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Hi all, I’d like to share two more tsuba, one of which recently came into my hands: a Norisuke and a Chōshū Sadaie piece. As always, any thoughts or observations are very welcome.

Hi, This is an delicate topic. Swords do get elevated to Juyo Bunkazai, albeit rarely. As far as I know, 3 Tokuju blades have been subsequently elevated to Juyo Bunkazai. As you rightly point out, there are many Tokuju swords deserving of the Juyo Bunkazai designation (The Tokuju "long tail" is vast, and arguably goes all the way to National Treasure). Amongst them, the famous Osafune Mitsutada ken. Owners of top Tokuju blades, however, are uninterested in upgrading the status of the blade to Juyo Bunkazai. This is because ownership becomes a burden, you have a duty to exhibit, and your home will be inspected by police officers to ensure proper care is taken, and the state gains the right of first refusal on any transaction. Any increase in value from the designation becomes subject to the 40% Japanese capital gain tax, and you are obliged to report the sales in a world where discretion prevails. As the Uesugi family council once said "these laws smell of communism" - and this attitude still exists today. This is why the Mikazuki Kanemitsu, along other masterpieces, never got the designation. The trend has been the opposite: Juyo Bunkazai blades "get lost" over time. As always, follow the incentives. Best, Hoshi

When I visited a year ago they had an extraordinarily healthy Rai Kunimitsu sword in the display booth. A couple weeks later I saw it in hand as part of a special NBTHK-EB event at the Museums research centre and took this video. It had marumune and Hon'ami Kochu Kinzoganmei

Regarding the Fujiwara jû Nagayuki, the shape of this sword is typical of Sue-Kotô with koshi-zori and saki-zori with an extended chû-kaissaki. The yokote is present under the rust, which appears to be on the surface. This blade is indeed in need of professional restoration. Please do not give to any of the "so-called" polishers in Brazil. I have seen their work and they are not restorers but destroyers. This smith is not in the Takada School, but as the Meikan clearly states, circa Tenbun, Yamato. As I wrote regarding the Fujiwara jû Yasumitsu, the Fujiwara School smiths are separate from the Sue-Tegai School, but closely related to the Kanabô School. I am in the final stages of my book on Sue-Yamato smiths and would love to include this blade, but as it is out of polish and in Brazil, that does not seem possible. The same goes for the Fujiwara jû Yasumitsu. I would love to have this join my entry on Fujiwara Yasutomo. Nonetheless, I have added Yasumitsu to my Sue-Yamato Meikan at the end of my book. I am expecting the book to be in print either sometime this year or early next year. The text is in English and Japanese and has 100s of example oshigata.

Some great photos and video of the Mikazuki starting to appear online... the start of this video catches the tiny Mikazuki just beautifully in the light. What a wonderful sword! Mikazuki.mp4

Lots and lots of photos of the Yamatorige starting to appear across the interwebs. Actually a lot of fun reading the comments and seeing the excitement in the people posting and responding to the pictures.

Hi guys, Here is something interesting to show you. A set of f/k awarded to Kamiya Dōichi, by Lord Chimura Nakashige(千村仲展) in 1868. Who was Kamiya Dōichi: Kamiya Dōichi(神谷道一) Known by the courtesy name Shikan and the art name Kansai. He was a Karō (Chief Retainer) of the Chimura family(Hatamoto), Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province], during the Restoration. During the Hokueutsu War (part of the Boshin War), he was dispatched as the Commander of the Second Unit. After the Restoration, he became a Negi (senior priest) at the Minami-gu National Shrine. Subsequently, he entered service in Gifu Prefecture, where he was tasked with the editing of historical records. In 1879, he became the first District Governor of Kani, and later served as the District Governor for Ena, Ono, Mashita, and Yoshiki. He resigned from office in 1885 and authored works such as the "Sekigahara Senki" (Chronicle of the Battle of Sekigahara). Translations made by Gemini so I'm expecting some errors, but you'll get the idea. Award for the Echigo Military Campaign. Plum Blossom Fuchi-Kashira. One Set. Meiji 1, Year of the Earth Dragon [1868], November 15th. From the village of Kukuri in Tōnō [Eastern Mino Province]. Humbly received from Lord Chimura Nakashige. [Signed] Kamiya Dōichi. At the time of the Meiji Restoration, the Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province] joined the Imperial Army and dispatched troops to Echigo. My ancestor, Kamiya Dōichi, served as a military inspector and fought bravely. Upon his victorious return, the Lord of the Domain, Chimura Nakashige, rewarded his distinguished service by granting him this. From there, it was passed down to my late father, Yoshimichi. The writing remaining on the lid of this case was brushed by the old master Kansai Dōichi. Having escaped the war damages of the 20th year of Showa (1945), it still exists today. It should be deeply revered. Recorded by his grandson, Yasuhiko. Enjoy!

