Adrian S

I'm in Adrian Schlemmer

the TH Reisen Sadamori on Darcy's site is mine. Ask Darcy if it is ok to use the photos, i'm cool with that. cheers,

G'day Hamish, Our group has always been small, more of a get together really. I've had some nice private responses. Thanks for the interest. cheers,

Hello folks, I now have access to a new facility for sword study group meetings which is well suited for the purpose and very reasonably priced (free to me!) The room can accommodate about a dozen collectors so I am limited to allowing only confirmed guests. I have room in the next meeting for 4 more serious collectors. Here are the details. SYDNEY TOKEN KAI STUDY MEETING Date: 2nd May 2015 Time: 1p.m. Place: Goldsborough Hotel Meeting Room, 243 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont. NSW 2009 Topic: "Learning Kantei" , 3 swords will be available for Kantei and we will have a step by step open book kantei session. As usual show and tell pieces for sharing. Our room is only suitable for up to 12 people so you will need to contact me to confirm your attendance beforehand. ph: 0416016487 or email info@sydneytokenkai.com cheers,

hello all, this sword is Ryukyumono. Special order made for export, prized by the mainland and the Wako. i have researching this for some time for an article but Markus beat me to it with an excellent article on this subject on his blog http://markussesko.wordpress.com/ i have two similar swords. One shows very early jiba my opinion being it is early to mid Kamakura of course no-one from the mainstream agrees but im glad to see Darcy is on the right track. Uchigata actually go right back to Heian,and yes there is plenty of good proof for that. Ill discus it if im not going to be locked again. cheers,

Hi Guido, Great and concise summary in your revised article! I think you will find it was Meguro Police Station not Meijiro, according to Arita's report. You need to edit it, cheers,

Hi guys, Thank you for your help and thoughts. I have a lot of new material to digest and I'm going to do some more digging on the ground in Japan, you never know what might turn up! I'm not sure about Japanese police operational procedures but you would think that Arita may have kept notebooks? It would be interesting to see what records may exist in Japanese archival storage if it is accessible. In the meantime it may be worth some of our contributors looking into Sgt Corey B Moore or other alternative name combinations in the US Army records. It would be awesome if the NMB members contributions led to the discovery of Honjo! P.S. for the record I don't have Honjo and if I was convinced I did it would be returned immediately to the Tokugawa Art Museum collection, no charge. It would be a privilege to own such a historic piece even only for a short time. cheers,

First I've heard of this one too, but....according to the Wikipedia page D.B. Moore is associated with the sword pick ups. I wonder if anyone has chased this lead. Photos, talking to the surviving relatives etc. (looking in their closets hehehe) After reading the documents it seems that the original evaluation by the Mejiro police, the approval of keeping the swords at the residence by the police, checks out. It also it seems the Provost Marshal of the 10th January issued a memorandum that "only the CG of major units" can issue certificates to retain artistic or historic swords. So as far as that is concerned Arita was following orders and so was the mysterious Sargent. Hhmmm I think the D.B. Moore theory needs some investigation, Google says this guy http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... d=94863753 cheers,

Looks like Arita's story has some collaborating evidence. This is actually getting kind of interesting! This document posses some interesting questions, especially when examining the dates as they relate to the missing Honjo Masamune. Can someone help me with theses acronyms? I am surprised at the statement that reports have come in of National Treasure swords being handed out as souvenirs by the "civil police"! cheers,

Hi guys, Guido maybe being funny but he makes a good point. If the Americans were after it for the Psychological War value then they did a sloppy job of it and why wait 18+ days? I think it all boils down to Arita's report. Who ordered the first evaluation? Who authorised Iemasa to keep them at home after the first evaluation? Who ordered the second evaluation? Why did the second evaluation take 18+ days, although it is possibly understandable. I doubt any of these orders came from the Occupation Forces or the superiors of the Metropolitan Police. Answer is probably Arita, Arita and Arita. BTW Guido, that alien brain extraction comment explains a lot :lol: cheers,

