Brian

I'm working on a NMB photo gallery, and also a reference library of photos too. All takes time, but it is on the cards. Brian

I think there was/is one on eBay recently. Not sure what it went for, but it is farly scarce and predates the other Fuller and Gregory books. Not expensive..although it is a small pamphlet-type publication. Brian

Welll..we have a sugata shot, and a nagasa measurement. Not everything, but there should be at least some guesses from that. You think it is o-suriage? Just from a quick look, it looks like it may be ubu to me. Can we get a shot of the nakago without habaki, and a close-up of the machi? With this length, it may have been originally mounted with 2 mekugi ana (what was the term for that again?) Brian

Well done Ken, a nice write-up and one that is worth repeating often. Brian

Hiroshi-san, A big welcome to you from me too. It is good to have you here. I know sometimes the discussions can be a bit controversial, but I think we would benefit from your input, and I am very happy to have you here. regards, Brian

Thanks for that Ludolf. In your opinion, how does the mei compare to the published examples if you have access to any? Regards, Brian

Guido..c'mon...don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel. Brian (Going to find a special "sarcasm" smiley just for Guido's own personal use)

That's why I implimented a new profile field that has to be filled in with real name when you register Check out any profile of a member after Feb 1'st. Xuan Mei, I am sure an introduction is well past due by now. Brian

You can upload 5 pics per post. Are you sure you are doing it correctly? One at a time. Browse to file..upload (wait until it finishes)...browse to next one..upload. Then finally submit post. Brian

Using the nakago patina to date a Nihonto is just a guide and not an exact science. It is one of the tools that is used in conjunction with other aspects to narrow down to a date range. Length doesn't necessarily prove that it was a tachi, or disprove it. It could be, but post some pics so that the more educated members can have a look at the sugata. Brian

You have of course tried Namikawa? They are easy to deal with, and have high grades of samekawa. If you need something specific, just ask them, as I know they will source stuff that isn't on their website. Link is on the Links page above. Brian

Post a complete pic of the tsuba. It may be giving that misplaced look simply because the ana was enlarged at some point. Would like to see the whole seppa dai. Brian

Joshua, I regard these as high end custom swords/knives of the type that modern knife collectors would own. Basically a custom knife in the tradition of the Japanese katana. As a once off item, I think they would appeal to collectors of modern edged weapons, but i would not consider them as made for the same market we deal with. Brian

JSA is a Japanese auction site: http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/japa ... links.html Sword looks good to me at first glance, at at that price it looks like a good deal. Not quite sure what is going on in that nakago though...will take a closer look when I get home. Need to check the placement of the mei, and the 2 yasurime division lines and all the ana and see if they all check out according to the suriage job that was done. Brian

Thanks Scott. I am not going to go into the gun debate, but I hope the seller realises that many top dealers, JSSUS members and collectors also collect and/or study other weapons. I am sure they would be very surprised to hear that they are unsuitable to collect Nihonto What amazes me most though, is that a person selling polishing stones to almost anybody, not knowing what blades they might ruin in the process..dares to suggest he has the interests of Japanese swords in mind?! Y'know..freedom means he has every right to sell to whomever he wishes, and I would not argue at all with his right to choose. However that same right gives us, the customer, the right to totally avoid his auctions and mention his comments to others so that others can make up their own minds and choose whom they prefer to deal with. Brian

I'm still waiting for Piers to let us know what that wierd little item is that he picked up. Brian

Very nice Michal, thanks for sharing I love those fine sukashi designs, although they aren't as sought after as old iron. Some very nice ones there. Brian

Been there, done that. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2642 Don't forget to sign posts with your name, Ron Brian

Probably not..after a 2 am late Chinese New Year celebration at a small Chinatown street here :D I'm just a little fuzzy right now..lol If it was Afrikaans I might have more luck..so a translation would be appreciated. I assume the soldier was Nakajima Tadao and the rest is an address.? Thanks for the work so far. Brian

Hi. I was wondering of anyone could assist with the translation of this surrender tag. I know it probably only gives the name and address of the soldier, but I won't know unless I ask, right? This is beyond my feeble attempts at translating. Came on a Shin-gunto with mumei older blade that I am still researching. Pics of that in the near future. Thanks in advance, Brian

No....Milt is the one that bought it Nice. Brian

Mikael, On the tabs and uploading issue, most of these are caused by that first style Prosilver. All of these issues can be solved by chosing another style in your profile (see How to section) where you can at least have a preview of the other styles first. That Prosilver theme/style is a problem, and I am probably going to end up removing it or changing it, but there are too many people still on it for me to change it now. I urge people to have a look at the other styles and make a change if they have any problems. Brian

Mikael, Take a look in the "How-To" section and all shall be revealed Brian

Agree with Milt, not confident this is genuine. Post some other pics and let's see. Some of these mei lately seem to be done with a dremel instead of chisels, and the yasurime don't look great. But other pics will clear it up. Brian

Walter, The place you linked the pic from does not allow hot linking...so we are seeing a "no entry" sign instead of the pic. That is what Milt meant. You may be able to see it, as it is cached in your browser. Upload it here or to imageshack. The link is currently at http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/1720061135/inlineimg/Y/forge_markings.jpg Brian