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Well, I'll be damned if I leave info on FB to waste away, so I am sure that @Andrew Ickeringill and @Adrian S won't mind if I blatantly plagiarize their posts and share the info here. Very happy to see that the sword that Adrian "discovered" a few years ago that eventually went Juyo to Go Yoshihiro, has now passed Toku Juyo. Wow...what an incredible find and story. And what a high praise for Andrew and his polishing. This is a masterpiece and a proud moment for both owner and togishi. Well done to both, I am sure we all share in your achievement, with a little jealousy thrown in

濃州住人兼常鍛之 – Noshu junin Kanetsune forged this.

And a few more:

Here are some photos of the activity:

Hey guys, Been a while since I've posted a new acquisition, but this one has me excited and its not something you see every day. I acquired it at the recent Chicago show and got it in a trade deal. I've put it in front of several people at the show, including Bob Benson. He seemed to really like it and told me how he could properly bring out the hada even more than it is already so this one is going to Bob for work eventually. His opinion was that it was late Shinto/Shinshinto. Bob did note that someone had messed with the nakago in an attempt to make it look older but he believes it would be easy to remedy and properly repatinate. It is a massive 29" nagasa with a VERY active hamon and mokume hada. There is kinsuji, inazuma, nie and nioe present. This piece feels like it was made to show off the smith's skills yet is mumei which leads me to believe that this was a temple offering piece. I am welcome to opinions on school and smith. My blind guess is perhaps Mino, but ken are so poorly researched that it is really anyone's guess. Without further ado, here you all go! (If you want to see it in person, DM me and I'll get you the information for the next ITK meeting which is this next Saturday.) The first picture shows my two other ken for reference to scale since I neglected to lay a tape down with it. The top one is a Yamato den, and the bottom is Bungo Yukihira (1199-1206).

The certificate says "katana" and nagasa 2 shaku, so 60.6 cm About Echizen Rai and Chiyozuru, i'm doing some research lately on Rai Kuniyasu since i recently bought one. Rai Kuniyasu (来国安) was a Yamashiro Rai swordsmith, said to be son or grandson of Rai Kunisue (来国末), he then moved to the village of Awaji (淡路) in Settsu´s Nakajima fief, therefore he is also referred to as Awaji-Rai (淡路来). Then he (or his homonymous son, sources are not alligned on this) moved to Echizen, where he founded the Echizen Rai ha, that then became the Chiyozuru school. From what i found if NBTHK attributes to Rai Kuniyasu means when he was in Yamashiro or Awaji (end of Kamakura/early Nanbokucho), if Echizen Rai it's his son work in Echizen (early to mid Nanbokucho), if Chiyorozu is the students of Echizen Rai (late Nanbokucho to Muromachi).

This one in Kishu no Tosogu is described as being the flight of a waterbird. Which ties in nicely with the geese of the OP. Could this be the same design, albeit a lot more stylistic in approach?

On a Type 94:

Actually, 60.6cm

Great pictures Oli. Thanks for sharing this nice Akihisa. I have a late stage Akihisa but it needs a polish in future because of some ugly rust damage and scratches. These are some good parts.

