tony edmunds

Hi Brian Just checked out amazon UK for Nakahara's book ( just in case) are, they seriously asking £1300 for what was a mass produced £25 edition, seems plain crazy? Regards Tony

I'm a long time fan of Richard's work, he's made a number of pieces for me including habaki, Fuchi Kashira and a full Daisho Tosugu suite, Tsuba , F/K menuki, seppa and habaki all in red copper with shakudo mon which is my pride and joy. He is also a great guy, very talented and extremely modest(in true Japanese craftsman tradition). If you want a habaki and live in the UK he is the man to go to.

Lovely blade congratulations I'm a fan of Kashu smiths and I've owned several examples of their work, definitely under appreciated.

It may be worth remembering that most Gendaito were not polished to a high standard during wartime where speed was of the essence. Yaskuni shrine had resident polishers and indeed masters so you'd expect them to be the exception. Therefore its quite likely that a better polish would give significant improvements in shape and details albeit at a cost.

The original typo was mine, HONOKI not Hinoki for Tsuka and saya as Ted says. On a the bright side,I don't think Namikawa sells hinokiin any case!

I'd suggest you source some real hinoki from Namikawa, not expensive when you consider the amount of work required to make a decent Tsuka core. Also you can order the same and ito at the same time! Even if the alternative you select is suitable and works well you have no way of knowing how well it is seasoned i.e. air or kiln dried,

Not sure of its function but I like it a lot. Looks like it could be made of a cast copper alloy maybe yamagane?

Hi Tai I'd recommend you bring your sword along to the next Meeting of the Token Society in London on the evening of the 24th September. You can PM me for details. The society has some of the most knowledgeable collectors in the world! You may even decide to join and really learn about all things Nihonto. Regards Tony

In my humble opinion , the Board has done as much to foster genuine interest and indeed commitment to the study of Nihonto as any other entity,and its most valuable asset is its accessibility. The various Token societies support and nurture those members who can assess their support (in person or on line) but they are by and large, National or even local organisations. The Board is international and that's what makes it uniquely valuable. With regards to the questions of novices, I always told my students , "don't worry there is no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer"

Hi Guys My copy of Sergio Magotti's book arrived today and as promised ( thanks David) its illustrated with examples from the Venice collection. A very nice hard cover large forma book with excellent illustrations- recommended.

Thanks to all for your interest and additional information,. My special thanks to David (Akitombo) for recommending I make the effort to find the Museum ( having failed to do so twice before). I'm glad to say its a bit easier to find the museum these days , you take the valporetta ( water bus) to San Stae station and follow the signs to the Museum of Contemporary art (on the lower floors) you have to cross two small canal bridges and go though a narrow alley. Here's the link to a website with some location info. http://en.venezia.net/oriental-art-museum-venice.html

I think the lighting effects are due to my flash the ambient lighting looked Ok to me and they did keep the rooms darkened hence the need for flash. The inro collection was under covers to prevent light damage so the EU money was well spent! Apparently a few years back the swords were in open cabinets!!

Just to make Brian even more envious they had 6 Jumonji Yari and 6 straight yari in an open stand with an English note warning that they were sharp and could cut you! You could literally reach out and touch the 20 inch naked blades. Even funnier was the assertion by the attendant that they were only for ceremonial use! I'd love to see if all those koshirae held blades goodness knows what treasures lay within. I'm hoping got get in touch with the Italian NTHK to see if there us any chance of a private viewing.

Here's a coupe more pics, I was limited because Flash wasn't allowed (I did sneak a couple of shots).

i Guys Just got back form celebrating my 60th in Venice had to share my delight at the Nihonto and lacquer collections housed in the Palazzo Pesaro /Museo Oriente. The museum is simply the most astounding I've ever seen. The staircase is lined with over 100 fully mounted Pole arms of every shape and size (all with original saya and poles). The sword displays includes 20 blades including a Bizen Norimitsu, around 20 Yari ( fully mounted of course) 17 full daisho koshirae, over 50 tanto koshirae, 50 or so Wakizashi koshirae,12 Tachi koshirae and several cabinets of fittings and that's before you get to the lacquer which is almost as jaw dropping. I wouldn't be surprised if some or all the Koshirae hold blades, the attendants did'nt know! I seriously suggest you make the effort to find the museum if you are ever in Venic Here are some pics to whet your appetite

Thanks Stephen, I have a new camera (Canon 700D) but no new skills ! I think this is a better pic of the Mei

Hi Peter I figured that was the case, the signature is a bit rusted so I took the provenance at face value. Thank you for the correction. All the best Tony

Hi Peter Now that's interesting,do you recognise the sword? All the best Tony

Some pics of the Amada Sadayoshi:

Hi Guys Does anyone have any information Oshigata for the Gendai smith Amada Sadayoshi. So far I've only found one signature (on the board resource) Echigo Kuni Ju Amada Sadayoshi (which matches the signature on my blade) and the NBTHK article on Admiral Yamamoto and Sadsyoshi. I know that he died at the young age of 38,I believe that was in 1938,my sword is dated but I've yet to translate it. Any assistance would be welcome sadayoshi Mei.pdfsadayoshi date.pdf Regards Tony

They also used fake same made of celluloid(an early plastic) during the war, I've seen a Tsuka with this and its not hard to tell from real same. I've also owned a gunto with really excellent same, which goes to show they used a wide variety of materials.

Hi Steve You really have got the nihonto bug! Try the dealers listed here: http://japaneseswordindex.com/sites2.htm Regards Tony

While Arnold is right to say that Kuraya gets a lot of tourists and do sell Iaito , they also have some lovely nihonto at reasonable ( for Japan sword shops) prices. The best pieces are upstairs, out of sight, when last there I was shown a Bizen Ichimonji with Juyo papers and a really lovely Tadahiro katana with TH. Tony

Hi Steve I've bought form Kuraya and always found them to be honest and good value for money. If they suspected your sword was gimei I think they would have said so. Tony

Oops sorry Steve Just seen you are US ,although my sword society suggestion still applies. Tony