Nautilus

No offence taken, nor directing any sour ire back - this is a broad church and I rather see it as the purists up in the pulpit showing us the true way, while peeps like me are giggling at the back and smoking in the vestry (Old Holborn in my case). I suppose I have been brutalized here in Japan with the sort of, almost lackadaisical approach to this whole-mix-and-match thing. Mind you, that might be because the swords I tend to come across are in the hands of practically minded martial types rather than collectors, with swords that are not really likely to end up in sale rooms. But, before you think I am a total freak - I would not be comfortable displaying a blade without its own - proper period - fittings, and certainly would not sell mutton dressed as lamb.

Well, I don't know about mangling marsupials, but I'm content with my old slicers, no matter how they are dressed. :D Not so old Japanese proverb: "What are these gaijin smoking?"

Hehe... I sense the old elephant in the room with the collection of blind scholars. I had a similar situation with a beautiful blade and how to mount it. A Gendaito, to be sure, but one made in Bizen for some Toyama fellow in 1937 (and to the pattern of a classic Edo period day-sword). It was gifted as a blade for kata practice, and the Master expected it to be mounted in an appropriate koshirae for Dojo use. I was a little reluctant till I got hold of a photo of the blade as it had been mounted at the war's start - in mid Edo period fittings, passed down through the family in question. That and the Master insisted. Each to their own I suppose. As long as you go into whatever you do with eyes open and firm understanding of how potential buyers might react. Edit: with regard to the issue of passing things down to posterity, the chap who fashioned the 'practical' fittings for my own gendaito marked each piece with the manufacture date and torokusho number (purely a personal conceit on his own part to keep track of the different fittings he had for his own blades, but I asked him to pop them on mine as it seemed a fitting way to mark them out as 21st century practical phys-reps and not items of real art.

Aye. While there are (for which fact I can speak) a number of reputable dealers on eBay, it can be akin to walking a minefield for the uninitiated.

This puts me in mind of a similar case of a blade clearly had-away-with by a member of the occupying forces, who eventually suffered a sea-change and wished to return the item. Not a grand item, but a well-made gendaito and worthy for all that. His solution was simply to address it to the local government in Mito-city with such information as he had. The customs, it seems passed it through to the authorities in the city who did attempt to discover the owners - though fruitlessly. This I know, as the blade ultimately passed into the possession (once papered) of my old master: returned as close to home as was possible under the circumstances - where it remains to this day, and active in Dojo. A spoil of war which was ultimately not spoiled by war.

With Aoi, I called a day in advance with an idea of what I would like to see - though in this case I knew I'd be purchasing something - and it ensured that when I did arrive they had the choice items ready for inspection. I found them very friendly, but I sense they are always nervous of people (both local and 'furrin') who might be athwart of Kill Bill Fever. I suppose that is why I rather like Tozando - apart from the fact I get to Kyoto more often than Tokyo: still a small shop, but with nice displays and an ever-flowing tea-pot.

While you will probably not do better than Aoi-Arts (a place which makes my head swim and my wallet weep), if you are down in Kyoto you could do worse than have a gander at Tozando's Nihonto Gallery (close to their Bugo Shop). I know some people locally sniff a little at them for their 'glam' web presence, but they are not only wonderful folks, and have English speaking staff on hand but are more than willing to let respectful visotors 'come to grips' with the inventory (which proved fatal to my credit card last time I was in there...).

In what manner is this difference felt to you? Just curious. Mike For example, the Iaito I have, which was quietly made to the measurements of my favourite sword for practice at home is rather lighter than the parent sword itself. Not negatively so, to be sure, but just enough for me to notice (assuming I am not just so caught up in the whole mystique of tamahagane that I have gone wappy ).

I too will add a note of caution - though as I was not the person doing the dealing, I will not add anything potentially litigious. The lad is certainly well known in circles here...

And know your stuff. Hello Glenn. Thanks again for your assistance on the Sato blade. Mito-san has already sent me a mail describing the blade as a lovely little example of the middle 20th century - though refuses to mail me more photos. I suppose eBay has to change somewhere down the line, if enough polite but firm chaps remind them of the actual terms of the (UK in this case) law - as all they are doing is encouraging both buyers and sellers to operate outside of the safety and security of the marketplace. Back to Victorian values eh? Darren.

You powers of recollection do not fail you, or if they do there are two such tachi in Okayama. However, the large blade which sticks in my mind was one I saw in an out-of-the-way little shrine near Takamatsu (Saibata village). It was likewise a monster Tachi, which had been fashioned in the days of the Awa Puppeteers as an offering to Hachiman by the priests of Ebisu (as it was from the celebrations of the Hachiman Shrine from which the Ebisu Mai puppet dance was derived some time in the Heian Period). It had clearly seen better days, and no-one working there could put a date to it.

