Surfson

Apparently not.  My concern is that the habaki and tsuka are not stopping the blade from going a couple of centimeters deeper into the saya, which can damage the kissaki.

Yes, this is a tough question.  Some will just say to start with Masamune and the Jutetsu and your list is full.  Others will focus on Gotoba and very early makers.  Yet others might pick a few of the best/most famous koto makers and then some of the very best who were founders and leading teachers of the shinto and shinshinto movements.  I would try to be in the latter camp.

Thanks Pete.  Nice video.  Just ordered a copy.  

I recommend that book as well, Andrew (Mon, the Japanese Family Crest).  I had to buy a second copy when my daughter in law borrowed my copy and never brought it back.  It pops up every now and then on ebay or Abe or Amazon, so just be patient.  

It's nice to discover a signature, but on the flip side, the tang has been shaved down as well as shortened.  It might otherwise be worthy of mei confirmation and restoration.

I suppose that katakiriba blades only have a "shinogi" on one side.

When the tsuka and saya are both on, I am guessing that the habaki may slide back to allow the saya to fill the gap.  That could be a problem for the blade if it is being shoved too far into the saya.  You don't want to chip off the end of the kissaki.

I think it is a nice little tanto Louis, and yes, it is unokubi zukuri (cormorant's neck).  The tsuka appears to possibly have baileen wrap on it (made from the filtration system of whales, and quite rare).  

Yurie San.  I bought the hardcover from Barnes and Noble and was the one that told you about it - to your surprise.  I assume that you will still get royalty for this?  Hey, maybe when you come out with the final hardcover, they will stop this rejected version.  I'm glad that the content is otherwise the same and have started to read and enjoy the book.  Congratulations on a great project.  Hey, maybe mine will be a "rare early error first edition" and a true collector's item!!   (jodan desu...)

Hi Yurie San.  Yes, I have already received it.  Congratulations on a nice piece of work!  

I have a Hojoji Tachibana Sadakuni wakizashi.  It is a beautiful stout blade (9mm thick), and his work was likened to that of Kotetsu.  Yours has a different hamon, but the mei is very similar in style.  It looks like an interesting sword.  I can bring mine to the show if you would like to compare them. 

That first one appears to have amida yasuri

I'm a little confused by the sayagaki, which doesn't seem to match the mei of the blade.  

I do love ayasugi hada.  I have a tanto with that grain as well as a Dewa Gassan blade.  It's an amazing technique.

Markus, I use several of your books all of the time.  I'm sure this will be the go-to Gendai book in english when it comes out, and I will probably no longer pick up Slough.  Any one of your books is a huge undertaking, and somehow you keep generating them.  It has to be tougher now that you have a big job at the Met, but I have no doubt that you will do it.  Cheers, Bob

My pleasure, Markus.  

I agree with Brian, that your contributions to our field have been magnificent, and I want to do anything I can to support and encourage.  Patience is a virtue in this field.  Polishing can take years, great swords only come across us occasionally (not counting the Ginza), and great works of scholarship can take a very long time.  I remember Bob Haynes working on his wonderful three volume set for decades.  

Markus, is it $125 and what is your paypal address?

Cheers, Bob

Markus, I can't remember if I paid in or not.  If I did, I would like to let it ride.  If I didn't, I would like to pay now to help you cover the redemptions you might get.  

Just ordered hardbound on Barnes and Noble (see link that Brian posted).  

Actually, the steel and hada on mine are really quite beautiful and distinct from the typical Gassan work (I have a couple other Sadakazus).

Yes, it has the Teishitsu Gigein designation mentioned as well (which is the first version of what would later be called "living national treasure").  Happy to help Bryce.  

I own this blade, which was intentionally made and signed by Sadakazu as an utsushi of Masamune.  It's an interesting blade, and may be a "practice" piece for a work that he presented to the emperor in the same style.  

https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-teisitu-gigei-in-gassan-sadakazu-78-years-made-by-politely/

I wasn't aware of the increased fees or IRS reporting.  Both will stifle sales.  

I cannot tell a lie Bruno - I got that one.  

This was the sword in it.  It's now in Tanobe San's hands.

That is a Tempo/Tembo tsuba, and those are from hot stamps.  Often they stamp one or another kanji character.  I can't make out this one.  It actually looks like a decent tsuba.  

I have purchased a few items over the years and subsequently found the very item to be listed in a book.  It is a thrill.  I can't imagine finding one of the lost treasure swords though, as I believe Ian has.