Toryu2020

羽　　前　　関

Indeed Terumasa -t

Reviews of each generation help us see who were the more reliable appraisers, but every generation was subject to "political influence"... -t

Well when you don't have rice-lands to gift as reward for service it is only natural that you create a system that values swords, armour, horses, falcons and tea ceremony goods equivalent to land and castles... -t

Paz - you'll find that Fukunaga Suiken writes extensively on these questions - Markus Sesko does great research in this area, I recommend joining his blog. Many many writers over the years have covered, sword makers, schools of swordmanship, famous samurai and their relationships. This is an area of interest for me and what is often surprising is that while some groups, like Mito Samurai seemed to have patronized their local smith, many famous persons were seen to carry blades from all over Japan. So there seems to have been quite a currency especially in the Edo period. -t

KITA北 MINAMI南 NISHI西 HIGASHI東

Have you tried the four directions? -t

Piers - follow the original thread the page is much clearer there... -t

"Sadamitsu - Yamashiro A student of Gassan Sadakazu lived in Yamashiro, Heianjo - used the go Ryuunsai, made mostly tachi, wakizashi and tanto are rare" The rest is a description of his workmanship... -t

From the single volume Shishin-to Taikan - Keio date - The Meikan only lists Keio dates so your work represents new information about this smith... -t

Sorry Bazz - just randomness from the interwebs... -t

Piers is right! Your dad has started you out on a terrific journey, and you are in the right place to find help along the way. -t

Wondering did I post this previously?

Okayama - visit Setouchi City IF (check beforehand) if they have the Yamatorige on display at that time of year. Also Ando Sword Shop in Okayama City. Nagoya - Atsuta Jingu has a brand new museum displaying many of the great swords that have been donated to the shrine over the centuries. Nagoya Castle. Sanmei Tokugawa Arts. Kyoto - not a lot of sword shops but as stated the whole town is a museum. Fushimi take the sake brewery tours. Osaka - Meirin Sangyo. Tokyo - Ginza has the highest concentration of high end sword shops, many of the same dealers will be at DTI. Robot restaurant. Traditional Dance Restaurant. Samurai Restaurant. Don't know if there is Yakata-bune this year. Temple of the 47 Ronin. Edo-Tokyo Museum. Eisei Bunko, check to see what is on exhibit.

I vote wakizashi - for photos try the "dark room" trick - set it up in a completely dark room and then use the flash on your camera - surprising things are sometimes revealed... -t

I believe you're second tsuba does not feature the moon but rather a magatama. It is very roughly done but I think your theme is takaramono.

I think you are correct Thomas. -トム

I think you need Sakana-kun!!

Someone needs to file a claim with the postal inspector...

Nice one.

I'd like to chime in - Moises has been submitting blades for himself and on behalf of his clients to the NTHK shinsa for years. The shinsa team always includes at least one polisher. He has consistently been able to bring out the characteristics of the individual swords so they may be "read" by the shinsa team and he has enjoyed a high pass rate for his submissions accordingly. I have not once heard any negative comment on his polish by the team members. I have always tried to recommend only "fully trained" polishers publicly but I am more than happy to give my endorsement to Moises and his work. -tch

How about some miniature tanegashima?

Thank you - do you have more pictures of the Matsuyama tsuba?

Ed - what are the kanji for Tomoaka? That first one appears to be signed Toshiyuki...