Brett

I recieved an email from Pawel Nowak today, Thursday, 23 July 2009. His email read: He is using an email address which I am unsure if I should post here. I am keeping the email but not responding. Thanks, -Brett

Hello, I was wondering if you would be kind enough to offer translations of the Mei and the Kanji on the side. Arigato! Thanks, -Brett

Haha. Oh man. That's really scary. Concerning that it can happen any time. Thanks, -Brett

Hey, If I manage to take some decent photos I will edit them into this post. Measurements: Sori - Unsure Kasane - 3-4mm Nagasa - 19"/48.3cm Nakago - 13.3cm I have heard both Bizen and Bungo (Takada) schools. I quote Roger Robertshaw: So I have heard Bizen from Mr. Robertshaw and James, the seller, and Bungo from you guys. From my individual research I have gleaned that if it is Bizen it will most likely be Osafune. I put together a list of things that my blade has in common with both traditions: Similarities: Bungo Takada: Sori is shallow Chu-Kissaki Tapering toward Kissaki Nakago narrow and Yoko Yasurime Midare Bizen: Torii-Sori (Osafune) Medium Kasane Midare Thoughts? EDIT: Took some photographs under better conditions, I think most of them are decent: Nakago: Machi: Kissaki: Hamon: Kirikomi: Thanks, -Brett

Brian, sorry, I wasn't asking really asking for information about the quality of the sword but more about the specifics of the blade. I will take better photos. James, I wasn't sure if you would like my linking that, but cheers!! Stephen, wow, I'm relieved! I thought you meant that about the sword. I took these photos relatively quickly. Tonight I will take some new ones, as I have found a guide on taking photos of Nihonto... I'm very happy to have some information to study, even if it is uncertain, so thanks already. Thanks, -Brett

Hey!! Today is a great day for me. I recently purchased my first Nihonto from James here at NMB for $900 AUD. I'm very satisfied, I would like any information you can offer. Mainly seeking time period, school, era, location etc. etc. Here are my pictures: EDIT - PHOTOS DELETED UNTIL I TAKE NEW ONES. THESE ARE THE SELLER'S PHOTOS: http://s209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... meiWaki12/ Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for viewing! Thanks, -Brett

Correction: "Lots of members sell and buy on ebay, learn swords, then sellers, its not such a bad thing [if you know what you are doing]" ... Thanks, -Brett

Oh. Oh oh-oh. Much thanks to you sir, you are a king among men! Err, translators! Thanks, -Brett

Ha, sorry, I'm just wondering what it says as I'm thinking about buying and really don't have time to translate fully. If you could PM it to me or something, and keep this as a learning thread or something... Thanks, -Brett

Just need some help translating this possible purchase. I realise the last three Kanji are 'Kanenaga Saku'... Thanks, -Brett

Hey, I was the youngest at the Sydney NTHK Taikai. It was excellent as I have said elsewhere. I am currently fourteen years of age, fifteen in October. Since I was around ten I had a dread fascination with swords and bladed weapons. I bought a couple of display swords, then some production weapons for martial arts use, and now I am moving on to Nihonto NMB and the NTHK have really been the greatest encouragement I can get. Thanks to everyone here. Thanks, -Brett

Question: Are they 'mould' lines on the edges of the Tsuba, or am I seeing things? Or are they common in Gunto? And, the Kissaki looks really iffy to me. The Shinogi seems to ride up really far, and unless this has been ground in I am sus about this. It's a pretty poorly done fake, nonetheless. Thanks, -Brett

Cheers mate, I probably wouldn't have bought one anyway, just seeing your opinions. I really need a thing where I can see swords without information, make statements that I can gather and have them corrected by someone that does know. Nowhere like that? And, what does 'FWIW' mean? I tend to avoid those kind of things, so I'm a little rusty... Thanks, -Brett

Hey, Fujisanblack is offering a sword that has piqued my interest, and one that I am wodering if it is Gimei or not. http://cgi.ebay.com/KOTO-WAKIZASHI-orig ... dZViewItem This one I really like. Is it worth it, and what prices do you expect? http://cgi.ebay.com/Signed-SUE-KOTO-WAK ... dZViewItem And what are the thoughts on this? Gimei, or no? Thanks, -Brett

Looks like a real Gendaito, in very good condition. Mei: Tsukamoto Masazumi saku (塚本正澄作). As far as I know, he is a WWII smith... Thanks, -Brett

Didn't even consider that. I get where you are coming from. Sorry about that... Thanks, -Brett

Grey, Hmm. From what we know: A) The notches have appeared on Gunto before B) The notches have appeared on Koto and Shinto swords before So, I can gather two possible conclusions from that. A) The notches were used as the inventory system in both Koto/Shinto and the later periods. B) The notches on the Gunto were added to older swords refitted for the war. Which do you find more likely? Thanks, -Brett

Trygve, Grey Doffin said they saw a Gunto with these notches. Do you think that this means it is a re-mounted Koto or Shinto blade, or just that they continued the use of notches into these periods? :? Thanks, -Brett

Yes. That is the shame about a lot of our hobby (perhaps obsession is a better word?) - there are some questions we can't answer. I expect this is one of them. Perhaps with further study we will find out, but for now, we can only guess... Thanks, -Brett

I find this really interesting, especially that the notches vary in size. In my most limited experience with Nihonto, I have never seen these before. They look purposeful for me, which nearly completely rules out combat damage - along with the fact that the notches are on the tang. The attacker would have had to have placed four exact cuts THROUGH the tsuka. I don't think so. The note about the Koshirae is very possible. I am still deadly curious, but I don't have any good guesses as to why they are here. I guess the note about the striations is possibly, but I don't see why they would cut into the nakago itself. I will do some further research on the matter. Thanks, -Brett

Hey! That's me in the Billabong shirt, front row. Haha, I joke. The day was excellent - the first real experience I have had with Nihonto and one of the best days of my reasonably short life. Everyone was very friendly and all the talks very interesting, with Roger's very entertaining slideshow I was very happy to meet lots of people and got some excellent advice. Thanks to Adrian, all the presenters and dealers, and everyone who helped to make the day as good as it was Thanks, -Brett

NMB, I am Brett from New South Wales, Australia. Last weekend I attended the NTHK Shinsa/Taikai that was in Sydney (After a tedious cardrive...) and it was easily one of the best days in my somewhat short (fourteen year) life. They nearly didn't let me in, but after the event organiser came downstairs to see me he gave me permission to enter. It was an excellent day, lots of beautiful Nihonto. I got Roger Robertshaw's signature and some very useful advice from the all guys there, and they all seemed quite happy to have a younger person interested. So I recently found NMB and I am signing up straight away to learn as much as I possibly can. If you will have me, I look forward to being a regular contributor to these forums. Thanks, -Brett