Paz

Kanemoto At first glance

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Correct me of I'm wrong. But I see no characteristics of a Japanese sword, par the shape.

@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.

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

Thank you, gives me some idea.

Just a question of curiosity. I'm currently doing research on a mumei blade which has no papers. Do you any of you type up / write any research work you have done on works which don't have a signiture or papers. ?? Ie documenting the characteristics, book references, photos ect. So that you have documentation of your own research to who and what the sword might be ? I have seen some people have papers they wrote themselves. Which is information on school, and Smith ect. I'm doing this as good practice for anything which has not got papers. Thanks Regards

So I've decided to go down the rabbit hole. And start studying / collecting armour. I've had a look on amazon for books to start someone new, looking to invest into armour. So far apart from Ian bottemlys books, I can't seem to find any other. What I'm looking for is a book, similar to either sesko work or basic start up like Leon kapp book on swords. Something basic for a beginner, that isn't too expensive. Thanks

Will there ever be a day when we can submit photos to a shinsa team. Lol especially for the ones who live outside of USA. One can dream.

Hi all, I'm doing some research on the kato school early shinshinto. I can find some oshigata on tsunatoshi chunsai the more famous brother of tsunahide. But I've only got two so far of tsunahide. One is in the sesko book shinshinto shi. I don't know if anyone has another oshigata, it's a shot in the dark. Not expecting much. But if you do please send it, thanks. Especially the nakago. The toranba hamon ect is fine. If not. I will continue with what I have. Thanks. Regards paz.

As Jussi said depends on budget. Kamakura and heian do usually command high prices depending on condition. I may be wrong. But im sure anybody who had a bad condition Kamakura or heian would invested into polish and restoration. Due to their general value and demand. Regards

Not even a paul chen made Japanese like sword. But welcome to the boards dude.

Point taken, thank you. Regards

But if a kissaki is damaged to the point that it needs full rework, wouldn't that automatically mean that the hamon is lost? Again I'm talking about substantial damage to the kissaki. And referring to this being prevalent on older blades ?. Sorry if I'm coming across as being inquisitive or ignorant, I'm still learning. Regards

Sorry I was referring to earlier post and darcy article. I personally don't believe it's a fatal flaw at all, thus my comment defending it. Nakahara mentioned this in his book aswell, that damage over use can be effect the boshi and kissaki. I have seen blades which are Tokubetsu hozon and a remade kissaki. Regards

I beleive its acceptable to have no boshi if the blade is kamakura or nanbokucho / muromachi. As its likely it was used and the kissaki suffered damage. Which may even add to the value of the sword. Doesant mean it would get juyo. On shinto pieces and beyond I gather it would be a flaw. Regards

I'm trying to be more optimistic. But I don't know how easy labour will have doing this. They will upset Religious groups who use swords for ceremony and martial arts such as gatka. And I don't think they want to go down that route. Which means if I read correctly from a quote. There will be exemptions. But who or what we won't know. I know people are already writing to their MPs.

Sorry to hear that @Alex A I guess everyones situation would be different. And yes it seems like arms fairs would be the best place to view and buy. However ups still deliver and possibly other couriers. The royal mail aren't in a good place now as a business, and I've read an article that they might well go extinct. It seems highly likely that independent couriers will step in like they have already. Regards

Correct. Handforged element refers to all curved swords be they Japanese swords made in China. Samurai swords fall under the curved sword ban, exempt to martial artist, re enactment groups, and antiques, religious groups. In the consultation write up, I did read that they didn't want to negatively Impact the antiques market. Its online sales they seem to want to tackle. For example you can't buy a sword from nine circles without providing the documention of your martial arts insurance. However this labour MP did mention that their may be a license in place as she did mention that their are legitimate reasons for having them. So it could, as mentioned above become like firearm laws. For eg. Martial artist already have a certain system in place. Just 2 cents

Think that will be more complex than they believe. Religious groups, enactment, antiques ect. Its more of a election ploy but i could be wrong. At the moment it's one Labour mp who's advocating I beleive. That's if they can win the election, conservatives but look like they will loose, but I don't think Strammer is that popular. But then they tried to do this in 2015 and 2008. I read the proposal on machete ban, and antiques were still exempt. So that some hope.

Hey @Schneeds. Most obvious is that it has two mekugi holes that far apart. And then you have the way the style nakago has been cut at the bottom. Apologies I Don't have the terms right now, but this requires books. You can then easily tell the difference between ubu nakago and suriage. I strongly recommend books, and then spending the 6k. As aforementioned 6k opens alot of doors for you to get something that you will enjoy for many many years. And you also develop a taste for what you like, which makes it even better. Regards