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I will double up the crabs

Now I am someone who collects sword books, yet still I wouldn't recommend getting a huge amount of them in the beginning. Getting some is perfectly fine and recommended, just blowing thousands of dollars on books in the beginning is not really feasible. However to me personally owning a huge reference library is more benefical than owning a Jūyō sword. Unfortunately here in Finland the reality of having hands on experience with high quality items is extremely rare. Getting to meetings in Europe would be one way to go but as travelling is somewhat expensive, I plan to cut travelling in Europe to extend my yearly visit to Japan. Here are some things that for me are facts about books vs. real life. - Even in Japanese museums the items might not be perfectly presented, and at least with my eyesight & eye for details, it doesn't always work out with fine details. I am happy as overall shape & size is my main thing but I struggle with small details. - With books you can spend as much time viewing and studying as you like. Even though I spent a lot of time at few shrines looking at their awesome items, having the books of their collections I can open them any time I like and do research with plenty of time and other books for extra resources. - It is somewhat rare occasion to be able to study multiple items by the same smith side by side. In various NBTHK-EB meetings this has been possible for me. Tōken World in Nagoya has the most swords I have ever seen at one place. However due to their layout their items are scattered in various rooms and display cases. For example they had 4 Rai Kunitoshi blades, 3 Chōgi etc. however difficult to compare the items. Then as I have huge amount of books I can pull a massive amount of Chōgi blades side by side and have a good study with all the background info about the items featured in books. Of course seeing the items in person would be amazing but having the possibility to pull huge number of items by smith X to study is amazing, even though pictures and text only. However I do think Jacques is correct in some things. - It is a fact that enthusiasts in Japan have the opportunity to advance knowledge very fast. I have personally seen friends advance really fast with access to top class teachers with super high knowledge. That way you will learn things that would be next to impossible to learn just from books. - In order to understand kantei you need to see and view swords (with a teacher if possible). My own knowledge is theoretical vs. real knowledge as I have not seen enough items in hand. So always it is extremely nice opportunity to view swords with the owner, or experienced people who can tell more about the sword(s). I would strongly recommend reading the forum a lot, there is a lot of knowledge in this forum and threads. I think having an open mind to learning is important. Often when visiting here I learn something new, I remember reading few nice tidbits even this current week that I try to remember in the future.

To go with Piers’ stinging menuki….

To go with Piers’ snappy menuki…

Hello I’ve just read the thread on Ford’s death, it’s lovely to hear your memories and thoughts on him. I would like to tell you all that the funeral is on Monday 9th September at 1pm on 9th September at @sharphamtrust Natural Burial ground. https://www.sharpham...ls/location-visiting Followed by a wake at The Seahorse in Dartmouth https://seahorserestaurant.co.uk In lieu of flowers Ford requested donations to Palestine. Our very good Palestinian friend is an emergency surgeon and he suggested ‘Medical Aid for Palestine’. We are livestreaming the funeral and I will make a short film to put on YouTube also - it seems fitting that we do so given that I spent so much time documenting his every move! The livestream link is here: https://www.funerals...ce.co.uk/ford-hallam Password: Monday Of course if you would like to come to the actual event you are more than welcome. Here is a lovely photo of him. A friend also sent me this photo of us the other day taken in happier times when we were opening the Atelier. I honestly loved this man so very much. He was my complete reason for being and the loss to me is more than I will ever be able to articulate. I cannot fathom the rest of my life without him and the years ahead of me seem long and empty.

I am going to start charging finders fees! The one I have on record could be the one you now have? https://www.easylive...t-carpets-ru-lot-28/ Auction Date: 12th Nov 2022 No dimensions.

Jacques, I respect Zenon's opinion, but why did you not follow his advice? You are not really helpful when you put up the yardstick in unreachable height! Of course you are correct that looking at and handling good blades is the real thing, but what novice can start at this level? And to get a bit more personal: You have a very high level of competence, but how was your own start into this field? Maybe you inherited a collection or had a friendly mentor to guide you? Looking at myself, I did not have opportunities to see or learn from good blades when I started almost 50 years ago. There were just a few books in English available, and they were expensive (and not all were good as I know today). Looking at high-end blades was impossible, and still today, many wealthy collectors keep their treasures well protected and away from curious newbies. Today, I could join the local NBTHK assembly or the only sword-club available but I would have to drive quite far for it - once or twice a year! I think it is not so easy for beginners, and we should encourage them, hoping they will be patient enough for a long learning journey.

@Brian Will be back later this fall on a more regular basis here 👍

Any more Fans of tsuba out there?

