Toryu2020

Mark - the information came from Itoh Sensei himself - there is a team working on the translation, no ETA currently so no links to follow just yet... -t

I would be very surprised to find that the NBTHK had a database of all the swords they have seen - Perhaps all the swords they have papered, and even so I would not think they have them compiled by smith so that you can reference them (oshigata?). I have been to the research room at the old sword museum and it was full of books - the usual books we all have access to, there were not however file cabinets full of oshigata or ledgers from past shinsa - just the usual books. Thats not to say they don't compile oshigata and make them available to the general public, however that is only at the Juyo level - Juyo To-ken Nado Zufu - an excellent reference if you are collecting at that level... -t

永要耀　maybe？ No idea how to read this...

Alex - you make good points and we have to hope someone gets to see it in hand at some point. However these pictures are not that bad and I believe using the same references that the shinsa teams use one can make an educated guess at the authenticty of a signature. Yes there are exceptions but the well known names are well recorded and comparisons are easily made. Yes the rule is blade first and then the mei but if all you have is the mei, people are still gonna have a go. Sorry if we made you angy... -t

The first thing to note is the Yasuri-me - they are not clear cut kesho yasuri - Masahide always has a very clean clear finish to his nakago. The SUI kanji is just wrong. The horizontal strokes all have a slight curvature - the shoshin shows strokes that are straight. The spacing of the kanji is off - the KAO should almost be touching the HIDE kanji. There is NO kokuin. The closest thing to correct here are the characters for TSUKI and HI - maybe the faker had some relationship to Masahide? Kajihei perhaps? The horimono is just wrong.

SO Yoroi-doshi became a thing in the late Muromachi and you would expect that most would be from that era - however in the Shinshin-to period shapes of all kinds were recreated so it should be no surprise if we find an ancient shape by a more recent artist. Does that make sense? Are we talking about a particular sword?

Footslime - is there something better we should call you? Here is a genuine signature and carving - 1806 and 1807 respectively. Hope this helps…

Hnery - do you mean the shape (Yoroi-doshi) suggests an older piece while the signature seems newer?

Dustin - Dan C DTM72 on this forum is offering to submit swords for folks who cannot go. See below "I will have a table at the show, but mainly display. Since I won't be too busy at my table, I would like to offer my service for shinsa to those who cannot attend the show/shinsa in person. This is how it works; Your item or items will be mailed to my home address, at least 1 week prior to the show. (sooner is better). You are responsible for the packaging and mailing of the item(s) to me. When you are shipping from your preferred shipping place, pay for the shipping, and pre-pay for the return shipping label. Add this label to the insideof the package prior to sending. If you pre register, please include a copy of the registration and any reply from the NTHK for subimssion times. https://nthkamerica.com/registration For swords and koshirae, the initial fee is $200 for me to complete the registration for you, or $100 if you have pre-registered and paid directly to NTHK. For tsuba and kozuka, kogai, kozuka, menuki, the initial fee is $125 for me to complete the registration for you, or $25 if you have pre-registered and paid directly to NTHK. My fee covers; Initial registration of the item(s) for shinsa submission <-- does not apply if you have pre-registered Receipt and safe storage of item(s). Notification and pictures will be provided to owner upon receipt. Transportation of item(s) to the show. (driven in a large SUV, no aircraft involved!) Preparation of item(s) for submission. Delivery to the shinsa team. Receipt of the item(s) from shinsa. Preservation of item(s) and re-packaging for return shipping. I will send photos of the worksheet to owner prior to item re-packaging. Worksheet(s) will be included in the packaging with the item(s). Transportation of re-packaged item(s) to shipping company, and tracking information provided to item owner. If the item(s) pass shinsa, that will be an additional $150 fee for the origami, for each item. This can ONLY be paid in cash on the day of submission. Include a check, payable to me, for the $150 and I will pay cash on your behalf at the show. if your item does not pass, I will return your uncashed check with your item. If you have any additional questions, please message me!"

From the Tsuba Gadai Jiten "In Japanese folklore there is the tale of the mouse/rat that wished to marry up in the world, so he went to the Sun to propose a marriage but the sun said he could not as he was easily blocked out by the cloud, the mouse went to the cloud but he said he could not as he was easily blown away by the wind, the mouse then went to the wind who said he could not as he was easily blocked by plaster walls (Suijibei), the Suijibei said that he could not as the mouse was superior because they were always digging holes to undermine the wall! The moral being not to seek for perceived greener pastures. What probably made this image popular was a picture scroll that told of the rat who married a famed Kyoto beauty, who learning she had been deceived fled to Koya-san to seek refuge. (The wedding is one of the scenes depicted) This is not to be confused with the Fox Wedding which comes from another folklore - keep in mind foxes have long thin faces and pointed ears, while mice have fuller faces and oval ears."

curious to see better pictures....

Check The Craft of the Japanese Sword page 91.

The Northern California Japanese Sword Club and the NBTHK/American Branch have entered into a a reciprocal membership relationship – If you join the NBTHK/AB now in addition to their great magazine and other member benefits, you will also be enrolled in the NCJSC. You will receive the NCJSC newsletter, have access to our online kantei classes and of course all the other benefits of NCJSC membership. You need only only pay dues once to the NBTHK/AB, and let them know you also want NCJSC membership and your dues will cover both memberships. We encourage all students of the Japanese Sword to consider support of these two fine organizations.

Try the dark room trick - Shut it up in a completely dark room and take photos with the flash - if theres a hamon and utsuri they may show up... -t

I would look up "Japanese Polearms" by Knutson

Save the dates - the NTHK 2024 East Coast Shinsa is coming to the Orlando Sword Show in June - get your valuable swords and fittings appraised by a team of Japanese experts - https://nthkamerica.com

Eddy - If a sword smith was a "Retained Smith" (Kakae-kaji) then you can reasonably assume that he worked exclusively for his samurai lord and his retainers. Of course you could have had one-offs, special order gifts and such and there was nothing stopping a merchant from purchasing a sword by a well-known smith in the secondary market... -t

Colin - I think he meant to say we are light years behind them, does that make more sense?

Excellent piece.

Thank you

Konuka is rice bran - imagine that it is used in a pillow - press the pillow tightly and the grains all line up and "poke" thru the fabric - the pattern you see is repeating tiny concentric circles - this is where the name comes from... -t

Japanese Arms and Armor - Crown 1969 Japanese Armor - The Galeno Collection Japanese Armor Makers of the Samurai - Chappelear (This is basically the Meikan) Spectacular Helmets - museum catalogue

Paz - They would have to be exceptional photos. We have looked at a Shinsa in Europe but it seems the stars have never aligned... -t

The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords (goodwillbooks.com)

The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords (goodwillbooks.com)