kaigunair

Closing thoughts: Many of the exhibitors were really not dealers, but just collectors who buy tables, which comes with breakfast and dinners, to soak in the full experience and really make lasting connections with others who share the same passion. Not that it hurts to sell some items to fund new items, or get leads on future additions. So while its great to attend the show, its even better to spend the extra and get a table to get/add to the full experience. How great would it be to double the number of dealers and the size of the hall? While I cut out early each day (leaving around 9 or 10pm the first two days to go home; most exhibitors hanging out well beyond that), I am still pretty exhausted. Both because of all the things to see, but also all the really interesting people to meet and talk too. If you're going to a show like this just to buy something for your collection, you're missing out on more than half of the value (and fun) in making such a trip. I met some really great people this year, some really really great guys (and a few gals too), just by hanging around and asking them about what was on their table. Was ableo to re-connect with a few forum members too. Only one person sought me out personally, but that in itself was such a treat! Another kind exhibitor did a private showing of uber uber fine tsuba which I am very grateful for. Several even dearer and more memorable things happen to me during this show, totally unexpected and underserved blessings, that I will forever remember with a smile and a full heart. No joke. Really crazy uber blessings / manna from heaven type stuff. While some of it involved physical things and items, it was seeing the character and heart of many of the people at the show that was the gift of this year's show. Your actual mileage will probably vary, because putting up the light booth was probably part really great experience I had. I think it helped those who used it (maybe those who didn't like it just didn't say anything to me), but, in actuality, people coming up and talking to me because of it....Wow, that was greatest unexpected benefit of my meager efforts. But as most of us go here looking to add to our collections, here are two pics of my physical take aways: Items I bought: Items given to me! Selling wise, I brought out almost all the items from my little tsuba collection, including my top ones, and some tosogu. On friday it looked as though I wouldn't have anywhere to put out my little display, but then, in the evening, Tom graciously lent use of a small section of a table to display my little grouping of items. What sold was all my favorite items that I would have rather have taken back home! Wife was definitely happy to see cash in vs cash out for once. At the same time, what I expected to sell but didn't, turned to be part of a grander plan for my unbelievable 2014 Token Kai experience.

They don't call it the largest nihonto show outside of Japan without reason....

Last of the photos for the forum. Was tasked with taking pics also for the NCJSC newsletter, so saving most for Bob to look over first.

Kantei booth 2.0.

Hmmm, I wonder if the phrase "same same but different" would apply here. I think I see some possible difference in the hill/peninsula of the sukashi, and some variation of the nakago punch marks. If the one I the same, it lost a lower copper insert which is unfortunate....

Ah, thanks Rich. That's definitely the same base design. That's really interesting to know of such an interesting combo designation of saotome with heianjo. So it is a later piece then?

Well, seems to have passed through a number of good hands. Not sure if there is a fold, but will take better macro pics once the show is over. I'm poop'd and its only day 1...

Was given a nice price that I couldn't refuse. Lumpy with yakite finish, nice even if turns out to be something else. The small sukashi seems to exhibit the same sunken work, but it is small so I could be seeing what I want to see. Don't have any books on me, so wondering how does the signature and work look to the experts. Thanks in advance.

Pics from an iPhone are a bit of a process. Will post more tomorrow.

Good memory david. Papers do state early edo (first time I've seen that but its probably pretty common). The description is very vague, but interestingly uses the "十” character to describe the design instead of stating kamon or crest.

Calm before the storm, some preshow pics. Will try to post more throughout the next few days Need to get some black drop cloths!

Well, it's definitely is too clean to have received only rubbing in the pocket work. It could have been chemically cleaned, but I have no basis for comparison. I've used an ultrasonic cleaner on rusted gun parts and it seems to have a similar result. Also seen pics where owner has stated "ultrasonically cleaned" and it appears similar. Final method I can think of is rust removal by electrolysis. I don't know of know examples of that. So maybe it's this, but would there be more patina loss? Also is a bit more time consuming and involved than a dip in an ultrasonic cleaner. Did I guess incorrectly?

Probably many reason why it isn't a Kakure Kirishitan tsuba, but boy, kinda has many of the elements such a bushi might want. Maybe not, as it perhaps it could be alittle too easily mistaken for one? So one big question is that perhaps this isn't a Kakure Kiristian tsuba, but a plain and straight forward Christian convert's tsuba before there was a need to be hidden? Pre-persecution, when it was ok to stroll around as a follower of "The Way".... Really nice iron color and big tekkotsu bones. Time period and region seem appropriate too. :D

a nerikawa tsuba, probably late edo...

hope these photos are better for identifying the "thumb wear". definitely something I think about when looking at soft metal and iron tsuba and the wear patterns. I do think there possibly some indications of the tsuba's edge facing away from the body having more wear than the side towards the body, but not sure if tachi vs kanata mounting may apply for an early tsuba which I think this is...

glam shots

some glam shots

This one appears to have been ultrasonically cleaned (not by me). I was thinking early due to the long and and flat shap of the kozuka Ana. The "worm eaten paths" once held brass inlay and I've seem this pattern in a few examples labeled heianjo. I do wonder if the straight lines also were inlayed. Wonder if my observations are inline with the general consensus. Any help appreciated.

Thanks curran. The amount of wear down on the lines surrounding the sukashi work had made me think earlier. Appears to have been carried around quite a bit to get that sort of wear, I'm thinking. Do you recall if the example you saw was heavily worn also? Maybe the iron is softer if it is edo and wears faster .... Thanks in advance.

Got this off the boards a few months back. Hard to date because the hitsuana Ana aren't standard, but it feels old and the design of the ginger and wild geese also has an older feel. The execution of the details in the myoga ginger seem similar to owari but iron is more dark grey black. Kyo-sukashi ginger appears more refined. Fold lines in the rim but no large bones noted. No three layer construction for later akasaka, hence the Proto akasaka guess. I recent came across an eBay auction with old NBTHK papers to echizen. The echizen I'm use to is a lot more details and dragons...? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tsuba-Watermark ... 2a410feee8 This one is thick and measures 66mm across, 71mm high and 8mm thick. Would appreciate any guidance as to school. Also, would a pre-edo (momoyama or muromachi) period call be reasonable? (I rotated them on my iphone but they didn't post as such...? will try to fix this....)

Been busy prepping for the SF show, so apologies for the measurement delays. Approximately 3.5-4mm at the nakago ana, and about 4mm at the rim. Does that help narrow down the school to something other than ko-shoami?

Will post some pics, but probably just big room shots... I'm guessing people want to see what's on the tables, but not sure if that would be kosher with the table owners.

Largest nihonto show outside of Japan. I'll be manning the new club sponsored examination/kantei booth, which has been given two tables in a corner of the hall! For those trying to assess a blade, they will have an array of lights to choose from. For the tosogu lover, there will a few tosogu magnifier+light set ups. All this under a canopy to block out the room lights. Also thinking of bringing some some measurement calipers (but still need to figure out how to keep these from walking away from the table). Stop by and say hi.