In Japan there are a plethora of introductory guide books - Nihonto Kantei Nyumon and the like. In fact there is an expectation that you have done a little study and read one of these BEFORE joining a kantei kai and looking at swords in hand. It should be no different for us. Books are the beginning and in hand study the goal...

Time for a tiger ….

Just for fun, this sweet little Namban just came home and I thought some of you might like it. It's just 61mms by 53mms and in a form that I've never seen but I'm sure Dale can come up with one. All the best.

Nice owl guard Dan! You don't see many owls'. Here is my example:

While I hesitate to weigh in, those fields you have mentioned are trades, not hobbies and passions. Many home bakers and cooks have learned plenty, and done well, learning from books and without teachers. Many in any number of other fields pursued as a hobby do the same. Beginners here are generally not setting out to be polishers or museum curators, that is true sword professionals. They are those that have a passion and wish to learn more as part of a hobby. Certainly, getting blades in hand with a teacher present is the best way to learn. But that doesn't mean other avenues don't have value for those looking to pursue knowledge, and the pleasure of learning. Just because I can't drop everything to go do an advanced degree at MIT doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy reading Six Easy Pieces. Talk about letting the perfect be the enemy of the good! At any rate, I don't anticipate I or anyone else will change your mind or persuade you to moderate your approach when dealing with newbs, neophytes, or those just looking to learn a bit. But one can't help but feel your approach does more to hinder the passion we all share rather than further it.

WW2 bring back. Looks like the signature includes “with respect” & “made by” but that’s as far as I could get. And the date is in Spring. Also, from lurking and reading through various threads, I’d like to point out the little “m/w” stamp at the end of the tang! Thanks.

But you just said the study of nihonto was like baking and physics, and now it's different? Talk about moving goal posts. At any rate, I agree it's highly complex and technical, and enough to make a beginner like me question at many points whether it is worth pursuing. I don't think anyone expects otherwise, or disagrees with your proposition that sword in hand is best. It seems you're suggesting the forum and those that recommend books are saying that you can learn it all without ever touching a sword. That is a patent strawman, and I don't think anyone here has ever put forward that argument. Rather, it's that books have their place both as a supplement to that (else the NBTHK surely wouldn't have any for reference) and as a way for us beginners to build vocab and understand exactly how much our knowledge is lacking. Few things have made clearer to me that I need more swords in hand to learn the basics than the small number of books I have. But they've taught me small pieces about the basics such that I have a better sense to guide my learning as I move forward and allow me to better articulate questions, and that has real value. It certainly won't bring me anywhere near your level of knowledge and experience (and I don't think anyone disagrees you are knowledgeable and would be a real asset to this forum if you would put your knowledge out there for members to read) but it is something and is what is available to me in terms of time and financial commitment. At any rate, that's almost assuredly enough from me. OP - as a fellow beginner I have found both the Connoisseurs Guide and Facts And Fundamentals to be good starting points, along with the assorted online resources around (which thankfully are free).

Jacques, I will not quote it, but I think your second post on this topic should be deleted. I don't know the quoted person but I found disrespectful to quote an insulting sentence of this person, out of context, I suppose without her permission. He could have said that long time ago and have different opinion today. If you wished to say the same thing, no need to hide behind people that are not here. By the way, have you got the insight that almost all your post on this forum drift the topic out it original context, aiming at discussion around your own person. It's unpleasant, I'm not here to discuss your physicist Curriculum Vitae, that is not interresting us here. (I think you're welcome to present your cursus at the Izakaya section). So please, if you feel the necessity to protect beginners, speak about the topic, explain more, be respectful. You have got far more interresting things to say when you speak about sword than about you. Regards. Benjamin

Natsume and other tea ceremony drawstring bags, and tied kinchaku purses came in various materials, such as cotton, silk, leather etc. I have a few real kinchaku, plus two matchlock powder flasks imitating the same style. Nice to see Namban tsuba made in this shape, protecting things of value.

I knew you could do it Dale! Yes indeed that is the very one, several other guards from that lot are on sale from the same vendor that I bought this one from. The V&A example is an interesting comparison too. Thanks for sharing yours Steve, the observation about Hizen tendrils is very interesting. That will give me something to get my teeth into. All the best.

Just arrived… some very stylised wild geese (does anyone else think of the movie when they hear those words?).

To save some digital space, here are another 4 wild things in a collage!

Thanks Piers and Stephen! Just as an aside, I paid less than $150 U.S. for each of those tsuba. I think I may have got a good deal! Onward to more "Wild things"!

I love that Geraint, very different! I have a similar style Namban/Hizen guard which is not quite as interesting as yours, but I still love. The tendrils are different to the usual Namban style, and I note that they are most often seen on guards classified as Hizen.

Most unusual, those last two.

I don't know! How about some ocean creatures? And then a little owl looking out of a tree. How about that lion looking tsuba!

