Bazza

As JP says, this is almost certainly a "trap" sword!!! I would definitely say not Koto. With a suguyakidashi, sampin boshi and that slight taper from the monouchi to the kissaki I would have to say Shinto era. The hamon certainly reminds me of a sword I've seen and it does have Mino traits in the sanbonsugi style. Other than that, I would say it is an excellent sword whenever it was made!!! Possibly an utsushi. Looking forward. BaZZa.

Ahh, c’mon guys, go easy. Guido is one of THE most knowledgeable people on this Board and we should be grateful he shares his time with us - I know I am. Guido wrote: > As for not having a yokote: I’ve never seen a hirazukuri/katakiriba combination blade > in my 40 years of collecting that had a yokote; probably because there is no such thing. Anyone who wants to cast a shadow over Guido better have (a) the best of intentions, and (b) sound research techniques!! My response to Guido’s comment quoted above is merely that I have a shinogizukuri/katakiriba combination katana that has a yokote on the kiriha side. This is not to naysay Guido, as mine is shinogizukuri and not hirazukuri, which is certainly not the same thing and I mention this here in case we can draw another insight from this thread. Guido has commented on my sword in another thread: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/3100-katakiri-ba-blades/?hl=kiriha&do=findComment&comment=30332 and I’m shocked to see that was in 2008... I apologise for the poor quality of the images, taken many years ago. Reminds me that I should update them. BTW, we don't see much comment from Guido, but when we do it is always a valuable learning lesson and I always look forward to it. In fact, I know Guido is lurking in the background and I always, ALWAYS, hold my breath when I write something in case it is a heresy or shows poor reading of the sacred texts!! I go now to my wife's excellent dinner and my hand-me-down bottle of Tasmanian pinot noir (from my local mechanic for my beer contribution to his workshop). This is just the fag-end of the bottle as I gave it a hammering at last night's dinner. BaZZa.

Many decades ago I was shown in an art gallery storeroom a beautiful yari mounted in a stunning olive-green lacquered koshirae with a high relief gold lacquered dragon winding around the koshirae. I've never forgotten it. BaZZa. EDIT: I also once had a small yari signed SHOAMI in a tanto-style koshirae. The tang had been cut and the yari turned into short self-defence weapon.

In this image the hamon almost looks like JUZUBA – Buddhist beads – a form of gonome hamon. (From http://www.samuraisword.com/glossary/) BaZZa.

Gents, lovely koshirae, very desirable IMHO. Now the rust. Long ago - decades in fact - the late lamented Alan Harvie while visiting Australia commented on an attempt of mine to remove rust from an iron tsuba. I had carefully picked away at the encrustation of rust with a de-tempered scalpel blade to remove as much as I could. This left pits where the rust had more severely bitten into the iron surface. Alan remonstrated with me saying that it would have been better to use the small flat of a bone (or ivory) with oil and gently abrade the surface until the rust was level with the original iron surface. This technique would therefore have left a smooth surface rather than a pitted one. Hopefully!! So, Robert, I would go with using an expert, of which there must be a few in Japan. And I would guess to do this restoration work at a professional level might cost as much as the koshirae??!! BaZZa.

It looks like a TERRIBLY abused Nihonto. The nakago has been thoroughly cleaned to the point of uselessness to assist determining age. I would think only a properly trained polisher could give an opinion by putting in a window and sadly I think that would cost more than this poor specimen is worth... Worst case of abuse I have seen in a very long time. BaZZa.

Ah, GAAD, how could I forget that??!! My handling fee in one instance cost me AUD $500... (slaps forehead)

Now, pardon me, but --- if one pays for postage isn't that the "handling fee" at the other end?? If not, and one is paying for delivery from another country, then the Universal Postal Union has rules about that. BUT - it seems complicated these days: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Postal_Union#Observers BaZZa.

I absolutely, rabidly agree with Jacques here. It has been a maxim of mine forever - after a 10-years or more learning curve!! But I must say that Ray Singer's excellent photos and descriptions have lead me to buy three swords from him and not been at all disappointed. BaZZa.

