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First day of the show is on the books. It was well attended and looked like there wasn't an empty booth space to be had. I walked in there with a wandering eye and curious hands which I mostly scolded and kept in my pocket. Behind my eye and hands was a main drive/focus...my Unicorn Cinderella quest. I had a type 98 koshirae with sharksin saya (purchased on NMB) and wanted to find it a blade. I would mention this quest and mostly told "Good luck" and I'd take the well wishes. I knew it would be tough, but if it was to be done; this was the place. I walked booth to booth with my tsunagi with a few potentials coming and going. Hours later I had about given up while at the same time never yet losing faith. Then at the end of an aisle it happened.... I came across a Tadakuni Nidai with Hozon papers for an affordable price. I laid the tsunagi over it...huh...this might work. I tell the dealer my quest and the potential of his blade so he says, "Well lets try". I ask him do it because god forbid anything happen. He takes the blade out of shirasaya and it just happened to fit perfectly into the seppa, perfectly into the tsuba, perfectly into the tsuka...but could the mekugi ana honestly linenup as well? I heard the magic words..."they line up perfectly!". I responded "No way, you might have found my Cinderella! Now if it's a perfect fit I feel like I can't even try to haggle!" The seller then said, "ha, I'll take $100 off". Class act.... Then of course is the last and final piece...the saya. He picks up the blade perfectly mounted in my tsuka and slowly...slowly...starts to slide it in. Only the penitant blade shall pass. He continues...so far so good....and then the Cinderella moment...it fit perfectly including the habaki. Tight, nestled and safe. Lastly, it really could use one extra seppa to really snug things up. Went to Grey and Mark's table digging into Mark's tacklebox of seppa, gunto etc...parts. found the perfect seppa that lines up perfectly with the other seppa and locking mechanism. We were all systems go. No pumpkin. The only thing off was that the tsunagi was about an inch and some change longer. So Cinderella Tadakuni was a bit shorter than she could have been. This I will allow. That blade was my entire haul this year and couldn't be happier. I'm not the first to have this happen, nor will I be the last but thank you Chicago Sword Show 2022. Honorable Mentions that I Almost Bought: 1. Signed tanto early 1800s with a Fuji design in hamon...but no sun/moon. 2. Signed Gendaito (Kanesomething?) by a WW2 era smith in shirasaya who made the hada look like soundwaves all the way down the blade. Was told it was an old "forgotten or secret" (i forget the adjective used) technique only done/known by a few smiths. There were more details about the blade but I lost them in the fog. It really was quite beautiful besides its flaws but walked away without it for a few reasons. Picture collage below of seperate sword in shirasaya becoming one with the type 98 koshirae.

There are three really nice Gendai swords currently for sale (in the for sale section) from Ray Singer, MarcoUdin and David Flynn. These are great traditionally made swords in very good WW2 original Koshirai. And at the moment, there doesn't appear to be a lot of interest. They are obviously not in the "bargain basement" price point, but they are not bargain basement swords. As a collector of Gunto/Gendai swords, I think these swords are all worth a serious look. I am seeing far less important swords sell for only a couple of hundred bucks cheaper. As Brian has said, for a bit more cash, you could buy something much better that is worth studying and enjoying. This should be valuable advice to NEW collectors, it is always better to buy quality, one day in the future you may regret not getting the good, a little more expensive sword.

播磨守橘貴道 - Harima no kami Tachibana Takamichi

John J, I agree with you. Not every one can afford a GREAT Koto sword however. And there are some fantastic Gendai swords that I think have the "romance" factor of being carried to war by a WW2 Japanese officer. Remember, the Japanese Gunto was the last sword actually used as a weapon of war and not as a ceremonial dress sword. So a nice Gendai in original Gunto mounts is as much a part of Japanese sword history as any other.

