Mikaveli

Shin is the usual reading of 信, and will usually be the pronunciation used by dictionaries etc. However, it is also read as "Nobu", and the most famous example of this is probably 信長 (Nobunaga, as in Oda). Which reading is used isn't revealed by the Kanji alone - so without other records/precedence it could be either. For example 照門 is sometimes read (in modern transliterations) as Terumon, but most sword books state "Terukado" (てるかど) where pronunciation is given.

As far as I know, Terukane is a different smith, who originally apprenticed with Terukado, but originally signing Kanesada (until later giving the name back to his teacher's biological son). To confuse you further, Terukado originally signed as Kanekado (兼門). He changed fairly early in his career (before the Tanba no Kami title, as he was signing with that name with earlier titles).

Thanks Jussi. It's quite fun trying to chase good examples that capture the length and breadth of a smiths career... ...and not finding such examples often makes it more affordable. 🙂

For the torokusho, I think we're only disagreeing on semantics - we've both set out our case, so all is well. 🙂 For the NBTHK certificates, these are rare - I can only recall ever seeing 2 or 3. As you say, the vast majority will be described as wakizashi on the kanteisho (even if the seller describes it as a tanto).

短刀 Greater than 1 shaku. Modern paper.

With a Japanese language email address, and with him replying with what seemed to be an obvious misunderstanding, when I said "apologies if English isn't your first language", that wasn't snark, and didn't merit the response ”Perhaps you struggle with comprehension". Setting aside his contribution being inaccurate, as an admin you've elected to only defend his contribution?

@Salvatori Moretto apologies for the derailment of your for sale post (hopefully it'll at least drive some views). I just wanted to make the point that your initial description of tanto wasn't necessarily inaccurate, and that the distinction between sunobi tanto and ko-wakizashi is somewhat arbitrary (and in many cases can accurately be described as either, when above 1 shaku).

Are you sure, because you've misconstrued my statement and said this: So, whilst you didn't use the word inaccurate, you stated that measurements have to be accurate, and you'll be in trouble if they are not. You're arguing a point I didn't make, because you didn't understand what I said. Getting back on topic, my point was that when issuing torukusho, no in depth research is carried out, they won't check whether a smith is known for making oversized tanto - or what the original usage of the blade would have been in context. I.e. only the superficial elements are recorded. Next, you neglected to acknowledge that there are indeed modern papers for tanto-designated blades above 1 shaku. Unless you're now going to contradict my usage of "modern" to an even more recent period?

Apologies if English isn't your first language, but superficial doesn't mean inaccurate, just that in this case it's a visual analysis, of the obvious features on the surface. Literally its outward appearance, as presented. The mei will be recorded as written, even if obviously gimei, and the physical measurements are taken too. These are superficial details. As for modern papers, after a casual search I found an example from Reiwa 4 (2022), that I'd consider modern. Admittedly, of the current generation papers I see, most do record the blade as wakizashi above 1 shaku, but there are exceptions.

Aren't there in excess of 100 Juyo tanto over 30.3 cm? Torokusho is only a superficial record of the as-presented blade - with no research or context. I'd accept it if we were talking about an NBTHK kanteisho...

Largely just the prominence / highlighting effect of the hada - to me, it looks artificially exaggerated. But, I'm certainly no expert, so just take it as a thread of enquiry to rule out.

It does look acid etched. What's the best way to stabilise it and ensure no further damage? Just the usual cleaning and oil routine, but more often? Leave it, or something else?

Just wanted to share my latest purchase. This is another Tanba no Kami Terukado blade. I bought this one at auction, and had it sent to shinsha - slightly worried as the mei had some corrosion, so I was only 80% confident. Anyways, it passed Tokubetsu Hozon, and I'd say the hamon is actually finer than some of the long sword examples I have. So very happy. Looking for a good ko-wakizashi or tanto next. 💪

I would imagine that one motivations of using tamahagane is that it makes a sword _more_ traditional. Even with the best of intentions, sword making is an anachronism - and modernity creeps in to many aspects unintentionally. Then, there's preserving tatara iron making itself. If traditionally made swords didn't use the output, there'd be more chance of losing that tradition too.

I know Nihonto Gallery / Igor Hochmajer, will have a table next week. I went last year, possibly the year before. There were 2-3 tables focusing on Nihonto, a couple more with tosogu etc. Any of the Nihonto sellers, I'd trust and think offer fair prices. However, some of the militaria sellers (usually only with gunto), seemed to be giving poor advice to perspective buyers - probably only out of ignorance, as it's not their specialism - but definitely worth getting external advice.

Nope. That's all good. 🙂 I'd had the same thoughts as you regarding the third blade, so I'm glad I wasn't alone in that.

Spoilers / answers:

Thanks for the replies so far (and double points for the hidden answers 🙏). I'll let it run for a while longer to give others a chance to answer, but I must say I'm impressed by the level of knowledge displayed! It's actually really useful for me to see the perspective and descriptions from the limited data (small, single picture available), it's helping my limited understanding and is very appreciated.

Just for a bit of fun, here's three swords, can you guess the certificate? One is Juyo, one TH, and one Hozon, selling for approximately £20k, £8k and £4k respectively (so no tricks - there isn't a Kotetsu with just Hozon). Basic images, but all the same res. Bonus points if you can identify which gokaden: Option 1: Option 2: Option 3:

Yes, I'd agree. I think "red herring" may have been the wrong phrase to describe a few exceptions though - it's more of a way to describe something misleading or a logical fallacy.

Are the stats much different in 1673? I'd really like to see the data from 1600-1660 too, but doesn't look like that book goes so far back.

Thanks @Robert S - that's really good / interesting information. Very useful to see it compiled into a table like that - as it shows us what a typical samurai earned. There's an odd spike around 200 koku, where otherwise the distribution largely follows a decline in number of recipients with greater income, after the median.

It's not a "red herring", not at all. I said "kanteisho are only representative of the time they were made", which is true. I made an arbitrary date example, which should have been obvious to be not exhaustive. Whether 12 months, 2 years, or 20 years the statement holds. However, with greater passage of time, the likelihood of any items condition degrading increases. Yes, there are examples from 60 years later still in fantastic condition - there are many. But do you imagine that there are more, or fewer such examples when compared to 6 days after shinsha, 6 months or 6 years?

Also, fairly obvious, but like maps, kanteisho are only representative of the time they were made. TokuHo from 1998, it's very possible that condition has degraded since, ware may have opened, rust etc etc. so it's still very possible to over pay.

Early Edo, around 1660-1680, Sesko quotes a basic income for low ranking retainers of 3 Ryo annually. 1 Ryo was approximately the cost of 1 koku of rice. If eating is going to take up one-third of your income, I'd be very surprised if they ended up with much left. Sake, sandals, clothing, accommodation etc. I read somewhere else that just a Samurais everyday (street) clothing would have been around 1 Ryo too. Spending 1 Ryo on a sword would probably have taken a decade (at that level). Sesko goes on to say: A hatamoto might earn more (100 Ryo upwards - two thirds earning less than 400), but around a third of that would have been spent on staff. Around that time, Jo Saku / Toko 3m Yen-level smiths would costs around 5 Ryo or more. So, after expenses, we're talking maybe 10% of a lower end hatamoto's salary to buy such a sword. Probably doable, but that's a big purchase.