Lewis B

There is a book called "Sword Art Book" by Kazuo Tokuno who seems to have a some interesting theories. He states ``This shows that Yoshihiro Etchue was one of a group of Senjuin blacksmiths who migrated from Yamato to Hokuriku. There are no characteristics that indicate a master-pupil relationship with Soshu Masamune, as was said in ancient times. In the same way, the characteristics of the Yamato tradition passed down within the Soshu blacksmiths who gave birth to Masamune are reflected in Masamune's swords. The characteristics of the Yamato tradition are also reflected in the swords made by Yoshihiro E, a Yamato blacksmith.If there is anything in common between the two, This is not a common feature among the Soshu-den blacksmiths, but rather a commonality between the Yamato-den blacksmiths over time. Named after the area of Yoshihiro Senjuin's work, the ground iron has a flowing texture and is stained with earthenware, and the hamon is all burnt in the bay. There was a streak of lightning running, and the hat was scattered and swept, suggesting a connection to Etchu's Yoshihiro. " Mr. Kazuo Tokuno has also been suggested, and among the interpretations of the Hon'ami family in the early Edo period, Mr. Tokuno is also said to have implied the connection between ``Yamato Shizu'' and ``Shizu,'' ``Senjuin Yoshihiro,'' and ``E Yoshihiro.''

This was a fascinating exercise and one I will be refering to as I try to unravel some of the complicated attribution history of my newly acquired blade. I think it will be necessary to refer to some Japanese language source materials.

Try reaching out to these guys. Very helpful and speak English. You might able to get some additional information especially as they sell a lot of older pieces. https://shop.kurashige-tools.com/en-us

Older Koto blades eg Yamato, don't have core steel. The construction is hyoshigi-gitae. You can see how they are constructed in this article, which might explain why it is not a positive feature. Personally I think it detracts from the overall aesthetic as the exposed Shigane is often featureless and contrasts badly with the activity that the smith intended to show. It could also weaken the blade as the outer hardened surface, if that was the intention of the smith, is now absent. https://www.mandarin...hods-Japanese-swords

Yes, I have already gleened some interesting research leads for my new sword after reading up about Yamato and Soshu Gokaden. Invaluable is the correct word.

He's sold from both Japan and USA for as long as I can remember? The latter seem to be more 'questionable' pieces.

The more I come across 'Komonji' as a seller the less I like. I wouldn't touch one of his blades with a barge pole, just out of principle, no matter how good the apparent 'deal'. Ray posted genuine Mei for Yasutoshi in the linked thread, and stylistically these kanji aren't even close.

Here is a partial translation of the Tanobe Sayagaki: 和州千手院　大磨上無銘而細身小鋒ノ華奢な形態ヲ呈し板目刃寄リニ 流レル肌合ニ地沸厚ク地景入リ刃文ハ直調小互乃目ガ草ニ乱レテ盛ン ニ沸付キテ輝キ砂流、金筋ガ頻リニ絡ミ随所ニ湯走リガ形成サレ更ニ火 炎帽子トナルナド大和傳ト相州傳ノ折衷的ナ感ノ出来口ヲ示候　古来他 四派ニ見ナヒ程ニ盛ンニ乱レタ者ヲ同派ニ極メル傾向ニアリ其意味カラ 所伝ハ妥当也 刃長貮尺寸四分半　歳甲辰菊月探山識花押 "Washu (Yamato) Senjuin: O-suriage-mumei, it has a slender and delicate shape. (Jigane is based on) itame with nagare-hada (running pattern) along the hamon. (It is covered with) thick ji-nie and chikei. The hamon is sugu-cho with tasteful ko-gunome midare and full of shiny nie, sunagashi and kinsuji. Yubashiri is formed here and there, and even more, boshi is Kaen. It shows an eclectic feel of both the Yamato-den and Soshu-den. There has long been a tendency to attribute Senjuin to styles with midare-ba with rich hataraki not seen in the other four schools of Yamato-den, so the identification of this sword as Senjuin is appropriate. Edge length 2 shaku sun 4 bu han (a half) Date Kinoe Tatsu (2024) Kiku zuki (September ) Tanzan wrote kao. "

After doing a bit of research on this suggestion I'm not 100% there. The jihada for Shikkake from that era tends to be less well executed and more rustic. Here is an example of a Nambokucho Shikkake katana. It's certainly worlds away from my late Kamakura era Yamato Shikkake. http://www.nihontocr...ikkake_Tokubetsu.htm The sword has another attribution which we can discuss after I receive the blade and have had a chance to see it in person. This was an interesting comparo, The top kissaki is from a signed Norishige wakizashi from his early period. And no, the Senjuin wasn't given a Norishige attribution.

Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of this offer, at least for 2024.

Caveat emptor https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46290-Japanese-samurai-sword-gendaito-signed-“bizen-koku”/

I agree. Its weak. A bit like Tametsugu is the go to when the blade is less than Norishige/Go but more than Ko Uda. I posted higher Rez images on my Google Drive, which helps to better see the Ko-Nie, Chikei, Hataraki and Kaen boshi, when zoomed in: https://drive.google...j-eZWYtgSKfamVWFUlsO

Looks like someone has aggressively removed the Yokan-iro (black rust) from the Nakago. Never a good thing if that is what happened.

My second blade found me sooner than expected. Interesting backstory and a blade that should fit nicely with my collecting plans. The NBTHK awarded this short katana TH Yamato Senjuin Temple papers. I just had Tanobe sensei write the Sayagaki and while he agrees, not unexpectedly, with the NBTHK, he also confirmed the blade shows characteristics of both Yamato and Soshuden schools, which fits well with a previous attribution for the sword, one that it had for generations.

Same here in Germany this morning. Super slow page loading.

Quite a nice, simple to digest, overview of the Japanese Tatara process and an account of the history. Seems the process of smelting various iron containing raw materials to create high quality steel began in the Middle East and the technology moved East and West, through China and Korea in the case of the former. Japan started to produce its own steel for tools and swords in the 6-7th centuries. https://www.Japan-in...JapaneseBlade_01.pdf

+1 Tsubaki oil. Although to be honest my climate isn't humid enough to worry about oxidation. Just give the blade a wipe with a lens microfibre cloth before putting it away.

You can also include Aoe where Shintetsu is a kantei feature, thanks to the thin Kawagane. In Koto blades the Shingane can be of a high enough quality to have features that might be expected in the jihada.

Amazon do something similar when an item is sourced outside the local amazon site. eg from amazon.com instead of amazon.de. There is an extra fee bundled into the delivery costs to cover customs clearance and taxes.

Since DHL is the German national post carrier, what are locals experiences when importing nihonto into the country? If the appropriate HS tariff is on the Waybill and documentation included to confirm the age, do owners still have to fight for the correct 7% tax to be applied?

I think you should stop chugging the Trump koolaid

You would think, with the trajectory the UK authorities are taking, they would encourage and facilitate any citizen to ship their blades out of the country. One less evil edged blade to worry about.

Yes, Jauce is a particular case. Its a little like Ebay and their International Packaging/Shipping scheme. I've never bought anything through Jauce (too much of a minefield for Nihonto and related items) so unsure if double taxation is something that has to be considered in the final calculations.