Interesting photos of the official Japanese surrender of the weapons in Batavia on 15 May 1946. The allied representative is Major P.A.A. Haining of the Allied H.Q. The Japanese representative is Major-General Nishimura. .

Tokyo Dai Token Ichi Additional Events For 2024 This is an invitation for overseas visitors who will visit Japan to attend the Dai Token Ichi 1) Sword Study Session at Cinq on Thursday, October 31st.. (Organized by Seikodo and Keichodo) On Thursday, October 31st, there will be a sword study and dinner party again in Ginza at the Italian Restaurant Cinq (same venue as previous years). Location is quite convenient. Participant fee is yen 5,000 (for the venue) and the dinner party will be sponsored by Mr. Hisashi Saito of Seikodo. Pay participant fee on arrival at the venue. Once again, the date will be Thursday, Oct. 31st! Arrival time will be from 5:30 p.m. for the sword study. Discussion of swords at 6:30 and the dinner party will follow the sword study at around 7:15 ... Attendance by advance reservation only! Contact: Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com Cinq - Access For the Thursday study session, it is very easy to find the venue "Cinq" from inside the Metro System (subway). You go to Ginza Station (on the Ginza line), then go up one level from the platform to the underground concourse and find the B-6 exit. The restaurant/club is called Cinq and it is half way up the exit stairwell. So, you don't even have to exit onto street level, it is right inside the metro underground network. It is very convenient....no long walk or need for a taxi. The actual street address for Cinq is Ginza 5-4-3 Taikakukan B1 which is the building with the B6 subway entrance, so go down the first flight of subway entrance stairs and you will find Cinq at the first stair landing. Cinq address: 東京都中央区銀座 5-4-3 対鶴館 B1 〒104-0061 Taikakukan B1, 5-4-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 2) Saturday, Nov. 2nd Yakatabune Tokyo Bay Cruise Dinner Party with plenty to eat and all you can drink..... (organized by Keichodo) Arrangements: This event is being planned for Saturday, November 2nd! As in the past, participants can leave from in front of Dai Token Ichi (Tokyo Bijitsu Club) at 6:30 p.m. Cruise to start from 7:00 p.m. Participation by advance reservation only. Contact: Robert Hughes at keichodo@yahoo.com... Your reservation must be confirmed by October 31st. Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay if event is held (weather permitting)... Cost is yen 12,000 per participant (tax included) to be paid by noon on November 2nd at the Keichodo stall at the DTI. If you plan on going directly to the venue to board the mighty vessel without riding the bus, please notify in advance as a head count is conducted prior to the bus departure. Again, participation will be by advance reservation only. Reservations need to be finalized/confirmed 48 hours prior to the event. No cancellations after reservation commitment please… Notification to attend is also a commitment to pay. Cost yen 12,000 per participant (including sales tax) to be paid by 12:00 noon at the DTI.

Hey guys, Not sure if this belongs in this section or not but I have been waiting forever for Markus to put his books on sale. If anybody else is in the same boat, Markus is doing a 50% off sale again till September 15th https://markussesko....-end-of-summer-sale/

The Hanna face is very poorly carved- nothing like Ishiguro or Murakami skill.