I was in Sarzana and attended the auction. It was my first time attending in person, and it was a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, the prices went higher than I expected for a couple of tsuba I was mostly interested in. Nonetheless, I successfully bid on two lots for a reasonable price, which is not bad at all.

The National Treasure status held before the war was lost and the status of Juyo Bunkazai was given under the new Important Cultural Properties laws (same time as the Important Art Objects lost their status). The current National Treasures were allocated under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties that came into effect on June 9, 1951. It is worth noting that this list did included some of the previous National Treasures however most became Juyo Bunkazai. All the missing National Treasures from the post-WWII occupation were reallocated to the status of Juyo Bunkazai. This may change when they are recovered but of the 19 lost National Treasures, the 9 that have been found have not been reallocated to the status of National Treasure. .

I think, as Jean has stated, the first is either Hotei's sack [sometimes also Daruma] but may also represent a "furoshiki" wrap. [but these other designs are not to the same standard of quality - - that is for sure!] I love the wave and cloud sukashi

Also taken from Aso Jinja after WWII is the famous Rai Kunitoshi ōdachi dated 1297, named sword 蛍丸 (Hotarumaru), it was former National Treasure. You can find info in Japanese for example at these sites https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/蛍丸 https://www.tsuruginoya.net/stories/hotarumaru/ Nagasa: 101,4 cm Sori: 3,4 cm Motohaba: 3,7 cm Sakihaba: 2,1 cm Motokasane: 9 mm Sakikasane: 5,7 mm Nakago: 34,2 cm Unfortunately there are extremely few images of the sword surviving. There has been a replica sword made for the shrine by modern smith. Here it is featured in Youtube video

Very rare original scroll painting from Yasukunishrine in its original wooden box,complletely untouched, original condition aged very nice This rare painting is nestled inside the wooden box within a Japanese newspaper dated 1938 overall I never saw a second one. signature traslation is: Yasukunishrine respectfully paint's Made at the department of Yasukuni shrine support department Price 395,00 Euro 35,00 shipping worldwide Germany shipping free

Why has the Agency for Cultural Affairs not created more National Treasure or Juyo Bunkazai swords? Certainly in the last 40 years there have been a few Tokubetsu Juyo blades that would more than qualify to meet and even exceed this status when compared to other swords at this designation. This puzzled me. Whilst National Treasures designations have always been hard to come by and nothing has really changed since the latest 110/12 list was created in June 9, 1951... The Agency for Cultural Affairs use to issue Juyo Bunakazai for swords on a pretty regular basis after that date for almost 40 years and then they stopped. Since then there has only been one new Juyo Bunakazai sword allocation in the last 40 years... but why? I did a little digging and found out why the Agency for Cultural Affairs have been reluctant to award any new National Treasure or Juyo Bunkazai to swords. Back in 1989 there was an incident that caused national outcry, when the Agency awarded five "ancient" (Jokoto) swords as Juyo Bunkazai but it turned out that these swords were forged by a swordsmith called Tokukatsu Nakahara. He even confessed to it but died before the investigation could begin. The Agency did open an investigation but after the appointed committee investigating the incident, even though skeptical, could not conclusively prove the swords were real or fake, the Agency stuck to its guns and continued to affirm their intial assesement and decision was correct. Honma Junji however disagreed and before he died insisted that all five swords were fake and that they should be struck off as Juyo Bunkazai. Since this incident the Agency has opted to avoid any further scrutiny until 2018 some almost 30 years from the 1989 incident when a new Juyo Bunkazai status was awarded to, ironically, five naginata along with their accompanying mountings owned by the Nikko Futarasan Shrine - they were classified as "Ritual Weapons". No new Juyo Bunakazai have been issued since. Basically it appears that the reason why we have seen only one new Juyo Bunkazai set of swords in almost 40 years is because the Agency of Cultural Affairs is still embarrassed and cannot/ will not address this embarrassment... and is reluctant to put itself in that situation again.

