wakiboy

Don’t have a go at me the picture is upside down, will try to correct..sorry Ian

Help required, Can anybody help with this Mon as I have been unable to find it, thank you in advance. Ian

jean I’ve not seen any reference to it being called Rokukaden but it would make sense..

In the Connoisseurs page 116 states that (another style of sword making. called the Shinto Tokuden Tradition, also arose).

Can anyone please explain Shinto Tokuden, I know about the 5 traditions (Gokaden) but have only just realised there is a 6th one (Shinto Tokuden). I have been unable to find an explanation in the connoisseurs book other than most of the Shinto smiths are said to have worked in this tradition. Is it just that most Shinto Smiths mixed the old traditions? I may be showing my ignorance here but it’s got me stumped... Ian

Hi Franco I know what you mean, personally I don’t mind minor flaws but I get criticised for trying to save blades with flaws. Regards Ian

I know that a collector looks for perfection whereas a student of nihonto only looks at the aesthetics (workmanship) for that smith/school/period etc and so a minor flaw would not be an issue. This blade is beautiful and in great polish and is a good representative piece for this smith, I am trying to see how the general membership feels about Fukure.

The smith is Miyamoto Kanenori.

I have a Meiji period Tachi by a well known smith which is in Japanese polish with a small Fukure in the monouchi area, it is showing an hairline opening but you have to look to see it. My question is..... does this Fukure make the blade less interesting to a collector or is it a minor flaw that can be overlooked. Would you collectors consider buying a blade with Fukure? Hope you can see it in the picture.. Ian

Hi Peter Although I’ve been a student of Nihonto for a good many years, like so many students who would love to be classed as a collector but have never had the means, my goal is simple. Just to be able to keep moving on blades I’ve studied and learned from for blades new to me. The field of Nihoto is vast and if I kept the blades I had studied I would not be able afford any new ones. Ian

I’m finding this discussion fascinating and very educational, even as a novice it is one of the best discussions I’ve seen on this group, I assume this subject has been dealt with before as some of you knowledgeable collectors seem to be getting a little agitated. Well done guys, this is a subject that needs to be discussed... Ian

Thank you Stephen.

Hi Rayhan The picture is the right way up for me but have rotated one for you, hope it works... Ian

Morning I was wondering if you could please tell me if there is any information on the Tsuba from the information given in the certificate. Ian

Randy, please add me to your list, Ian

Thanks Steve I see what you mean, I will have to try to find some oshigata to compare. Thanks for the input.. Ian

I read this signature as (chikuzen ju minamoto nobukuni yoshimasa). In Hawleys blue book 1966 he has this smith as YO279 and shows it as S85 but I can't find him in AFU's although Fujishiro's Nihon Shinto Jiten do's show this smith.....any help most welcome.

Hi Paul Count me in, looks to good to miss. Ian

All I have read this post and would just like to say how pleased I am to see the exchange of information at such a high level of knowledge. The information is so freely available from groups & individuals who are so passionate about the subject. When I became interested in the subject in the early 70s there were only a couple of books available in English & the nearest person who was willing to teach me was 45mls away. What I'm saying is, that it is not just technology that is making Ni-Honto available but the people who put the information there. I have been a member of the NBTHK and found them to be my best source of information ( next to the wife ). Knowledge is for sharing..that's why I find this group very educational. Ian

Stephen Don't forget the other 0.9% as in 40yrs playing with swords I may have found 2 or 3 that are just right, therefore 99.9% seems closer.