jt nesbitt

Mark- FedEx currently has a 5 day delivery time from Tokyo to New Orleans. As I said earlier- I just got a delivery of an Ebay Wakizashi no problem. Japan Post/EMS is dead, but FedEx is up and running. That is the issue here. I would argue that Aoi is not being creative enough with shipping...Aren't they supposed to be the experts in exporting swords from Japan? Why am I conducting the shipping experiments? I am a total novice and have successfully gotten a Sword from Japan to the USA. I shared the results of the experiment with Aoi. Again - why is a chucklehead nobody like me advising Aoi on how to ship swords? --- JT

Mike- As a craftsman myself, I have NO issues waiting for a craftsman to execute work that takes time. What I have little patience for is delivery of good sold by a vendor, even if that means taking a hit to meet a client's expectations (I do this as a matter of daily business). There are at least 3 NMB members waiting on deliverables....I would hope that Aoi gets the message - The natives are getting restless. -- JT

Hey James- If you do a lot of business with them, do you personally know somebody there? Could you convince them to ship via FedEx? Like I said earlier, I had a sword shipped to the states with FedEx last month and it arrived exactly 5 DAYS after pickup in Saitama. I am not convinced that Aoi is making an effort to find alternate shipping, meanwhile our lowly Ebay sellers are shipping out no problem! My Ebay vendor labeled the blade as "Imitation Sword", FedEx took it, insured it, shipped it, delivered it to my front door in New Orleans, no problem! The total shipping cost was $150....I would gladly pay additional money for FedEx delivery, and offered to pay more to Aoi, but got no traction with my communication to them. -- JT

Hey James- Thanks for volunteering for Sword Rescue! Looks like Mike may have a similar situation...If things get really bad, maybe we could both throw in together. Have either of Y'all had a sorta "standoffish" relationship with Aoi, or is it just me? It's my first time doing business with them, but have found that my low-end Ebay vendors actually are more responsive and go the extra mile to deliver. I got an Ebay sword delivered from Japan last month...The vendor got creative with the item description, and charged me an extra $100, but I got it FedEx in 5 days. -- JT

Barry- I see that you are in Canada, I think that Canada is NOT on the "no fly" list. Are you aware of any kind of forwarding service from Canada to the US for this kind of thing? Thanks for your comment! --- JT

Alex- The swords are still in their possession (I think). As far as I know, permission to ship from the Government has been given for one. I have asked on numerous occasions about whether permission to ship the second had been finalized, and gotten no answer. I sometimes wonder if I had bought a $50,000 blade if the service would be more attentive, communication more consistent, and shipping handled with more urgency and creativity. -- JT

Friends- I am coming up on 3 months since I bought a couple of swords from Aoi. Both are fully paid for via bank wire transfer. I bought them at just the wrong time- right before the suspension of EMS, and right before I really got involved with the NMB and discovered Ray Singer's excellent matchmaking services. I have pleaded with Aoi to try to ship via FedEx and label these as "Antique Japanese Art (Nihonto)" not as "weapons" which FedEx will apparently not accept. I offered to pay more for the shipping. Aoi responded by saying that they tried to fill out the bill of lading as such, but FedEx would not accept the documentation. So the total I wired in to Aoi is not crazy money, $5,000, but was the last I had budgeted this year for sword collecting, and like most of y'all, I have a wandering eye. Lots of temptation to resist. Kinda like I got married, but had no honeymoon, then discovered that there was a strip club right around the corner. Anybody have any ideas about getting swords from Japan to the US during this weird time? Should I just hold on and wait? Should I ask for a refund? If I asked for a refund, would Aoi be pissed and not want to do business with me in the future? For what it's worth, I really like the 2 swords that I bought, I am just feeling a bit powerless in this situation with no idea when EMS will resume, and no sense of attentive customer service or engagement from Aoi. They have NEVER reached out to me to give any kind of update, I have always initiated contact and they have always curtly responded with a 2 line "wait longer" response. Am I the only one in this situation? Thanks for listening. --- JT

Dang. I think I just lost my ranking as the plankton of the NMB food chain. Well, it was fun while it lasted.... Dong- On the recommendation of one of the great people here on the board (Ray Singer), I bought this book - https://www.amazon.com/Kokan-Nagayama/dp/1568365810/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+connoisseurs+book+of+Japanese+swords&qid=1593199721&sr=8-1 It is a bit of a challenging read for a total noob, but I think the best one that I have when it comes to having a text that can be used practically when identifying stuff. Also - When buying your first piece, be sure that it has a Yellow NBTHK certificate that matches the Nakago (tang of the blade). That way you can be fairly certain that it is at least authentic. -- JT

Brian- Do you have an example of incorrect green paper attribution? I have read about it on the NMB, and everyone seems to agree that they are "worthless", but I haven't seen a post that shows a green paper that has a bogus attribution presented next to a yellow paper that has the correct attribution....Any past threads that illustrate this? Thanks --- JT PS- Is this a good example of "shintetsu" ?