I think the current state of our planet has a lot to do with things slowing down right now. Covid (and it’s after effects) is still with us, seriously soaring energy and cost of living increases (here in Europe anyway)……A major war in the heart of Europe (again…who would have believed it), interest rates at virtually zero etc etc. It’s a very uncertain (and scary) world. I think before…going back say 3 years….. people generally would rather spend capital and enjoy ownership rather than keep money in the bank. Not so now it seems. I know several of the worlds leading Meiji Works of Art dealers and things are definitely slow in that market also. The only exception seems to be when something half decent crops up in an auction and then things seem to go totally crazy. Is it like that in the USA or Australia?

https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac-blog/samurai-gun-colt-revolving-rifle?utm_source=Rock+Island+Auction+News&utm_campaign=dc6f23748a-2022_4_22_+2+Winchesters%2C+2+Stories&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1f4b8db853-dc6f23748a-149001157

Thanks for the link. They are really building up that sale but it is admittedly a very rare gun. The other day I saw this gun in Japan but there are no markings on it anywhere, although I found a number 3 stamped on the ramrod knife. It is illustrated in Sawada Taira’s book ‘Nihon no Furujū’. Double barrelled percussion shotgun with Damascene barrels. There is a small opening metal shell lid in the side of the butt for percussion caps I guess. The guy said he paid quite a sum for it. Anyone recognize this?

I'm so sorry I promise improvment Piers thank you! Thank you very much John!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Colin, Your sword was almost assuredly made by the Michitoshi (道俊) on Fujishiro's shintō index p422. He is the only Michitoshi using that particular kanji combination (in Fujishiro, anyway). I believe this corresponds with Hawley's Michitoshi MIC70. Fujishiro dates him from Ansei (1854) while Hawley's dates him from Bunkyu (1861), so, a negligible discrepancy. I don't know what the dark streaks are in your blade either, but they are not bo-utsuri. I wouldn't be too worried about it. It doesn't look like its any kind of fatal flaw. I'm not sure if the smith intended for those streaks to show up, or if that's just how the end product looked. Regarding the other name (the person who ordered the tantō); the first character of the name includes the component 山 (yama) on the top. There aren't a lot of kanji that use this component on the top, and of those that do, very few of them are appropriate for a name. Maybe it is 巌 (巌邦 = Yoshikuni)? Anyway, its not something super obvious otherwise Moriyama-san (aka the poster called "Nobody") would have mentioned it. I'm a bit skeptical you we could ever find the identity of this person. Fujiwara is a common name. I think even in the mid 1800s it would have been a fairly common name. One thing to note is that the lacquer scabbard contains the name "Fujii" (藤井) inside of a circle, in the form of a family crest.

Hi Peter, I'm struggling with the parts highlighted in red. Here's the script from beneath the photo. I'm struggling with the middle rank as (probably due to me misunderstanding "oite" in this context) the order seems to be out of sequence, so whilst I've given you the names, I'm not sure who they belong to. 大日本刀匠協会発会の折, 栗原邸を訪れた全国の刀匠. Dai Nihon tōshō kyōkai ketsukai no ori, Kurihara yashiki o tazureta zenkuni no tōshō. Swordsmiths from the whole country visited the Kurihara mansion on the occasion of the first meeting of the Greater Japan Swordsmiths Association. 前列左から: 松林政重 ; 末次繁光 ; 越水盛俊 ; 彦三郎 ; 笠間繁継 ; 小山信光 ; 守次則定 ; 淀川重利 ; Maeretsu hidari kara (front rank, from the left) Matsubayashi Masashige; Suetsugu Shigemitsu; Koshimizu Moritoshi, Hikosaburō, Kasama Shigetsugi, Koyama Nobumitsu, Moritsugu Norisada, Yodogawa Shigetoshi, 中列2人目: 岩崎航介 ; 3人おいて 紀 政次 ; 中尾 (藤田) 忠次 ; 小山秀研 ; 1人おいて 藤田強 ; 小宮四郎國光 ; Chūretsu nininme (middle rank, 2nd person) Iwasaki Kōsuke, san’nin oite (3rd person), Ki Masatsugu, Nakao (Fujita) Tadatsugu, Koyama Hidetogu, ichinin oite (first person) Fujita Tsuyoshi, Komiya Shirō Kunimitsu, 後列: 石井昭房 ; 秋元 昭友 ; 今野昭宗. Ushiroretsu (rear rank): Ishii Akifusa, Akimoto Akitomo, Konno Akimune.

Yeah, got lucky with this one. I could tell from the tsunagi it was an older somewhat petite blade with a possibly koto/shinto sori. Was open to whatever fit though. Was really glad that the blade that worked was in good polish, signed, good smith and papered. Worked out real swell. I cashed in a swath of my nihonto luck with this one but left about an inch in the luck bucket for later. Good luck to all those at the show today and Sunday. I'm there in spirit.

