinto, but I doubt it. The price is fair, however, unsigned Gendai are hard to move, unless mounted (civilian) and sold to a martial artist. I collect Gendai and stay right away from mumei gendai.

And Merry Festivus for the rest of us. :lol:

Stephen, the Australian Museum is about a 10minute walk, about one and half Kilometres as the crow flies.

The state of, New South Wales, 2010 is a inner Sydney suburb. People from NSW are called, New South Welshmen. People from Sydney are called, Sydneyites. 2010 is also the next Suburb to Where the Sydney Shinsa will be held. Also, the only restriction on posting Nihonto, that I'm aware of, is calling Tanto Daggers. Customs will not allow th importation of knives. However swords are OK!

Reinhard, Sorry I don't do online Kantei. And yes I've outed myself, I'm an Idiot. Oh well. I really don't care do you? That's the joy of being an idiot. P.S. I meant physical kantei. Why not come to the Sydney Shinsa and we can have a chat.

Here is where my naivety and ignorance has come to the fore. I thought Kantei was naming the smith using attributes. Not realising that what I have been doing with my friends for years, was kantie. I appoligise for what this thread has turned out to be. Of course one may not be able to pick a good sword, without many years of study.

I think I may have been misunderstood. I have done quite a lot of study, I have been collecting for many years. When I began studying, I began with the gokoden. Although this is important and still important to me, I now no longer bother with the older smiths. I still admire their work and love to look at them, though they are no longer my passion. Barry, I agree my tastes have changed over the years. I appreaciate swords from all periods. Reinhard, show me some swords and I will pick the good ones for you. :D and I'll try not to be sanctimonious.

Well you have me there, Kantei wins. Thanks John.

What do you think is more important, The ability to pick a good sword, or the ability to kantei? Personally, I will go with picking a good sword. Since I have been concentrating on collecting Gendaito, I haven't been studying older swords like I did when I started. What I believe has happened though, is the ability to recognise a good sword. There are many levels of Gendai out there. From very average, to very very good(excellant). I have a friend who concentrates on Koto and thats what he likes. I have other friends who collect across the whole spectrum. What collecting Gendai has allowed my to do is, appreciate the difference between an average sword and a good sword. Why has this happend? because I have been able to concentrate on what makes a sword good. sugata, hataraki etc. Also I believe this concentration has helped whilst picking through the roughies. I have held many, many swords in my hands and believe I can pick a sword worth collecting. Also my critearia has changed. No longer do I try to collect any Nihonto, I have learned to be discerning. My critearia is: Is the sword worth preserving? Is the sword value for money? and do I like it? We all have different critearia in regards to collecting Nihonto. There really isn't any right or wrong, Just opinions and just because my opinion may not match yours, vive la difference.

I appologise for the Barb. It was not aimed at an individual. I will go with something I stated earlier. " Every sword held in the hand is a lesson". It's up to the individual to learn.