The offer to sell this sword was in jest...not at all what I am trying to learn about from this group of experts whom I greatly admire. I don't want to sell anything, I want to learn this material from the bottom up. If the general consensus is that these papers are accurate, would someone please post an example of AUTHENTIC FAKE green papers? (Hilarious thought, right!?) -- JT

George- If the only automotive experience one ever had were driving Ferraris, would they be as special? One must test drive a few Yugos to have real perspective. -- JT

This message board is crazy! I love the weirdness of it all! .....OK then, entertaining offers over $1,300 And I should move this post over to Nihonto For Sale...

Gentlemen- Please allow me the space to make a fool of myself one last time. I think that I may have reached a benchmark here... Falling off a cliff, and hitting EVERY rock on the way down, without missing a single opportunity to make a mistake. Keep in mind - having a documented record of failure for posterity on the NMB is a great teaching tool for those who are un-registered and therefore cannot comment, and the timid newbies, that like myself, only a few months ago, were too shy to expose their own personal failings for fear of losing money on a bad investment. The greatest sin of all - is being incurious - I have a new enlightened paradigm, and this post is dedicated to the silent majority. To wit; My track record so far, has been to introduce to the NMB: A HanTanRen-To - Presented in a shirasaya to fool an unsuspecting buyer into thinking that a masterpiece of masame-hada construction could be had for $1200: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31840-what-in-the-cornbread-hell-is-this/ An altered Sayagaki attributing a $510 Wakizashi to Sadamune that was not even close: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32245-sayagaki-translation/ A geimei Wakizashi attributed to a famous smith that real Nihonto experts dismiss: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32344-rai-kinmichi-shobu-wakizashi/ An artificially aged Shinshinto nakago to emulate a Koto blade: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32388-yamato-hosho-tanto/?hl=hosho Logically, the last piece of the puzzle is bad papers. I think that I may have a Full House here, I hope that you will concur: I bought this one awhile back on Ebay (of course) for $1,300. I bought it for no other reason than it was the cheapest katana with papers available at the time. I am hoping that you will confirm that the infamous NBTHK green papers associated with this katana represent the low point of the 1970's NBTHK scandal and will therefore complete my collection of Bogus Blades, and Nefarious Nihonto! Thanks for your honest opinion! -- JT PS - These are my photos, so I hope I at least score some points for technical improvement.

Paul- I come from a Fine Arts background. A large part of my education was spent making copies, or homages, to the Old Masters. If one's goal is an education- studying bad work, then comparing it to masterwork - is the only way to gain a full understanding of the subject. A big chunk of that process is failing publicly, in front of your fellow students. The greatest art historians are the ones who specialize in forgeries. They know their material better than anyone else. I never intended to make money with my collection, and have no interest in being a sword dealer (that is a hard way to make a living and requires true dedication and work). I am paying for an education, always a good investment, and having a GREAT time learning. Thanks for your encouragement. -- JT

Mark- I think that you are absolutely right! This nakago is a forgery. Artificially aged to appear much older than it is, coupled with the Hosho appearing masame hada, in order to dupe chumps like me into paying big money for a Kamakura age Hosho Tanto. I think that this little blade has fantastic craftsmanship, but it is even more valuable as a teaching tool, probably just as Noriyuki intended. Mito Ju Noriyuki has started a conversation 160 years after he made this, and on the other side of the world. I feel like Noriyuki just reached out through time and space to personally give me a lesson. What a marvelous gift. I am in awe. --- JT

Big thanks to everybody that has given me feedback! I have been using the limited resourced available to try my best to learn this stuff, but it is the dialectic that I find here on the NMB that has real value. Based on your opinions I decided to run an experiment - I entered the word "masame" into the search bar on Ebay- This is what came up: https://www.ebay.com/itm/TANTO-Japanese-sword-Suifu-ju-Noriyuki-Mito-Ju-NTHK-Paper/233619356453?hash=item3664cc7b25:g:jLgAAOSwjsxe5oBV From the listing: Suifu Ju Noriyuki, also known as Mito Ju Noriyuki of the Bunkyu Era (1861-1864) from Hitachi. Was a peer of Suifu Ju Norikatsu. They were known to have made faithful utsushi (study/copy) of Yamato Hosho school blades from Kamakura period. Blade is hoso suguha in Ko nie. Has fine kinsuji and hotsure. The jigane is pure masame nagare (flowing straight) hada. The blade is unsigned but made to look like a kamakura Hosho blade. I want to retract my earlier opinion. This is a COPY of a Hosho blade That was made in the 1860's, that somebody along the line artificially aged the nagako to make it appear more kamakura-like! Thanks for challenging me! --- JT

