rematron

There we go!

A little like a smiley face! But three eyes, a big nose, and a big wart. Lol

Pine tree was one of my original thoughts. The orientation is a little odd but yeah, if I hold my tsuba sideways it looks like it could be a pine tree top and it’s reflection below it.

I see a connection here

The material from the handbook is included in the encyclopedia!

This is great! Thank you so much for these buying tips! The kitsune menuki were my first purchase off jauce and it’s great to get more info on other options. I had no idea about the eBay markup. That’s crazy.

Brian I think you’re right. Ow that I’ve slept on it. The tail of the ‘baby’ threw me but that’s the only thing that made it rat like. Everything else just looks scaled down. Little otter family. Now I want it even more. Lol

I just thought that was good advice so I copied @PNSSHOGUN’s post and stated ‘THIS’

“May not ship internationally’” ‘blocked auction’. But there is the option to unblock the option and then they review the request? Have you ever done that? Hmmm. They’re good quality and rare subject. You gonna bid on them @Spartancrest?

River otters' diets consist largely of crayfishes, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates; fishes; and frogs. Despite concern that otters compete with game fishers, the fishes that otters consume are mainly non-game species. Otters may also occasionally prey on birds, rabbits, and rodents.

Wow! I love those! Did they just come up? I was searching menuki on jauce just few hours ago. Lol. Definitely look like otters but yeah, I didn’t know otters would eat a rat… google here I come!

THIS

Thanks! I had a little case of not being able to see the forest through the trees there...

Wow. Very interesting. Commissioned by a samurai who really like asymmetry...?

There are so many better swords to be had on this forum alone for that price range...

Also, I'm getting confused between the term 'Zatoichi' and 'shikomi-zue' or 'shikomizue'. Zatoichi is just the name of that character if I'm not mistaken and the true name for the type of blade presentation or format is 'shikomizue'? Or is the name of the character derived from the type of sword?

I guess what I'm specifically asking is if it was intended to have a forward curve.

Wow, that sold for a lot! Very nice one. A more refined version of the one you have above. And there’s that nada with the temper line again. I like that interpretation. And an added shadow and definition between the bird’s body and wing.

I bought myself my very first Nihonto from Eric Molinier. It’s exactly what I wanted and I’ll let you read the details as they were posted. Didn’t break the bank and something I can play with and get my head out of buying and into learning for if and when I purchase something that I can’t play with for fear of scratching it. I might get a window polish sometime in the future but if I ever have it fully polished, I’ll obviously never be able or even want to put it in this koshirae again. In the meantime, I upgraded it with the tsuba I bought in Kyoto back in 2008.

Pretty sure Hamfish was speculating that some owner before the person you bought it from had done this and was speaking hypothetically not accusingly. I think ‘knock up’ in this context means something that was done after the fact.

@jesseDo you know anything about the forging of this blade? I mean, of course it was a long time ago, but I'm curious if you've heard any opinions, expert or otherwise, about the blade shape. I'm wondering if it was formed with a deeper curve and the intent was for it to straighten out at quenching and it didn't or if this was truly the intentional shape. The latter is probably more likely. It's just such a unique design.

'The Adventures of Samurai Cat' by Mark E. Rogers was one of my favorite series growing up. Hilarious with beautifully done humorous artwork. Great if you have kids into adventure or even adults will like it. I highly recommend those books. Samurai Cat - Wikipedia That armor looks awesome. I might have to get a NG subscription just so I can read the article!

Oh, I believe you! Just having a little fun. Cheers! Indeed!

I love the coloring/patina on this one. And it's nice to see that this eagle's beak is unscathed.

@Tanto54Thank you for these explanations! I had no idea about the use of word play and imagery on tosogu. This is a fascinating aspect that adds a whole new layer for me to explore.