xxlotus8xx

Fröhliche Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! Oops wrong language not sure how to say that in Japanese. The picture is an photoshop edit of a plate.

You can call me Ray... And I'm wondering where that PM is...

Both inside and outside shots look good. But ya. How much and who??

It's all in the lighting man. Bright lights from different angles should give you the desired outcome.

This is sound advise. Trust is something that should be earned and purchases researched prior. Example. Go walk on a car sales lot and watch the salesmen vultures converge. If you at least show up armed with the research you are far less likely to get burned.

Reinhard: That was a excellent post. I applaud you. Sound straight forward advise. Thank you

Nice looking blade. I figure that whoever was bidding on the blade though had to have known a thing or 2 about Nihonto. Most buyers at auctions are either experts or have entirely to much money to burn.

I assume you are referring to me and THAT is how you come across and sound in just about every thread I have seen you post at. And use the spell built in spell check feature. It will make you look less adolescent. And trust me. Anything I said I wouldn't hesitate to say it to your face. Damn. I know this is non-topic but I couldn't resist. And as a matter of fact I am liking the way the thread played/is playing out.

Hi Grey. This was my point and the question I presented to Keith was somewhat sarcastic as I found his reply kind of presumptous. But thats OK. I'm sure he isn't so bad in person. But what I am also reading is that there is a predator/prey thing going on whereas experienced collectors will prey on inexperienced collectors. Now granted I fall in the latter catagory. But in matters where I am expert such as guitars and I was appoached by an inexperienced collector I would not prey but encourage to recognize what he has. I know that the majority of the NMB members do just that. And god bless them as I am sure they have detured certain disaster on a very old blade I own. But to you inexperienced collectors be wary of wolves in sheeps clothing!

So exactly how many years of study must one have to find a diamond in the rough?

Oh come on! That's not a real picture. It is obviously photoshop'd! Just kidding so spare me the scolding The picture is stunning. Really. It as actually my goal to acquire a (Nihonto) katana with o-kissaki tip as this. So I am saving and reading and studying.. While there is no doubt that a blade in good polish will give you much more to study and admire I still feel it's just a piece of the overall bigger picture. But an important piece at that.

Non-Nihonto. Doesn't count Although I do try and take good care of them and the higher end ones have seen Tameshigiri twice at the most. And then safely filed away.

I'm waiting for someone to admit use of CLR or chemicals to clean rust... Personally I have always asked first and was detered from disaster from the kind hearted NMB senior members. But a great thread subject!!

I'd be quite surprised if anyone admits to anything less that tradition. We'll see.

I fear once again I am misunderstood. And while I can surely see your points I do believe that all the for mentioned aspects of a blade are studied. OK I'll take back the koshire part. But everything else?? come on. In using the Piccaso example one does just not study the brush strokes. It's the process and end result that are taken in and admired. Or hated....Or debated. IMO if every OOP or ruined blade was just shrugged aside we would not nearly have as much understanding as we do currently. And are not some of these "fixer uppers" turn out exceptional after a new polish? I feel that blades are are classified as ruined are still; or should be studied but probably should not be displayed or brought to show and tell.

Hi Jamie, I never indicated that anyone was being singled out and if you actually read what I wrote you kind of echo'd my point. But like any profession or scholarly study there are those that are humble and those who have huge ego's. That's just the way it is. And I have also received the best advise from this board than perhaps any other on the entire Internet. So anyways don't want to get off topic for the thread.

Lots! 1) Nagako shape, length and condition 2) Nagasa and sori measurements. 3) Sugata 4) