Franco

Jean, Understandable. However, the prominent long fang suggests (perception) venom being injected. And, I would say (again, perception) half of a small baby bunny rather than a grown rabbit. Also, a quick fatal strike and life versus death are characterizations/themes, reminders, that a samurai might find of careful interest. Snake, late August birthdate? Regards,

Venomous snakes first strike injecting venom, then wait for death before swallowing head first. It does appear that this depiction is capturing a first deadly strike. A samurai with a late August birthdate?

Thoughts; For the discriminating collector Shinshinto swords should be signed and dated. On the plus side it's 28." Which makes it desirable, but pricey to restore (polish, shirasaya, habaki). Shallow sori, a plus, neutral, or minus? Koshirae can be a plus, but in this case the koshirae needs restoration as well. If you plan to keep this nihonto that's one thing, as an investment is quite another. Do the math. Restoration plus time and possible headaches vs as is, against return. What do swords by this smith sell for?

Heavy sigh .... people, the NMB has a very good search feature that should be used prior to posting comments and topics that have previously been addressed. Not uncommon. However there are different levels/grades of finish. Not unlike today, people play games. Speaking of which, rich merchants sometimes played the game of displaying a katana length saya knowing full well that it was legal for them to carry only a wakizashi. And, as long as people that might not know any better are being played, or perhaps are too polite to say anything, by making them believe that you're carrying a katana, why not go all the way with a sword signed by Masamune. Regards,

Congratulations! After going through a half dozen or so references there is no indication of change that I can find. https://markussesko.com/2015/02/19/kantei-1-sugata-2/ Is that a soe-bi carved into the mune? How far back does it extend? Is that an old habaki? Any plans of having a new habaki and shirasaya made now that this sword is Juyo? Additional images? Thank you. Regards,

Have four Microdear cloths. They will be used twice (refolded) for viewing and inspecting, but only once each for cleaning-removing oil purposes before being washed and dried separately (from other laundry) with Arm and Hammer free of perfumes and dyes laundry detergent and no dryer sheets. Have had no issues. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/24981-nihonto-care-with-microdear-cloth/ Whether using Microdear cloths, or unscented kleenex, it's not a good idea to wipe a second time or back and forth with the same material.

The shape of this tanto, plus the patina of the nakago along with the assembly marks suggest to me not early Edo, but more mid to late Edo. Leaning towards Mino. NTHK NPO shinsa soon.

You're welcome and so glad to hear that you're not going mad, Colin. I'm not certain that at times I can say the same for myself. Ah, such an edit would explain things. Kind Regards,

The tsunagi was made to fit and for the koshirae, it is not surprising that it does not align with the shirasaya. None the less it should be an exact replica of the sword.

This is the story that two friends attending that show as well recounted.

Not convinced this is a koto sword, yet. Overall length? Cutting edge length? Sori? Moto-haba? Saki-haba? Moto-kasane, Saki-kasane?

Hello, Kozuka, not traditionally made. Probably Meiji period made for export. Ko gatana's chippy mei also suggests a production piece. Regards,

Hello Brian, Thank you for your consideration. I think that having standardized forms with check boxes, a given answer, would help with resolving "some people not knowing enough." The format I used here (nothing special) was based upon a kantei write up I used for the Rochester Study Group meetings. Which covers pretty much all of the bases of what a potential buyer as well as the seller should know, or will want to know, about a particular Nihonto. And, I'm betting the military sword afficionados here on the message board would be more than happy to do something similar for military swords. Regards,

New Years Greetings to All! As the title states, suggestions, what would you like to see on this NMB moving forward? I'll begin with these two below; 1. Closer adherence to keep posts within the forum topic. 2. A standardized form or forms for listing items for sale, at the very least for swords. If known of course, asked but left blank otherwise: including; Time period? Tradition? School? Sword smith? Sugata: Overall length? Cutting edge length? Shape? Sori? Mune? Moto-haba? Saki-haba? Moto-kasane? Saki-kasane? Kissaki? Horimono? Jihada: Masame? Itame? Mokume? ... https://markussesko.com/2015/05/13/kantei-2-jigane-jihada-2/ ... Utsuri? Ji-nie? Other? Yakiba: Nie? Nioi? Ko-nie? Types of hataraki? Boshi: https://markussesko.com/2015/06/10/kantei-3-hamon-boshi-3/ Nakago: Ubu? Suriage? O-suriage? Yasurime? Mekugi-ana? Horimono? Machi-okuri? Polish: Polisher? Condition? Ubu-ba? Habaki? Koshirae? Shirasaya? Flaws: ? Approval period? Origami? Thoughts? Thank you. Best Wishes,

These menuki bring back a memory from some 30 years ago. Where one early evening I decided to walk to a nearby shopping plaza about a half mile from home. The back access road to this plaza cut across a swampy area. As I walked along this swampy area a surprising and unexpected dramatic scene unfolded literally right under my feet. A mink chased and ferociously attacked a muskrat eventually killing it only a few feet away.

I don't know about the polisher of which you speak, however, all of the nihonto I have had polished have been returned with specific care instructions (both written or verbally) of how to oil the blade for the very reason that these swords have been exposed to water during the polishing process, which may have included straightening as well. Yet, no such mention from you. Just because we have been taught or shown how to do something does not automatically qualify us to teach others.

It might be wise for NMB members to think carefully before posting "how to" information on this message board, where a novice with little or no experience and perhaps even less common sense happens upon this website who just by chance might be in possession of an art sword, decides to have at it.

Otter, hmm. Fishing cat - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Fishing_cat The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. Since 2016, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red ... ‎Taxonomy · ‎Characteristics · ‎Distribution and habitat · ‎Behaviour and ecology

Polisher ! And, if the sword is really that good it should go through the hands of a well trained polisher anyway. Regards,

There is Brian Tschernega that does exceptional work out on the west coast. There is also John Tirado on the east coast that works professionally. A word of note; the prepurchase of fittings may or may not work out. Regards,

Profiles? Thank you. Regards,

Is there a list of who will be seated in judgement of nihonto and fittings yet? Thank you. Regards,

I'm left wondering if this blade was intentionally used as a tsunagi? Regards,