nihonto1001

Hello, Would someone send me correct kanji in text or html for this phrase: "Long Live the Soul of the Samurai"? I would like to incorporate it into my website. I might be able to figure it out, but it would probably read strange. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jon

Makes me wish I took better care of mine. This site is affiliated with Tom Schneider. Jon

Dave J: I live in South Florida. I would like to take a close look at your kanemoto. Give me a call 561-201-xxxx. (Edited out by Admin. Probably not a good idea to post your tel. number on a public forum. Pm rather.) Jon

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the sugata more of a modern shape? Could this be aged to look older. I have not seen a koto tanto look like this. Jon

Agreed. Thanks John! Jon

I think it is Sagami Ju Sadahiro. What do you think??? I will appreciate your assistance. Thanks, Jon

Maybe it will bring a little more. Its a nice way for someone to get their Nihonto fix without breaking the bank. Jon

That looks great. Did you ever figure out the mei? Jon

Hi John: Yep, I have that info too. Thanks for your response. I should have been a little less vague. I was hoping to get the info on this sword from the Token Bijutsu 299. I would be interested in the oshigata and any write up from this if possible. Because it is a Juyo Token, it should be cataloged here correct? Jon

Hi Ludolf: Thank you for your reply. I already have the analysis on the Compton Sadamori, to which you are referring. It is a very nice sword that is very typical of Reisen Sadamori. However, I am looking specifically for the one I listed. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks, Jon

Hello: I would greatly appreciate any info, especially oshigata, that can be forwarded regarding this sword> Reisen Sadamori, Juyo Token 6568 from 1979 shinsa. In Token bijutsu 299 from 1981. Thanks, Jon

Folks, thanks for the info. Please keep it coming. Some examples would be nice. Are there any horimonoshi in the US? If there was any sword art I could learn, it would be this (for pragmatic reasons). Ford, did you apprentice in Japan? Was it a full time commitment? Is it realistic to think I could take something like this up as a hobby, or is it more a way of life? Jon

Does anyone know who does an excellent job with horimono carving in this day and age? Any examples of their work would be interesting. Thanks, Jon

I's say you'd be better off giving your money to charity. A sword fire damaged this bad has probably lost it's temper line and thus, is almost worthless for collecting. Jon

Maybe they plan on pumping something something through the heating vents??? Jon

Regarding the habaki: I suggest simply finding the habaki you like and then modifying the sword to fit the habaki. Here is an example of this technique that I recently used on a Yasuyoshi tanto. Stefan- All kidding aside, having one made is the way to go, but it could set you back $1K usd for a nice one. I will be asking Brian Tschernega to make on for me as soon as I get a little extra cash in hand. His work is excellent. Jon

Gary: It seems like you are calling me out. So, OK, I'll take the bait. I was simply trying to respond to what I thought you were getting at, "collectors vs. dealers= show survival," and turn it into a cogent discussion. What I meant by "Now I truly understand the purpose of this forum" is that I now realize why the moderators are so strict with content being on point. It is to educate the collector to think for himself, hopefully resulting in better decisions. It was sort of a little Ah-ha moment, that does not come too often for a stubborn Irishman. I don't see how that is negative. Now, if you are speaking about my opinion on the lack of ethics of a few people at the shows. That is just what I see from the perspective of a new collector looking in. You are right, that is negative. I do understand and appreciate the power of positive thinking, but I have become pragmatist lately. Sorry to offend. Jon

My perspective: The main reason for the sudden decline in show participation is most likely due to the recession, being experienced by most of the economic superpowers. I am not too concerned about the longevity of our hobby, or a changing of the guard. Why? Because, the Samurai will always be one of the most intriguing subjects in world history, and fine nihonto will always have value based on its own merit. I.E., as long a people value great craftsmanship. Similarly, I am not concerned with the capitalistic element that sword dealers bring. If it were not for this, the motivation to bring the community education, fine study pieces and the shows themselves, would not be there. However, I am concerned with lack of ethics. I have got to say, of all my hobbies, the lack of ethics with many in Nihonto is very surprising, especially since Samurai Bushido is diametrically apposed to this type of behavior. In the short time I have been collecting at a high level, I have learned who to trust and am still learning who to avoid. There are sharks at every show. If anything, this is what will hurt the hobby in the long term. However, I feel those of us, who have much invested, will inevitably come to the rescue of the greater good. Now, I truly understand the purpose of this forum. Thanks! Jon

Jean: The criteria I look at in judging a blade as decent are: (not necessarily in this order) 1. Health, Size and Kizu (or lack thereof) 2. Hada and Hamon- I am partial to ko itame/mokume, with active hamon. 3. Jigane 4. Age- I am partial to Koto pieces 5. Smith - This is the least important, and most important at the same time. I believe that if a mumei blade is above average in all of the above criteria, it will probably gain a respectable attribution by the NBTHK anyway. I would rather have a healthy blade attributed to a respectable wakimono smith, than a tired one attributed to a big smith. But, that is just me. Not that this blade is incredible in any of the above, it does possess some of the attributes I like. The price is great and includes koshirae. Klaus: Yes, that polish does not look like they agreed with me. Belt Sander:?) Folks: Thanks for responding. Jon

http://aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08639.html No Brainer? Is it just my inexperience, or is this a great deal on a very decent sword? If not, please tell me what I am missing. On Hold, I guess someone else thought so too. Jon

Thanks for your replies. I should have been more clear. Actually, I am referring to time period, not a specific date. I.E., Shocho (1428-1429) could also be read Masanaga 正長. Althought this is a purely contrived example, it gets the point accross. Did a smith ever sign with just the time period and nothing else? It does not sound like it. Thanks, Jon

Hopefully somebody can shed light on this. Were tanto ever inscribed with just the date in place of, or excluding, the mei? Just curious if anyone has ever come across nakago with just the date inscribed. Since the same kanji can be used for date, name, or province, I wonder if they can ever be confused. Jon

I have been taking pictures of blades for a website I am doing. Some are better than others. Here is what I have found empiricaly. 1. Take pictures on a angle to get good hada/hamon shots. 2. Set up lighting. Flash reflection will wash out the photo. Then again, sometimes the flash can bring out details not readily seen with the eye. I take a few with and then without flash. 3. Use manual focus. 4. Take many pics. Please disregard the pics of the Fujiwara Sadayuki, I recently posted, as an example. They were taken very quickly. Here are a couple decent shots. Jon

Peter: LOL. I was just going to post the link. You beat me to it. You are quick. That is it. Jon

Thanks for the replys. I will get the pics soon. I already found the Sadayuki on the net. The mei matches and has the same jihada and activity in the hamon as mine. This sword references Sadayuki on Pg 264 of TT. Jon