As I said Cadwell would not need to keep it secret, but he seemed to be the most informed of the situation relating to antique swords. This is about access and knowledge of the situation so he can't be ruled out unless it can be proven the swords were never picked up. Personally I don't think it was Cadwell either. cheers,

Hi guys, Well I certainly have a lot more information now to add to my webpage! So a quick synopsis of new information to deal with the new information. I love detective work, we can look at all the possibilities and would like to hear if anyone can think of others. 1) Tokugawa Iemasa was "permitted" to keep the swords at his premises. The inclusion of the term "to be examined once more" indicates that someone in association with the Meguro Police had already examined the swords previously, so I suspect it was the police who offered the permission to keep them on premises. Later in the statement Arita says he told the 7th that the owner had permission to keep the swords on premises and that he intended to return them. Unfortunately we do not know if any sword experts had done the initial evaluation to confirm the authenticity. I'm curious "who had decided that the swords needed a second examination?" Considering Arita's attitude it seems it was not the 7th? Was it Arita himself? Somebody was giving an order to get the swords out from under Iemasa. 2) "then came in our hands an order from the 7th Battalion" , this would imply a written order of some type, before the actual pick up. 3) Arita claims they disputed the authority of the 7th to pick up these particular swords but was "forced" to hand them over under the "pretence" of hoarding weapons. To me that says that Arita claims he had singled out these particular swords aside from others being handed over as deserving "special treatment" Now to stop here we must ask, is Arita telling the truth or covering his ass, or worse covering his own pilferage of the swords? To answer this question we need to know who made the order to "examine" the swords for a second time. It seems to me as wholly unnecessary and suspicious unless it was a pretence to extricate the swords from Iemasa's possession. If I am right then someone wanted them and that someone was not American. It is still possible that Arita had the intention to switch the swords and stash them for safe keeping. Lets assume that Arita is telling the truth and the swords were taken by the 7th. With all this noise about them and the forced removal under protest there is no way they were destroyed or given away randomly. I don't think they were kept or sold by Bimore, the probability of all three swords being in someone's closet together and never showing up is very slim after 69 years. I also don't think they were tossed on the heap with the rest at Akebane. The next suspect would be the US brass who were known to be collecting valuable war trophies, number one on the list Cadwell. Now these guys didn't need to keep any secrets about it, they just took what they wanted and didn't give a dam. So I am not convinced they were separated off by the brass. If they made it to Akebane we would think that Kanzan and Kunzan would surely have noticed them. thoughts? Momi: the Youtube sword is not the Honjo. The koshirae is cheap and wrong and the comparisons of the oshigata and the sword are flimsy and out of proportion. DGeurtin: Reference to Coldy Bimore could actually come from this statement and the name here is "Koridie Beimo" which would seem to be the anglicised version of the hiragana of his name. It would be more helpful if Arita supplied a physical description of the mysterious Sgt. but allas. cheers,

Eric, that is awesome! Great new information to study. Thank you so much! Could it be that the Americans knew exactly what this sword was and somebody wanted it! It can be viewed that Honjo represented the spiritual power of the Shogan and military protector of Japan from the barbarians. If the American though it gave them a psychological advantage to hold the sword it may be in the basement of Fort Knox. I had heard once an urban myth that the Americans had sent a black ops team to steal the Emporer's sword for the same reason, and they found an empty box (it had already been stashed). OMG moment! Brian it seems the officials were very concerned. The police officer said they were "forced" to hand over the swords" under the "pretence" of hoarding weapons. Its obvious that they not only wanted Honjo, they were going to great lengths to make sure they had the right sword. The Mejiro police had the Liaison Office for the Metropolitan Police making inquires the very next day. Everyone knew exactly what was going on. I can 100% disregard this sword being destroyed or given away randomly as a souvenir. Thoughts? Give it up Obama! Yanks have got it! cheers, cheers,