Lovely piece @Volker62, best of luck with your sale. It will be a wonderful addition to any collection. Relocating to "Assorted Samurai, Japanese Art and Related Items" in the For Sale section. All the best, -Sam

here is an additional photo

In addition, the signature is not fake, but typical of a Fujiwara smith's signature. Also, the blade does not have naginata-hi, but bôhi on both sides of the blade.

You certainly may. I might add that it is now one of my favorite swords. It gives me much pleasure to remove it from it's saya and enjoy it's properties that are so well balanced.

This is sort of a strange request... but I'm trying to solve a bit of a mystery. Bruce passed away almost a year ago now. He had acquired and sold off many tsuba over the decades he spent devoted to the study of tsuba and Japanese pottery. Anyway, he probably had this tsuba in his possession at some point, or it may even have been just an image from an online site that he saw it on, but I'd like to know if any of you have seen it or know who has it. Thanks in advance

1000% ! I can't begin to tell you how much of an influence he was on me. I'm trying to piece back together some of the groupings of tsuba he had collected to showcase how each group of tsuba represents the body of work of a single unidentified smith. This is one of those missing pieces that really should get back together with the others, so that all of Bruce's insights and discoveries don't just fade into the mist and get cast about across the world, maybe never to come back together again... I'd also like to present those groupings on a forum such as this to showcase how the limited number of "schools" that tsuba get attributed to, are insufficient and need expansion.

Hi Rokujuro, Not a Sue-Tegai smith. SueTegai smiths typically used Kane [包] as the first character in their signatures. Your smith is from the small group of smiths known as the Fujiwara School.

That second, "wave" tsuba is exquisite.

If you have a copy of the Nihonto Taikan about 25 of these 74 can be found in there. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 45, 47, 51, 52, 53, 59, 62, 65 There might be a few more, I have to just verify measurements to make sure I have the right sword and not another JuBun sword by the same smith. Edit: As always @Jussi Ekholm compiled this data. He's the true MVP here! I just put a visual wrapper around it all!

Thanks for the photos. That blade has had a tough life. A chunk out of the edge and a nakago that is shall we say...interesting. Certainly not something I've seen on another blade from the era. Unfortunately Shiotsuna, the local photography GOAT can't travel to record these blades. Such a shame.

The show is getting close. The room block was full on one night, i was able to have them add a few rooms so if you had any issues getting a reservation give it a try now https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/CHIRW/G-TOK1 If you need a table i have a couple of cancellations, send me a message nixe@bright.net I am looking forward to seeing everyone Mark and family

volker bad section @Scoggcould you move this?

here are the pictures I managed to get. I for the life of me can't get a picture of the habuchi past the hadori from this angle.

Hoshi - once again on the money bud. Why sign up for all the burdens without the perks?

An excellent, large (84x72), and unusual four-lobbed, shibuichi plate by Tō Masutsune (東益常), a late-edo era kinko artist who was based in Edo. Masutsune was a student of Gotō Shinjō (後藤真乗), the 15th gen. Gotō mainline, and in turn the teacher of the painter-turned-metalworker Fukawa Kazunori (府川一則), who also apprenticed under the great Hokusai. It is said that Fukawa had originally provided the sketches for Masutsune’s art, so the design of this tsuba is most likely based on a drawing by Fukawa. The theme is ‘Oharame ‘(大原女) a female peddler in Kyoto from Ohara who are typical depicted with a bundle of sticks on their head, which illustrates the everyday struggle of common people. On the omote is a simple, rustic hut, which may either be the location the Oharame has left, or a Buddhist symbol of solitude as depicted in Kamo no Chōmei’s Ten Foot Square Hut (A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude, Imperfection and Transcendence). Tsuba comes in a delux kiri box with edge trim and cushion, and a small sign £1400 obo I'm open to trade for signed or papered Akita Shoami tosogu. For serious buyers, feel free to ask for additional images or a video.

