Toryu2020

Bill - sent you a PM

Juan - The NTHK would not fail a sword based on a poor horimono (ato-bori, dremel work, bubba cut) - however this can be an indication of issues with the sword so the overall condition needs to be considered. If that is the only "flaw" then the sword has a good chance. If anyone is coming to the San Francisco Show and considering a shinsa submission, you can come see me personally and we are happy to check the condition of your blade ahead of time - if it is in the proper state for an examination we will tell you and if it obviously is not we will tell you and this will cost you nothing. -tch

Eric - There are references out there with the information you seek. Also keep in mind they don't often put gimei on a bad sword - an unsigned work that is average or better garners more money with the big names - even in the days before widespread publishing people knew a crap sword when they saw one. There is a fine line for when restoration makes sense, in terms of art and finance. A tough spot to be in and I suspect many of us have that "one sword" that we ponder over... -t

Axel - you could ask to see his Super Bowl ring... -t

An interesting question - are you looking at all Yasutsugu or just one particular generation? -t

Fukunaga Suiken Sensei has a two-volume book detailing the collections of the Imperial Household and the major daimyo families - many of the most famous swords that we are all familiar with are listed there. As noted most are older blades by well-known artists, very few "royal" commissions... -tch

There is a "full version" out there and you can see the furnace...

The scene of destruction...

1. Look at the strength and cleanliness of the yasuri in the first example. 2. There is strength and confidence in the signature of the first. 3. Compare the "Ro" kanji in all three. 4. Compare the "Tsuki" hen in Fuji and Katsu. 5. I would also look at the dates - how is the "Tsuki" cut for the date. 6. His "Nao" tends to be squarish and only the very early signatures include the last vertical stroke as in number three... To my eye the first example looks the best and if I were putting money on it I would say that one is genuine. I was taught if you can find four (4) anomalies then it is highly suspect... -t

More randomness...

Sorry all I have are the pics Bruce - not my sword...

Apologies if these were posted earlier...

It is easy to see why you like it - I probably would have jumped on this too - I wonder if it is corrosion or something else with the condition of the Nakago that makes the Tagane look so different - I simply couldn't find any good matches in my books (incl Shishin-to Shu) I look forward to hearing any news from Japan... Thank you for sharing it. -t

In his "Tsuba no Kantei to Kansho" Tsuneishi gives genealogies for the three schools and lists some fifty smiths working in this area with their dates, relative values and in some cases work styles. Japanese text only no illustrations... -t

Always the workmanship will tell and if the polisher saw anything off I expect he would have said something before doing any work. Make sure Robert asks about the Kao-thingy! -t

Kirill - I am sorry you have had such a bad experience. While we can't recreate the high level kantei-kai seen in Japan (we don't have the swords) we do get together and share swords informally examining and learning together, it does happen and I am sorry you feel excluded. -tch PS I wish you would message me privately about any individual who acts in this way, I would not want any of my friends treating others in this way...

Both oshigata are of first generation Naokatsu. -t

THE ROOM BLOCK IS NOT FULL - Some folks are being told that it is when they call the reservation line. If this happened to you please PM me and we will get you the show rate. -tch

For comparison

Is there a date on the ura? Ron sorry to say this doesn't look like a good signature - that being said this looks to me to be a kao - his signature starts with 荘司 Shoji and when you look at the "kao" it appears to my uneducated eye to be a combination of the two characters - I checked a half dozen references and could not find another example, so it is not clear what the copiers were copying... -t

When I lived in Japan, I went to four or more Kantei-kai a month. After awhile people get to know you. They bring personal items from home to share at the meetings, or at Lunch beforehand or at dinner after. We would get invitations to peoples' homes and mini-study sessions with other collectors. Even though we had just seen top quality blades at the sword museum papered by the NBTHK at dinner people would say no way was that "real"! And they would dissect the blade, pointing out all the suspicious features, This was an eye-opening shock to me but I learned when you play in the big leagues nothing was sacred. Of course no one would ever make such comments at a meeting or to someone they didn't know and trust. My point is that there is nothing wrong with the world of nihonto - all those doors will open for you - but you have to be a known entity - you have to be seen as a serious student and for that there is little substitute for in-person gatherings, rubbing shoulders, sharing a meal, sharing a drink - clubs are only as good as the people who show up - support your local sword club! -t

NCJSC 2022To-Ken Taikai This is it folks just one month away. I know many of you may be holding off on plans waiting till that last minute to commit to the trip. We would like to encourage you to make your hotel reservations now before the hotel closes the show block and you possibly lose your shot at the discounted “Sword Show Rate”. See reservation information here; http://ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm (remember there is no fee if you have to cancel) We would also like to remind you that last year in spite of storms back East and an on-going pandemic we had one of the most successful shows in a long time. There is still a great deal of pent-up demand and there is sure to be some heavy trading in the showroom. Currently there are no vaccination or masking requirements at the hotel. San Mateo County where the show is being held currently recommends masking, and physical distancing but there are no mandatory restrictions. We should also like to point out that with travel restrictions to and from Japan now being relaxed we are expecting dealers from Japan along with a Shinsa Team from the NTHK. If you have not heard about the shinsa or need to register items for examination please visit the NTHK webpages here; https://nthkamerica.com On behalf of all the members of the NCJSC, we are looking very much forward to seeing you all here in August. -tch

Ron - I love everything Shinshin-to - are you gonna share pictures? -t

There is a links page at the top - where you will find lots of good sources for swords - I suppose if you've "just gotta have one" buy the first thing you see that is polished and papered. (That way you may get most of your money back if you decide to sell) But as Barry has suggested there is real pleasure in getting to know the many artists, eras and expressions of nihonto. A single sword collection with a blade you just love is all any man needs. Getting there and recognizing "the one" takes an investment in time but it will be time well spent in my opinion... -tch

Kirill - You are not the only one - I would ask though if you're in California where might you go to meet like-minded collectors, share and develop relationships that lead to invitations to informal gatherings? Not meaning to pick on you, I think we all need to support our sword clubs, online study is fun, convenient and will be more and more part of the study. However the people we look to for authoritative answers were all educated in person and hands on, I don't think there will ever be a substitute for that. In fact while I have talked about using Virtual tools to teach Kantei I would hate to see the loss of live study with live people and live blades. It is art after all and it has to be in-person, and there is too I think for the "jabbering" crowd as well as the committed scholar. (it is the same in the martial arts is it not Ken?) Clubs are evolving to meet the times, now is not the time to unplug, we'll need smart people with a love for the subject if we're to build something that will serve the next generation of student... -tch