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Hello all,

 

I didn't see this thread until just now, and having lurked on here for about 6 months, I'd like to introduce myself.

 

I've been interested in Japanese swords for a number of years, but have only really started to truly appreciate the level of craftsmanship and artistry displayed in the fittings over the past year.

 

I tend to not post as I don't know enough to contribute meaningfully, but have learned a great deal from reading threads on here for which I'm very grateful.

 

Kind Regards

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Hi all,

 

My name is Sven and I live in Amsterdam. A good friend and art dealer from Montreal turned me on to Nihonto and I purchased my first blade from him this year. I've officially got the Nihonto fever and can wait to learn more about this intriguing and beautiful art.

 

I'm also on the look out for some nice pieces and may also have some to sell or trade.

 

All the best,

Sven

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Barry said it right... Always nice to see fellow Canadians joining the NMB. Welcome Reuben and Mark!

 

Hi Sven, glad you were able to make it over. You'll find some great and knowledgeable collectors here, as well as some good items to trade with!

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I've had a long, unusual and very rewarding journey exploring different aspects of Japanese culture through researching history, literature, verious genres of movies, through to Tea Ceremonies, art and Japanese crafts.

I've been collecting 1920's-1940's Japanese military clothing and equipment for around 2 years now, and am passionate about the craftsmanship, detailing and beauty particularly found in the earlier pieces.

For me, the objects tell stories about the people and culture in a way words cannot, of pride and honour, glory and optimism, and of pain, hardship and disappointment.

The day to day items that have been lived in, loved and modified and repaired over time fascinate me, but of all items it is the blades which convey the deepest emotion.

A fine sword is something more than a mere object, tying individuals to their families, their ancestors and to the history and traditions that have endured in the soul of the nation and it's people through the centuries.

I'm hoping the resources here will help me to identify many of the items I have a little better, and gain a better understanding of the people who's hands they have passed through, and look forward to learning about and learning to better appreciate, the craftsmanship of the earlier artifacts.

 

Paul,

Ireland

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Hi guys,

 

I was christened Peter, and I'm from western Canada. I'm a novice and I just bought my first sword within the last year. I always wanted a genuine katana, so I bought a good one (Juyo Token). I'm not sure if I want to buy any more, or perhaps just keep it at one. Rather than become too deeply invested.

 

I've included a few pictures of my sword. I hope that it's not inappropriate to do that in this introduction. I've discovered that taking pictures of swords is not easy, so I hope the quality is not too bad. Can you guess what the sword is?

 

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Peter F

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Greetings everyone!

 

My name is Antti, a 29-year old enthusiastic novice hailing from Finland. For about 6 months, Ive been extremely interested in Japanese antiques, especially tosogu, tsuba in particular. For some time now, Ive been reading this forum for quite a bit, observing the conversation as a "fly in the roof", as we Finns say, and now decided finally to hop in. I am not a native speaker of english, so please try to tolerate my rather inelegant use of this beautiful language.

 

Ive always been interested in military history, the second world war in particular, and Ive spent some 15 years reading and studying the subject. About nine months ago I noticed something. No matter what books I bought, I rarely found anything new and interesting. It just seems that without going into too much detail, the subject just wasnt revealing too many interesting new things. Therefore I wanted to try something different. Ive always found the age of the samurai interesting, so I ordered a couple of books. After reading them, I seemed to get even more enthusiastic about it, especially the fine swords. So I ordered another batch of books, this time about the swords. After that, more books have found their home in my bookcase, and the subject simply captivated me. I find the swords magnificent, and will one day own one, but its the koshirae, especially the tsuba that really caught my eye. Then I saw Ford Hallam's Katsuhira's Tiger-video, about 20 times for that matter, and was awestruck.

 

I dont know what is it in these wonderful objects that capture my imagination and stimulate my sense of awe. Neither do my friends or family. The scariest thing is, I dont think I even care to know.

 

Ive never been able to appreciate art for arts sake. Paintings are very nice, but I never found them too compelling. I love art that has a practical application, and the Nihonto and Tosogu are wonderful examples of that.

 

For now I only have one single tsuba, but hopefully I will have another before the end of this year. My main problem is, as usual, money. Im a student, currently working on my thesis work for my second degree, and, as expected, I am poorer that Poor-Jack McPoor, the winner of last years mr. Poor Man- competition. I also feel this new interest of mine will be a wonderful way to be broke forever. The scariest thing is, I dont know if I even care.

 

Thank you for letting me into the forum!

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Hello Everyone,

 

A short note to introduce myself as a new member to this forum. I am in my 40's and work for an international organization, never stay in one country longer that 2 or 3 years (which makes collecting and customs issues a real pain), currently i am based in Thailand.

