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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.

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 that remain missing

The Yamatorige is coming out of storage for 2 very short viewing periods in 2026. Both times it will be on display at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum. Click here for more information. It went on display on Friday, 20th March and will be on display until the 29th March but will come back again at the end of April. They have set it up with a stand that allows you to view it from both sides - which I think is brillaint! Expect big crowds as they have linked up with Touken Ranbu to promote the event. Images from @yoimachi95, @gasmask0821 & @kentaro9614 on X. If you happen to go... please drop some photos here.

Most good sword curators practice safe sword practice that comes down to the theory that sword degrade and therefore swords should not be exposed to the elements for prolonged periods so as to protect it for future generations. This is pretty normal practice for sword presevation. The Yamatorige however is not a normal sword... It is a $3 million mega famous and possibly the most beautiful sword in Japan and as such there is heightened cautiousness not only for preservation but to also protect it. When a blade is that valuable unless you have some insane security which costs money (and is generally not common practice for most Japanese Museums) you cannot display the expensive stuff for too long as this additional security costs the museum significantly more to put and keep in place than normal displays and exhibitions. Hence short exhibitions where they can roll in the crowds and balance bang for buck without compromising security.

Our local NBTHK meeting was held in the meeting hall there yesterday. I arrived to find the newly-expanded parking lots overflowing, and snaking lines of expectant visitors at the entrance. I think Touken Ranbu will do a second exhibition from 4/25 to May 6. Avoiding the crowds I headed to our meeting half an hour early intending to help with the set-up, but imagine my surprise to see that our lot had decided to do instead a related morning event with a quickly-assembled show of koshirae from Mr Koike and Mr Katayama's personal collections, so visitors got to see these too as they wandered around the sword museum's facilities. I was thinking of starting another thread on that and related events, but here I am hijacking your thread, Brett.

1,500,000 yen? *cough* *cough again* Be careful. Goodwill has been the recipient of at least 2 duds I bought over the years, but almost $10,000 is a big hit to take. As much as I am disillusioned with the current NBTHK, I'd want to see papers on something like this. I don't see any mention of papers. Instead, the dealer has written " As this piece is presented in its original, "fresh-from-the-workshop" state, it does not yet have a fitted paulownia wood box (one will be commissioned and prepared for the buyer). " Yes, very fresh from the workshop appearance. Kids..... Be very careful.

In terms of the swordsmith: 三州吉田住広房 (Sanshū Yoshida ju Hirofusa). You may need to create an account to view the link below. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HIR216

銘　せゝ羅き - Mei, Seseragi (small stream)

Fully accepting your closing phrase John but I think it is kerakubi. All the best.

The usual indicator of age is the length of the kerakubi (the part between the blade and the tang). I would say this is a long kerakubi (the blade in the OP's and Jean's example look short) and this points to it being being Muromachi or perhaps on the cusp so I don't think the description is that far out. Shorter kerakubi normally indicates an Edo period blade.

Yes, there is a series of reasons (security, preservation etc.) why the curators limit it to short displays during special exhibitions, etc. AI just gave me a whole ream of them! *Someone mentioned to me six weeks a year, but I am not sure if that includes the periods when it is out on loan.

Has anyone been able to get to see the Mikazuki Kanemitsu at the Nagoya Sword Museum? It went on display on Saturday for the first time since the Sotherby's Auction. Click Here for more info on the sword and exhibition. Images from @sanasan555 on X. I am salivating... just a little bit. More photos appreciated from anyone who attends.

Saw this in New York at Sothebys, was a delightful sight, only got one photo or so.

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.

Stay on topic! And fwiw, no-one CARES about downvotes. Only teenagers and people obsessed with popularity. Give it a rest.

Clearly not the correct habaki for it. Someone got one that fitted roughly and because it was too long, they inset it into the tsuka? It's not sitting on the surface is it, looks like it goes into it a bit? Very odd and bad decision if that's true Since it's TH and a decent sword, it would be worth getting a new habaki made. Not a huge expense considering the price of a sword.

Ichi - Those Touken Ranbu guys miss nothing. They apparently live what they create, recently I read an article that stated that Touken Ranbu also purchase swords and is building a rather decent collection.

Notice the Touken Ranbu figure has a horizontal 'one' on his lapel badge and belt buckle.

Kanemitsu being one of my favourite smiths, I've been waiting to see pics of this one ever since that auction concluded. Glad to see the wait wasn't too long; hopefully some folks with good nihonto photography skills/gear are in attendance!

Yes, I heard the same and just posted that in another topic - Touken Ranbu is working it's magic and it is also only on display for just over a week initially. As I understand it these two exhibitions may be it for 2026. So people are excited to view it.

That certainly looks tempting, Brett! Thanks for the heads-up. (The Sanchomo/Yamatorige has been on display at the Osafune Sword Museum since last Friday, March 20th, and is drawing unusually large crowds.)

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.

Tantō by Shintōgo Kunimitsu designated as Jūyō Bunkazai 27.6.1959, item number 01825. Nagasa: 27.6 cm Sori: uchizori Motohaba: 2,3 cm Motokasane: 6 mm Nakago: 11,1 cm Nakago sori: slight (some books have 0,2 cm) Item is featured in Nihontō Taikan, Tantō Book (1969) by Suzuki, Tōken Bijutsu 127 as the feature sword, Tōken Bijutsu 574 as the feature sword. Historically this sword has been in collection of 山内 (Yamauchi/Yamanouchi) family.