More anecdotal mumblings here on eBay. I recently came across a nice gendaito which needed to be added to my small assembly of Sato Yukihira blades. The sale address was in Japan and my home address is in Japan. All well and good. The seller even stated in the auction that - due to eBay regulations - he could not ship to the UK/Eire. However, because I opened my eBay account years ago on eBay.co.uk (there being no real eBay.co.jp even now) it still brought up the block. On contacting eBay, the customer service rep agreed that A: I was not likely to be a hommicidal chav; B: legally able to carry/post this item anyway, as it was an antique and therefore covered by the specific defence given to antiques in the recent weapon ban; and C: living in Japan which should have dropped the eBay bar. Yet, she also stated that this was an automatic ban and 'surely it was better to risk upsetting a small minority of patrons to protect people from harm'..... I could do more damage with a hover mower, a carving knife or a bucket of fish - all of which I can legally buy. Thankfully, the seller was aware of this whole narf-up and made arrangements for me - though adding that he had fallen foul of this before, and almost been banned by eBay for simply listing blades.

Now that is a little gem, and right up my alley as far as aesthetics go (my own taste is for fundamental suguha so perhaps I am biased). I to would to very much like to see some larger, detailed pictures if you have any, since I doubt I'll get to see the beauty up close. Nice one all round.

Indeed, you hit the nail one the head, and it took me a good few years before the Master was satisfied enough to have me 'fitted' - a tortuous process indeed, especially as he insisted on me selecting a "blade of character" (as he put it) from his collection: not that I could have afforded to commission one at that time, so in many ways his largesse defined me as a student - I suppose that is why my collector's passion follows my swordsman's passion for such a limited period in history). I was wary, to be honest. However, I was won over by his eminently practical attitude to the art and the blades which live at the heart of it. However, do not mistake him - or his progeny - as flippant. He is an old soldier, from a line of soldiers who knew, and know the value of a good, keen blade. I suppose his philosphy can be summed up as follows - 'The sword is sacred, not a sacred cow and while we owe something to the future it cannot be at the sacrifice of the present'. Still, that is enough for us, and not a recommendation I suppose (we too have blades which are so much works of art that they never go near the dojo in anger). You stress the important points far more clearly than I did to the OP. Proper tutelage is the key, and only one's master can guide you, when ready, as to the right sort of blade. As for who is guiding whom in my case though, that is a question which has been occupying us since 1995. Still, trust and loyalty have been earned and shared in those years and for all that the Boss is a cranky bugger sometimes, I prize him and what he has taught me and mine. Darren. Edit: for cronky spelling.

He's a card to be sure. Treated me like something he'd find on his shoe at first - but I cannot be sure that was because I handled swords like they were some sort of Warhammer 40K chain axe or because I had the temerity to like his daughter. Still, in that traditionally Japanese way, once he and the company had opened up it was like I had been there forever. Its more the fellowship than the tuition which I prize perhaps, and that is why I aim to go to my grave the eternal student. The Master once commented to me (after watching yet another botched cut): "Assuming I survive the next few years of you treating my swords like hatchets, you might have improved enough to actually start learning something of value before I die of old age". Well, he's not died yet (and I have not yet even damaged a single blade), but I'm not sure what I have actually learned. Thanks for the welcome chaps, I'll try not to make a nuisance of myself - but, as they say, you can't take a Sheffielder anywhere.

Yet another new-boy here. Like many in my generation, I became infatuated with the katana after watching Shogun - yes, I know. However, thanks to my Uncle and a few like-minded friends, this youthful passion became more directed after University and my first stay in Japan. My Fiance's Father adopted me as the Kai's 'Token Gaijin' (and To-Ken Gaijin, Snarf!) and over the years I've not done too much to disgrace my fellows in the quiet little place. I collect purely from a practical perspective - following my dotty old Master's belief that a sword on a stand, garnering nothing but admiring glances is (usually, *wink*) a waste of iron (there are times I wonder why he has not been arrested for carving someone up; but then again, he also teaches the local chief of police) - and tend to find focus on good, stout Gendaito (Perhaps it is the Yorkshireman in me creeping out, with his preference for plain, workmanlike stuff). Frankly, I don't think I'd know real artistry if it jumped up and bit me on the rump. Darren.

As a new-boy to the forums (can't believe it took me so long to find them), perhaps I should not be offering my observations so roundly... However, for the OP: Whilst your desire to work with a live blade is - in principle - practical, my experiences lead me to stand behind the urging of formal study and great care with regard to the use of the right tool for the right job - even if that tool is made of wood, or Durally. My own Master vehemently refuses to associate his teaching with the sort of Durally Iaito (from outlets such as Tozando) which now dominate the market - abroad, as well as here in Japan. I myself graduated to a suitable, refitted Gendaito from the Bokuto and, under proper tutelage I have not regretted it. Nowadays, I can feel the difference between a live blade and an Iaito, even on simple Iai work, and I now understand my Master's concerns: "if the blade is not real, then all that follows is not real" (he's a bit of a character, and a little set in his ways, but I respect him and love his daughter, so it is doubly hard to find fault in him - I think that it was because he was raised to the sword-proper as a lad practising Iaido and cutting on his Master's blades and had some sort of allergic reaction to all the Zinc which began flowing into Iaito ). However, this is a special case and a Master who has much practical experience in instructing students on sharp lives - both new, and venerable blades. I suppose I am saying that while there is a place for an appropriate live blade in more places and at more levels of use than might be imagined, the key here has to be good, formal training under a Master who knows the practicalities of the matter. Moreover, as others have said (above and below - Edit) using antiques which have not passed muster under the gaze of a very qualified individual is a danger to your investment, eyes and marriage prospects. - Darren. Edit: for clarity, humour and 20% more humility.