Lewis B

Thanks @Hoshi. This is exactly the approach I plan to take. Attempting to rewrite the history of the early Soshuden tradition will only be counterproductive and ensure anything that might be relevant to the case is overlooked, or worse, deliberately ignored. I plan to keep the supporting document to a single side of paper with a couple of illustrative images, using bulletpoints and not a lot of verbage. @Rivkin that's an interesting development of which I was unaware. The next 5-10 years could be quite interesting as its clear from recent Shinsa results the tectonic plates within the organisation are shifting.

I just had some excellent and unexpected news. The dealer contacted the NBTHK and was told by the office that organises the Shinsa sessions, that a blade can be accompanied by any supporting documentation deemed relevant by the submitting party. This is contrary to what I had read but might be useful information for anyone in a similar situation. I take back the disparaging comments I said earlier about the NBTHK.

Saw this a few days ago. Interesting interview.

This would be a wonderful first blade for a new collector. Named smith with TH in very nice polish, and some historical documentation accompanying the package.

Best of luck for your new venture. I wish you every success.

Chapeau Andrew. Well deserved and proof owners don't need to send their blades to Japan for a top level polish.

Doh. I blame the heatwave. My brain is discombobulated at the moment.

Tametsugu way above Norishige. Ouch

If the mekugi-ana are drilled which seems to be the case that would suggest Edo period blade (1603-1867)

Since the Shinsa panel will only judge the blade in front of them and not consider any external commentary or factor in any historical nuance without precedent I am resigned to the strong possibility it will come back Horyu. Even though its clear daimei/daisaku blades were being generated in the atelier as early as 1306. If it gets Horyu again, then Plan B is to put it through NTHK who operate a different set of standards when evaluating a blade and call it a day. I didn't start this project to squeeze monetary value out of the sword. For me its all about preserving history and giving the blade the best possible chance for future generations. Dogma changes and evolves over time, Shinsa panels come and go and new discoveries eg the dated Chogi blade, reset the history books. The sword is more important than any one organization and its draconian appraisal methods. Its survived 718 years, ubu and intact, I want it to survive another 718 years, with or without a piece of paper. The blade will be judged on its own merits as a late period Shintogo Kunimitsu and the unofficial comments of Tanobe and Saito sensei carry enough weight for me as its current custodian.

The rough diamond polished up nicely IMHO. Now the real test will be if they can be swayed re the Mei. It's not unknown for contentious swords to get Horyu multiple times. Fingers crossed not in this case. Next stop is resubmission to the Shinsa in Sept.

The 1306 tanto would be a great sword to compare but I have yet to find high quality images. These are the images of the polished tanto. Not the optimum lighting or resolution but hopfully you can see the fine chikei that is so noticeable in the other examples. And is that nie-utsuri?

The tanto's journey continues and its now back from the togishi Saito sensei. He did an amazing job and with only a 7 month turnaround, which included a new shirasaya and habaki refurbishment. To have accepted the commission was a huge honour as he is considered the foremost polisher of Soshuden blades. As I mentioned previously he believes it can get mumei Shintogo. He handled the large rust spot under the koshi-bi horimono so well. Since I have only seen work from this atelier in photos and video, here are some comparative blades authenticated as Shintogo. First, arguably Kunimitsu's magnum opus. The Aizu Shintogo screenshot from a video taken at last years Masamune show. Same tanto but from the 1960's Masamune and his School exhibition. The photos taken under optimal lighting conditions and in perfect focus. There is something about film that digital has a tough time competing. Another tanto by Shintogo also polished by Saito.

That sugata is legendary. I think my one-and-done would be a Go with an ichimai boshi eg the Inaba Go or if it had to have a signature then, an ubu Fukuoka Ichimonji. This is also rather beautiful and special. A signed Norishige tachi with a 77cm nagasa

I assume you mean signed Norishige tachi?

Most academic presentations are in English here. I live in Germany and even in groups where the majority are native German speakers, they use English.

The brothers weren't the only smiths to inscribe their blades with important contextual documentation. Take this slightly later Gorozaemon Kiyomitsu, resident of Osafune Bizen Province. The nengo dates the swords production to a day in August (funny that) in 1554. Reading further and the inscription states it was commissioned by Tokuoka Kageyuzaemon-no-jo Ieyasu and completed in the castle town of Tatsuno in Harima Province. https://hyozaemon.jp/product/goroukiyomitu/

And another https://www.facebook.com/reel/1924141811620477

That blade is the epitomy of 'kenzen' given its ~800 years old. Has anyone 'inquired' ? The extract from the Encyclopedia quotes a value of 20 mil JPY

Funny enough thats the same uchiko ball I bought from Kei-san at the Japan Art Show. I asked him to bring me one after I saw him using it last year on his Juyo blades. He brought 6 to the show and all sold.

Just finished reading. What a wonderful treatise about 2 unique swordsmith siblings working in a turbulent age and navigating a life, while still being able to follow their passion. Its a remarkable document, the two of you @Mushin and @Markus have created. Your piece is a moving tribute to their lives and work. One question. When the blades were signed gassaku, did one brother sign both signatures or did each sign his own name? I assume its possible to determine who was the author of the inscription based on their individual carving styles.

And another video https://www.facebook.com/reel/2743769552662258

He certainly liked his daisho

For those visiting Berlin and want to see a world class museum dedicated to the Samurai and their arms this video gives a good impression of what awaits. The museum has been entered in the best European museum competition 2026. Truly a wonderful experience even for those not directly interested in the hobby.

Some nice video montages from a couple of the sessions https://www.facebook.com/reel/845976661542113 https://www.facebook.com/reel/2402323446945342