2664 is correct, and I'll re-size using those dimensions, thanks Brian...it asked for two values but I'll try with just one.

Mr Bean tries his hand at polishing.....

I just shake my head when arsenal machine made swords, all carbon copies, fetch more than handmade traditional swords that a smith slaved over. But hey...the fact is the militaria guys spend more than the Nihonto guys. That's why German daggers, and Fairbairn Sykes and OSS Smatchets and other stuff fetches the high prices that they do.

Anti-roll mechanism.

Hello all, I would greatly appreciate opinions, views and if possible some help on this silver mounted Aikuchi Tanto. On a previous post “Nobody” on this forum very kindly translated the Mei and inscription as - 應藤原▢邦求作之 – Responding to the order from Fujiwara something-kuni, made this. 萬延元年八月日 道俊 – Man’en 1st year (1860), 8th month, Michitoshi (＜ー smith name) frustratingly the critical kanji of the person who commissioned this Tanto is ruined by an ana. Does anyone have any idea, bearing in mind the important Fujiwara family name…..who this could be? Could it be something to do with what happened in the Manen nengo? The nengo was I believe for just a single year marking a major fire at Edo castle and also a famous assassination? I am also struggling with the smith. In this case his name appears below the date which threw me totally and I am unable to identify which Michitoshi it is. The Michi kanji confuses me. Hawley lists 3 smiths around that time. Help! …..and with profuse apologies for so many questions…..can you comment on the unusual (to me) blade features. The polish is a bit tired but the hada is flowing masame, the hamon is a wide wild suguha/midare with some notare undulations. Looks full of sunagashi…….but I am puzzled by the dark streaks running the full length of the ji …..is that bo-utsuri? Apologies for poor images. many many thanks. Basic dimensions nagasa 28.5 cm (40.0 overall) motohaba 28mm motokasane 8mm

I like the tsuba. I know the concept of looking at iron/steel and saying "looks like good iron/steel" judging from the aesthetic and patina is probably largely a fallacy, but if it had any truth, I'd say this looks like good iron. Dark, and nice and smooth with good patina. Very appealing.

Good Morning Gentleman Need help with the translation of this nice Yari and the sayagaki of its saya... I guess Takemichi??? Thank you very much in advance!

Volker! Just one dark fuzzy photo is not very friendly!!!

Another "strange / hybrid" shape tsuba on Ebay at an indécent price: https://www.ebay.fr/itm/325158263488?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Ddb113309c7664491afab65b3bf511cb0%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D325158263488%26itm%3D325158263488%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A41c08e72-c2da-11ec-ab41-aa0a8766fdf8|parentrq%3A5567fdde1800aaecb52bbf30ffff9e1c|iid%3A1

As Neil has said, the swords he mentioned are, not bargain basement, but are generously priced. I would go so far to say that, the Tadayoshi, is a bargain. All theses swords would have been more expensive, pre-Covid.

You can fit a not matching tare with a technique called “kōmori-tsuke”!

Enjoyed reading that Adam....love your work!

That could easily go for US$2000-$2400 USD. It’s intact, and a copper handle. Many guys would like to have one of these in their collection.

Got to meet Mark and Grey so far; really nice people and Mark gave me a really good price on a fitting; that was very kind. Thank you, Sir. Lots of great stuff to see and people to network with to learn more. Tomorrow there are some presentations that I am looking forward to.

Thankyou for your knowledge, your detail on correct presentation and your mentioning of how my 1st impression as a western sword collector was an echo of earlier westerners describing this style of tsuba. Greatly appreciated.

No, but I did buy it from a member a few years back. I'll try to get some pictures when its sunny out and post it.

Hi! Piers, the Yonezawa at the top is 10 monme. Under There is a 50 monme Seki. Then there are two ten monme Seki were one is converted to percussion. That one is made in Kunetomo and returned there for the percussion upgrade. The one at the bottom is kind of a hybride. It’s a six monme bajozutsu. The stock and lock is all Seki but the barrel is maybe nanban and pegs are holding the barrel, not the brass or cupper bands you normaly see on both schools. The 50 monme Seki has both the original cupper and brass band as well as a set in silver with chrysantemum decorations. Anthony

Have fun Guys!!

