Pete Klein

Incredibly interesting and informative Darcy (and Arnold). Even though I do not 'follow' swords but fittings your explanation made sense and explained some things I had casually wondered about in the 'why is this better - more prestigious - more whatever' realm. If you wouldn't mind a novice's question which I believe bridges into your explanation, are there records from those early times of how swords were appreciated by the powers that be? Polishing has changed over the centuries and I wonder if back in shall we say the Kamakura jidai daimyo would look at the sword as it is looked at today? Were hataraki appreciated in the same way or has this been an evolution enhanced by advances in polishing? The important people had the ability to fund the best swords but what were their criteria?

Thanks Jon -- will do. Driving up that Friday morning. Pete

Jon -- I sent a table request through the web page about three weeks ago and have yet to receive a response. Any suggestions? Pete

Well Paul -- you might just have twisted my arm to the point of submission!

They were mass produced out of thin, cheap mettle, probably by repousse' technique along with thousands of other items to be sold to foreign markets to bring currency into Japan to support it's transformation into a 'modern' state. This is why you run across so many of these items in foreign collections of the day. If the piece looks like you could dent it with a bit of finger pressure, it's most likely one of these.

Yup -- and I'd pay admission to be there for the shoot! One day I would like to find someone who has the whole set of Juyo and TB Juyo catalogs who also has a penchant for sake...! I'm buying !!!LOL

DB -- The one you missed: 一 、 松 上木 莵 図 鐔 無 銘甚 五 Basically a pine tree motif tsuba by (mumei) Jingo. I find this to be quite interesting as it does not mention the generation and the shodai is referred to as Jinbei with the nidai on referred to as Jingo therefore, this is apparently by a later generation so it must be really something to see.

Ryan -- that is an awesome blade. It reminds me of a barracuda with a bite to match!!!

Mais oui Jean, and therefore, I will take -- ONE BILLION COPIES! AH-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

QUICK! Somebody give me an old, crappy sword to post on Ebay! ROFLMAO!!!

What I have seen happen more than once was for a blade to 'walk in' to a sword show and be purchased , usually by a dealer, which is a high level piece. The reality is that you have to have a great knowledge of swords to recognize the piece for what it really is as they are usually out of polish and the confidence to purchase on-sight without papers or corroboration. One such item, a uchizori tanto was picked up several years ago and eventually went Juyo token. It was a 'big' name. Therefore, to answer your question, yes, it can happen but you really have to know what you are doing.

I will join in and will wish printed copy.

http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b734-uchigatana-koshirae-translation-tokyo-national-museum This as the go to book on early koshirae.

Oui, Jean -- a mere 'bag of shells'... (this is a play on words from an old 'Honeymooners' USA TV show from the 1950's where Jackie Gleason mixed this up with 'Bagatelle'. Stephen will remember it well)! LOL Just in case -- at 9:36: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF6ITeJ7EM0

First, thanks so much to Mark for another great time. He and his family really do everything they can to make certain everyone is taken care of. These shows are no easy task and require an incredible amount of effort so we all should be thankful for those who take up the task to make them possible. I had a very good time seeing friends and some absolutely wonderful fittings and swords. I got to see the Natsuo menuki which will soon be on Darcy's site ( http://www.nihonto.ca/)along with the Joshin futatokoromono he posted here, a killer Juyo Ko Hoki (as in Heian Jidai!) and a Norishige to die for. Unfortunately I missed seeing the nidai Hikozo tsuba Mike Yamasaki had with but I couldn't get away form the table Saturday afternoon. He also had a sublime Joshin gold kozuka with. The highlight for me was seeing in hand a wonderful Nobuie tsuba in prime condition which was purchased by a good friend. Classic, sublime craftsmanship. You know, I don't know what I was thinking and just totally forgot to bring 200K with me this trip but -- it won't happen again...ROFLMAO!!!

I would add earliest Hoan. This is right on the cusp of Edo but it is a bit of a distillation of wabi aesthetic.

My opinion: 1) Post good pictures here of the kozuka and close up of the mei to get some opinions. (A number of us will be in Chicago this weekend so be patient). 2) If it looks worth the investment then submit for both NBTHK Hozon & TB Hozon shinza. Next one is June then October (you don't have a lot of time to get it there for the June shinsa). Why: It is my experience that dealers only want to see NBTHK papers ergo obtain what they want to see. Ichijo was one of the 'TOP' artists of the late Edo period (as in top three/four) so the price difference will go from several hundred without paper to many thousand of dollars with paper (depending upon condition). I always go for TBH paper on big name as the price difference at sale is worth it. You have to have Hozon to get TBH but they offer a rate if you submit for both. If you get Hozon but not TBH there is a submission fee for the TBH shinsa (I think it's around $70) so be aware of that charge. You will also need an agent to submit to the shinsa as you cannot just send it to them, just as with swords.

Ford, I agree with your assessment fully. Here is who I am almost certain is the same buyer (see above April 5th post) from this morning's (April 20) auctions, winning all as usual: http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l347228495 http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h224563810 http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l347126793 http://page23.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o141020592 http://page6.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f176273554 http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w138616902 The Yasuchika was a steal.

An update: the F/K has just passed TB Hozon.

But - you still have to mail to him and pay return post from him unless you live close to him. It's always an expense which is why it is important to do your own study first to determine if it all is worth it.

This is from Robert Benson's site: http://www.bushidojapaneseswords.com/nbthk-shinsa-submission.html

Scan from Shinsen Kinko Meikan:

Marius -- one little point, please. The holes were drilled and counter sunk, therefore, the tsuba was not nailed, it was screwed... !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3lQSxNdr3c PS: when I look at swords, I sometimes say, "WOW - those hataraki look just like tadpoles. I like tadpoles"... !

This got me to thinking - it would seem that this placement of the mekugi would put it under the index finger when the sword was being drawn/held which would facilitate the mekugi being prevented from slippage, perhaps even tightening if loose. Any basis in reality?