and since I haven't posted this in a while... Gold Tier 2.2k Location:@SanFrancisco in California Name: Thomas C Helm Posted February 17, 2023 Perfect opportunity for members of the NMB to get in some more study - especially those new to nihonto and those who are geographically isolated. We encourage you to join us the more folks who participate the better our programs will become. Check it out! NCJSC Kantei Program In the past year the NCJSC has moved from a printed newsletter to an all electronic format, in that same time we have instituted a new kantei study program for the benefit of our members. This program has three components; Shijo Kantei, Zoom Kantei and in-person hands-on Kantei. Our Shijo kantei or “paper kantei” program is otherwise known as “Hon’Ami Koji’s Kantei Kyoshitsu” this is because the program comes from Hon’Ami Koji Sensei of Kamakura, Japan. Hon’Ami Sensei being a 24th generation polisher in the family tradition and head of the local NBTHK branch. In the past year we have looked at mainline Soshu, Hasebe, Enju, Unji of Bizen, Nanki Shigekuni, Inoue Shinkai and others. Zoom kantei – popular with our out of town members this is our online program that lets you join us for live study from the comfort of your own home. Though many covid restrictions have been lifted here, we intend to continue this class due in part to its popularity. In the past year we have looked at the schools of Ichimonji, mainline Osafune, Hasebe, Yoshii, and Oei Bizen among others. In-person hands-on kantei at our regular monthly meetings. This is not a new program, in fact we have been providing this study opportunity for our members each month for over thirty years! In that time we have seen perhaps every major artist in the world of nihonto excepting perhaps Masamune himself. Each of these programs stands on it’s own and provides incredible insight and value for the student of nihonto. However we would like to propose the following approach; Starting with the Kantei Kyoshitsu, you can see the Japanese descriptions in the original Japanese side by side with an English translation this allows you to start to learn the terms and apply them to known artists work, it can also be used as a tool for learning Japanese as it is applied in the world of nihonto, lastly in the case where the terms are not translated it is an opportunity to refer to your NTHK Novice course and the glossary there for more complete descriptions. Next is the Zoom kantei. This is a full course of nihonto education designed to take you from the beginning to the stage where you have the tools for in-person kantei. There are no curve balls thrown here and as students we all learn together. The focus is on one or two artists each month with discussion of the subject artists work, what other artists may have done similar work, how to get to the correct answer and strategies for playing the kantei “game”. This is often supplemented with examples of the subject artists work from the Juyo To-Ken Nado Zufu and other sources. Very often we are joined by Professor Gordon Robson from Japan providing for an unprecedented level of instruction found nowhere else. These first two may be seen as time on the “practice range” and at our monthly meetings we have the opportunity to play hard ball just as they do at kantei meetings in Japan. You may choose to bid individually or to work as a team, the rules are the same as in Japan and the swords we see are the same or better than one might encounter at a meeting there. Granted it may make for a long day but it is always worth it to remain until “the reveal”, and the setsumei (explanation) never fails to provide new insight into well-known artists. Join us. Thomas C Helm @San Francisco in California (note - the NTHK Novice Course is sent free to new members)

Hi Dan. I don't have any pieces with traditional fans, but have this one which had a number of panels like the one you shared. Damon

I love that channel. I just wish they posted more often. They have some very fine looking swords.

Well, this is the only tiger tsuba I have. But there he is!

The Craft of the Japanese Sword by Kapp & Yoshihara. ~ $15 https://youtu.be/gxwWf-MfZVk Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords ….. Sesko .... $24.90 – on sale $12.50

Jacques, correct, but that is not where beginners start!

Okay, I'm setting the bar high, but you can't tell the difference between a nashiji hada and a konuka hada from a book. Having said that, I give an opinion and everyone can do what they want with it, it's not my problem. I would never have become a physicist without a teacher. I don't know any bakers who learned their trade from books, and I can go on and on.

KYO SHOAMI TSUBA with bamboo and sparrow:

Butterfly menuki in probably gold leaf.

I have decided to do the patina again after I made the video because there are some ugly spots… But it looks cool in the video so here it is and I don’t think it will change much.

A recent acquisition (following along the greenery theme). -Zac

Umm, in the books vs swords first debate, can I just say it's actually quite hard as a beginner on a budget to feel justified in buying a small library of expensive books and it is also equally (if not harder) to find places that would let you see quality in-polish nihonto, let alone handle them? Yes I understand the value of both now, and have access to the right knowledge through here and my local Token society, but starting out it's a big ask. To be honest I think one of the best free recommendations I'd give is reading through two or three years worth of the threads here and in the military swords section - I learnt a metric tonnes of things just by observing other people's beginner and advanced questions, and it cost me absolutely nothing

Here's one from my collection... No animal tsuba yet though! Apologies for the amateur mobile phone photography!

Lesser Cuckoo

Menuki. Kani crabs, silver.

A modest contibution of mine, a coastal scene with plovers. Shibuichi with details in shakudo, copper and gold. Probably late Edo. Florian

I have a very similar theme, although your eagle and mine are hunting different prey

Hi Connor, and welcome to the forum! My favorite three beginner books are the following: - Facts and Fundimentals of Japanese Swords: A collectors guide by Nobou Nakahara translated by Paul Martin - The Connoisseurs book of Japanses Swords by Kokan Nagayama - The Japanese Sword by Kanzan Sato All three of these books are in English, and they cover much of the same material with slightly different perspectives and writing styles. These are my personal favorites for beginners, but other opinions may vary. All the best, -Sam

Exceptionally nice gift!

刀 薩陽士奥元安 寛政七年 薩摩 服部美術店 Katana satsuma Motoyasu, Hattori samurai art shop Tokyo Japan (katana-hattori.com) 薩摩国 江戸中期　　　 元平 元武 元安と 三兄弟 = Satsuma, Mid Edo, three brothers, Motohira, Mototake and Motoyasu.

Remembering Ford's demonstration in the Citadelle de Besançon 2014, just 10 years ago: I had the pleasure to exchange a few e-mails with him over the years. We also communicated on some material I sent him like old wrought iron and raw copper (from an experimental production process) for his work. I will miss him greatly.