nihonto1001

In the last pic, we all had a weird look on our face from the scenic route.LOL I'm the one with the duck face.

I had a good time catching up with friends, old and new. I also got a chance to study some great swords that a few people brought for show and tell. All in all it was a good time to break up the monotony. I also ate well. A few of us got off the beaten path (way off) for some Vietnamese food at a restaurant called Little Saigon. It was off the hook.

I did not go. The tables are steeply priced at over $500. I heard it was good though. Maybe next year I'll drive up there as a spectator. Are you going to be at the Orlando Sword Show this month Ed?

Since we are being fastidious, there is nothing wrong with calling it "Koto Period". IE., at least from a grammatical standpoint. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/time+period There are plenty of references to Koto Period in sword nomenclature.

You might find him at the Orlando Show in June.

Welded? I think it is the photograph. However, it is worth checking. Gentlemen, thanks for the info.

Are there any other examples of a stainless blade in Shin Gunto koshirae?

I came across this blade with a very unusual nakago. It looks to be a stainless Kai Gunto blade in Shin Gunto mount. Everything is authentic and I have no reason to believe the blade was swapped. I am not sure what the reason for the cut out in the nakago is. Perhaps it was decommissioned as a Kai Gunto and they cut out some sort of stamp. Odd place for a stamp though. Any insight?

Don't let it get you down. We have all had to learn the hard way. It makes the successes that much better.

Quote: Something wrong with Nihonto1001's email address above? There should not be. I can have the Katana available at the Orlando Sword Show for viewing. It is one of the better works of Sukehira. I wish I knew how to take better pictures. I am a little sword rich right now:) Nice one Ed.

Hi Robert: I wish I could have went. Just finishing up with some training. Maybe you and your Dad should come down to Orlando for Bob Elder's show. It is a good time. Thanks for the translation! I should have known. These Choshu/Kinai type tsuba find me often.

Can anyone get a read on this? You assistance is appreciated.

Sign me up Bob. I will take one for $100. Had a great time at the last 2 shows. Looking forward to it.

I have one of the better works of Yokoyama Sukehira; a katana. I cannot PM you for some reason. Drop me an email at info@onihonto.com if you like.

Two among my current favorites came from Ed. Great guy to deal with agreed.

It is good to find swords out of the wood work. But, with togishi, there are few hidden treasures.

I think it was common for Satsuma Samurai to use koshirae made from a mish mash of kodugo. I like it.

Here is some interesting commentary on Zenjo Kaneyoshi: www.onihonto.com/Koto_Uchigatana.html (assuming it is the same school).

This looks like the same sword that Josh Troyer posted pics of. The boshi looks Mihara-ish to me. The rest of the blade strikes me as Shizu. Please post a better pic of the mei.

This must be one very nice sword for an unsigned wakizashi to be attributed to Tatara Nagayuki by the NBTHK.

In a hobby such as ours, we are our own best customers. Not many people know they can buy a real Samurai sword. The ones that do must acknowledge their own naivety when they see sword prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands. We are our own best customers. As collectors, we become dealers when we want to acquire a new piece. If sales are slow, we are more risk averse. Conversely, if money is flowing, then we are more likely to upgrade our investments. I believe initial sales determine whether a sword show is hot, or not. Attractions such as Shinsa can only fan the flames. One thing is for certain, governments can always print more money, while smiths will never make another real Samurai's sword. This is why I am bulllish on sword investment right now. People will always be interested in Asian culture and the history of the Samurai. As long as new collectors are not alienated, this hobby should grow.

Thanks to a friend of ours for letting attendees study his Juyo Token Norishige. I got to compare it to a Go I was fortunate enough to look at.

I was actually thinking shinsakuto. Apparently, Yoshindo is considered gendaito by definition. The consensus seems to be Shin Shinto, so I will take one more stab at it, Yokoyama Sukenaga. His father, Sukehira trained in the Soshu tradition.

Yoshindo Ichimonji tribute?

I once had a Gendaito with the same dark rust. I wonder if rust color is also a function of the qualities of steel, as much as age. Gendaito is not a bad word around here, by the way. Many like to collect them. I am finding myself increasingly interested in the genre.