Its rare to come across swords for sale that were entries into the NBTHK sword making competition, this sword was entered in 2007. In hand, its a large sword, i would describe it as magnificent. The sword was bought direct from the smith by its previous owner, a well known collector here. Akamatsu Taro Kanetsugu is the current head of the Kimura Nippon Bijutsu Token of Yatsuhiro, Kyushu. His real name is Kimura Kanesada, born 1951. He is the oldest son of Kimura Kaneshige. He is recognised as a Kumamoto "important traditional craftsman". The tachi is large, it is signed and dated 2007. He made it at the age of 56. It was entered into the 2007 NBTHK Shinsakuto competition and received Nyusen-Sho. In hand, the quality stands out. Fine Ko-itame hada and a consistent hamon in Choji. See his other NBTHK results below. I'm confident any future owner will cherish this wonderful Tachi. Price is £5500 or best offer. That's a fair price for such a sword. Payment via bank transfer or paypal (buyer to cover fees). Folks are welcome to come and see the sword. Shipping likely to be with UPS, i will need to get a price for anyone interested. I am bad at photography, until i take some pictures i will use some by the previous owner. Type... Tachi Ubu.... Original condition competition blade, Mei... Higo Kuni Yatsushiro Ju Kanetsugu Saku Papered...Copy of Nyusen-sho, copy of Torokusho, and original statement/oshigata by Kanetsugu. Age..."Heisei ju ku nen ni gatsu kichi jitsu" (lucky day 2nd month 2007) Shrasaya.. With horn mekugi/mekugi ana, Comes with a bag made by the smiths wife. Total length 108cm Nagasa/blade length.. 78cm, Total length of blade and nakago is 101cm Sori.. 2.5cm Hamon.. choji Jihada...Ko-itame with Jinie Flaws...No, its a competition sword. Habaki..quality 2 piece with gold foil. Location..UK Plenty about the Akamatsu Taro smiths online. They make their own Tamahagane from Kumamoto river sand, their hada has a darkish appearance. Akamatsu Taro (japaneseswordhigotsuru.com) This is a robust tachi with finely carved Bo-hi. This sword would make one hell of an addition to any collection. Lots of information comes with this blade which is a nice bonus, ask for more details if your interested.

there are a couple here there were a bunch on FB

A Word War 2 Seki swordsmith. 石原兼直 =Ishihara Kanenao

Yes, that's why study mumei blades can be quite tricky, i've seen blades with 3 certificates and 3 different attributions. When learning is always better to have signed blades, even better if also dated. But you can just enjoy a blade for what it is, the fun part can be making your own idea about a mumei blade as well

I think they go with exclusions in these cases, for example on a Juyo "den Rai Kuniyasu" they wrote, the blade at a first glance look like Rai Kunimitsu but the workmanship is a step below. So they assume Kunimitsu did only top works, so if quality is slightly less they automatically assume is someone close, in this case Kuniyasu. In case of Echizen Rai, if sugata is Nanbokucho, style is like Rai but rougher then is Echizen Rai, if it's lower quality or later is Chiyozuru

Nice jigane, I hear they make they own iron not using NBTHK Tamahagane and it shows on this blade I think. I have one blade on consignment from one of the brothers / sons KANETERU and it's a very solid and nice blade

Funny you should mention that! I think they actually consider just that in the description - but then decide on it being the flight of waterfowl.

I believe Adrian bought the sword, from a collector in Tassie. It came in a Gunto mount.

I think Piers nailed it with Senshū 仙舟造. Same maker as the pot below https://www.1stdibs....47362/#zoomModalOpen

Carl with pleasure. please enjoy, this is an extraordinary highest quality blade,super rare to find. Kajiyama Yasutoshi Nagasa 69,9 cm with NBTHK Koshirae with Mon blade housed in shirasaya original war time first polish

in australia, you could leave out the names and we still could know whom you are speaking of. there togishi and then theres togishi.

Hi all from Canberra Au. I am in a position at my age that I need to sell off my small collection of Swords and Tuba. Unfortunately the family are not interested and I would simply like to sell for the prices that I originally paid, that's another story though. I have two Shingunto one in original war fittings and the other in civilian. I'm posting pictures of the Oshigata and the information that may or may not be correct. I would be very grateful for any information regarding this Katana, as I would like to have my facts correct before offering them for sale. Regards and very best Chris I will post the second Shingunto separately

My second Shingunto is in war koshirae and in very good condition for age. Once again I would appreciate any comments as to the information that I have posted. I simply wish to have my facts strait prior to offering this Katana for sale. Cheers Chris

Bakumatsu kinko 80 x 82 mm

Gendai Tanto, hope you like it

Yes, I showed one I had to some sword polishers and they agreed that none of them would like to attempt such a polish. Not directly related, but like Alex above, the idea of splitting out a central steel rod reminded me of well-bucket hooks or anchors. These are sometimes called Ninja hooks, with three or four curled barbs for throwing up onto walls etc. on the end of a rope. I heard that genuine old examples are of one piece, peeled out from a central shaft.