 

I have always been fascinated by the culture of Japan, especially the concept of trying to attain perfection, (from serving tea to making swords). My interest in Nihonto was triggered a few years ago in a lecture at university, while studying the crystalline forms of steel, and seeing an example of differential hardening (I am a chemist by formation). Ever since I have been reading, but that's about it. Looking at some of the reading suggestions in this forum, I own most of the non-specialised books.

I am a novice by all accounts, having seen very few blades, and not even owning one yet.

I decided a while back that I would like to be the custodian of one, and probably more nihonto's as time goes on, but as of yet, I don't feel I know enough to really appreciate a fine blade..

I will be looking for my first Nihonto, a learning blade, and I look forward to seeking your advice and sharing my limited knowledge.

 

All the best

Alex Marianelli

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Hi Reuben,

 

Thanks for the welcome, much appreciated. Indeed so much to learn and the expertise in this forum is truly impressive (and somewhat overwhelming I have to admit).

There are number of factors that has drawn me to love Nihontos. The combination of beauty and functionality, the art and detail of the koshirae, the trends in styles, both as history progressed and between the five main schools. Which makes collecting especially challenging and opens up so many options as to what a collection could look like (focus on an era? on the Bizen school?, on a particular smith?) I guess everyone has different approach. To me, I want to start by gathering a "representative sample" that highlights the various styles.

 

The first swords that I am looking for are to learn, both styles and quality. I am focussing on certified blades and Koshirae to start - i.e.: have the NBTHK tell me the level of workmanship, era, metallurgic characteristics etc. So the first swords won't be cheap, but I want to have a baseline against which to learn, and as much as possible, swords that exemplify a certain school, period - So would have as much variation as possible in my first blades.

Am not so interested in Gendaito, and not at all in modern swords, even if the skill is there, a big draw card for me is the fact that a beautiful work of art I am the custodian of, was also a lethal practical weapon owned by a Samurai in a previous era (with all the spiritual value that this implies). Not sure if that makes any sense..?

 

Cheers, and thanking you and Jean for the welcome

Alex

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Hi Everyone

I am very happy to be a new member of your excellent Nihonto sword forum.

This is what the Internet is all about bringing together so many knowledgable people from all over the world to share their experience and advice with novices like me.

A brief background of myself i am 58years old originally from London England who now lives in British Columbia Canada with my wife and family.

I studied Japanese martial arts for many years, Karate and Iaido which I still practice. I have always had a keen interest in the Japanese sword owning a few nice old blades in the past, without really knowing much about them as there were no forums in the old days.

Now I am now getting older I wish to start a collection and getting more involved in Kantei and the appreciation of the Japanese sword.

So thanks for having me and I look forward to being a part of your great forum.

John C.

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Welcome John! There's a wealth of information here for everyone, and although sometimes the replies to yet again "I bought something on eBay, but can you tell me what I bought" might seem harsh, please stick with it and don't hesitate to ask questions, because it's an addiction for live and very rewarding :D

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Hi,

 

Been browsing these sites for a while now, and decided to join the conversation.

 

I'm beginning collector from Finland and I have been training few martial arts since I was a kid. I bought my first nihonto few months ago, but have been handling quite a few during training sessions and such. About 12 years ago I started to do tsuka & saya for iaito and cutting blades, and about 4 years ago started to do those things on nihonto. Also I've been doing some polishing jobs on production blades and low-end nihonto.

 

Currently my collection is small, but i'm on the market for couple of interesting pieces. Therefor at the moment of writing this reply, im selling two wakizashi here at the board.

 

Mostly I'm interested in koto & shinto blades, specially Bizen and Soshu, both which are in the future scope of getting.

 

Well, nice to meet you folks and happy studies.

 

______________________________

Kimmo Silander

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post-4636-14196871440933_thumb.jpg

 

 

Hi all. First post. I appreciate your interest in Japanese swords, and I wonder whether any of you may be able to tell me anything about a seppuku sword my father brought back from Japan in 1947. It has the appearance of great age. All I know is that is is from the Yamashiro region, and a Japanese woman told me the the characters on the tang are 'Kuni' and 'Yuki'.

 

The major blade is about 40 cm long and the minor (with the woman's 'bun' with chopstick through it) about 10 cm. The major blade has a distinctly wavy blurred line down its length, which I believe is from the manufacturing process in the smithy.

 

First time post, so sorry if the images are poor, too big etc

 

thank you

 

Nick C Australia

 

 

 

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post-4636-14196871457346_thumb.jpg

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Ohayo Gozaimasu, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

 

I´m a Kenjutsu/Kendo kohai looking for enlightenment and knowledge.

 

Since I was a teenager, I was always fascinated by bushido and katanas, tho it took me more than 3 decades to allow myself to discover it.

Although I don´t fell ready yet to own a shinken katana, I´m ready to start my quest for knowledge; that is, to learn how to really appreacciate it and to learn how to handle and care for it properly.

 

Sayonara, arigato gozaimashita,

Phil

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