Why is saving for a sword a taboo ?

[Bugyotsuji]

When I said 'locomotive', I meant my old brain, not the thread. Trying to follow the sometimes long posts, I found myself going off the rails, i.e. falling asleep or getting distracted.

A bad attempt at light humo(u)r, for which I apologize.

 

Fascinating to read all the different interpretations, though.

 

(Oh, and I still count Colin among my friends, so I avoid any involvement in he said, she said!)

[R_P]

21 minutes ago, Gakusee said:

 

@Rayhan

@Bugyotsuji

Given that you two, esteemed gentlemen, are both in London currently, whilst residing elsewhere permanently, I think you should grab a coffee or cocktail. Knowing both of you, I am positive you will get along nicely and can discuss your disparate collecting interests, spanning much more than nihonto….

Any opportunity to meet a fellow collector is welcome, all up to Piers

[Matsunoki]

5 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Oh, and I still count Colin among my friends, so I avoid any involvement in he said, she said!)

Thank you Piers. Greatly appreciated.

I have asked my wife to remove the cable ties from my wrists just so I can write this. They, and the gag are going back on now🙂

[Hokke]

59 minutes ago, Scogg said:

Babysitter on duty 

But really guys, lets keep the temperature low enough so not to require a re-temper. 

Really don't want to lock this thread. There has been some good input between the noise.
-Sam

I think it exceeded its usefulness after page two so by all means…..

[Scogg]

Fair enough, but that's no excuse for hostilities, or baiting arguments. 

If you're unable to keep it civil, then it's not the thread that's the problem. 
-Sam

[Scogg]

I want to emphasize, despite my friendly candor, that these warnings are not being given out lightly. Please take them seriously.
 

It's important to remember that decisions around locking threads are made by the moderation team and the administrator (Brian). It’s not appropriate for members to argue their way to someone else's thread being locked, just because they don't like it. Plenty of threads like this are allowed to continue after their "usefulness", without issue or hostilities. 
 

Whether or not you agree with how moderation is handled, this is the process we follow.
Let's try to give Brian a much needed break, and put this behind us. 

-Sam

[R_P]

To  be honest I have not intended or taken any offence to anyone here. Gents, we've all come through some tough times these past few years, and whether we like it or not or like each other or not we came through them as a community of Nihonto collectors. I know I do bring up stuff that is a bit of a tough subject now and then but I mean well and my general demeanor is not everyone's cup of tea or coffee but a discussion with Nihonto guys is still better than the office for me, even if they don't agree. Let's keep it chill as we can. 

[Brano]

3 hours ago, Hokke said:

Essential? For what exactly? Try to answer without making assumptions perhaps

I live in a country where I don't know any enthusiasts who are seriously interested in nihonto
So books were my only source of education (apart from learning from the blades I bought)

You ask what are books good for?
I firmly believe that your question concerns only books on nihonto

Books can help you in the beginning, for example, to get familiar with specific terminology that even Japanese people do not understand, if they are not interested in nihonto
Learn basic kanji for swordsmiths or terminology so that you can read the most important information in setsumei
A number of publications by Markus Sesko in English describe in detail the properties of blades from a metallurgical point of view, which were published in Token Bijutsu
Among other things - many important books show blades in real size (for Tanto the whole blade is shown, for longer blades only parts are shown - but almost always in a 1:1 scale)
Observing sugata will improve your skills in kantei and determining the time of manufacture of the blade
Many books contain high-quality photographs (Tokubetsu Juyo Nado Zufu, Nihonto Taikan, Showa Dai Meito Zufu ...), which will allow you study the visual structure of the blade

 

And if none of that is for you, you can always use a book as a paperweight or to support anything

 

Joking aside - for me, books have been very helpful in building my collection

[Hokke]

20 minutes ago, Brano said:

You ask what are books good for?
I firmly believe that your question concerns only books on nihonto

 

I never asked that question. You simply misinterpreted my post. I understand there may be a language barrier, so I understand how this may have happened, but I choose my words quite carefully and would never have asked such a silly question. 

I was responding to a member who stated that books were “essential”, and simply requested clarification. Unfortunately, that question was ASSumed to be hostile and went unanswered. 

[R_P]

4 minutes ago, Hokke said:

I never asked that question. You simply misinterpreted my post. I understand there may be a language barrier, so I understand how this may have happened, but I choose my words quite carefully and would never have asked such a silly question. 

I was responding to a member who stated that books were “essential”, and simply requested clarification. Unfortunately, that question was ASSumed to be hostile and went unanswered. 

Man your response to Brano is condescending on the "language barrier" ? Totally unnecessary. 

 

And "ASSumed" is also unnecessary 

 

What's up @Hokke have i done something to you in person?

[Lewis B]

51 minutes ago, Brano said:

And if none of that is for you, you can always use a book as a paperweight or to support anything

 

 

I find Pechalov's Soshu Masterpieces a great door stop and stacked on Comptons 100 Masterpieces a perfect height for accessing the top shelf in the kitchen......

 

But I echo others here that everyone new to the field should acquire at least one reference book. For me that would be the Nagayama Connoisseur's publication. It's cheap so no excuses and even cheaper used. Start reading and absorb what is written. There's much to learn and it takes time and effort. There are no shortcuts. Progress from there, building on the foundations that have been established. Then start to think about era, style, type, school, papers and obviously budget.

 

My first purchase was a year ago and that was after several years study and understanding what I wanted. Getting the blade, koshirae, Tanobe sayagaki and TH papers just made a nice complete package.

 

I'm still on the hunt for that statement piece. Hopefully a Kamakura era Bizen Ichimonji tachi for which I think I have a saved a good enough budget. I would only feel confident making such a big purchase after doing the groundwork, establishing friendly contacts with far more 'mature' collectors who would be willing to offer an educated opinion if asked, to know as much about the potential purchase as possible. With so much money involved I don't want to take chances or find out I'd been taken for a ride. Just waiting now for the right opportunity to present itself. 

[Hokke]

2 minutes ago, Rayhan said:

Man your response to Brano is condescending on the "language barrier" ? Totally unnecessary. 

 

And "ASSumed" is also unnecessary 

 

What's up @Hokke have i done something to you in person?

It’s not condescending, it’s actual. If someone is here on this forum and possibly using translation software it can be easy to read something outside its intended meaning in English. The fact that I need to explain this based on your assumption is sad, since you are clearly trying to paint participation here in a certain light. What you judge as necessary is of no value to me. It’s clear to me that you seem to have think you have superior knowledge in all things nihonto and will fight until you last breath for some someone to recognize it. Unfortunately, as many here have made clear, you are entitled to your opinion and it carries no further value. Your way is NOT “the” way. 

[Scogg]

Hard words, but well said.. I think we’ll leave it there. 
 

This thread has drifted too far off topic now. And I imagine it’s not going to drift back soon. As always, I will defer to Brian if he wants to open it back up. 
 

All the best,

-Sam