Stone

I have a nice Sadaroku also as a lovely Mie, Jihada & Hamon nice quality, came to me as my first sword from a X soldier father of a lad who was practising Karate at the same club as me, a old shira-saya hilt was all it had & was in very poor condition, about 30 or more years ago. I beleive I sent Chis a Oshigata some years back. Sorry no photo's as I am to a camera about as much or less use than a rusty bowie knife is to a eye surgeon. Regards, Tony, N.

It is truly a peice (big) of art in steel, it "lodged" with me for a while After Kenji San polished it, beutifull a true art peice not made to be used I beleive. Tony N.

Welcome, re much to learn dont we all! Regards, Tony N.

How nice to see a blending between the two major preservation group,s in the U.K. Tony N.

Ford you are most welcome, and I look foreward to seeig the film's. I am sure you will succeed with the T.V. Best Regards, Tony.

Stone, Hi Ford, I am just back from the Birmingham Arms Fair, the Northern Token Society had a meeting with a couple of lectures there. there was a DVD running of you createing a beutifull Tsuba, that was also present along with the tsuba that was given a award by NBSK. Absolutely stunning! My wife say's when I shuffle off & my swords are sold She will ask you to make her one.(Dragonffly) I have dragged her all over the place with me and that is one of a very rare moment I have seen her impressed by a Tsuba, Brilliant work. Best Regards, Tony N. You know I would very much like a copy of the DVD when available.

Stone, Me to. Tony N.

Congratulations & Well done, beutifull work. Tony N.

I had a great day at the Japanese Festival held at Chiddingstone Castle in Kent yesterday I was introduced to Nakagawa Sensie By Ian Chapman & also met the rest of the team. It was good to see some old friends & make some new contacts, also I was pleased to see some Token Society G.B. members there. I would say all in all a very succesfull day for Chiddingstone, Well done to Sarah & her staff & team of Volunteers. Sensei Nakagawa's Tameshi-giri was skillfully controlled & the children thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the gifts of skillfully cut peices of cut green bamboo! Regards, Tony N.

I think the book has done an excellent job in bringing about such a lengthy debate, as yet I have not had time to read anymore. But I think the debate on shinsa's is great, My beleif here is " you pay your money and take your chance's" so to speak. For myself in the last 4/5 years, well in fact since Mr G. Curtiss organized the first N.T.H.K. team over here I have had most of my pieces put through shinsa, and now having been fortunate enough to acquire some more swords, that hopefully I will be able to submit to a shinsa in England in the not to distant future. My own reasons for doing so is to (hopefully when I have fallen off my perch) make it easier for my family to sell on all but one of the swords that I am lucky enough to care for in my lifetime. I do know of a sword that was submitted to variouse shinsa panels in 1988 was given certificate as genuine, 2003 got gi-mie but Bizen 1504-1528, 2003, appraisal in Britain & thought to be possibly a shin-shinto copy ( as many of us thought possible) then went to Japan given gi-mie 2005 ,in 2007 the signature was removed, hadori was done on sword, not a full repolish received Tokubetsu Hozon as Bizen Ichimonji 1300/1345. This I would say makes Mr C Bowen's correspondence correct! Best Regards, Tony N.

I have Just got my copy,( I pre ordered mine) not had much chance to read it just a quick flick. Maybe the reason the book favour's koto is that their are "thought's for further Volume's on Shinto ect. Some who know me will maybe remember that I made a few of the remarks made in the polishing section some 20 odd years or more ago, And more laterly written articles on the use of acid's ect that cause damage to swords. these were considered to contaversial for publication. I look foreward to reading the rest of the book. Well done Paul for your work on the book. Regards, Tony N.

Be good to see a pic of the kasane . Regards, Stone.

What a shame! I have another one or two peices to go in now as well. Tony.

Hi Ian, Thank you for your comments, it will be my pleasure to meet Nakagawa Sensei, and each one of you. Best Regards, Tony.

I would not call myself a collector of tsuba or say I have much in the way of knowledge on restoring them, but I was told a long time ago by a tsuba collector the best way to remove rust was to freeze! the tusba in a covering of water allow it to thaw naturally , then gently rub the loose rust with the rounded tip of a peice of horn peg.( of course you would need to repeat it many times) To me the horn sounds allright but find the water idea of expanding ect worrying. I am sure ford is the man to correct this, and put me right. best regards, Tony.

Hi All, Thanks for the PM,s Lads, Best Regards, Tony.

Few more photos. Tony

Hi Ian as a younger man (pics from 1985/6) I did a little Tameshi-giri including holding the cane then drawing and cutting only I could not get green bamboo I often used Dry knotweed, quite difficult to cut cleanly when dry!. I can assure the purist I never used a sword of any value the long sword used for Knotweed etc. had 3 of the worst ha-giri that I have ever seen.

Hi Ian, All Being well I shall see you there. Regards, Tony.

Hi Clive, I sent all details to the secretary (who has access to internet) of the Token Society of G.B,(Southern) including a copy of the poster, all be it in black & white, & he has assured me he as been in touch with you on this issue. If you also wish me, to send you, a copy I will do so. Their is also a poster in Mr Bayney's shop I beleive. Regards, Tony.

Hi Ian, Thank you, It is now on the opening page of the "Northern Society's" site under "NEWS" Regards, Tony.

Hi Nihonto U.K. I have allready sent a copie of the poster to the Token Society Of Great Britain and to the Northern Token, I have seen it on the Northern Token's "members forum". These were sent out over a week ago by myself. Regards, Tony.

I beleive urushi and and uchiko mixed with rice glue is often used, and or pine resin, but I am sure some one out their will correct me if I am wrong. Regards, Tony.

Hi Ford, Count me in P.M Me and I will send you the cash, as it is easier for me. Tony,

Hi Peter, " I know nothing" especially about fittings but it just dont look "right" to me, maybe the pic but hitsu-ana dont seem to "line up"? Best Regards, Tony.