NCJSC 2025 To-ken Taikai

[Scogg]

A couple shots of the Go Yoshihiro. Tough to get good photos of these special swords because they’re behind a barrier. For good reason 

 

Hope you enjoy,

-Sam 

[Lewis B]

Is there rust on the Go, along the mune and on the kissaki? 

[Scogg]

2 hours ago, Lewis B said:

Is there rust on the Go, along the mune and on the kissaki? 

not that I can see in-person. I think that’s just reflection from some busy overhead lighting (see reflection in that first photo), and it being behind a plastic screen made photography challenging. 

[Mushin]

Is the Shintogo Kunihiro and the blades on display with it just for show and study? Are they Fred Weissberg’s? Looks like a nice show! Any pictures of Itoh-san’s tsuba? Thanks!!!

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, Mushin said:

Is the Shintogo Kunihiro and the blades on display with it just for show and study? Are they Fred Weissberg’s? Looks like a nice show! Any pictures of Itoh-san’s tsuba? Thanks!!!

Probably not, but I'd be very curious what sum might purchase the Kunihiro

[atm]

2 hours ago, Mushin said:

Is the Shintogo Kunihiro and the blades on display with it just for show and study? Are they Fred Weissberg’s?

Yes, they belong to Fred, and they are not for sale.

[Scogg]

Got a better photo of the Go Yoshihiro kissaki  

But this is the best my phone can do given the barrier, angles, and light 

 

[Scogg]

Incorrect: Pictures of the Shintogo Kunihiro 

 

Correction: Hatakeda Moriie

 

Another scenario where it looks way better in person because of the barrier. It’s pretty challenging to get a good photo of these display blades, and there’s lots of people. Still, I hope my photos offer something to admire 

 

 

[Shugyosha]

22 hours ago, Scogg said:

Just to be able to see the Go Yoshihiro is a real privilege. Amazing sword that’s taken much of my attention today  

Just trying to find a way to express my envy.  Maybe double . 

[Lewis B]

18 minutes ago, Scogg said:

Pictures of the Shintogo Kunihiro 

 

Another scenario where it looks way better in person because of the barrier. It’s pretty challenging to get a good photo of these display blades, and there’s lots of people. Still, I hope my photos offer something to admire 

 

 

I'm pretty sure the Kunihiro is the blade below with the kinzogan Mei. Can't quite make out the Mei on the upper tanto but its not Kunihiro

[SteveM]

2 minutes ago, Lewis B said:

I'm pretty sure the Kunihiro is the shorter blade below.

 

Yes, the one on top is Hatakeda Moriie, the one on the bottom is Kunihiro. 

 

[Scogg]

Thank you @Lewis B and @SteveM, my excited mistake. I’ve edited my previous post to reflect 

 

 

[Mushin]

The Moriie is zaimei? Very desirable works. Wish I could see the Kunihiro up close. His works are rare. Thanks for the photo efforts Sam. And kudos to Fred for bringing them to share. Wish I were there! 
 

[atm]

I think tsuba collectors will appreciate this one.

[atm]

And some from Itoh-san. 

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

Something for Piers perhaps…

[Toryu2020]

[Toryu2020]

[Lewis B]

Thanks for the detailed images of the Kunihiro. He is renowned for not straying too far from his fathers style. This one clearly shows that connection. Did you get the nagasa?

 

[Mushin]

Thanks for all the photos from Steve, Sam, Tom and all the others! Next best thing to being there. Appreciate the effort!

[nulldevice]

Idk if this Hirata was posted. It was on Fred’s table and absolutely wonderful alongside the other two

 

[nulldevice]

And the Ko-Kinko Juyo tosogu

 

[nulldevice]

Outside of the other 3 TJ blades shown, I counted a total of 5 TJ total blades at the show and probably around 25 or so Juyo blades and 15 or so Juyo Tosogu. 
 

Fred's 3:

Ichimonji Yoshifusa

Bizen Nagashige

Hatakeda Moriie

 

And 2 others:

Niji Rai Kunitoshi (From the Davidson collection)

Chu-Aoe (Part of the NBTHK-AB presentation), this blade had some of the best Utsuri I've ever seen and it was 3-dimensional and the polish made it visible from across the table. 

 

I got to study 3 of these TJ in hand and it was an incredible learning experience to see phenomenal work in hand and put those memories in the bank. I can't say how much I appreciate those here who help put this show together as well as others who brought in amazing work and shared it with fellow students and collectors. A few names that come to mind: Robert H, Fred W, Mike Y, Alf T, Uwe, Gordon, Bill R, Tom H, Les, Grey, and I spent a good amount of time hanging out with @Scogg and @atm. I'm missing quite a few names I'm sure but I think everyone can agree that it was a great show. 

 

The NBTHK-AB presentation was much larger than anticipated, over 100 people showed up to view the Aoe school blades presented to the point where they ran out not only of masks, but of tissue paper afterwards to put in people's mouths when handling the sword. 

[Kanenaga]

Here is the beginning layout out of the Aoe display at the SF show, prior to the actual hands-on viewing. There were 6 daito, 1 wakizashi, and 2 tanto. The sword committee seriously underestimated the attraction of the display. More than 100 people attended over 2 hours, 50 handouts disappeared early and so did other supplies. Kudos to the NBTHK-AB and the NCJSC.