I have read (somewhwere!) that General MacArthur ordered all swords confiscated as they were symbols of Japan's Militarism that had to be crushed... BaZZa.

I've saved lots of them. Keep meaning to alert the Members by way of links. Some are a bit esoteric, some sway toward my own interests in history, culture and technology. Too many other things derail my best intentions... Barry "Gunnadoo" Thomas aka BaZZa.

The post by "Snowflake" is a calumny on any and all collectors. That his presence on the Board began so well and degraded beyond the bounds of proper discourse so dramatically is distressing in the extreme. To imagine that Paul's most interesting story should be maligned in this way is unbelievable, inexcusable and unacceptable. That not all swords perceived as "good" were signed by their makers is a well-known, if perhaps apocryphal, accepted part of sword history - the "schema". Are all mumei swords clearly made as utsushi to be consigned to the dustbin of history?? I think not. Paul's sword, in fact, in one aspect bears a distinct trait of Ko Mihara swordsmiths. I should know, I have two of them. The greatest refutation of "Snowflake's" diatribe is that it is the ordinary but keen and studious collector who, in their persistent winnowing of swords "in the wild", may stumble over the next missing National Treasure, Juyo Bijutsu Hin, or important Daimyou sword, whether mumei or signed by the swordsmith. I am aware of numerous examples in the West where this has occurred. I doubt any Japanese sensei would be demure over the social status and methodology of the collector concerned. It is fit and proper that "Snowflake" be consigned to the strictures of a moderated member. Barry Thomas.

Good find Bruce, very "enjoyable"... The White Russians were a hard-done by lot. Mmmmmm... Turbulent and terrible times. BaZZa.

So, I'm confused. Do we know the selling price??? BaZZa.

Definitely not a loquat - I eat 'em from my daughter's tree! Might I suggest a botryoidal fruit such as a mulberry?? BaZZa.

We are blessed with expertise. BaZZa.

Robert et al, With all the cracking it has to me the look of a leather bowl lacquered to resemble plates?? I once had such a kabuto. BaZZa.

IMAGES ROTATED. BaZZa.

Oh, Bob, never say sorry to revive a thread, especially if it shows what a neglected blade has become with the right eye to "see" it and the willingness to chance a polish. Congratulations on reviving an honest, old blade and give it new life. I expect the next time you revive this thread will be with the Shinsa result. Signed and dated Koto, what's not to like? BaZZa.

Good evening Chris, Thank you very much for putting up pictures of your sword. WOW!! A mouth-watering item and its made for some late night juices to flow before I shut down and retire to my dreams... BaZZa. EDIT: PS - nice photos too.

Forgive me for being so rude as not to acknowledge and give thanks to Robert Surfson for his pointer to the Yasutsugu kogatana in a book, and thanks to Adam H for his suggestion that the mei on my kogatana could be the Ninth Generation Yasutsugu YAS982. I also apologise for being slack in my reply. There are many straws on an Auld Bloke's back... BaZZa.

So, can we say this might be one that is a genuine signature??? Can any hamon be seen on the other side Manuel?? BaZZa.

Chris - do you have the blade?? Oh, and photos of the koshirae, please?? BaZZa.

HAHAHA Jeremiah, GOOD of course. It translates as intense envy heavily laden with good wishes and admiration for having such a good eye. Yes, Ken's right, I wanted it - BUT - having just taken 1 1/2 years to pay off an indulgent purchase of a bajou zutsu I wasn't about to dive into the crocodile infested waters of another loan!!! The expression {(clenched teeth) Congratulations!!!} comes from my own circle as an expression of admiration for someone's most recent good find that one wishes to have found oneself... BaZZa.

Is cinema a traditional Japanese Art??? I can't answer the question, but I put this news here for the aficionados of cinema. From The Criterion Collection newsletter just in today newsletter@news.criterion.com 26/6/20 04:02 > Our popular Q&A series with director Jim Jarmusch is back! > > We are currently working on the special edition of Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, which will feature > a new 4K restoration, and we’re wondering if you have any questions you would like answered about the film. BaZZa.