Mark

here is a picture of some of Grey and my tables before the show opened and then a picture of the last of our tables with Grey siting behind it

here are some general shots

I would like to thank Fred G and also Chuck G (Chuck was representing the NY Token Kai) for they generous offer to display a GREAT group of Goto fittings. I had a last minute table cancellation (due to family emergency) and when Fred heard he got with Chuck and put out a display that was fantastic. They even allowed some careful hands on examination (with permission). It was a treat! I did not take specific pictures of items but in my general show pictures i have 3 so am posting them here. They should give an overview of what was included (note the cards showing the generations)

i have some pictures, i will get them organized in a day or so when i get home. There were great things to see. Fred G and Chuck G put out a fantastic display of TOP end Goto fittings, i am thinking maybe all generations of main line masters , many with orgami that were issued hundreds of years ago. I am not a fittings collector but they were impressive. i heard some collectors comment that it was a rare opportunity to see such a display and even in Japan it would be hard to see anything like it on display. With permission the owners they even allowed a hands on examination. Thanks to the generous owners. Mr Nick N had a display of 4 VERY special tsuba, a Nobiye that is one of the top examples, a great kinko tsuba with provenance back Nobunaga if i remember correctly, also a very early Ko-Tosho. Again thanks to a generous owner to share such examples freely. The display/presentations very excellent this year. about 30-40 great tsuba, there was an informative lecture and then hands on examination was allowed. The other presentation about Owari swords had a visual presentation and lecture followed by a display of several great Owari blades, three of them Juyo examples of the school masters. Where can you spend an afternoon seeing and handling such an array or such treasures. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and items with the show attendees. On the sales end it seemed to me that there was a lot of action and things moving. One dealer told me he set up and just about was sold out in an hour., he is an older collector who is downsizing and was willing to put some great prices on items and it was clear he managed that as they were all snapped up. Another dealer was walking out with a couple of gun cases and i was going to say good bye but he said he was taking empties out to his car, he had sold quite bit so did not need the cases when he was going to pack up later. It seemed there were a lot of happy buyers at the end of the show having found some good deals. Maybe some other attendees will comment and i will organize some pictures in a day or so

looks a bit like 4 4

yoshichika 1944 so late war. machine made. painted number is to keep parts together when assembled in a factory looks like 246, check the other parts they may be stamped with the same number. real sword, take care of it

i remember some years ago (you can guess how long), i passed up a mint mantetsu with a generals tassel that was priced $1000. Instead i bought a shinto katana from the same seller for a bit more that that.......... strange how things work out, that Shinto katana is probably not worth much more than i paid and the Mantetsu/tassel is probably worth 6-8000 maybe more....

nearest i remember would be Long Island, New jersey, Philly

where did you post the pictures? I don't see them here?

i was able to get the Hyatt to extend the room reservations a few days. You should be able to book until April 7th, there are only a few King rooms left, if you want one book now. https://aws.passkey.com/event/15141567/owner/4631/home Getting close, see you there!! Thanks

late nanbokucho SoShu maybe Masahiro

today is the last day the hotel has to honor the show rate. Sometimes they take a day or so to take the rate off their system. Last i looked there were 2 rooms left, both KING bed rooms. If you need one try to grab it now.

Joe good eye. i had thought either Nori or aki for the second kanji but it was hard to be sure, so i went with my first thought

looks like Kanenori. hard to be positive but most likely it is "showato" meaning not made in the traditional way, it may be oil tempered or made with western or processed steel. you can, and should, replace the "tang pin", you can get guard parts if you can find ones that make a good fit

Dan welcome any chance you can post a picture? Hard to translate without one

looks like september 1943 Yasumitsu

The preparations are coming along nicely. The Hotel room block is almost full so if you need a room grab one soon. I had a cancellation so if you want a table let me know, first come etc. Should be a good show, at least one dealer from Japan will be there buying as well as a number of international exhibitors and buyers. Educational presentations and displays on Saturday. Any questions or suggestions let me know at nixe@bright.net Thanks!

John great! Good to look up some info as i think it helps you learn.

maker (last 2 kanji) Nobuhide. Try some research (tip shinshinto) and see if you can find anything. i think the mei is suspect,

i get Hirata Hidemitsu, hard to say without seeingthe blade but Showa maybe Showato

I am in Toledo, i know collectors in the Columbus, Cincinnati and SE ohio. Maybe we could arrange something between all who would be interested

some people might just like the look of a 2 pc habaki and have that made, otherwise it may be made to help with the proper fit. When a blade has been polished a few times the nakago might be thicker than the blade and a one pc habaki may not get over the nakago and still fit tightly so they use the 2 pc

here are a couple. It is maybe .75 bore, weighs about 15 lbs.

Since i noticed the recent thread about a matchlock i thought i would add this. I can read Kunitomo _____ Yasuyuki saku, so it is a Kunitomo group gun. I can add a few pictures if the group is interested

on the show web page there is a "transportation" page http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/transportation/ at least 2 of the companies look like they have service to/from Midway, you can call them or click on their links hope that helps. The Hyatt recommends " GO Airport Express, it looks like the round trip to Midway is $69 but i would verify and get a reservation