Ed

Stephen, No, that shodai Kaneshige was sold a few years ago. Photos are for reference/education. Ed

Kajiyama Yasunori. Custom ordered for Colonel Matsuda, 7th Airfield Engineers. Original linen bad and surrender tag. His name scratched onto the saya.

I have an extra copy of the Japanese version of the Yasukuni-To with the JSS/US translation. I would let any member here have it for $20 plus shipping. Ed

Sad news indeed. Larry was a great guy, one I have known for years. May you Rest in Peace. Hope the scum bag who robbed him gets what he is due!

Joint work by Tatsutoshi (father) and Tatsunao (son)

AKIHIDE, KURIHARA NBTHK HOZON SUGATA: SHINOGI ZUKURI MEI: KUNYON-TO KURIHARA HIKOSABURO AKIHIDE DATE: SHOWA JU ROKU NEN HACHI GATSU KICHI JITSU (1946) NAGASA: 74.93cm (29.5″) OVERALL: 97.15cm (38.25″) For more photos: https://yakiba.com/akihide-kurihara/

Dear Exhibitor, As you may be aware, as of today, August 3rd, San Mateo County is under a new indoor mask requirement mandate. Hence, masks will be required in the hotel and that includes the showroom. This policy will be enforced by the show committee and we request that you give us your complete cooperation. We encourage you to bring your own masks if possible but we will have a supply of surgical type masks on hand should you need one. Please understand that we are requiring surgical masks and bandana or similar type of face coverings will not be allowed. Please understand that this is a ruling handed down by the County Health Department and not subject to discussion. Those who refuse to wear a mask when indoors may be asked to leave the show and possibly the hotel. Let’s all cooperate on this and have a successful show. Please inform anyone who is sharing your table(s) or attending the show of this new requirement. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Yes, they do. Some of the guns they have sold in the last couple of years have been the cream of the crop, mouth watering. I don't think those swords are worth anywhere near RI's estimate, unless the blades turn out to be very big name. They could sell for a lot though, if a couple of deep pockets get into a pissing contest. Remember the octopus tsuba a few years back.

Estimated Price: $80,000.00 - $150,000.00 "Green" Tokubetsu Kichu Papers No photos of the blades

Kato Kanefusa, real name Kato Koichi, also known as 23rd generation Kanefusa as well as Fujiwara Kanefusa. He was trained by Kato Yosinosuke Jumyo. Kanefusa was rated as a 1 million yen smith. He made medium to high grade Showato and medium to high grade Gendaito as in this example. He won 1st seat at the 1941 exhibition. Kanefusa is listed in the Toko Taikan (TK-126), Hawleys (KAN-799, 747, 801), Nihonto Meikan (NMK-179), and Sesko’s, Sword Smiths of Japan pg 200 (see below). His work can be seen in Slough’s, Modern Japanese Sword Smiths pg 39 Additional photos: https://yakiba.com/kanefusa-23rd-generation/

KANENORI, MIYAMOTO AKA: SUGUWARA KANENORI TEISHITSU GIGEI IN (Imperial Household Artisan) MEI: TEISHITSU GIGEIIN SUGUWARA KANENORI HACHI JU YON Ō SAKU DATE: TAISHO GAN NEN HACHI GATSU KICHI JITSU NAGASA: 75.565 cm (29.75″) OVERALL: 95.567 cm (37.625″) For more photos and information: https://yakiba.com/kanenori-miyamoto/

Interesting. So, David on what do you base your assumption that this alleged early mei is a fallacy? Do you have any record or proof that would disprove this mei, proving that it was not an early mei of Okimasa? If you have no proof to the contrary, then aren't your comments, statements or accusations exactly what you are accusing Chris of? Making statements without proof? I have no dog in the fight, but would be interested in learning more if you can provide some concrete proof of your accusation that this is not an early mei of Okimasa. Ed

Bruce, Great to know. I was not aware of the others. Seemed likely that he was not the only one, but I had no reference to the others. Thanks, Ed

NAKATA KANEHIDE A beautiful Gendaito by Gifu’s Intangible Cultural Property, Nakata Kanehide. Kanehide made “High to Superior Grade Gendaito” and is/was rated at 2 Million Yen. He was known to make big beefy blades as seen in this example. Note the mihaba is 1.25”. Kanehide is referenced in the Toko Taikan (TK-122), Hawley’s (KAN-850), Slough’s Modern Japanese Swordsmiths pages 41-42, and Sesko’s Swordsmiths A-Z pg. 204. Kanehide and a few others I am told had these three proof stamps, known as Star-Na-Na (wasn't there a 50's band by that name...oh that was Sha na na). This includedd the star stamp and two "na" stamps. Na being the Nagoya Arsenal (Thanks Bruce). Kanehide was an excellent smith, perhaps the best of all WWII Seki smiths. You can view additional photos here: https://yakiba.com/kanehide-nakata/

Very nice and unusual example John.

That is great news. Can't wait to get them. Any word on the Gendai Project? Thanks Ed

Hi all, Just another update, the website is now up and running. Being nearly illiterate at this kind of thing it was a bit of a struggle but being a fighter I didn't quit. There are still things to work out, but for the most part it is working. My first priority is to get the sword page up and all previously offered blades relisted. Additionally, I have 23 new swords, most high end Gendaito to list which is very time consuming. Thank you all for your support. Ed Yakiba.com

Got it thanks, Ed

Grey, Speaking of Tosogu Classroom, is there any news on the 3rd volume. Ed

The blade looks a bit sketchy to me as well, but that is based on a few poorly taken photos. I have not seen it in hand, nor will I. Therefore, I can offer no further insight in regards to the blade itself. Chuck, I could not open that link, but would like to check it out. Could you send it to me via email? Thanks to everyone for their comments. Ed

Sorry, for the delayed response, apparently the notification function isn't working. I have received no notification of any activity and just happened to take a look today. At any rate let me begin by saying that when starting this thread it was not my intention to impress anyone nor do I feel the need or desire to prove anything to anyone. I posted a simple photo to see if anyone had seen such a crudely done stamp. It appears to be an anchor and it appears as Chuck mentioned previously to have "hot" stamped or pressed into the steel opposed to being cold stamped. Was it original, was it added later? I do not know, which is why I am asking. Sesko lists a Hirata Hidemitsu smith: HIDEMITSU (秀光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Hidemitsu” (秀光), real name Hirata Hideo (平田秀夫), born August 1st 1903, he worked as a guntō smith. Is this his work, is it gimei. ??? The sword isn't mine, so whether or not it is shoshin or gimei is of no consequence or concern. My only interest is the stamp. If anyone has or runs across information regarding it, I and perhaps others would be interested to know more. Thank you, Ed

Bruce, It looks like it. It is not mine so I can't tell you much more than what we see. My guess is that it is outfitted with a hodgepodge of fittings someone had. The odd stamp peaked my curiosity. Best, Ed

John, That is my thought, perhaps some late, last ditch effort. It is very crude which is why I wondered if anyone else had ever seen like it or had any concrete information. Thanks, Ed