Toryu2020

The NBTHK did an excellent monograph on the influence of Masamune a couple of years ago - I would also look for the Sano Bijutsu-kan exhibit catalogue from a few years ago... -t

But the Omote is meant to face OUTWARD towards the world at large in the case of a spear that means toward the blade. You don't paint the inside of your house to show your neighbors what good taste you have...

This is an Owari Kan-ryu spear - the tsutsu or sleeve slides up and down the pole allowing for quick thrusts. In this case the "hooks" allow the tsuba/tsutsu which are integral to be locked in place when not is use. This is NOT what you are seeing with our sample tsuba because again the omote would be facing the user so no. -tch Peep out Youtube for Owari Kan-ryu demonstrations very very cool stuff btw

No hi in the last photo? which photo is correct?

Three holes versus two?

Try this...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dormouse

Off topic a little bit - The Shinsengumi were active for less than ten years - their first leader was Serizawa Kamo, a samurai, he was fragged by his own men. Kondo was a farmer, he had more than one sword because Matsudaira Katamori gifted him one, it was gimei. The ultimate goal of most of the members was to recieve samurai status in recognition for their service. Because of their incompetence they literally became cannon fodder at the battle of Fushimi. In regards to early Edo wakizashi numbers, I would look at Nihonto Zenshi "The complete History of the Japanese sword" it has many interesting essays that often address questions like this... -t

Do a search for "Yamane" -t

Nice piece.

I believe he had a heart attack so all work was stopped - not sure he's recovered enough to begin again. But you will get a response if you ask... -t

Seems somebody beat me to it - thanks Brian!

All the info is on the website Franco - https://nthkamerica.com/team-1

information on the show here - http://ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm

Registration info here https://nthkamerica.com/registration

from the NCJSC To All Show Attendees: As I am sure you are aware, Japan has recently relaxed its immigration restrictions and is allowing easier entrance into and out of the country. As a result of this we were contacted by the NTHK organization about doing a shinsa at this year’s August show after all. We realize that this is somewhat late notice, but we wanted to let you all know that the NCJSC has agreed to host a shinsa at this year’s show. If you would like to submit any swords, koshirae, or kodogu, we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible. Details will be posted later this week on https://nthkamerica.com - please feel free to share this with your collector friends. Please direct any questions to; nthkamerica@toryu-mon.com -tch Thomas C Helm Pres. Northern California Japanese Sword Club www.ncjsc.org

The "more decorated" side is usually the one facing out when the sword is in the saya. Therefore I do not think this was meant to be mounted as such. Coral is a common element so not all that weird to see especially this late. Japanese and not Chinese. Very interested to see how the stand/spikes were attached... -tch

Marco - A lot depends on where the event is being held. San Francisco is probably THE most expensive market - in the past somewhere around 200 items meant a good result - but now we have to balance hotel and travel costs that surely have increased... -t

All- Travel restrictions having recently been lifted in Japan. With this in mind the NTHK is having preliminary discussions about bringing a shinsa to the 2022 NCJSC San Francisco To-ken Taikai, August 5, 6, and 7. Mind you this is just the initial discussion. One important factor would be the level of interest by the U.S. collector community. You are being contacted because you have supported the NTHK in the past. We are asking if you are interested in seeing a shinsa this year and if so about how many items you might submit. Your answers will be kept confidential, we are looking for raw numbers only and any response would not be treated as any kind of commitment. Please respond to this email, (nthkamerica@toryu-mon.com) as soon as possible as the responses may well color the boards' decision. We will of course be happy to entertain any questions you may have. Thanking all in advance for your consideration and of course for your continued support of the NTHK, -tch Thomas C Helm Hyogi-in NTHK https://nthkamerica.com nthkamerica@toryu-mon.com

This is a reprint, I'm thinking it was a chatski given out at a sword shop but I cannot remember where...

Many times they do not put fake signatures on crap swords - looks great! -t

There was one in Australia a few years back but beyond my budget. He is very highly sought after in Japan as well, so not a lot in circulation. In five years in Japan going to four or more kantei-kai a month I never saw one. Don't recall seeing any pop up in the Dai To-ken Ichi catalogues either. Only ever saw the one blade in the TNM exhibit in 1997 and it was spectacular... -t

I think to find one in any mounts would be a dream for most... -t

Imozuru is used in descriptions for Satsuma swords never heard it used to describe any other school. Someone reading your note may be lead to see this as a Satsuma work when it is not. Inazuma are short lines that cross from the hamon into the ji so they are squiggly and often angled not vertical in parallel with with the cutting edge. I would stick with Tokuno since he was talking about this specific sword... -t

George - Is the description from Markus a translation of some document associated with your sword or his own attribution? Or are you attaching his description to what you are seeing on your sword? Again I would point to the tanto above (dated Taisho 10). There is one long line with breaks accompanied by shorter parrallel lines that come in and out, which to me sounds like what you are describing in your piece... -t (trying to help really!)

George - It is not one single unbroken line (in your first oshigata above) - it is several lines (perhaps running along the same fold) with shorter lines coming in and out in parrallel - surely he saw the blade in hand and saw the lines as sunagashi - while the illustration may make it look like a kinsuji - this is why it is always nice to have the photo and an oshigata. Is there a particular sword driving these questions? Would be nice to see the item in question... -t