Thanks for the imput so far guys. Interesting that Iemasa only asked for 3 swords back. This seems to be part of a correspondence. Does anybody know if "any" of the 15 were returned prior? Is anybody friendly with Tokugawa Tsunenari san? He would be the one to ask. Iemasa was the 17th mainline Tokugawa not the Kii branch. Honjo was passed down the mainline. Where is the Kii connection? cheers,

Hello everyone, Well now that I have your attention! :D I have been approached by a researcher for a TV channel asking me about the Honjo Masamune. It’s an interesting subject to some and I answered some questions but declined to be interviewed on the subject. When asked “why” I opened my big mouth and inserted my foot. My personal opinion, it most likely never left Japan. Well…. the can of worms being open I have agreed (after much convincing) to help research the possibility of this statement being correct. So I need a little help from the collective intellect and unmeasurable resource of the Nihonto community. Anyone who doesn’t know the story can look up Guido’s piece in the Article’s section and the Jim Kurrasch article here. http://www.sydneytokenkai.com/10.htm My question to the board. “Does anyone know of information if ‘any’ of the 15 swords handed over by Tokugawa Iemasa ever showed up or are they “all” unaccounted for?” My reasoning is that if any turned up that would link the group to actually being turned over as reported to the US Occupation forces and being distributed to GIs (and I would be wrong). If none have turned up my assumption is that they never made it that far. Another question “does anyone know the dates when the directions were given to delivery Tokyo's confiscated swords to the Akebane arsenal?” The reason being to investigate the possibility that the Honjo made it to Akebane then disappeared. I have always thought that the Akebane swords were collected from a later date than December 1945 but I would like to confirm that so to disregard this possibility. Also of great help. Does anyone have a scanned copy of the Honjo Masamune oshigata from Osaka Gyobutsu Meibutsu Token Oshigata? (Steve?) I have a description of the koshirae but it is more likely that the sword was in shirasaya. Does anyone have a description of the habaki?? Here’s a little of my reasoning so far for my opinion that Honjo is underground in Japan. The 15 famous swords were handed in by “Prince” ( a title given in 1940) Tokugawa Iemasa, also a national figure and a famous politician and diplomat, in December 1945 ( I would love to know the exact date) to Mejiro Police station with documentation. This situation would be roughly equivalent to Prince Charles handing over some of the Crown Jewels with letters of authenticity. The story continues that on January 18th 1946 they were picked up by the mysterious Sgt Coldy Bimore from the 7th Calvary. Hmm… something funny here. Assuming that the dates are correct, then we can say that the swords were in possession of the Mejiro police for at least 18 days before handover. The likelihood of “only one man” (Bimore) coming to collect “only” these swords, 18 days later from a busy Tokyo police station is not consistent with known facts. It is much more likely that a “large number” of swords were collected at the same time with an accumulation of confiscated swords being within the 18 days after the drop off and the pick up. So if all the 15 swords are unaccounted for then the whole consignment must have met the same mysterious fate? It is possible that they were all destroyed together indiscriminately but much more likely that they were either all given out as souvenirs, or made it to the storage depot. My argument is that by January 1946 confiscated swords in Japan were already in high demand from the GIs so the indiscriminate destruction is unlikely. If the swords were picked up and not destroyed we can reasonably expect some of the 15 to have shown up by now. So did the swords even get picked up at all? It is unlikely that the Mejiro Police on duty at the time Iemasa made the drop off didn’t know who he was or that the swords were very important. Of course they did. So my number one theory is “The police switched them or hid them from pick up”, hopefully for the honourable reason to protect the cultural property of Japan from destruction. I think it is the most likely scenario. The police would know that shrine swords were exempt from the confiscation. It would be nice to think that some loyal policeman took a big chance and quietly gave the swords to some shrine at the top of a mountain to protect them for prosperity. Another less likely possibility is that Honjo never left the possession of the Tokugawa. To support this idea we must consider that only 15 swords were handed over. What happened to the rest of the Tokugawa collection (they had 100’s if not 1000’s)? Why were these important swords given up as a token offering or were they in fact lesser pieces? These are fair questions but it is still more likely that the genuine swords were handed over as documented. Consider that Tokugawa Iemasa was a politician being at the time a senior member of the House of Peers. I have read somewhere that he was setting an example of following the US Occupation directives. If the Tokugawa family indeed retained Honjo (and the rest) then I for one would be “very happy” about it. Nobody is going to give Tokugawa Tsunenari a polygraph test to find out so that theory can be put to bed. O.k. I’ve got my fireproof pyjamas on :lol: Any thoughts? cheers,