Your download appears to be the paperwork that would have been with the sword while it was in Japan. It states the length, and that the paperwork itself was legally required to be with the sword. As I understand it, the paperwork is not an appraisal or authetification in itself, but rather is a legal document. If you have photos of the blade itself, people here could offer input and opinions. A quick google-image translation reveals the following in my attached images below: (Please understand that google-translate is subject to errors. But this at least provides the basics of the content of the paperwork.) Best, -Sam

I've edited and turned them for easy reading for the translators: @SteveM @uwe @Ray Singer Blade, once we see it, might be moved over to the Nihonto section for better evaluation.

And the long 〆or メ at the top may be to mark where the lid closes tightest.

Hard to tell, but the colour alone might suggest a young peach rather than a persimmon…(?)

Today I received an invoice for the papered Kanayama I bought The email stated I will be contacted by a shipping subcontractor which I hope id not too expensive Just letting other know as it is all new to me

Longtime but spartan collector: I purchased a kogai recently, so something need come out of that part of the tansu. If Ko-Goto is something you appreciate, i would be willing to sell my worn arrow quiver Ko-Goto arrow n quiver kozuka at $500. There is a similar example for sale in Japan, and similar published in the 2014 DTI catalog. The question is worn Ko-Goto within your aesthetic? To me, the 1500s black beetle shakudo is appealing, but the wabi-sabi aesthetic is not for all. For what it is worth, I did a lot of archery and do look at the arrow tosogu whenever I see it. If you are looking for a specific theme, I can always mention it to you when I see something. PM me, if interested. Curran

You're welcome. Contact info for a couple of habaki makers can be found in this thread https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15473-i-would-like-to-buy-koshirae-or-shirasaya/

Is there a reason why Yamatorige is not always on display? I'm not familiar with the museum and their practices, but it is quite the popular sword. Would expect it to always be around regardless of display swaps?

Adding another photo. Rising sun washers and semegane are made of white non-magnetic metal which patinated green. It’s white brass?

This may still be available

Just the blade and nakago - Toshin Co., Ltd. / Mumei (Shimosaka) - 6-088 I found the link on NihontoWatch website and have no idea on the veracity of listing. My apologies to all also - I have only realised since posting that this is not the right place to list this kind of enquiry. Regards - Steve.

An older thread but the suggestions are probably still valid and worth pursuing. I would suggest you start with John Bolton. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/23338-habaki-maker-uk/

Truly a sword fit for the gods... that blade is massive!

After reading some of the anecdotes here about how underfunded and understaffed museums treat their swords, I think that as long as the trend has legs, this is a good thing. People will want to see these and they will expect (and pay) for them to be maintained and presented properly.

I have seen a couple with brown lacquered same scabbards but never one with green binding .This combination would be extremely unusual I would be very very suspicious of this and if it is coming out of Japan I would assume it has been rewrapped

安田全宏　やすだまさひろ　(京焼) - 陶印ずかん Yasuda Masahiro, Kyo-yaki (Kyoto ceramics)?

Ah, thanks for this, Brett. I missed this, your original post. Was there at Osafune Sword Museum yesterday but busy with other things so did not go inside to see the Sanchomo this time around. Maybe later this week.

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

I hate the look of that signature and what is this "spot"? - a raised dot on an area that is supposed to be carved down - - does not compute! You could get a much better piece for much less and with more assurance that it was legit. Familiar "copies"? Looks like a pattern that should be added to "Please avoid at all costs - or it really will cost you!" A missing link to the Bonhams auction mentioned in the 2022 thread [below] is here: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/17816/lot/25/an-iron-tsuba-by-katsurano-sekibun-19th-century/

This was a shocker. Paul Kremers says these tsuba are fake and I would assume he should know.

I haven't really studied this. Quite the old thread. An international member in one of the other groups I co-moderate sent me an image of a well known Sekibun dragon tsuba. He also sent me images of some iron ones that were visually very convincing as a .jpg I was aware that the Swimming Carp Sekibun design was also a target of casting, copying, or or other technique. Within a month or so of his convincing evidence to me, this popped up on a dealer site: https://www.samurai-nippon.net/SHOP/VT-038.html

PRICE: €3300 (EURO) Free shipping within the EU International shipping available (extra charge: €20–40) Express insured shipping (FedEx, UPS, DHL Express, etc.) Located in the Netherlands – Pickup available Payment Methods: Various payment methods are accepted, with bank transfer preferred. Please contact via PM to discuss payment options. Any questions are welcome. Feel free to contact me anytime. PS: There is no damage to the tip of the sword; this is a piece of dust still attached to the kissaki while taking pictures (which I did not notice when taking the images). There is also a Shirasaya, as can be seen in the first image.

This scam site has been around for a long time. You click on a site (in this case skay.com.ua) and are redirected to their site then see an expensive blade at 50% off. A great deal! The problem is I already own it....wait....let me check my tanto kake......yep, still own it. https://whatdiscount.ru/product/286767908504 John C.

Yes. Everything is taken directly from Eric Mollinier's site. John C.

There appears to be several colour variations with the rooster design, I don't see inlays but rather overlay. The base metal underneath is very difficult to pin down - not iron, not shakudo?