Yes Alex, like katana, wakizashi and tanto 短刀! All sizes and uses, but all smoothbore. Tanzutsu 短筒 were really for a holster, a shorter pistol to be fired in the standing position. Bajozutsu 馬上筒 were longer, like slightly shorter long guns, equestrian, for ease of loading on horseback. These might be referred to as a carbine in the West. There were long thin guns for target shooting and small game, heavier army guns, even heavier Samurai guns, and then a series of serious 大筒 O-zutsu hand cannons. In the display was a three-barrel matchlock; these were heavy, so naturally they were built shorter.

Bruce: I think the mon is the same one as the thread above, though I haven't looked it up yet. John C.

We are getting closer to the show date. @Japan2112 has informed me that the holtel block of rooms, for discounted prices, ends in two weeks. Make your hotel reservations soon! Orlando is one of the bigest tourist destinations in the world, and the hotels know it and they price high accordingly. If anyone has swords, tsuba, or koshirae they would like to submit to shinsa, and cannot attend, please let me know. I will submit on your behalf. See information above or contact me directly. Dan

A horimono documentary popped up on my list after watching your finding:

Just for the fun of it: From the Archive of the Edo Tokyo Museum: By Tsukioka Yoshitoshi The Dojo of Sakakibara Kenkichi c.1873

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Nabe Buta (Pot Lid Defence) - Miyamoto Musashi attacks Tsukahara Bokuden with long and short Bokuto. c.1845

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Fashionable Octopus Games c.1840

Artist Unknown Various Mechandise fighting in a Dojo enclosure c.1880

Kawanabe Kyosai Children making shapes with a Fusa Himo including Yari Jutsu - spear fighting and a woman holding a Naginata. c.1865

Utagawa Toyokuni Jujutsu c.1815

Utagawa Kunisada Tengu teaching Ushiwaka (Minamoto No Yoshitsune) under the watchful gaze of the Tengu King Shojobu c.1810

One for Piers Susuki Kinsen c.1900

Toyoharu Chikanobu The Chiyoda Castle Series The Last Shogun Yoshinobu watching Gekken practice c.1897

I think Brian is correct. As a collector of British swords, I have been confused to find references to old unit names after the unit amalgamated with another. As a matter of heraldry, I think battalions wanted to maintain ties to their original regiments. I think @Dave R also collects British swords and may have some additional insight. Conway

It was a great show. I too, didn't get to stay the entire show, but had a great time seeing old friends, made a few new friends and saw a ton of nice swords and fittings. Didn't take any sword photos but here are a few photos for your enjoyment. Edit: Sorry, it only allows so much for uploads. I have many more but couldn't upload them. Juyo Goto Ichijo Juyo Nobuiye

Thanks for the comments there were 114 tables on the floor, all occupied, not sure exact number but i think about 70 vendors. I thought the show went very well. We had good attendance, my son said he saw more people bringing swords in than usual. Thanks to the NBTHK-AB for a great display. if you see great work you will know what to look for. Thanks to Matt J for the assistance with the sword presentation. Those attending could hold and examine 6 GREAT swords, a Ko-Hoki with Mr Tanobe's sayagaki saying he thinks Sadatsuna so it was made 1000-1100 what a treat. there were 5 Juyo, a Sejuin (kamakura), Aoe Hisatsugu (signed- it is the one in Fujishiro), Sanekage, Ko-Mihara (looks Shinshinto it is so healthy), and an ubu Skikakke Naginata...... It was great seeing a lot of old friends and some who came for the first time. I apologize if i was ever short with conversation, with taking care of the show and doing presentations etc i get a bit flustered. I think sales were reasonably brisk, one regular vendor said he saw people he had never seen there before buying items. It was the Ito' first time and they were very happy and have already signed up for next year. At one point Grey and i had a big pile of free books on our table. But it wasn't there long. Next Orlando! Mark

It's really not a big deal but small o-kissaki is like saying a tall midget......

O Suriage Tachi NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon with attribution to Kokubunji Suke Kuni late kamakura Sayagaki by Mr Tonobe 69.2 cm He was originally from the Ichimonji kei in Bizen of which his Father was also a sword smith Sukekuni then went to the Bingo Mihara group to live and work Rated Jojo saku The Koshirae has menuki of the Hosokawa clan Many thanks to Mike Yamasaki for selling this to me

Not so scary but great work for sure. Check out the detail on how light reflects from the lantern.