nihonto1001

There is a polisher, whose name I will not mention, that feels almost every blade has utsuri and it is up to the polisher to bring it out. I think he explained it as a trade off between bringing out the hada and the utsuri.

I think of utsuri as a by product of the tempering process, where the attributes of the tamehagane make it more (or less) prevalent. As such, the steel is almost like photographic film, while the heat is the light source, leaving its imprint.

Here it is:

http://ohmura-study.net/913.html

Some good info.

And then, to make things even more complicated, there is the matter of Daisho Koshirae made for the Bushu's choice of blades, perhaps mating an old family heirloom Katana to his favorite wakizashi.

As historians, we have a mental image of what a Daisho should be. Daisho really just means long and short [sword]. So, perhaps koshirae does not even have to match. If a particular Samurai carried a long and short sword as an unmatched set, should it still be considered a Daisho? The NBTHK would say no, in most cases. But, how about from a historical standpoint?

Hi Kurt

As I understand it, Manchurian Railway swords were made from extruded tubing with softer steel core. I think I remember reading that somewhere. Is this true of all Koa Isshin swords?

Thanks for the translation help. I actually know where the original saya is. He used it on another sword. Why, because it fit.

I will try to buy it from him. If not, I will get yours. Please PM me the price. IE., if I don't sell the blade.

I have wanted to study one of these for a while. So, I am enjoying the research. Thanks for the info.

Hi Rich

I did see this page. How would I know if it is a true Railway Sword? Excellent research article, by the way. Any additional info, on this blade is greatly appreciated.

Would it be safe to say that this is a true Manchurian Railway Sword, or would it be more accurate to say it was made using Manchurian steel?

Koa Isshin Mantetsu saku. I am stumped on the other kanji.

Nice sugata. I just found it. Unfortunately, it does not have the tsuka and saya.

Folks:

Thank you for the feedback. I changed the link for the Satsuma Tsuba and also priced it a bit lower.

In fact, ask about anything you find interesting on the site. Sometimes, I am negotiable on certain items.

Once, I figure out this photography stuff, I plan on posting some more fine swords I have for sale. These include a Hojoji Masahiro katana, Juyo Token Osafune Masamitsu naginata-naoshi daito (now in the Morikami Museum Exhibit) and a Yokoyama Sukehira katana. For now, you will have to take my word for it.

Unfortunately, I have been limited by my photography skills and the parameters of the web template. Nonetheless, I try to update it weekly. Please check back intermittently.

Great thread.

I have Juyo Token swords, but this Tokubetsu Hozon daito is my favorite.

Here is mine: Osafune Hidemitsu. In Japanese Swords of the Bizen Tradition, by Darcy Brockbank.http://www.nihonto.ca/bizen-to/

Jean, there you go showing the Tametsugu.

I recently switched to a new template for Onihonto.com.

I am wondering if you guys are getting slow up-loads on your end.

Any feedback to improve the site is greatly appreciated.

http://www.onihonto.com

Thanks.

I guess size really does matter in regards to having one's Katana polished.

I am a bit skeptical. Has anyone heard or dealt with this person?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Sword-Sashi-komi-Kenma-Classical-style-polish-Service-Nakajima-Jr-/221510370348?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item33930c042c

Thanks Guys.

I was watching that sword. Nice buy. It is excellent to have a sword from the originator of his school. The Yokoyama Den was a very important school in the Shin-Shinto Period.

Please post a pic of the whole sword if you get a chance.

I wish I could read Japanese. I recently took these books in. They look old and interesting. If anyone wants to tell me what the titles are, I would appreciate it. I am going to sell them.

1. Large Tsuba Book with Sleeve:

2. Small Tsuba Book:

3. Small Nihonto Book: (I will study this one for a while, has many mei examples)

I heard it is going to be in the Marriott Airport Hotel. So much easier like that. Great plan.

I plan on being there to support our hobby/investments.

http://www.southeastshowsauctions.com/philadelphia-2014.html

Ultimately what we are paying for is experts' opinion, and that is what we get.

What we are looking for is validation of our own many times, less than expert opinion, and we are often disappointed.

Regarding mumei, a good sword is a good sword, and will thus, be attributed as such.

As for a signed piece with a mei that cannot be verified, is it better to give it papers, or bounce it? If the motivation is to protect the validity of the Shinsa organization, it is better to err on the side of caution and bounce the sword.

If you did have a sword come back "gimei", don't rush to have the signature removed. An old timer once told me, "shinsa three times before having a signature removed".

In shinsa, "gimei" seems to be a general term used to say "mei cannot be verified".

Some reasons why a signature may not be verified are:

-Unusual (but real) signature of a particular smith.

-Obscure smith, with the same working name.

-Signed by a student on behalf of his Master.

-Signed by a polisher who attributed the sword. (Such was the case with many Kotetsu blades, because many times he did not sign them).

-Gimei (False Signature).

As you can see, many variables are in play, and mistakes can be made. Shinsa results should be the beginning of more serious research, not the end.

Kaifu works can be excellent. There is a large spectrum in the quality of this schools work. I once had a Kaifu Wakizashi in katakiriha form that was extremely beautiful. It was polished by Ted Tenold.

It could not hurt to send it to a togishi (polisher) for evaluation, just the price of postage.

Chris,

I thought I read somewhere that he died in 1979. However, I cannot find the reference again. So, I may be mistaken.

Ken

I saw a test cut wakizashi at the Orlando Sword Show that went through one body (at the chest). I was amazed because of its small size. It seemed like it was 17" at best.

Joe Forcine did a nice presentation on the subject. I believe it was his wak. Purportedly, wak test cuts are very rare.

Valuing something like this brings up a whole other debate.

blade slightly leaf shaped

Regarding the shape, this is something the smith/togishi would have done purposefully. Many of the Ken depicted in woodblock prints are of this shape.

It's a shinsakuto, probably only polished once.

Not that the two terms are meant to be mutually exclusive, but I believe "Gendaito" is more accurate because the smith has been deceased for over 20 years. However, it has only been polished once.

We had an interesting discussion about Gendaito v. Shinsakuto a while back: http://nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=c689911998358c1bda3a3aec5adcb4e6

In my opinion, it needs a good habaki to be top shelf.

Here is something you don't see every day, a 72.5 cm Ken. http://onihonto.com/Hizen_Yasunori_Ken.html

It is signed, Hizen Kuni Yasunori Saku. Enjoy. Feel free to comment.

I believe the tester fashioned an extra long handle. Some of these handles were purported to be made of iron, bound to the nakago.

The best example I have found is here:

 

http://www.nihonto.us/shizu_saburo_kaneuji.htm

Funny Jean, this was the first sword that came to my mind regarding hakikake. This sword is now on display at the Morikami Museum's Samurai Exhibit in Boca Raton, Florida.

I think you can do better for $1000. It is a real Japanese sword though.

What about the sword? Is it even worth having polished? Remember, it can still be an artifact in its patina. Not all swords, even old ones, should be polished. Time period, flaws, health...all play a part in choosing a good nihonto candidate for restoration. I think polishing should be reserved for the best of swords. The rule of thumb is, if the finished product will be valued more than, the price of the sword plus the cost of the polish, then consider it.

Bob Benson, who was aforementioned, is an excellent appraiser for this determination.

Sending your sword for a bad polish is like throwing your money out the window. There is also a good chance they will ruin the artifact.

-Captain Obvious