Update on "Legacy Needs Help" - Smith Kiyondo katana

[Sansei]

Went to the Annual Sword Show in San Francisco last weekend. Touched bases with Robert Benson regarding the restoration of this katana by swordsmith Kiyondo. Previous thread shown above. Robert says it is coming along. He describes it as a "killer blade" possible Juyo when submitted for Shinsa upon completion of polish. Here are some pics of Robert and his crew. Looks like Robert has lost some weight since pre-Covid days.

 

[Sansei]

Sorry, the pic of Robert got rotated during upload. Don't know how to edit this.

[lonely panet]

is this the "Kiyondo" that was a student of Kiyomaros lingage?

 

if so i missed getting one afew years ago, and i kicked my self for it. imho great work by a rarely seen smith.

[Sansei]

Yes, h. According to his bio, Kiyondo's adopted family name was Saito and was first called Kojuro. In 1852 by introduction through Saito Masamoro he entered the mon of Kiyomaro. Sorry to hear that you missed an opportunity. We have all done this at one time or another.

[Bruce Pennington]

Ray,

I have found that some minor cropping of a photo will solve the 'sidways' problem:

[Sansei]

Excellent, Bruce. Thanks for the tip on cropping.