Is it common blades to lose National Treasure status? I thought that attribution would be a forever thing.

When the Yamatorige was purchased by Setouchi City the US$ was much weaker. 500mil JPY was around $5mil (just over $3.1mil based on todays FX) making it a far better headline. Speaking of visually impressive swords, do any of these big name sword museums in Japan use the macro observation system successfully employed by the Samurai Museum in Berlin? There is nothing like viewing these blades under a macro lens (like observing pond water under a microscope).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167116012345 leather pouch with tsuba clasp https://www.ebay.com/itm/167923793099 and another with a fabric case! https://samuraimuseum.de/shop/en/tsuba-necklace-orange https://samuraimuseum.de/shop/en/scarf-tsuba-blue-gold

With the falling population, and villages and shrines suffering, many formerly dedicated swords are rusting away for lack of attention. So far the local chapter has negotiated with many shrine authorities and been able to restore nine swords to their former glory, most of them now housed in Okayama Prefectural Museum. Some of these have even achieved official cultural designations. Each time though,we have had to come up with novel ways to fund these restorations, and it is not a cheap venture. Two swords were housed in the Imamura Hachiman Gu, but the previous priests were unwilling to get involved in any project. The new priest however has been more cooperative, and in our third grand project, two swords are now set for polishing, preservation and display. Osafune Sword Museum has agreed to house them and care for them. There will be an official opening ceremony for the project at the shrine on the 4th of April, 2026. The swords will be funded by various means, lectures, etc., and the target is JPY 3 million. The first is a long Odachi by a relatively unknown smith named Inoue Kyubei Masatoshi, dated 1665. 2 m 63 cm overall, the blade length is 1 m 77.3 cm, and it weighs 4.5 kg. The Inoue Kyubei line of smiths lived under the walls of Okayama Castle, Masashige, Masatoshi, Masakiyo, but very few of their works survive, making this a rare artefact. The total estimate for restoration, including a magnolia wood box for example, is 2.5 million. The second is a 1574 katana by Genbei no Jo Sukesada, with a blade length of 68.2 cm, dedicated by a retainer of the Ikeda Daimyo family to the shrine in 1738. This will add a further 500,000 to the bill making a total of 3 million yen. With this latest project they are not planning to ask for donations from overseas. Both blades will be on and off display over the coming year, and from the April 2027 shrine presentation ceremony onwards, they will be housed at Osafune Sword Museum.

More pics

That is truly a TSUBA veteran!

I was an underbidder on the Norisuke, though it seems you and another bidder took it above my attempt to steal it. It is published in the Nagoya NBTHK Norisuke book, along with a smaller companion, as part of a daisho set. I also believe that there is a rubbing of it in the Norisuke sketch book, as illustrated in the back of the Nagoya NBTHK Norisuke book. God of luck's treasure bag.

Look at where the top ashi is in relation to the koiguchi . This is all wrong - avoid it .

Evening Okan, Wow - exquisite iron texture on both, and both with a very down played artistic “vibe” of true craftsmanship. Beautiful 🤩 Keep them coming….👍 All the best /Soeren

What does the blade look like? The post-war souvenir swords sometimes had green tsuka Ito. The scabbard is genuine, but the handle may be rewrapped in this example.

Unfortunately the sword does not have that level of importance, and the 'expert' you gave you that feedback was not one. It is a nice and collectible antique wakizashi, with a blade dating to the late Muromachi period (if the attribution on the paper is correct) and is mounted in fittings from the Edo period. If you sent it to Japan for current certification you would not have a challenge exporting it again (the sword would not be seized as a National Treasure). That used to be something it was common to hear collectors told here in the US, a 'conventional wisdom' that Japanese swords returning would be seized and not returned. It is a false wisdom in almost all cases. There are also certification events (shinsa) held in the US every year or so, and you can check back at the website below to see when the next such event is scheduled. https://nthkamerica.com/

Did some additional research. Looks as if mine is a copy. Note the cartouche is different on the real example (square) and the chevron stroke on the top is separate rather than solid. I wouldn't say fake since the potter didn't try to replicate his mark exactly. Still looks nice, though and I didn't pay much for it. John C.

