Nicholas Fu

Hey Everyone, I just wanted to start up a thread to ask. Has anyone ever have a sword commissioned by a Smith in Japan? If so - Which smith did you order your blade from? -What Kind of blade did you get? -Were you ever happy with your order? or Has the blade ever turned out not the way you wanted? - How long did it take? And anything else you'd like to share about your experience of ordering a commissioned order. I have placed a commission order for a blade, but am still in the waiting process for it to be finished. I used an intermediary through Paul Martin, who is great by the way.

Thank you so much for the in depth answers. By the way Andrew its me Nick!

Hi everybody, I just wanted to know if anyone knows any modern swordsmiths who are practicing and making blades in the Yamashiro and Mino tradition. I know most swordsmiths these days create Bizen style blades because they are the most popular with collectors. and after Bizen style blades, it’s Soshu den. However, I was wondering if people knew of other swordsmiths who attempt to make blades in the other styles. I know that the late Hiroki Hirokuni and Osumi Toshihira we’re mainly the only modern smiths who made blades in the Yamato tradition. Just wondering about Mino and Yamato den blades of modern times.

Hello Everyone, My name is Nicholas and I am from Melbourne. I have recently started my nihonto education and have been studying and trying to learn non-stop in the past month. I have bought several books, such as The Connoisseur's book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama, The Japanese Sword by Kato, Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths, by Kapp and Yoshihara; and The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths, by Tsuchiko and Mishina. I am most interested in Shinsakuto, the more modern and contemporary blades. Although, I do not own any nihonto yet, I plan on starting my collection soon. I am currently most in love with Ono Yoshimitsu and Yoshihara Yoshindo's work. Excited to meet you all and share our appreciation of some nihonto!