Oshy

Not doubting the posted story or anything, would like to hear the details but il throw my 2 cents in from my personal and recent experience. In the last 6 months I've had 5 transactions and communication was always prompt and respectful even given many of my questions were elementary and excessive/nitpicky. Notable incident #1: Kogatana ordered stuck in EMS for a couple weeks, was able to pull the shipping back and send via FedEx for free. Notable incident #2: Tsuka removal tool set ordered was stuck in EMS for almost a month, eventually he sent a second tool set via FedEx for free to make it right. Notable incident #3: Paid almost $8k for a Katana right before all shipping was closed down. I decided to send to Hughes for some work instead. Without prompt or request he sent an excessive 10% refund of the whole purchase. Other shipments were received in a couple days, been very pleased overall. Thanks, Mike

Thanks Yas! Yes, when Ubu this Ko-Uda was very likely a magnificent early nanbokucho 80+cm tachi then shortened several times. Probably an important and wealthy non-samurai who was forced to shorten it last just below the 60cm regulation in the Edo Period.

https://www.amazon.com/KUROBARA-Tsubaki-Japanese-Maintenance-Camellia/dp/B00362HBPQ/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=camela%2Boil&qid=1596594399&sr=8-9&th=1

Thank you for the kind words JP! Adam, discussing with Ray he believes the fittings appear to be mitokoromono set from the Edo period. Again, will check when they come in.

Il check when it arrives in a couple days ☺️

In the chaos of closing on a new house, packing, cleaning, showing and working through the sale of my current residence I found myself a nice treat. A beautiful blend of Soshu and Yamato as well as a splendid peach tree(my favorite motif along with plum) koshirae as icing ontop. Strong correlation to Etchu Norishige and Yamato Shizu Kaneuji places it in early nanbokucho/late kamakura. Special thanks and big thank you to Ray. http://swordsofjapan.com/project/ko-uda-in-koshirae/ https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/NOR312 https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN416

Thank Mark, il admit my wife helped me take them with her fancy Nikon . Also you hit the nail on my intentions to try and collect a decent example of each style/school/era. I figure it will help me learn more of what I enjoy before dropping bigger bucks in individuals.

Thank you for the kind words Adam, I will keep your interest in mind but don't hold your breath for anytime soon ! I too was drawn to the clean, crisp and fine carving work as well as the high contrast of the dark patina to well retained gold work (all of which comes out better in hand).

Hi Roger, I only recently started picking up tsubas on the side saving most of the budget for blades. I spent almost $3k on what you see here plus a couple other new ones, so they represent the entry level market that's readily available but from my perspective there are plenty in the middle to higher end as well if you know where to look. As noted above, it also helps haveing the luxury to live a few minutes away from Andrew Quirt so I can paruse his NihontoUS inventory in person(some of which isn't listed online). Here individual, closer and more detailed pictures of most of my current tsuba collection. https://imgur.com/a/KfgmGY1

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html?fbclid=IwAR1ukY3RwKSqmOPpoaDeZiy5-U72_vZkdcUEHmmmOPImtDvwfAgmqdIcYHo

Gorgeous!

Unfortunately for most of us, shopping every piece in person isn't typically an option.

Looks like it was reshaped, perhaps an invasive polish to remove some chips at some point.

Never used sea mail but only heard bad stories

Patience is difficult but very much part of the Nihonto hobby, especially when you get into restoration where you may not see something back for years. I too dropped over $7k on a blade from AOI a couple months back that's stuck in Japan. I decided to take the opportunity and send for some work and Tanobe's sayagaki. Hopefully things will be open by the time everything is finished.

I too was very close to pulling the trigger on this one, congrats!

Ok thanks, just curious as shinsa fees compared to the claimed value of the sword is pretty negligible.

Hi Ian, Any particular reason why you, Fred or past owners have not sent to shinsa yet? Thanks,

As a car enthusiast I definitely agree with this and can make direct connections to nihonto and all things really.. When you start at the bottom and work your way up in quality there is a natural growth in perspective and appreciation. Hand someone a juyo as the first blade they see and they will not appreciate or enjoy it like someone would who has worked their way up to a juyo after a decade of hard earned collecting and learning. I will say though, I too have been burned by ebay. Koshirae and tsuba have been fine but I would stay away from blades. Start from the bottom but after a bit of study and from reputable sources.

Sounds like a great read, I have been meaning to pick up "The new generation of Japanese swordsmiths"

Artur, ive seen this posted previously on FB, great work! Can I ask how many man hours this took?

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanaosaka-ju-gassan-sadakatsu-kin-hori-dosaku/

So based on that, my recent Enomoto Sadayoshi acquisition dated 1986 would be a Gendaito to me being born only a couple years later but would be considered a Shinsakuto to most everyone else? http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as18465-%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E6%98%AD%E5%92%8C%E4%B8%99%E5%AF%85%E7%A7%8B%E6%B9%A7%E6%B0%B4%E5%BF%83%E8%B2%9E%E5%90%89%E4%BD%9C%E7%84%A1%E9%91%91%E6%9F%BB-katanashowa-hinoe-tora-yusuishin-sadayoshi-sakumukansa

Great question I would love to know people's thoughts on as well

Wood shim?