Ah now it gets more clear! Lost for 150 years is just a media beat up. It was seen and recorded in 1969-70. Yamanaka mentions it was for sale for big money. Sword must have had a Torokusho to be published and available for sale on the open market. I can now sleep soundly knowing that the sword in question is indeed the same sword known in 1969 as the Shimazu Masamune. Of note is the ichimai boshi and the hamon how it thins noticeably after the monouchi, not Masamune characteristics in my book. I'm going to love seeing this blade, the oshigata hints at powerful inazuma! Back to sleep and lurking for me. cheers,

Great information. My first impression of the sugata and what I can see of the blade I though O Shizu too. It was just an impression, but I'm no expert. So far it has no official designation I would guess from what the articles say. Well I'm looking forward to studying it very much, it has been a long time since I have seen a new Masamune, I can add another one to my list. cheers,

more info here. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_new ... 1409120001 and here http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2014 ... 150-years/ cheers,

Is it just me or does anyone else think it is strange that a Meibutsu sword is sold in secret or lost in 1969?? Are we to think that the Konoe family had no Torokusho in 1969 for an important sword in their possession formally owned by the Emperor? Assuming it didn't have one, then it transfers ownership without a Torokusho or the correct paperwork to transfer the Torokusho, is not reported or registered, then becomes "lost" to be "found" 45 years later which is 150 years after it went underground so to speak. In fact the whole story of it being acquired from the Konoe family has no evidence at all it seems. Isn't this all highly illegal? This is a definite WTF to me?? Would really really love to see photos (not likely) drawings, oshigata or any records available for this sword from before it was "lost" in 1860 or is just the 1860 description all we have to compare the "found" sword to. There is some huge and disturbing holes in this provenance. Masamune it may be, all respect to Watanabe sensei who made the call, but to assign it will need more research I'm afraid. Just to ease my unsettled mind... :? cheers,

Here is the reply from the seller to my inquiry about where these swords came from. "They came from a dealer in Japan. Who made them, and where they came from, prior to that is unknown. I thought of Chinese sources as a possibility, but it would be difficult for them to enter Japan, unless they were good enough to be registered as legal Nihonto in Japan. Another possiblilty is that they were produced by some starving swordmaker for black market purpose. Registered sword smiths are limited to producing two blades per month, and not many can make a living at this rate. There was a case in the past where a swordsmith produced many unlicensed blades outside of this two per month limitation, and sold them cheap to a group of dealers. The blades were then polished and mei added, and sold overseas where the blades don't need to be registered. The sword market in Japan is dynamic and mysterious at times, and anything is possible when money can be made. Good luck, Mike" My further question...how can a Japanese dealer risk his licence and possible legal action by illegally exporting these obviously unregistered swords out of Japan, especially in these numbers...hhmmm. Anybody got an answer to that! You only need to get caught once and its all over Rover. I suggested to the dealer to have them signed "Chugoku (China) kuni ju whatever " and not to dishonour the name of respected gendaito smiths by selling brand new gimei. Frankly the prices he has been getting doesn't seem to be worth the risk to anyone. cheers,