Have a great show!

A is a better in my opinion and older and should be restored. B is a later issue than A. I think A is momoyama era.

Thank you both - It was a struggle for me

On the right; 小林河内守國助 - Kobayashi Kawachi no kami Kunisuke

藤本春信 Fujimoto Harunobu (小林)？…河内守国助 Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke

First guess would be Shoami - "style". Its not signed and a pretty conventional design based I think on Chinese landscape paintings. The ategane in the hitsu points to several mountings and the gold nunome edging lifts its quality a little. Please be aware the images should be the other way up with the narrow part of the nakago-ana pointing upwards [cutting edge] the way they would be seen when mounted. It is interesting you say the way it looks like it was molded in clay - that sentiment was held by many early European writers back in the 19th century and the skill of the tsuba maker is still inspiring that thought even today.

No pic needs to be a few megs big. You can share everything that needs to be seen in a few hundred kb. Search for free online image resizers...there are plenty. Otherwise post the link to your imgur album. Frankly, I don't think pics are needed. There are more than enough already posted of this sword. It's machine made. We aren't looking for nie and nioi or hataraki. The sword was already verified. So there is zero more that is needed as far as pics go. Now it is about listing a price and seeing if anyone is interested. I can tell you that at the last price, I have serious doubts it will sell. People aren't spending $5k+ on a machine made sword. Not when that buys you a very nice antique katana. I think prices estimates were given by the experts here. You just need to decide what you are asking and list it.

GabeS, looking at Hizento is a worthwhile pursuit. It is a great school to focus on. Have a starting read of: https://yuhindo.com/hizen-tadayoshi/ https://yuhindo.com/hizen-yukihiro-4/ https://www.nihonto.com/459-2/

Jan, if this is historically accurate, they would have to have been bronze cannon or bronze hand guns, don't you think? What happened to them? Did they mostly explode? None survive today I should think. There was known to be a casting workshop in the vicinity of Kōfukuji Temple, originally set up centuries before when workers were brought over from Korea to make the Buddhist statues and bells. Nara Park used to be part of the grounds of Kōfukuji, I recall reading somewhere.

Picked up this military belt, has a arisaka cartridge pouch, frog hanger that possibly fits a court sword as too small for bayonet etc( maybe batton? And has attached metal buckle thst i cant find in any of my books, any help appreciated Cheers Phil

I see some similar ones on Yahoo JP listed as "Old Japanese Police Belts" (cherry blossom buckle). Posting for reference https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l1016367272

Yes closest id found was Manchuria but not quite there and not like any of the other colonial ,someone suggested medic or bandsman🤷. Ill try your warrelic suggestion if everyones stumped here, cheers

Hey Phil, could possibly be Manchurian, as it has 20 stamens in what should be a Plum blossom and not Cherry which has 15 stamen. The Japanese used the Cherry Blossom (sakura, i think it's called) whereas Manchukuo used the Plum Blossom. Try posting it over at Warrelics Forum, if you can't get answers here, Nick Komiya would be able to give you a more definitive answer.

Well if you have the right koshirae - this is the Shachi tachi kake you need. https://www.jauce.com/auction/f1048239985

If I had a sword worthy,,.and well the money. Good investment opportunity nonetheless if somebody has the means cuz they're only going to go up.

A large winged, version, a little worn but nice design. https://www.jauce.com/auction/w1046661844

Looking for a match for this Dragon Boat Menuki. Note the fine detail - literally hundreds of inlays and the faces are about the size of a pen tip...)

Spotted this one on the upcoming RIA auction, and just thought it was interesting enough to post. What a shame. I know horimono need to be polished, but hopefully your togishi takes into account preserving as much detail as possible and not just flattening the whole surface. Anyways, it probably had to be done, but the result is somewhat sad. https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/85/3255/signed-16th-century-tanto-blade-with-nthk-papers

Moriyama san. thank you again, now the weekend can start

WOW!!! What a story, almost unbelievable. Reminds me that even a blind squirrel can find the occasional acorn... Thanks for sharing Adam, very much enjoyed. BaZza.

A contradiction of errors, barrow someone else eyes.