RobDam

These cases are amazing Thank you!

So they answered (about the tsuka and tsunagi): "We ordered Tsunagi for the Koshirae as well. They are specialized in making Koshirae with Traditional way. So we do not worry about it. They will make the best, always." Just FYI

Sounds like a plan! Looking forward to seeing your catches! For me a tachi possibly ubu from early muromachi would be my next goal, but I know pretty much nothing about tachi still studying 😅 also it looks like a bit less accessible as a category

Beautiful pics 😍 thank you for sharing. the jigane seems awesome and the geometry around the yokote/kissaki looks very crisp and elegant. Very appealing blade.

Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed advice. I have asked them for a traditional tsuka shape, not too large, thick, or bulky, and well proportioned to the blade and fittings. I fully trust the craftsman’s judgment, but I also understand limits and challenges. Let's see what will be the result! Also Thank you for the tsunagi advice! I've asked them about it too. This is my first full koshirae project (and first blade, also) so my aim is to keep it simple, restrained, and coherent, without adding too many extra elements. I am mainly hoping for something respectful to the blade and traditionally balanced.

Thank you again, super appreciated. BTW I've NO idea what's the diameter I want :p

the more I look at your blade the more I like it I'd love to see more pictures once you get it (the same when I look at mine tho )

Last question: can you be more specific? What should I ask them exactly?

Hey George, Super appreciated, thank you! YES! First time (newbie here) I actually went through the thread you pinned about oversized tsuba a few hours ago, so now I have an additional concern, lol. That said, I assume AOI is quite serious when it comes to commissioned koshirae. I need more time to fully digest your comment, but meanwhile let me explain the rationale behind this project. 1. The idea is to take a “war period” blade and dress it in a calmer, more restrained Edo-period style, using authenticated antique tosogu where possible. I am not trying to recreate a battlefield mounting. 2. I want something respectful, austere and historically plausible for a blade that has survived into a later peaceful context. 3. A calm, nature-based theme. Austere rather than flashy or over-coloured. 4. The koshirae cost should remain reasonably below the cost of the blade. 5. The overall feeling should be quiet, strong and understated. This is what I literally requested from AOI: Your point about tsuka size is very useful. I definitely do not want a modern oversized martial-arts style tsuka. I didn't know this should be specified to them, I was assuming they will be respectful of the traditions. Regarding kozuka/kogai, I had not planned to add them. The tsunagi point is also very helpful. I had not thought enough about that, and I will ask whether one is included or recommended. BTW I also have a name for the Koshirae: Kage-Aki Koshirae and blade = Kagemasa Finally AOI art acknowledge everything and the work started 31st of March with an ETA of 7 months. MAybe too late to ask for changes? Thanks again. This is exactly the kind of practical advice I need before the work is finalised.

I'm not a fan of the full length bo-hi, but would you mind to post some pictures? Curious to dee the blade anyway What would be your ask?

This is gold dust thank you The Gorōzaemon/Magōemon question is still very valid

Of course, the difference is that the Token Bijutsu example has the full Gorōzaemon no Jō name in the mei, while my blade has the more general Bizen Kuni jū Osafune Kiyomitsu saku kore signature. So perhaps the real question is not only chronology, but whether workmanship and mei style are enough to narrow a general Kiyomitsu signature to Gorōzaemon, or whether Magōemon remains more likely. (And if a consequence I potentially overvalued the blade)

Ok - this is actually interesting: Bizen Kuni jū Osafune Gorōzaemon no Jō Kiyomitsu Eiroku 5 nen 8 gatsu kichijitsu August 1562 If I understand correctly this invalidates the assumption Eiroku 5 is “too late” for Gorōzaemon.

found this mention (not sure it refers to "my" Nisshu) here "Honami Nishu sayagaki. Wrong attribution in 40% of cases, though his supporters argue that there are many fakes. Because Honami Nishu was the next best choice after Dr. Sato Kanzan (who was a prolific sayagaki writer), his sayagaki tends to be associated with lower grade and more questionable blades, though he did polish and wrote sayagaki for a few masterpieces. Often he assigns very famous names to average blades from roughly the same school"

thank you! Now I'm wondering how can I distinguish between the two, and why Nisshu decided to attribute this work to Goro I am also curious how to interpret Hon’ami Nisshu’s decision to write Gorōzaemon no Jō Kiyomitsu in the sayagaki. If the date is relatively late for Gorōzaemon, would that suggest that Nisshu saw workmanship strongly reminiscent of Gorōzaemon, or could he have been using the name more as a quality/style attribution rather than a strict chronological attribution?