Jim P

Hi Roy have a look at http://www.japanesesword.de/?site=armor&id=16&lang=en

Hi,chris, have you seen them with papers ? as I wonder if they are considered on the same level as that smiths work ? apart from the rarity ? Hi Dave, recovered from the chillies :D do you remember what book Gordon was looking at ?

Hi all, I was wondering how rare is it to get a paper with two smiths as the maker there was one in Sydney in Dr Gordon Robson presentation of best of the Shinsa it was one that got pink slipped, but was from Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi /Kawachi no kami Kunisuke with a different hamon on each side and Dr Robson said it would paper if submitted with the signature taken off are examples of this common ? and do they get high level papers ? I checked the vid.but he does not elaborate when asked if its unusual to have 2 smiths only to say (not with this sword) thanks

And some more, and have more if you want to see it ?

Hi all, some of the fittings from the show sorry for the low quality pics

Hi All, I had a chance to see the exhibition and hear the presentation on the weekend and must say it was world class,I was heartened to see a few older ladies in the crowd diligently taking notes and then asking questions. I had the chance to speak to Collin and quickly understood where the passion and expertise comes from. To all that contributed to that, well done. So if you find yourself in Sydney it’s a must see.

Hi David, And all that came to the show. I also had a great time and to all who missed it, We shot some video Adrian will let you know when it's up. It’s the highpoint's of the show and how to draw Oshigata by Dr Gordon Robson from the Shinsa and a Bushu ju Hiroshige a sue koto peace that's the very one from Fujishiro's book and was in his family. from john. Oh, Dave I was watching your oshigata skills :D also have some photos of the display Important Edo Era koshirae and some of the excellent displayed koshirae from Alan's amazing collection :clap:so will let you know soon :D

Hi Clive, A blade with a midare hamon which just passes the ha-machi is now on top of my list now all I need is the 3 little sanko on the same blade and I can not go wrong unless that Hagire show's up

Thank you Keith,Guido, For the excellent explanations as Nihontō books can be a bit vague at times

Hi All, I was reading Kokan Nagayama's book not long ago and thought I know what a kinzogan mei is usually, but I have not seen the terms sasa no Tsuyu,or hana gatami, before only the post by Toryu (Sasa no tsuyu BTW that,implies that this sword cuts thru targets as easily as dew falls from the young bamboo leaf (sasa) how is this title given, and by whom ? also for hana gatami, Its under Mei in the book e,g ( kinzogan mei sometimes on inlay is seen that is not the name of a smith this is usually a sword title for example sasa no Tsuyu or hana gatami ) can this be the only inscription or is it always with a attribution of a smith ? thanks,

Hi Clive, Thanks for posting can I ask are all of Fortune Telling negative, is there some positives ? Things like you will get rich and live long and prosper :D :D

HI Chris,Your pics, somehow look more elaborate than on the sword but I understand the connection do you think that's where the inspiration comes from ? Hi Louis, I also found it interesting and that its a type of Horimono is a interesting definition of engraving or carving of images, it is a long way from this Ramma-Sukashi interpretation maybe I am missing something :D :D thanks guys

Hi all, Keith, I also tried the translate button got foot odor,including back left tooth disorder. :D Guido, its not what I would think off when thinking Horimono was Ramma-Sukashi popular at some point ? as I don't think the smith would do this ? I must say its not my idea decorative do you think it would weaken the blade ? Jean I did not make that connection but you are right same thing

Hi all, Can someone tell me is there a name in Japanese for this type of blade ? I have seen them before but forgotten where and curious is the purpose of the cutouts to reduce the weight. ( http://www.samurai-nippon.net/589/ ) thanks

Hi Guys there is no tariff, in Australia the code is no 9706, Antiques of an age exceeding one hundred years its under CUSTOMS TARIFF SCHEDULE 3 R.3 Section 21 Chapter 97/1 CHAPTER 97 Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques I have the docs in pdf from customs if you don't let them know you will probably pay more, FedEx tacks one on (import duty) from memory

I did not know unusual shape Tsuba come from jaipur, India, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ANTIQUE-JAPA ... 45fbf0f545

Hi Jason, I think a lot of people would laugh at comments like that, find people that know a bit more to converse with

Thanks Guys for the clarification, It was one of those moments. Ford you can be the first in modern times to craft Namban tsuba, at a premium of course :D

Hi George, I also thought that namban refers to the Japanese copying of what they perceived as the (foreigners) art styles and themes, so It had me thinking maybe Indian metal is what he is implying ? Keith, your observation is right its hard to work out. same descriptions, and it was a first for me to see Tsuba like that dub d made in India Ford do you think it maybe the metal that has people thinking this? the work does not show a namban art style per-say not in my opinion which is not much but it is interesting as I would think he would get better prices listing them as Japanese It did have me perplexed. Thanks

Hi All, I was looking at Fred's page, http://www.swordsandtsuba.com/tsuba/premiumtsuba.html and was wondering how do you tell a India Nanban tsuba from one made in Japan. I would have picked them as Japanese and not Nanban are they called Nanban because of the India tag ? as the themes don't look Nanban thanks PS can some of you see two dragons. in Item No. T307 because I am finding it hard to see it

Hi Jean,that's why I found it an interesting description of a Ko-mihara I don't think I have seen it used for one. thanks PS nice pic jean

Thanks so much Grey,No run of the mill Ko-mihara, I thought it must have some interesting traits and it does. is hadatachi seen much Ko-mihara ? my understanding is its hada that has a easy to see texture ? thank you

Hi Grey thanks for the oshigata Grey what is the hada like ,and do you have a photo ? also if some of the other members have oshigata or pics of Ko-mihara or Chu-Aoe blades I would love to see them thanks

Hi Chris, Its interesting that you see a resemblance to chirimen hada as in this sword the description was Ko-itame worked very well, and covered in much Jinie. I am starting to understand that descriptions are subjective to the one making them and picking up on fine minute detail is hard, and is from hard won experience which you have. Paul was just saying that It is very difficult to tell good Enju and ko-Mihara work from Rai pieces, it comes down to some finer minute details. I think you have to see them all side by side if its from photos to get some idea ? maybe we can do that one day with a good view of them for those who don't get the chance to hold them. Paul I think you are right about not much written about either as most of the books in English have much the same info on Ko-mihara and maybe the lack of recognition is starting to change I have liked sho-shin thoughts on them, (Ko-Mihara are excellent swords - exhibiting true master-piece quality. Hense Ko-Mihara have always been hearlded and revered works. Ko-Mihara are considered world-class, especially because of their conservative nature.) from sho-shin (http://www.sho-shin.com/sanyo13.htm) but maybe they don't appeal to some as they are conservative but Its good to see that is changing thanks

Hi paul, Thanks for the info, yes its hard to tell from the pics so I will take you up on the offer of better pics. Will PM you, This is a pic of the Ko-mihara hada on our blade what you would expect also can you elaborate on the Yamashiro influence appearing early in the schools work.