Chishiki

A Koto Mino Senchuin Katana. The Koshirae is great with a snake skin saya, very rare and unusual.

This is an Osaka Shinshinto Katana by Terutsugu. Full mei is MINAMOTO HIDE(also read TERU)TSUGU SESSHU OMIYA HACHIMAN SANROKU-ni OITE KORE-o TSUKURU. It says Minamoto Hidetsugu or Terutsugu? made it at the foot of Mt Hachiman at Omiya in Sesshu (Osaka). The NBTHK looked into the catalogues of signatures they have,and his name was not listed,but it is now(so there is no reference material in the NBTHK available for this sword smith). Interesting to see such a long nakago on an ubu sword. Any ideas as to why? (ps. I know, this is a question for newer collectors). Question 2. Any idea of the significance of Mt. Hachiman? Where it is and was it a known sword production location? This we don't really know.

Hamilton Art Gallery

Hi, not a stupid question at all. The swords are basically displayed as they would have been worn. The Mihara School blade has "tachi" stipulated on the NBTHK paper and dates to about circa1400. Many blades from this period were shortened to be worn differently, ie Katana. Had that particular sword been shortened the paper would have said "katana". The blade displayed with the cloisonne mounts is a katana but displayed as tachi as it goes with the tachi mounts, and would have been worn edge down. This is a basic explanation as I understand it. Maybe someone else can be more specific. Regards Mark

The Hamilton Art Gallery.2006.

Jean, this is Akasaka Senjuin Katana again. It is the best pic of the hamon I could get at present. I should have added earlier that you are correct in that you see some togari ba in the hamon. Circa 1450, Hozon Token.

Koto Kanabo Masatsugu Katana. Tokubetsu hozon. It is thought that this sword is his earliest known work.

Benalla art gallery display.

Hi, photo of part of a country display we did in 2006. I note a thread on the NMB that talks about where are the new collectors? ie the Chicago Show. We hope that doing displays like this will make people aware of swords as art, and maybe encourage people to collect. I am trying to keep this thread alive on NMB because it shows swords at their best and new collectors can see what can be achieved. As previously stated,nearly all swords displayed have been found here and restored. Presenting them as Art is what we are about.

Here is some info on the stamp (Kokuin) on the nakago of the Naotane. He is well known for using these stamps which denote places he visited and made swords. The one pictured is dated Nov 1845 stamped Koromo in katakana to show that this was a foreign place,this is Mikawa Meiyo (KOROMO) in Nagoya.' Any further input on this place or it's significance would be appreciated. Regards Mark

Hi all, I believe the Fuji kanji in the Taikei mei is actually an amalgamation of Fuji and Wara into one character,it is seen on works from Tempo 15 to Ansei 4 (1844-1857). Regards Mark

The Juyo Token Kuniyasa was found in 'gunto' mounts, although the saya is from the edo period. Almost all the swords you see in this display have been found here in Australia, and sent to Japan for restoration. This is what we aim to achieve, to find 'art' swords here and have them restored to the highest level. To have them beautifully displayed is the pinnacle for me personally and the fact that a Juyo Token was found(not by me) in the rough should be encouragement for everyone.

The Kuniyasu is Juyo token, this sword caused a lot of excitement in Japan and as a result was published in the NBTHK Journal. This sword was being used by the returned serviceman to cut the grass and bush on his land. Yes........true story. A great find (not by me) and an amazing sword to study. The Nakago is perfect. Here are the details. The 44th Juyo shinsa Heisei 10th year (1998) Published NBTHK monthly magazine Heisei 11th year (1999 6th month) no 509 pages 17-18.

Hi Jean, sorry for the late reply. I have been trying to find a pic for you. Interestingly this sword has a Bizen influenced hamon with much sunagashi. Akasaka Senjuin school circa 1450, hozon token. This sword so nice to study in detail. Sorry the photo is pathetic, I will ask the owner if he has some. Kind Regards Mark

Here is a Horikawa Kuniyasu Katana (top) and a koto senjuin katana bottom. The Kuniyasu is a wonderful sword with a text book nakago. The senjuin katana has a fantastic hamon.

I thought UK Ebay banned the sale of swords???? Is it that he posted it on the Us site? Mark

Tanto by Naohide, grandson of Taikei Naotane. Higo style mounts.

tanto

more to come if any interest.

Please ask questions if you have any. Mark

Hi. The talk by Colin was well attended and received. The day prior the display was changed and the following pictures are as it stands now. Sorry for the poor quality pics, the display looks fabulous. Regards Mark.

Hi, Just want to give my thanks to the organizers and presenters. The event was fantastic for sword collectors in this country. The venue location was great with lots of restaurants and cafes. I was impressed with the people involved with the event, from the guys taking and tagging swords from the hopeful to the shinsa team. Everyone was happy and friendly, in particular Gordon Robson and Richard Turner who were quick to smile and laugh even though under pressure to get the job done. Congratulations to everyone. The talks from the presenters were great and thanks to Roger for bringing all those swords for us to view. Logistically it was a huge effort. His talk was entertaining and informative. The event and people, organizers and attendees made this a friendly, happy and informative weekend. A good time had by all. Mark

Hi everyone. Just a last posting to advise people of the sword lecture and display. Regards Mark

thanks everyone for your help. Mark

Hi, thanks everyone. Could this be an inference to one of the swordsmith Yoshimichi? Sunagawa were in Edo but Yoshimichi Osaka? Any ideas? Mark