Jamie

What was the polishers opinion? Since he has it in hand, and is a polisher he may be the most qualified to tell you. I'm assuming he's properly trained however.

Jeremy, Thanks for your input. The one I am speaking of may not be fatal, but it's pretty good size in length. It's much longer than 1.5 CM though. And close to the edge. I've decided that to me, it's detrimental. Other than this Ware though it's a nice blade. Nie floating into the Ji. It's also very well balanced and feels great in hand. Polish is good, Etc. Again, thanks for your input. Nice to hear from someone who has used a blade with ware.

I didn't realize I had hit Show active topics and both your posts were showing close together. My apology, and best of luck in your search.

you posted this once already right?

It's no hagire. It is not on both sides(and I looked with a jeweler's loop). It's an open layer. And it isn't deep but it's too long I think, and within the hamon. Also not too far from the edge. Considered fatal or not, I bet it would be a weakness in the blade.

How big would an opening have to be to be fatal? I am inspecting a wakazashi that someone wanted to trade me for a tanto, and it has a grain opening within the hamon about seven inches long. It's slight, but it's also there. Four inches of it can be seen with the naked eye, and about three more can be seen with a jeweler's loop and i see that it connects to the ware. In addition to this, it has a few very small ware. It's supposed to a koto wakazashi. it has muneyaki almost the length of the Blade. Has a bonji almost at the Kissaki. I think that may have been added after it was made. I think it may be shinto as well. The pics I have of it do not show these ware or I would post them. In summary I have two questions: How long would a grain opening within the hamon have to be to be fatal? What schools inKoto used Muneyaki? I don't think it's soshu, or sue soshu.

A while back there was a NBTHK papered Ubu Shobu zukuri posted. I'd be interested to see that one again and see where the ridgeline stops. Anyone remeber the thread title? Mr Bowen I think translated part of the papers.

"why not learn how to properly care, use, hold the sword as well as owning... " I agree

Keith, I think that the hand is on the Nakago only, but of course I could be mistaken. It looks that way to me though.

You might consider starting with the following three books Samurai Sword: A Handbook ~John Yumato The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library) ~ Kanzan Sato The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords ~ Kokan Nagayama I think Most of us, have had a let down when we started. Maybe some got lucky and did not. But I would bet most have. Don't get discouraged, just get informed. If you have eye for detail, you have a step in the right direction.

I think I've seen this Koshirae before, but can't remember where. Beautiful piece!

A stunning Ko mihara was sold on the board last year. My experience is limited thus far, but it stands out as one my favorites I have seen in hand.

Congrats Kevin! The Oshigata makes the Boshi look especially interesting.

Too bad I passed on this one.

I am sure you will get plenty of answers from the members here. The basics though are being traditionally Japanese trained, by a master Togi. The apprenticeship is ten years. You're not being a snob, or splitting hairs. An amateur can do more damage than good in many cases.

That's probably a really fair deal , especially if as old he thinks. If the description is accurate, I bet that's an interesting piece.

That's probably a production sword.

I don't own one, but I am fascinated by Nagamaki and Naginata.

You might post a pic of the whole blade including the nakago. It helps in determining age. Hope this helps Jamie

You could cut and paste to wordpad too.

Thank you Ron. Nice mount too, I love that tsuba.

Interesting post the pics afterwards!

Junichi, I have just received one of them Koto- and it's a good read, and is all in english. Definitely worth having.

You might consider posting them this way so others don't have to rotate. You may also want to post some blade pics. You will get sme good info on the sword if you do so.

I like it, thanks for the pics. Hope you enjoy it.