Mark

my thought is ===== lower ranked smiths sometimes had a great day and made a great sword, and sometimes a high ranked smith made something that with a few polishes showed some issues. Personally i prefer a well made sword by a lower ranked smith, some of my favorites are Chu-Saku or ChuJo- Saku, but from a marketing standpoint the higher ranked smiths will always bring higher prices. Fujishiro-sensei had the opportunity to see many swords by a maker so he is ranking the whole of a smiths work, not an individual sword. Also being Japanese there are other factors that go into a ranking, like how the smith was thought of in the past, how famous he was or how well known, also some smiths benefited from sponsorship of powerful people and that helps. Sort of like the NBTHK today, you can have a masterpiece but if the maker has never had a sword pass Juyo that sword won't, at least it won't if i own it, if you are an important person you might have a chance of setting a precedent but not me. John, did you see the display in Chicago? The tachi with the horimono is one of my favorites and about perfect in every way but it won't pass Juyo (it is YuShu-saku) Darcy puts it better than i can, check https://yuhindo.com/ratings.html

i will have a few tables. Grey is not coming but if there is anything he has you would like to see let me know and i will try and arrange to bring it (just ask early as i may see him in a few weeks but no just before the show)

if you search the NMB for the author Mr Hoshino you will find plenty of information. You can form your own opinion https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/search/?q=Hoshino&quick=1

i will be there

unsigned. attributed to fujishima. length 2.4.5 the rest is standard and i am sure you can work out the date

sounds like a good idea. I tried looking for more information but not sure i understand exactly what it is. It says 141 pages and first in a series. How many volumes are there in the series? Will there be one complete book when the series is done? what letters does this first volume cover? I would order but nice to know before hand.

sure.........$50

when i started, maybe mid late 80's i was at a big gun show. guy i know had a dead mint Mantetsu with General's tassel (bring back) and a signed Shinto katana. $1000 each. I bought the Shinto Katana as i was interested in antique blades and Gunto's were not expensive (the mantetsu and tassel retail value was 1k). It is long gone but the Shinto katana is probably worth 1500 now but the Mantetsu maybe 3500-4500

i stick with my original opinion. the type 98 may have an older blade it in

bottom, or right one looks real, top or left is a fake.

sorry, silly me missed it.

Grey has a nice one, saw it this past weekend https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/s125-mumei-tachi-tokubetsu-hozon-tegai-kanekiyo

Was kanemoto not ksnesada, but I know why you said Kanasada, actually looked more like a kanesada, not typical kanemoto. Not a big deal but wanted to mention it

the show is similar to any trade show, like a Militaria show, antique show, or even a gun show. There are tables with dealers, or collectors with too much, and people come into the show. If they are looking to buy they walk around and look at items that interest them. If they find something they want they can "discuss" it with the owner, they can ask for a discount, make an offer, negotiate, whatever works. There are people who have a sword or two that come in either to learn about them or sell them, so they walk around with them and interested buyers ask if they are for sale and "discuss" the price and see if they can work something out, the owner can decide to sell or keep it. Not unlike any other type of show. It is always considerate to ask first before picking something up, and if it is your first time you can ask for help handling it item. There an educational lecture/presentation on Saturday morning about proper care and handling of swords for new people. People vary so some dealers are easy to deal with and friendly and some are a bit short so you usually end up dealing with someone you are comfortable with. At least at the show you see and touch what you are buying instead of relying on pictures and descriptions.

thanks Ray.... i will look into that next week, busy with show preparations.

The Chicago Sword show is starting soon. Looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends and meeting new ones. A few saftey reminders: The hotel requires masks be worn in all common areas. I will have masks available for any that need them, I will have FDA class 3 surgical masks, N95, cloth and others. There will be hand sanitizing stations. The show is in the large ballroom and tables will be spread out (social distanced) and the air circulation fans will run during the show. Please remember when in the show and in line to maintain a safe social distance. We want the show to be enjoyable but also safe for all. Lets get ready for a great show. I hear that a number of exhibitors are bringing some very special items. A great chance to study and learn, but also add something special to you collection. See you all soon. www.chicagoswordshow.com

Everything looking good for the show. Hope to see you there. Table are social distanced, we will wear masks, hand sanitizer stations will be available. Looking forward to having the first show in over a year.

you ask us to see your profile. It says: an amateur sword polisher (4 yrs) after 40 years metal fabrication and vehicle refinishing experience. member of token society. Iaido instructor Brian is a nice guy but please pay attention to his message.

have not seen in hand but if mounts are decent i would expect to get $1200-1500 for it. Someone might buy it who collects gunto and doesn't care about mei or it could be used in martial arts because of the length. It will not bring the money a genuine signed blade would but still has value

Natalya sent me this link for those who wish to help https://gofund.me/7a1b011c

usually i have about 90 tables, some dealers have more that one table, this year is a bit unusual, we will be in the big ballroom so room for more tables but with covid some regulars can't attend but some new people are coming. hard to know how many tables this year, maybe 80 or so. The 3 days are different so hard to know about when to come or if all days, Monday everyone is searching for bargains and undiscovered treasures, Saturday there is usually a display/lecture etc. and sunday everyone looks for last day discounts and try to buy cheaply. so you can do one day but for some there is something different every Usually friday noon-6 and saturday 10-6 are busiest

mumei (unsigned) attributed to Nio

there are many schools included in "Ichimonji school". A fukuoka Ichimonji hamon might have wild O-chogi, but other Ichimonji groups did not. so maybe there is something lost in the translation/description. An Ichimonji blade can have a temper like Jacques showed in the shin-shinto taikan but if someone is just thinking Fukuoka then that temper is not typical as they are usually more wild. Then there is always Ko-Ichimonji. So my opinion is Naotane made swords with Ichimonji type temper, but not in the style of the wildest of the Fukuoke type. Also the terms O-chogi, chogi-midare, can at times be a matter of someones opinion and how they use the terms.

As of today April 1, 2021 the show is on. It is moved into the large ballroom to allow social distancing. Things could change but at current restrictions it complies. If you are coming make a hotel reservation asap..... No pressure from me just an update. https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-JASW?src=envision_email_grpreserv_ENG_20201030_GroupBooking_TC000000170A000007762ENG_G-_28798 mark jones