Guys, It is a sad fact that old gimei from previous generations are a problem in our field of collecting. Frankly I see no reason at all, with our level of mass communication and technology that we need to put up with "brand new gimei" in any shape or form. If a mei needs to be put on these blades at all, then let it be some nondescript fictional swordsmith. The prices these swords are selling for is firmly in the Iaito market. I can't see it making much difference in the price attained. The problem is, all good intentions ( just for the iaito market, no big deal ) don't stop these blades from circulating into the future and being onsold in later years. How will our generation be viewed to future collectors to allow this to carry on. Tell you what, how about every brand new gimei we see posted we can use as a "kanji kantei " example, post copies of the real deal, examine the stokes, layouts etc. As a last comment. I would love to buy one of these blades myself if not for the dodgy mei. Give us a break! cheers,

Hello all, Some interesting opinions but look closer. If this is "excess stock swords" made by lesser smiths , Minamoto Moriyoshi is rated mukansa, hardly a smith that needs to sell excess signed blades in the rough to make some small change! Ozaki Yasumune is a Yasukuni smith who died in 1997. Fujiwara Motohisa a well known and awarded smith whose blades fetch good prices...are we getting the picture yet? These are all recent made gimei. What about some poor beginner buying these blades and investing money in polish and mounts, will they ever paper? Nope Sure some "never registered" shinsakuto leek out of the system, but they are generally sold unsigned are they not? For obvious reasons smiths register their signed blades as they count towards their quota. Excess blades are left unsigned. As for genuinely signed and registered blades leaving the country I should have said more correctly de-registered. Can signed gimei shinsakuto go through the de-registration system for export in this state? The answer is no. So "if" the swords came from Japan they were all originally mumei and signed "after" the back door export. I have seen another half a dozen or so similar blades from the same seller. That's an awful lot of back door blades. It all seems a little too unusual to me. Here's my call, all made and signed in China. It is time the seller was encouraged to come clean in the descriptions which have been left intentionally ambiguous. Sorry for those who think I am making a big deal out of nothing, or breaking the unwritten rule to not "screw up someone else's deal". Ok guys fire retardant underwear is on! cheers,

Hello All, Just wondering. I've seen a multitude of unmounted gendaito blades coming onto Ebay from the same seller. Here are some http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KO-Japanese- ... 20d2ad13b0 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KO-Japanese- ... 1e7a98d4b8 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KO-Japanese- ... 1e7a98f4ab http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KO-Japanese- ... 1e7a994274 My questions are.. How can these swords leave Japan and be unregistered in this condition? Are these swords all gimei, made for the Iaito market? Are they of low quality so don't even rate a good polish and a habaki? Are they indeed 100% nihonto? Hhmm... cheers,

Fantastic news! Andy, mate, what can I say but YOU BLOODY BEUWTY!! , TOP EFFORT MATE!! To win a top award with a classic Hizento is no easy feat. The jigane must be awesome. Ford congratulation again. Anyone who gives you a commission is not only receiving top quality workmanship, high artistic merit, but is making a great future investment in my opinion. Your work is stunning, well deserved. Can I add that another board member from Australia, Cameron Appleford received a Nyusen award in the habaki competition. This means that his habaki was considered of high enough standard to compete and is usually the first award achieved by a craftsman. This is Kam's first entry and no easy feat considering some entrants this year were classed Rakusen, and not approved of entry into the competition. Well done mate, Kam is so excited he already plans to enter the shirasaya competition next year as well! What great news, a perfect start to the week! I have some pictures of Andy's work on my home computer, I'll post some tonight. cheers,

Ok, Ill make a fool of myself. Image one has three blades. 1) Etchu jigane, Echizen Rai or Uda 2) straight Rai, early 3) Soshu, Masamune or Norishige second image 1) same as 1 above 2) early Bizen, maybe Kanemitsu 3 Yamato , maybe Tegai 4) hhmmm.... guess Yamato again maybe Taima The problem is that you can't see the colour of the jigane and how bright the chikei or nie is, or any utsuri or yubashiri. How about an easy one like Hosho :lol: cheers,