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Paz

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Everything posted by Paz

  1. Hi all, I'm trying to ascertain this pattern on the hamon. You can see a pattern which is like a u shape on the hamon. Is this sunagashi or nie ? Doesn't look sunagashi to me. Thanks Regards Paz
  2. Some of your posts have made them think quite a bit Alex. I recently did my own research on a blade, only because I was already given a lead on who the smith was. But then the smiths oshigata appeared in a well known book. The wakizashi was mumei, so it couldn't be gimei. And everything from type of hamon, to yasurime matched !. Luckily the hamon was unique to that particular school and one other. Oshigata books in Japanese which aren't translated which the NBTHK use, potentially have a huge impact If used in the west. But yes we can't issue papers. But aren't papers only important to people who don't plan to keep the sword forever?? Or is it a satisfaction of an authority saying "yes ,the sword is that ". Regards
  3. What is it Gmail, outlook or yahoo? As in chris using
  4. Yep, Gimei doesn't make a bad sword. Actually if it's gimei high chance that it's a quality sword that the smith knew could pass on as gimei.
  5. @Brian Good point about education.. @2devnul Thing is If its gimei. Its still nihonto. Still a traditionally made Japanese sword antique. The question then is what is the value of a traditionally forged Japanese sword ? especially if it's over 100 years old. I mean yes it's gimei. But it's still worth polishing, restoring and preserving. I would not be disappointed unless i spent something stupid over the top.
  6. As Oliver mentioned seskos book Nihon shinshinto shi has great much info. Generally masahide is seen as the originator of the shinshinto era of sword making. His famous students such as chousai tsunatoshi and tsunahide worked with hamons such as toranba. Masahide believed that shinto period swords were inferior to koto (old) swords, and tried to imitate swords from koto periods. (Am I right ) I think he even tested a bunch of swords and recorded the ones that broke. But yes he's a big name. Regards
  7. @BranoI agree and this is where the difficulty comes in. We are using our brand new mobile phones, and a 1k plus camera is going to do so much more lol. We're trying to get the minute details with ios or android cameras. Which are great, but are not going to capture the details an expensive camera will.
  8. Yep I tried something similar. I used a lamp and managed to get some decent results on a koto. Koto steel seems contrast well compared to shinto as mentioned. Using a dark background. The below is trying to use a lamp and black surface on a shinshinto.
  9. Would the surrounding make a difference? Ie brighter walls ? Or would you cover them up with a dark or black cloth. I will try what's been suggested. For example I'm trying to capture the ashi on the hamon. Regards
  10. So I've been testing lighting and photography and have tried to really get the best images I can. Using lamp light and flash. Please try to enjoy this late shinshinto piece (maybe). They might not be that great. Focused on Hamon and kissaki. And I would like to know what are the best photography practices to bring out the best in characteristics? Ie lamp light ect.
  11. Hey David. Always examine the nakago of anything your going to buy. Especially if it's not from someone who deals with traditional nihonto. I'd strongly recommend books before any purchase, if its again, not from either Japan or a reputable seller of traditional Japanese swords. The best beginner book in my opinion is Leon kapp book art of the samurai, readily available on amazon. Unfortunately the market is flooded with replica nihonto made in either China or Korea and others. Some of these range from awful to close - Especially to the untrained eye. And even more annoying that I've recently noticed is that they are signing kanji names of real smiths. Good luck
  12. Where did you buy this from David ? If you don't mind telling.
  13. Buy the sword not the papers and be careful of the signature when their are no papers confirming the mei. Their are some great traditional stuff which is gimei and worth the blade alone. BUT. you pay the price for what is a gimei sword.
  14. Don't have an example to show. But new koshiare might be a good reason
  15. Here's a question. I've noticed some nanbokucho swords or later, which have Tokubetsu Hozon papers and sword polished, but without shirasaya ??? Instead their in koshiare. Why would a freshly polished sword not be given shirasaya?
  16. Very interesting read on masahide and the toranba hamon. From my research recently I gather that Sukehiro Masahide, tsunahide and his brother tsunatoshi All worked on the toranba hamon. From reading this it seems that toranba shinshinto hamon is superior in terms of functionality than shinto. I belive I read this elsewhere aswell.
  17. Sorry @Big Jimp to bring this topic back up again but we did we get anywhere with knowing if this was genuine kiyondo ? Out of interest for shinshinto works. Thanks
  18. The shinshinto period ie bakamatsu was quite a turbulent time historically. And the samurai were preparing for conflict with either one of the foreign Western powers, or civil war again. So the demand for swords rose during this period possibly. With more Interest, more gimei, more to be sold. Besides that, we also have many top smiths who's works were highly in demand. Just my thoughts. But shinshinto / late edo is one of my favourite era in history.
  19. There have been recent discussions about the validity of even the NBTHK accuracy. One good video was by Ray Singer, when he got a different attribution second time on a sword. My question would be, Have gimei signitures been given papers by NBTHK? And I be there have been genuine swords given pink slips. This would be quite amusing.
  20. Thanks for the clarification Alex. Their are certain dealers who want the blade signed, over papers. Because a signiture can be sold. Not knowing weather its authentic or not.
  21. Regarding to signiture differences Some smiths were known to be drunk at times of signing. Or they had aged, or a student signed on their behalf. This then adds to op point that many gimei, may not actually be gimei. And we can never ever find out, even if the work matches. But im guessing this is rare. Regards
  22. Correct me of I'm wrong. But I see no characteristics of a Japanese sword, par the shape.
  23. @Alex Asome good points. I agree that not all swords need papers. The reason being they can be easily identified by hamon or other standout characteristics, also yasuri file marks. The signature isn't always right, but the hamon doesn't lie. Or does it...hmm I'm currently studying two works. One is a gimei kiyondo, but the style of work is soshu. Looks meiji era. Another is mumei easy to research as the hamon is toranba, which narrows down schools. Regards.
  24. Question out of curiosity. Do tired swords make Tokubetsu Hozon? Even if they are say late heian, early Kamakura. Or do they only get hozon. Thanks
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