Brian

All, Just spent the last 5 hours adding a new dropdown links menu to the mainpage: http://www.militaria.co.za or http://nihontomessageboard.com Please refresh your browser or empty your cache to see the new links. I have tried to include a large variety of Nihonto links..including some usually missed. Please check them out, and let me know which ones I missed. I am sure there will be plenty. Apologies if I skipped anyone, I will be adding more over time. I will be working on the colours and look a bit, but wanted to get it up before 1:00am (might just make it ) Please let me know if it is of some use. Regards, Brian

MH, Just go to the How To forum and there are instructions on how to upload pics here. Easier than using Yahoo. Brian

That would be a real pity, as I found it to be one of the best educational sites (after Rich S's) on the net. Does anyone have any contact with the author, and is able to find out if it will be back online sometime, or if we can use some of the info in it? Brian

The Yakiba website belongs to one of our forum members... Ed Marshall. A great guy, and excellent to deal with. You will often see his posts here. No worries there..deal with confidence. Brian

Dan, Check out this forum for some advice: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7424 Afraid I can't tell you any more than that about Paul Chen swords, as they aren't Nihonto as you wrote, and I am not familiar with them. I would think they are ok, but there are better choices. A good google search should pull up much more info. Regards, Brian

They are widely regarded as one of the good dealers to deal with. Fair prices, and honest. I haven't heard anything bad about them at all. As always, get a few other opinions first, but I think you should have pleasant dealings there. Some of the polishes look to have been done non-traditionally on a few blades, but not sure if that is before they were supplied for sale or not. Brian

Grey, Sorry to use this post as an image upload tutorial..but it seems so appropriate :D First post - It's an ftp site, not http, so won't display Second Post - Using html is fine, but you left out the last " after the image name and didn't need the [/img] since you are using html. Would have displayed fine (but the pic is not at that location anyways) Third Post - Would have worked, but needed the http:// before the address. (Image not at that location now) Fourth post - Fine Hope you didn't get too frustrated. Brian

Andreas, I edited the pic to rotate it to upright, and ran it through photoshop to bring it down from 650kb to 127kb. Brian

KM, Of course Darcy was referring to the damage done via fraud and misleading impressions, rather than physical damage. I am sure everyone got that, but just wanted to clarify Brian

John, It could well be, I am not very clued up on shakudo. But it has always been my impression that the rich blackish purple colour of shakudo does come from later patina treatment, and not from its alloy state. I think it always looks like copper/brass until it has been treated. The mix of gold can vary from 3-8%, but I think 4% or so is the most common, and more gold does not make for better shakudo. Again..just what I have been led to believe. Perhaps some patina treatments go deeper than others? Brian

Thanks Guido, that's very helpful info. It is the first I have heard mention of different shapes of mekugi ana. Is there any particular reason known for the shapes (besides the decorative aspect) ie is there any function to this? Would love to see any images of other shapes. Much appreciated, Brian

In a recent auction, a seller in Japan described this shape of the mekugi ana as Kamakura style. I have not read anything where the shape of the ana can indicate an age, but this is quite an unusual "keyhole" shape, and doesn't seem to be formed by another closely drilled hole. Does anyone have any info on whether or not this shape is typical of any style or era, or is it just an anomaly that indicates nothing in particular? Brian

Henry and others, In line with the views and votes expressed in the poll, I have decided to go with the overall choice that General Discussion will be kept to discussions loosely revolving around the overall theme of the site. See the post in GD for a few general guidelines. Thanks to all who participated in the poll and gave their viewpoints. Brian

He specialised in all Eastern weapons...with an emphasis on Japanese. Just a few more for the guys interested in other Eastern weapons too. This is not even close to the whole collection. I wish I had the money..and was collecting 40 years ago Brian

The pics are not great..I willhave to try and take more next time I go there. But you can see the quality of the black laquer just from the reflection of the candle Each perfect tiny flower is made up of many tiny bits of MOP, inlayed perfectly. This is one of his other stands..not as good, but still very very impressive. He was collecting in the good old days, and is not as active now.

Even with the hefty shipping charge from Japan..this is an excellent deal on this set of books: http://cgi.ebay.com/DELUXE-SWORD-TSUBA- ... dZViewItem Any of the beginners here who don't have them, this is quite a saving. And I'll maybe buy the kodogu and Shinto volumes from you if you have them already :D Brian

This is the finest one I have personally ever seen. Owned by a friend here..it is mindlblowing, and perfect condition. Minute inlay detail in mostly mother of pearl. Has to be seen to be believed. Brian

Henry, Seems like a good maker of Gendaito according to these pages: http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/tosho.htm http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/rank.htm Can't tell you if this is Showato or Gendaito, but he seems to have been quite respected. Regards, Brian

Deron, Welcome back..haven't seen you on the board for a while How are sales of the Nanban Tsuba book going? You should post a message about it in the sales section. Anyways..about the shakudo question..I have seen this often. I think you are spot on..the patina is only a surface finish, and any wear will show the copper underneath. I have this on most of my shakudo habaki. It is supposed to repatinate gradually over time, but hasn't started yet on any of mine Read the post on patinas in the general discussion forum a while back (search under shakudo and patina) for some info on the old formulas they used. Regards, Brian

Guys.. No use dredging up a thread that was already getting old. This guy posted more pics here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... .php?t=301 I don't think he is scamming..just misinformed about what he has, and either way I'm locking both threads to just let it die. Not Nihonto...not too old. Thanks, Brian

Will.... Caps lock key. Press it until the light goes out..and then post :D Afraid there doesn't seem to be any Japanese auction sites in English. Most of the sellers don't ship internationally, and you usually need contacts in Japan to facilitate a purchase. Here is one: http://www.japanauctioncenter.com/ But it does cost a bit. There are others if you search for "bid on Japanese auctions" If you have money burning a hole in your pocket..why not post a wanted ad in the classifieds and see if any members have something to fit your budget? Regards, Brian

Hi. The first thing to do is to stop typing all in caps. It represents shouting Next is to sign your post with your name and initial or vice versa. Lastly..sounds like you are doing things right. First step is books, books and more books. Then only buy from reputable dealers. You have done both of those. I think the next step is to see if there are any good clubs or organisations in your area where you can see some good swords. Helps to develop the knowledge and tells you what to look out for. Nothing like seeing good swords in person. Perhaps attend one or 2 of the sword shows. There you can inspect some swords for sale, and ask questions from more advanced collectors. Let us know where you are, and see if anyone here is in your area. They can suggest clubs or shows near you. Seems like you are on the right track. You can also do a lot worse than go through many of the suggested links above and read as much as you can. There is a wealth of info on them that you won't find in the books. Brian

Wow..that is pretty mindblowing. I think I would probably have the shakes examining swords of that caliber. Surprised they didn't issue gloves when viewing the blades? I know they expect you to know the required etiquette, but would have thought they would have had them as a formality. So I assume you had to have "contacts" to arrange a private viewing like that. Look forward to a full report of the trip when you get back. Brian

Dave...The good news is that your sword looks much earlier than WW2. The bad news is that your desk is a mess..you need to clean it up! :D ....Looks like it may be shinto, but definitely not WW2 manufacture. You will need to take care of it. It's a civilian katana (blade length?) that is traditionally made. More info will come in soon. Nice find. Brian PS - I see the Garmin Nuvi box under the desk there...bought one yesterday (350)

Dave, I am sure you will get assistance here. But we will need some pics of the tang, signature, overall blade etc. If you have them uploaded somewhere, just paste the links here, or upload them. See the How to Forum for instructions on how to do this. Brian