Hey Y'all- I have gotten some private guidance by the totally excellent Ray Singer. He directed me to buy "The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords" by Nagayama. It is exactly the book that I needed at my stage in the learning curve. A challenging read, but WAY better that all of the "Nihonto for Dummies" books that I have on the shelf. I know that I have probably worn out my welcome here, what with all of the dumb stuff that I have written and terrible photography, so it's time for me to up my game (no more photography that hurts to look at from now on, I promise). Please critique this post like you mean it! I feel the need to learn this material, and holding back on your criticisms of this post does not help me to grow....Blast away! I used my new book to come up with my assessment of yet another junk Ebay sourced blade. I bought this one about 2 years ago, straight from Japan with Daimyo registration card, paid $450 for this cute little tanto cause I liked the jihada and for no other reason. So here goes, my first educated guess at some undocumented mystery Nihonto: A Hirazukuri Tanto Nagasa 8.25" (21mm) Thickness at the machi .245" (.62mm) Masame Hada Suguha hamon with hakikake o-maru boshi I think that this is Yamato tradition Hoshu school. Because of the short length of this tanto, it should be categorized as mid Kamakura, but because the masame strands do not follow the curve of the boshi, and continue straight into the fukura - like later Muromachi Hoshu work - I think that it is a transitional form - placing it in the Nambokucho Period. The condition of the nakago, mekugi ana shape, and accumulation of gunk, are consistent with other documented works of this age and school. The excellent shirasaya and fit and finish of the habaki, and good condition of the polish, further the opinion that this blade has been carefully handled and preserved due to it's provenance and beauty. Here are the photos that I made - Please tell me where I have failed. Thank you for your patience, kind attention, and help, as I learn this new language! --- JT

Ray- Facinating! Thank you for the link. What would the English translation of "Izumi-no Kami" be? Please forgive my ignorance, I couldn't find a direct translation anywhere for that phrase. So assuming this is a legit Mei (???Your thoughts??) - Which of the 5 Kinmichis (from 1596-1764) do you think made this sword? Do you think it deserves a polish? Who would you send it to? Thanks for being so generous with your time!! --- JT

I tried to get some beauty shots of the hamon. Crazy difficult to shoot unless you have a set-up for it. Mad props to all of those sword photographers out there! These pics look WAY better as thumbnails... My crummy digital camera about had a heart attack trying (unsuccessfully) to find something to focus on while I am shaking, holding a sword in one hand and a camera in the other. Hope this helps for anyone that is curious. --- JT

Jussi- Thanks for helping me with the sleuthing! Yes, I agree that this signature appears to be a little less "formal" that the examples that you have posted, and the ones that I have seen while snooping around on the internet. No mon, for sure.... The overall "feel" of this sword is of very high quality, and the hamon treatment is fabulous. The hamon does have some overall shape similarities with the other Kinmichi work I have seen, but I am still so very green, that you should probably ignore my opinion. One question - Did all of the Kyo Go Kaji, Rai Kinmichi smiths use the mon on the nakago? If I were going to fake one of those signatures, I would definitely put the mon on there just to mitigate the suspicion of a forgery at first blush. Unless I were a forger trying to use reverse psychology......Now I am chasing my tail, but you get the point right? --- JT

Jean- Thanks for the analysis! You wouldn't call this a Naginata-naoshi (but without bohi)? I should have mentioned that the cross section of this blade is very triangular. Are you familiar with this swordsmith Kinmichi? Is this the correct translation? I am signing my posts with my name (JT) should I also include my last name? Trying to figure out the protocol here. -- JT (Nesbitt?)

Hey Gang- I want to share a blade that I bought last year. This one has no papers, so still a bit of a mystery to me. Paid $1600 for it because I really like the shape, and totally groovy choji hamon. I think that the Mei reads "Izumi-no Kami Rai Kinmichi" My questions are: What does "Izumi-no Kami" mean? There are a few Rai Kinmichis out there, which one do you reckon made this sword? There is no yokote, so this is not shinogi zukuri, but the shinogi terminates into the mune so far away from the kissaki that I would hesitate to call it shobu. How would you classify this shape? What do y'all make of the way the hamon straightens out towards the ha machi and the way it so gracefully wraps around the kissaki? I think that this sword could look outstanding with a polish....What do y'all think? Is it worth the expense, and who would you send it to if it were? Thanks -- JT

PS- The camera is out of focus on purpose. The altered texture almost doesn't register when focused on it, becoming more apparent when it is out of focus and become more of a "zone" of different texture. --- JT

Mystery solved (i think)- If the saya is held to the light just so, a different texture emerges around the suspect Kanji. The Maker and the date have been VERY cleverly modified. I am impressed with the quality of the forgery. What an interesting thing to have in my collection! A real teaching moment don't you think? --- JT

This is awesome! Thanks for taking the time with me, I am learning so much. If you ever come across Kanmuri Otoshi blades that you want to sell or broker, let me know. I have promised myself that the buying phase of this project is over, but you know how it goes. --- JT