Jim P

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.

Hi paul, I have come to umderstand that they are very subtle, but what is a bit perplexing is at Juyo Token level I thought we would get a clearer attribution without the maybe 3 schools It reminds me how much of a hard road it sometimes is.Just have a look at http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mihara_Nihonto.html for Ko-mihara. Its hard to pin down as it has a bit of contradicting information and it seems its hard at the top so what chance do we a the bottom have to work out schools. Is Chu-Aoe, that close to Ko-mihara ?the Chu-Aoe, containing both Bizen and Yamashiro characteristics, is it different from the Yamato influence of Ko-mihara ? and then chirimen-hada is it common in both ? as you can see it gets hard to find your way. Which is the definitive definition of Ko-mihara ? or Aoe,? thanks

Hi all, I am looking at this ko-mihara (https://www.aoi-art.com/sword/sale/10480.html ) but am a bit perplexed why the blade if re polished may be judged to Aoe school.and also the blade might be Enju school so we have 3 possible attributions ? what would change it from ko-mihara as the polish is OK. Our ko-mihara is like this one if it was re polished is it possible the attribution would also change ?just trying to understand the attribution and why the maybe,s ?thanks

Hi John, We must have missed you will see you next time around. :D

Hi John, We x4 came to the fair on Sunday arvo to see you but missed you not much to keep you ?

Hi Clive and John, interesting discussion ,thanks

Hi John thanks for that I had it somewhere and was looking for the passage in a mountain files can you tell me if the nidai also had the Harima no Kami title in your reference ? no date given for the change to Ogi fief smith ? thanks for the help

Hi Clive, Is there some difference in the workmanship to differentiate the the two ? I find this most interesting, I don't have Hizen references to look at so can not be of much help. I wonder has someone else seen a shodai Tadakuni with the Harima no Kami title ? have you seen the nidais work ? and one last one was wondering if he was working in the same 3 types of hamon? thanks for the interesting conversation : PS Clive, You can always come to Australia we have a big rabbit problem and could use the help

Hi Clive, Clive My blade has a Tokubetsu Hozon paper and as I am going on the paper but do not read Japanese I thought Harima Kami was given later in Kanbun era this is the paper. Maybe some mix-up with the Nidai ? as I have not seen the Nidai with this title, also did you get some rabbits ? as always it is a pleasure conversing with you thanks

Hi Clive, I to thought someone stuffed up on the description. I think the Harima Daijyo Fujiwara Tadakuni is the right one. I know he changed to Harima Kami Fujiwara Tadakuni later, do you have an idea when that was ?as the date looks off ? thanks

Hi Clive, This is a interesting blade, the only thing is its hard with so so photos.and no closeup of the strange end to the hamon.and the patches.and no Paper, but looks good,its something to think about :? I also have a Katana by hizen Jyu Harima Kami Fujiwara Tadakuni AD1663 it has a Tight ko-tame-hada,and ji-nie in Gunome-choji (It seems that Tadakuni had many influences and a great talent, and studied in several places.) yes he has made me a convert, :D but I am seeing a lot more Suguha blades ?did he do others types than the large gunome,and Gunome-choji ? (and studied in several places) I remember one what was the other? thanks for the help much appreciated. Barry thanks for the info on the book it was one I did not get as I had it a long time ago but have ordered it now

Hi Clive,Barry, Sorry Clive looking again its not orikaishi-mei (should use my glasses ) but have not seen a Tadakuni with a hamon like that. Barry is your Tadakuni Suguha ? also what do think is on the blade some coating maybe ?

Hi all, I am looking at a wakazashi by Harima Daijyo Fujiwara Tadakuni with a cutting test. It has a Suguha hamon but on one side the hamon looks strange. The photos are from the Auction house its on March 22nd. Has someone seen a Tadakuni with a change like that on one side at the machi ? also it looks like Orikaeshi-mei from the photo ? thanks Jim

Hi, I think this is the same sword that was on sale about 12 months ago. I questioned the site that was selling it about the paper I checked on the board and and found that it came from a shop. The seller at the time said not to worry to much about the paper so I lost interest look at (http://www.bushiart.com/shop/default.as ... ame=Swords )

Hi Mariusz I think this site is something to do with sho-shin as I remember getting to them from sho-shin hope that helps .

Hi I looked at Nakahara sensei's Pdf. again, the sword has Bo-Hi all the way to the nakago-jiri amd no change in hi-saki and as some of the pointers in Nakahara sensei Pdf. did not clearly point the right way. (There is no question that it is not o-suriage it has 2 opinions saying so) but as I was asked the question by an most knowledgeable lady in Japan. I then tried to understand and was interested how the 2 got there. can someone point me to ( Good Examples of Suriage Nakago/Osuriage, or Ubu Nakago? by Nakahara sensei is it in his book as I don't have the book at the moment.(my son borrowed it) thanks

Hi all, Mariusz I have the book, Grey is that always the case, I know the sword is Nanbokucho period and know the school and is 70cm I was told that its possible that it is not O-suriage but original length and was told, " Yes, hamon disappears by heating. So the hamon has to run into the tang and vanishing around the file mark, on the O-suriage blade,. Please study the hamon around the machi. It is the important point to know if it is original length or shortened. Does the hamon start at the machi or vanishing there? " I know to look at the other things on the sword but am still finding it hard to find telltale Signs in the nakago that confirms this point am I chasing my tail on this ? and you can not get much from looking for the old hamon ? thanks

Hello all, in a recent conversation with a nice Japanese Dealer who was helping my quest for knowledge. We were speaking about a sword from the late Kamakura / Nanbokucho period. The papers say its O-suriage and I was saying for O-suriage it has an excellent shape. I was asked how do you Know its O-suriage if you did not have the paper to go on ? It was explained the hamon should continue till the file marks and not end at the ha-machi, now I know that the hamon is taken off with heat and lost in the nakago when the sword goes through O-suriage. What are the telltale Signs that this has been done when it has 2 or 3 hundred years of aged patina. As I could not say 100% that I could see traces of the hamon in the nakago. If its done very well will you still see something ? thanks

Hi, One more, One hundred monkeys Noda Mitsuhiro II for comparison ( http://art.thewalters.org/viewwoa.aspx?id=14744)

Hi David, Thanks for the scans and discussion.John Its been interesting following and trying to work out the Yagami and nanban. schools and the differences

Hi David, Thank you for the post it gives me better insight on Nanban and its subgroup's. Also thanks for taking the time to post your nanban . John. As I look at more tsuba I understand that a lot more understanding is needed, have a look at the 2 thousand-monkeys-designs not a lot to pick them as 2 different Schools http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/t ... sign-11323 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/t ... sign-11321 but its opened my eyes to the excellent tsuba and the great diversity from this School But I know what you mean about the different Schools