Kaigunto230

Good evening everyone! I’ve been very much enjoying reading all the incredible threads here and my own growing collection of books on Nihonto over the the few months. I’m also taking a vacation to San Francisco in August and will be attending at least one day of the Token Kai (I don’t think I can convince my wife to go for more than one day ). Prior to that event, I was wondering: 1. Is there anything I should know prior to attending my first show? I.e. Things you wish you’d have known as an early student and collector 2. Shipping a sword - We’re flying into SF, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I buy a sword at the event. How should I get it home? If you think I should ship it, any tips on carrier, insurance, packing etc? Or if I’m going to put it into a check bag for my flight, things I should know? I’m having pre-nightmares of opening my bag at home and having a sword in two pieces! 😬 3. Anything I should bring to the show? Gloves for handling swords, a sword care kit for removing mekugi, books? 4. Areas I should be particularly studying beforehand? 5. Lastly, is anyone else planning to attend? I haven’t posted much here because I feel like the “children should be silent until spoken to” stage at the moment 😂 But I’d love to meet the faces behind the threads. Thanks for any thoughts! Very respectfully, Michael

George, thank you so much, sir! I really appreciate your help, both here and in so many other posts across the forum. You've been very generous with your time, and it doesn't go unnoticed.

Bruce, WOW, thank you so much, sir! That's incredibly helpful. I've seen your name throughout these forums, and you always leave such helpful and insightful comments. I hope you know how kind and appreciated that is. Thanks again!

(cross-posted from SBG Forums) I purchased this Japanese sword from an antiques dealer today for just under $600. I'm looking to get some more information on it. There's some interesting things about it. The dealer explained where he got it, has a very good reputation, and said that if I thought it was fake, I could return it. I don't think it is, but I'm not an expert and would love some assistance. Here's my observations: -The tsuka is wrapped in leather, not ray skin. -The saya is cedar and not lacquered at all. It's wrapped in leather, with one hanger. The rivets are marked in English and say "K. R. Tsurame". There's also some markings on the wood itself, under the cap that covers the throat of the saya. - There's two mekugi. -The tsuba and fuchi are both marked "448". -There's an anchor arsenal marking. -There's both a mei and a black written marking on either side of the tang. -The blade itself is not very sharp, doesn't appear to have any hamon, even an ornamental one, but is in okay polish (I think), with only a few imperfections. I believe it's stainless steel. Does anyone have any information they could tell me about this, and first and foremost, is it a fake? Did I get a good deal? What year it was produced? What was the rank of the bearer? What dothe markings on the saya and each side of the tang mean? Thank you so much for your help!

There's both a Mei on one side of the tang, and set of black marks on the other. Could anyone please help me translate? On the Mei, there's four kanji and an arsenal mark. Other than being Naval, if someone knows which arsenal this is from, I'd appreciate it.