Toryu2020

It was great to have Brian there, and even though I was right next to his table I didn't get to meet many of you all. That being said it is very gratifying to hear that everyone had a good show. Check our Facebook page for my photos... https://www.facebook...on_generic&ref=notif -t

Early action

They're here! Your Administrator and Chief bottle washer made it safely to the hotel! I met him and Nicky at the door and they are by now well settled. The hotel is already full of sword nuts and its looking good for a successful show... -t

Naminohira Yasutsune??

One reason I like Shinshinto, the history is close enough for us to touch... Legends and Stories around the Japanese Sword 2 (lulu.com)

Jon A friend tried this - I think the real flaw was the sample sizes were just too small. (see below) The NBTHK and NTHK always list dimensions, however as far as I know this info is not compiled anywhere. Pay attention to this detail in the listings and slowly it comes to help form an image in your head... -t https://www.amazon.c...dresen/dp/1523962089

Edward you really can do no better than Robert Hughes. Top quality guaranteed. -t

Yes you can sign up at the show. -t

The Northern California Japanese Sword Club has been doing Zoom meetings for more than a year now - each month we discuss a different sword maker. Please join us! -t

You might contact Bannister Sensei - he might know of a group... AiShinKai Fudo Myoo-Ji Dojo - Martial Arts, Cultural Arts, Iaido

In our simple kantei-kai in San Francisco the first question the student is asked to answer is always quality. Choose A+ A B C or D. How does one do this when you have only seen three or four good swords? Well, use that as your database, is this new sword as good or better than those four you have seen? Assign it a quality and move on to other parts of the kantei. If you find later than others have rated the sword way higher or way lower than you then ask what do they see that adds to the quality. Do this one by one with many swords and some day you'll have an impressive database all your own that you can call up and that is based on your own assessment... -t

The form of the "Mura" character is completely different - If I didn't know better I would say the Yari version is the one used by Muramasa - any signs this is a Muramasa with an altered signature? -t

Listed as Kan (Tamaki) in the Japanese references - bridle and snaffle are depicted diferently...

The powder doesn't help - curious to see more of that grain - have you compared the Mei to known examples? -t

I believe this is a farm implement like a rice bale hook. Not that uncommon though this presentation is very different. Very cool. -tch

If you can't get help from our dealer friends here, I would visit websites like Ginza Choshuya and Seikodo - use their items to establish a high end. Then go to Token Komachi or Usagiya and the like to establish the low end. If you don't find equivalent artists work you could at least compare quality of items to get a range of current values... mho -t

Nice! Thank you Morita san!

At least for me - trying to figure this one out. (Sorry no other images)

It was heavy so someone thought it was gold - I'm told the facility has a "Re-boxing area" where things that "fall out" of boxes go till their boxes show up which I'm guessing is almost never, still hoping... -t

Missing presumed stolen - Kanzan To-Ken Koza six volumes - sent from Kamakura Japan arrived in New Jersey in February - tracking says that Customs has them, Customs says USPS has them - no luck with missing item report - the Postal Inspection service or insurance claim (thus far) - If you encounter a set of these books fresh from Japan they could be stolen goods. Posted in vain hope they will re-appear... -t

I would call the customs office - I would start an inquiry with the USPS, make a stink or it could be lost for sure... -t

Better start making phone calls and read this thread...

Tom you might try to invest in this book - very likely your smith is covered in here... https://www.kosho.or.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=32241328 -tch

Could this have been an NBTHK national convention display?

JT - There are annual contests for blade making and engraving. The artists are well known. Sometimes older blades are used but most often it is new swords with new engraving. I expect many engravers would welcome the work. You might consider becoming a patron to one such artist and commission a sword and horimono for submission to one of these contests. There is a big caveat - I would think most of these artists would not work for just anybody, you need to be a known entity with an introduction from the right people. This could mean more than one trip to Japan and a demonstrated understanding of the art and the artist. I had occasion to live in Japan a few years and I found for best results it paid for both sides to take their time. Requires a good deal of patience. I would start by looking at the old exhibition catalogues for examples of the engravers work and getting to know makers of modern swords and by extension Horimono-shi... -tch