nihonto1001

Is there an "area" called Kanabo? I do not remember this from any of my research. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanab%C5%8D This is perhaps, a more likely postulate.

Hi DrJoe: That was probably David B you spoke with. I no longer have the Daisho. If his table had a nice display of Armor, it was probably him. Good guy. PM me if you want his contact info.

Dr. Joe. Thanks for the positive feedback on my web page. I have had the opportunity to see a more than a few Kanabo nihonto. Also, there was a really nice Kanabo Masatsugu Juyo Token with horimono that came up in some Japanese Publication a while back. Although the Kanabo school will never have the same appreciation as Den like Ichimonji, etc., it is interesting to collect nihonto that the Bushu would have actually preferred in the type of battle of the time. Kanabo swords were made to cut through tough armor... and, if it did not cut through, it would probably stun the adversary. In fact, a kanabo is a long club like weapon. Maybe that is how the school got its name? I wish I had the opportunity to see that Yari, referred to above. I believe Gordon Robson, is an expert on the Kanabo Den. In fact, much of the information out there is a regurgitation of his research.

Bob Elder is very qualified to run such an event. He knows the Japanese sword from both a Collecting and Martial Art perspective. He is responsible for introducing me to the hobby. He always took the time to go over Sword Appreciation with me. I hope the show is a success. Maybe I'll reach out and see if I can help. I think the success of these shows is important to Japanese Sword Collecting. -A message from Captain Obvious.

...to laugh your ass off. This one is too funny to ignore: http://winchester.craigslist.org/clt/3086657272.html

The Art of Tsukamaki by Thomas Buck: I received this book today, and I am very impressed with it. If you have ever wanted to know how to tie tsuka maki, this book is an absolute must have. It has color photos & diagrams describing the procedures, and pictures of original and finished tsuka. It also has some general sword knowlege and cool pictures of excellent swords and tosogu. Highly recommended. I bought it directly from his site, with free domestic shipping. http://www.tsukamaki.net/

I like it. You certainly don't see many like this here in the US. May be worth an inquiry.

I did not see this tsuba until now. It is a truly a work of art. It is good to see a creation so pure.

The nakago-ana, the hole the tang goes through, has much to determine if the tsuba was used for a katana, wakizashi or tanto. It is definitely not an exact science.

Hi Fred: That is F'd up! Please fax me that letter. 561-214-9711 I have a friend that is in a battle with them over some exotic animal dispute. They are ruining the Pet Industry because of a few Burmese Pythons in the Everglades, a critical mass of which died out because of a cold snap from a few years ago...Yet, they still keep begging for even more Federal Grant Money to erradicate Pythons that are not there in sustainable populations. (Don't believe those Animal Planet shows; specimens are all planted). But, that is another story. They are way over stepping their jurisdiction on this one. Becoming a little too power hungry. Damned Squirrel Cops.

Thanks for the info. As Nihonto Collectors, self policing will protect our hobby and our investments (in the long run). I have heard of many people getting out of nihonto because of situations like this. I am looking forward to hearing from the other side on this.

I bet you could get a good price for it on ebay. It looks to be in decent shape. Heck I'd give you $400 for it, and I dont even want it.

Hi Rich Yes, I know. For many years, my bike was worth more than my car. My Dad and I were big into Mountain Biking. The old bikes are nice and highly collectible. I think there is even a special auction for them. I'll stick with swords though. Maybe I'll just ride around with my Nobumitsu and see what Law Enforcement has to say about that.

Thanks folks. Apparently, this is the second Seki Nobumitsu to pass through my hands. I found this one at a local Garage Sale. He even threw in a bicycle.LOL

This one to me looks like Seki Hiromitsu. I just want to see if this is accurate before I sell it. Interestingly, it has sanbonsugi hamon. I have not seen that before in WWII Seki School works. Thanks.

Once again, Excellent Show! My table was directly accross some great nihonto eye candy on Bob Benson's table. I got to drool over some incredible stuff while there... Niji Kunitoshi, Tokobetsu Juyo Rai, 2 Osafune Kanemitsu. Ted Tenold also had the goods; Ichimonji, Yamato Shizu Kaneuji, Motoshige... The shinsa went well for me with 5/6 items accepted. I heard some complaints about it, but the best response I heard was, "the guys judging the stuff know a hell of a lot more than the guys selling the stuff", or something like that. Overall, I ended up spending more than I made, but it was a great time. I picked up a Kanabo Naginata and some other stuff I really like. Jon

Hi Jacques: I looked at it in a different light after hearing the other opinions. I changed it on the site, after closely observing the nie line terminating into the notch. Jon

nice link. Thanks JOn

For my own edification, how did you arrive at that conclusion? Thanks, Jon

Ubu, seems to be the consensus. Why does it looks this way to you guys? I thought old+no signature=osuriage in most cases. Thanks, Jon

Hi Folks: I am going to be listing this sword on ebay. Since 10% of the proceeds will go the NMB, I am looking for input on improving the item's description. Mainly, I am not sure of the school. To me it looks to be Yamato den, probably from the Muromachi period. Am I way off on this? http://www.onihonto.com/Koto_Wakizashi.html Thanks ahead of time, Jon

I collect differently now. When I first started, it was quantity. But soon I ended up with many OK pieces. Now I am much more selective. My selection criteria are Quality of Jigane & hamon, age, shape, smith/papers, and koshirae, in that order. For instance, I would prefer to have an oosuriage Nambokuchu sword with nice jigane & hamon, without papers, than a signed & papered, Shinto sword from an important smith. I have also gained an appreciation for wakimono, or rustic swords. IE., swords that are not quite Soshu, Bizen, Yamashiro, Yamato... but may be a mixture of these influences. For instance, Kokubunji Sukekuni is derived from the Ichimonji school and made excellent swords. Such swords have all of the touchstones we look for as collectors without a gigantic price tag. Some of my favorite swords are wakimono, or from lesser known smiths. Jon

Hi: That maroon color cloth looks familiar. Were the pics of the real one from Darcy's site archives? If so, incredible blade. Jon

Hi: My advice: Be patient, a better deal will come along, without a crack. Ebay is not a good place to buy a sword. Check out some of the sites in the vendor sections of the entery page. It is a buyers market. Jon

Hi Chris: Is it then safe to assume that if it is Ubu-ba that it is Gendaito? Thanks, Jon