drjoe

Yes, I understand that part. But I'm still not clear on the application and more importantly whether there are substitutes. Previous discussion here touches on this subject, but I'm looking for more details.

The sword is in a bag and in a gun safe, so no UV damage. My concern about the sayagaki comes from handling it every once in a while.

I have two shirasaya that seem a bit dry on the outside. One has sayagaki that I'm concerned may fade. I understand that applying a thin coat of ibota is the traditional approach, though I'd like to avoid a mail order from Namikawa. Anyway... I have 3 questions: 1. How is ibota applied -- you basically put the powder in a cloth and rub vigorously? 2. Does applying wax risk messing up the sayagaki? 3. Are there more easily available alternatives to ibota? Rennaissance Wax? I suspect pure beeswax might be the most acceptable substitute, but I'm equally unclear as the ibota as to how it might be applied.

awesome, thanks!

I assume, but couldn't find the thread, that someone has already posted about this, but the short version is that this year's Dai Token Ichi has been cancelled and that the yearly catalog has been published online to faciliate sales: https://www.zentosho.com/daitoukenichi/?fbclid=IwAR0p5HRQYDVUp7KL0ZcGyE269MkX1GWbS0LqSFWu4d60_PcJAUyeMm4UBxU The purpose of this post is mainly to inquire whether anyone has yet come across an English translation and if so, to ask if they can please post it here.

Welcome back Joe! I'll keep an eye out since we have overlap in what we collect. And you can always just track down your blades and buy them back... I know where several of them ended up including your long Shigemasa blade that changed hands this year--that one was a beast. Here's a few at Tsuruginoya, though I suspect you've probably seen them already: https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00563.html https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00416.html https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00551.html https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00540.html https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00566.html

There's a brief write up here: There's a few copies on Ebay for around $100 (with additional description): https://www.ebay.com/itm/284224928211?hash=item422d2039d3:g:psYAAOSwDoZgVF6P And also one from Namikawa: https://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product/1021 There also appears to be a booklet version that I've been looking for with no luck: http://www.sanmei.com/contents/en-us/p1653.html

Yeah, I ran it through Google translate without luck. Individually, the kanji seem to mean "heaven (ten) mysterious (gen) mulberry tree (kozo)"--the kozo is "paper mulberry" which is used to make washi paper... I suspect it's a kind of "kigo" or poetic way of stating the time of year.

Where'd you get that Yoshihara Kuniie "tea towel?"

Trying to help out a lucky friend of a friend who was gifted an "attic" katana. Some translation help from Ray Singer (and a couple hours of additional slow-going research on my part) reveals that the mei reads 嶋田七郎右衛門尉源義助 Shimada Shichiroemon no Jo Minamoto Yoshisuke. It is dated 享保三天玄楮 Kyoho 3 (1718). According to Markus Sesko's Index of Japanese Swordsmiths, the civilian name "Shichiroemon" in the zokumei and the date would make this the 8th generation Shimada Yoshisuke, though Markus' book lists his death in 1712 a few years before this sword was signed. I have 3 questions: 1) Has anyone seen a signature or oshigata from the 8th generation Shimada Yoshisuke to compare? 2) Does anyone know what the phrase "天玄楮" means in the date? 3) The blade is in old mounts which are in disrepair with what appears to be an original polish that, surprisingly for an attic sword, is mostly free of rust. Any idea of what a reasonable asking price would be for the sword if offered for sale? These are the only photos I have at the moment... will add more if I can get them.

yes, "kaji" 🔥 is a very appropriate term for Kiyofusa's work!

Official results are up: https://www.touken.or.jp/Portals/0/pdf/mokuroku/2020Contemporary_Swords_and_Artworks(English).pdf

nice daisho recently for sale (but sold now I think) http://sanmei.com/contents/media/A58786-7_S2229_PUP_E.html?fbclid=IwAR3sIBjfH4045wDc7niYzgdwkTW2EaOWYfbDk-HN4gaYe59_9Wq-f5EoB6M

Still available if anyone is looking for a higher end, but used, iaito. Warp has been fixed; tsuba has been swapped. Joe

Yes, I found that one too, thanks!