Franco

Listed in red below are the titles that I believe are essential for an active nihonto collector's library. For nihonto "students" of all levels, Yamanaka's Newsletters revised (which hopefully the NCJSC will begin reprinting soon) is a must. Why? Because it forces you to learn kantei which is the foundation of and for Japanese sword appreciation. Markus Sesko's publications now on sale:

Edit. Morning eyes changes my mind, yes, all rats ... tails and ears.

https://www.jssus.org/ ... see articles > sword care https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/search/?q=oiling&quick=1

Please take the time to search this forum for threads on proper sword care. Nicks in the ha are not uncommon as many of these swords fall into hands of those that believe that a chopping motion is equivalent to a cutting motion. When it comes to nihonto, the sword confirms the mei and not the other way around. Outside of book homework and seeking opinions, submitting a sword to shinsa is the way to verify and confirm/certify the signature. There are shinsa held in the U.S. and almost certainly you'll see information and announcements posted on the NMB. The dagger itself is called a ko-gatana. Its handle is called a kozuka. With better images you may get a translation of the other engravings.

FYI, https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15057-mizukage-retempered-blade-flaw-or-utsuri/

Are you saying this for this sword or in general or both? Regardless, it would be most unwise not to "look for" saiha on a sword with an unusual amount of sori. While I was not in attendance, myself, this information was shared by fellow RSG members following a Florida sword show in which Mr. Tanobe spoke about saiha. The other somewhat of a surprise that came out of that session was the fact that there are many more saiha swords out there than one might expect.

Like when a shinsa judge looks at a bad blade where they literally reach for the pink sheet after only a quick glance, nihonto students should do the same. If only as much time were spent studying excellent blades as folks spend time on studying bad blades. Yes, look for saiha when you see a sword with unusual deep sori. Regards

It would seem then that somebody knew and understood exactly where and what they were doing when they gathered their own materials once upon a time. Direct feedback and control has its benefits. Thanks for your post, Piers.

In the past it was a simple matter of asking whomever was handling the sword for NBTHK submission plus a fee to request a Mr. Tanobe sayagaki.

In "old times" weren't smiths gathering their own materials? Didn't the Bizen smiths in particular have access to especially high grade iron sand washing down in the river there? Aren't materials and how they were gathered becoming commercialized one big factor and change in the transition from Koto to Shinto? Or did I read that wrong? It just seems to me when viewing the top class swords and steel of old (Bizen, Rai, Soshu, ... ) something has been lost along the way. Or am I completely wrong?

Not necessarily. Too much finger pressure even with "polisher's uchiko will leave hike. Just to be clear when saying "just like in older times" are you talking about materials, process, or both? Thanks.

How much have these swords with larger patches of hada been polished down? That could be one answer when inconsistencies in hada pattern begin to appear. Just to be clear this is not the same as saying the sword is tired. But it may reflect back upon the full ability and skill of the sword smith. Regards

A full length image of this sword might be helpful in narrowing down a time frame of manufacture. That and a close up of the boshi as well. The patina on the nakago favors the possibility of an older sword. Excellent looking mounts. Regards,

Further comment, "The sword confirms the signature and not the other way around," a phrase the late Arnold Frenzel often used at our RSG meetings. Which leaves something to think about here. This mei may indeed be a false signature as Kirill opines. Despite that, we don't know what this sword really is right now other than an unpolished Japanese sword with a Kanesada mei. It could still be a "Kanesada" sword. This could simply be an added signature onto a "Kanesada" sword, which doesn't change the fact that it's a false signature, if so. And we wouldn't know which Kanesada either? The reason I bring this up is that when we analyze swords, we need to take into account everything that is going on especially the business end of the sword. Think about this way. What if you had an important sword with a false mei, an added mei? It wouldn't be the first time after a false mei was removed that a sword was then attributed to the same name, as Jim Kurrash might've pointed out. Food for thought ... p.s. It's never easy.

Fyi, https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/13261-beautiful-christian-tsuba/

Suggested; first, one approach would be to first go to the books (like Fujishiro, Taikan) to compare to known/rated signatures. At the same time ask for opinions of other collectors. Second, if the mei looks probable/good, have a window opened and the submit the sword to shinsa. Thirdly, then, if all is good you can decide whether or not to have it polished. p.s. that one flaw may be too deep to take out. Which means making more decisions. Regards

As I look at these swords I'm reminded of something that all beginners should be made aware of which is that there are events called shinsa/judgments held periodically in the US. . In these shinsa swords can pass or fail becoming certified/papered. In days past the failure rate often hovers above 50% of swords submitted. Swords can fail for any number of reasons including false signature and or condition. So, what happens to all these failed swords? Unfortunately, many find their way back into circulation.

Hi, that PDF article is already posted on this forum. I'm going to try to find and link it here. See previous post for link to article. Budget? How old? Tachi, katana, wakizashi, tanto? Signed, dated? Tradition? School? Papered? Polished?

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45691-need-expertise-and-advise-please/?do=findComment&comment=473503

Hello, Much more detail would be helpful? What are your objectives for buying a Japanese sword. A place to begin might be asking for mei translations and opinions on their validity in the translation assistance forum. Regards

Mekugi pins can sometimes be found on ebay and Etsy. You might also try contacting saya makers like Brian Tschernega or John Tirado.

If this very good tsuba doesn't come clean (as I suspect it might not) using typical methods such as anhydrous isopropyl alcohol, soft wooden toothpicks (to loosen the heavier verdigris), alcohol dipped soft tipped Q-tips, or even mild gentle neutral dish soap (no lemon!) with a soft bristle toothbrush, then, you might have to end up having to send it to a professional restorer (like Brian Tschernega). Which is what I ended up doing several years ago with a shakudo nanako tsuba I bought. In hindsight. The problem is that over time a tsuba like this can become exposed to all sorts of grime, dirt, and chems. In addition to removing the build up of verdigris across the surface of the tsuba I had Brian restore, he ended up having to carefully remove 5 layers of soot that had built up (perhaps from a nearby fireplace where it was being displayed ???). The thing of it is, it is sometimes very difficult to tell just by looking at a tsuba (or other tosogu) what has happened to it. In the end Brian ended up having to strip and repatinate this tsuba once it had been completely cleaned. He even repunched a few of the nanako that had been slightly damaged. And now after more than a year (of aging), the final result couldn't be better. The tsuba looks fantastic and even better yet you cannot tell it has been restored. Regards

There are surely dozens of reasons of how and why nihonto become separated from their koshirae not the least of which would be people are people. I can speak of two sets in particular. One set of fittings was sold separately because the sword they were on had a fatal flaw. As for a second set the actual reason the koshirae and sword became separated may never be known. However, just guessing, the sword was surely a prized heirloom to be kept, and for whatever reason, perhaps out of need, the koshirae was sold. Regards

Paul, You're welcome. Kantei is the foundation for Japanese sword appreciation. https://japantrip.tr.../Japan/osafune2.html Regards

No. Appears to be a suriage wakizashi ... https://www.hanbonforge.com/BLOG/What-is-SHINOGI-ZUKURI-(鎬造り)-blade-shape Plus, aside from shape nagamaki are defined by their mounts. Which means such pieces must have a known documented history. Otherwise, in the absence of documentation such pieces fall under the category of and are designated as naginata by the NBTHK. Regards