Rich S

Tom - I've owned several Emura swords and seen many more. I don't recall any with pronounced yakidashi. That doesn't mean Emura didn't make any, just that I don't recall them and have killed off a few too many brain cells. Rich S

Morita san - May I have your permission to use the info on Emura you found on my website about him? With credit given of course. Is Toshu and Doshu the same reading? Thanks, very interesting.

Thanks for the great pics of some nice Saotome tsuba. They are among my favorites (along with Tempo) and Ko-Nara (who sometimes used Saotome plates as did some Heianjo makers). I assume you've seen my pages on them at: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/tsuba/saotome.htm Rich S

Are you sure it's really Bakelite and not just a fancy lacquer koshirae? I've seen a couple saya that looked somewhat similar. Rich S

Anthony - Find the "red light" district and have some fun and forget about Nihonto :-) Rich S

Ditto what Bob said. Be sure it is a quality safe that is heavy and hopefully can be bolted to a wall stud from inside the safe. Remember, just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean somebody isn't out to get you (or your swords). Rich S

Now that is cool! Thanks for the link. Rich S

Yes, it compares well to those of Kanemune on my oshigata page. If I recall he was the son of Amahide and actually signed most of the blades made by Amahide at his Seki sword factory. Just checked Slough's book and it says the same and the oshigata also compare favorably. Rich S

Mark - Probably not many, but I bet it has pruned many a bonsai and other flowers/plants. Rich S

For me, it's Saotome and Ko-Nara style tsuba. I'm much more into iron than soft metals. Some of my tsuba are on my website. Rich S

I must enter the fray :-) There is absolutely nothing wrong with just collecting/studying kodogu. I know several very serious collectors who don't even own a sword. Personally when swords went thru the roof, price wise; I turned my attention more toward tsuba (I had always acquired a few). I find it a very enjoyable and complicated study; perhaps more so than blades. As far as displaying tsuba, I have a few on stands but most are in tsuba boxes and rotate them occasionally. My basic philosophy is: collect what you like, but like what you collect. Rich S

There are also some oshigata pics of Amahide and Kanemune blades on my Oshigata webpage at: http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/index.htm Rich S

Just curious, does anyone know who the seller is? Candillaria 2007? Has a website Owazamono.com. Checked it out but not updated since 2010 and no info on who owns or runs it. Rich S

Which is why I've never sold anything on Ebay. Just too much hassle, problems and trouble. Rich S

Thanks guys, I'll pass the info along to my friend. Sounds like a nice sword. Appreciate your help. Rich S

John - Thanks, I assume that is just the long inscription. Now tell me what it says :-) Any takers on the short one? I assume (?) it is a date. Rich S

This is way beyond my meager (non-existent) translation skills. Not my sword. Posting it for a friend. Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rich S

I doubt Onin; maybe Shoami, Aizu Shoami, Akao or even possibly Heianjo or late Nara/Mito. Lots of schools to choose from :-) Rich S

Sad indeed to hear of Cary's passing. He was most knowledgeable and a good teacher. He will be missed. Condolences to his family. Rich S

I believe it reads: Minamoto Nobuyoshi. Minamoto = clan name Nobuyoshi = smith's name If I'm in error, others will correct it. Seems Chris and I posted at the same time :-) Rich S

A disaster of epic proportions. Our hearts and hopes go to all those effected. Also heard that 4 nuclear power plants were effected; all shut down, but one has problems with getting coolant to the reactor. No radiation leaks reported. A true tragedy; let's hope for the best. Those in Japan, who can, please let us know how you are and what conditions are. Rich S

Here's a link to a lot of Kanji tables in PDF format. Great to download and link internally on your computer. http://home.comcast.net/~bladeshark/ Rich S

Alan Quinn's site is back online. Hasn't been updated since 2007, but it has a wealth of good info. http://meiboku.info/guide.html Rich S

Get a copy of "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" by Nakayama Kokan. Translated by Kenji Mishina. Gives major criteria for most major smiths in all major schools up to gendai. Rich S

The sword mei, Seki Sukemitsu Nobumitsu saku is very likely a nakirishi mei; carved by a full time mei cutter in a large "factory" type production facility. See my page on nakirishi mei at: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/promei.htm Rich S