Hokke

I dunno D, that’s a fine line, but you may be right. The judge may have seen indications of detail in the blade that were not pronounced in its current polish. His recommendation to have it repolished to bring out those details for certain would certainly make it more easily judged for tokuju. On the other hand, humans are humans and he may have just been trying to steer money toward a friend of his. As for preserving nihonto for the long term, yes, it’s a goal, but since these swords will never see use, if a new polish will better exemplify the work of a smith, it would presumably be the last time it was polished.

Sometimes simple is just as elegant........solid silver with a single groove

Is there anything with contrast editing that was done the picture? To me, it’s similar to Hankei in the O mokume, but that activity in the hamon seems quite different. There are places where the hamon would extend father into the ji, but wasn’t for sake of uniformity.

I seem to remember the same being mentioned in a documentary on Musashi. I believe it was mentioned he was also buried in the standing position. Who knows, legends and stories are vast with this one. As for his bokuto, there is one in a museum, but I believe it is labeled as a replica. Anyone with an oar length piece of wood could have claimed it was “the one”. Even if one does exist, can’t see anyway to definitively prove it.

I, like Adam would love to see that if you find the opportunity.

I agree, dont see how it could be anything else

Yes, thats very strange. I dont think it's upside down though. Something else going on in that pic. I dont see any way to have gotten the habaki that high up on the nakago if it were upside down.Whatever the reason, its strange it actually went to print like that.

You and I both......ah well, one day I'll get something right, then I'll know it's time to hang it up and retire on an upnote

Definitely not hira zukuri….looks more like kanmuriotoshi-zukuri?

Thank you Piers, no need to make a special inquiry on my behalf, I was just thinking out loud. Does the potter you mentioned have a site of a place where he sells his works, I would be interested to see them.

Hey D, yes I understood the post by Piers, I just always find it curious how things are described versus reality. Im not questioning anything Piers stated since it wasn't first hand knowledge to him, it's just a general curiosity on my end.

That is interesting......im curious as to the meaning of "several blades" and "discarding" in this instance. For some reason, something in my gut says these blades were not destroyed, unless the reason for them being discarded were structural flaws, which seems unlikely.

Hey Bruce, just for clarity, it wasn't Derek who labeled this as WWII, it was the OP. I understand your point though, that said, I agree with derek that it's important for folks to post in the appropriate forum based on their information and if it needs to be moved, it will certainly be moved.

Perhaps, unfortunately, it's a rather enigmatic message, that has many plausible meanings. That said, if that was the intended meaning, I would be very happy, I think pride in ones work is fine.