To clarify also, not wishing to give the wrong impression. I am a boilermaker of rather modest means at the end of my career - old enough to have missed out on the serious coin now inherent in the trades industry in my country. (Some trades weren't well paid in the past where i live, how times change.) I'm always learning, but my knowledge on weapons and armour of the past has been largely eurocentric. I appreciate the craft and understand the labour and effort involved in making anything in steel, which (along with my wallet) hopefully explains my interest in things that others may consider sub-par or sub-optimal. I'm even starting to become familiar with some of the terms.. Regards, Steve.

70 Peony wakizashi 71 Nagamitsu Thanks for posting this Brett . The attached photo shows 70 and 71 which were taken from the Aso Shrine in 1945 and remain missing

I am excited to announce the release of a document I have been working on: Type 95 Military Sword Variations. It is now available in the download section for anyone who would like to access it. I am pinning this thread in place of the Type 95 Worksheet, of which can be found here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/29722-type-95-gunto-worksheet/#comments My hope is that this monograph helps dispel some of the long standing rumors surrounding these swords and assists collectors in identifying the examples in their own collections. This work is purely educational and is intended to consolidate information from several sources into one comprehensive reference. I would like to acknowledge the late Nick Komiya for the huge amount of documents he shared on the warrelics forum over the years; without his contributions to the study of Japanese Militaria, this document simply could not exist. I'd also like to extend a special thanks to the following Nihonto Message Board members, who either directly, or indirectly through discussions over the years, greatly aided my understanding of this type of Japanese sword. I am forever grateful. @Kiipu @Bruce Pennington @Conway S @John C @drb 1643 Tom Foster, @robinalexander @BANGBANGSAN @Shamsy @Stegel @PNSSHOGUN @rebcannonshooter @Grimmdarkspire @matthewbrice @vajo @Brian . Please see the aknowledgements section in the download, and I hope not to have forgotten anyone... This is Edition #1, and I intend to update the download annually as new revelations arise and as serial number range changes are observed. It is formatted imperfectly, but to the best of my ability with programs at hand (I am an enthusiast and collector, not an experienced writer). Please feel free to let me know if you notice any typos or inconsistencies, and I will address them promptly. Feel free to use this topic to post information or questions about Type 95 Gunto. I hope you find the monograph helpful. Happy Valentine’s Day! -Sam

Let’s cool it guys. This isn’t on topic or going anywhere good. For what it’s worth, people with gold memberships can see who’s upvoting and downvoting who

Tachi by Osafune Hidemitsu, dated 1371 designated as Jūyō Bunkazai 31.3.1953, item number 01658. Nagasa: 81,6 cm Sori: 3,0 cm Motohaba: 3,7 cm Sakihaba: 2,7 cm Motokasane: 6,5 mm Sakikasane: 4,5 mm Kissaki: 6,0 cm Nakago: 23,9 cm Nakago sori: 0,6 cm Item is featured in Nihontō Taikan, Tōken Bijutsu 362 as feature sword, Tanobe big book, Osafune Chōshi, Jukken Historically this sword has been in collection of 村上 (Murakami) family. This is just my type of sword and seems to be absolutely wonderful item. It is fun to look into these and probably the first time in 2 years I opened the big Tanobe book.

Thanks Steve. I didn't see this post until now. I had my head turned by a Hoan the other day. We'll see if I end up on target in April, or coming back with something else. I have to halt this listing, as the -sho just papered in Japan. Got to get the -sho back, and consider listing as a Dai-sho set. The Dai- came from Ito-san. The Sho- came from a pre WW2 collection in Massachussets. How do we know they were a Dai-sho.... well, not 100% confirmed, but looks like they are recorded back in the 1800s Kamiyoshi Ehon records of Hayashi tsuba. Off to post the Mega-sized Tokugawa Ono next.

It’s a shame people think just anyone can do this. sincerely Edward

The most basic requirement is to put in the necessary effort yourself.

Maybe an utopic idea but would it be possible to offer some guidance to those interested in seeking the way of polishing? Who to contact in Japan (or internationally), what basic requirements you must meet even to consider this etc.?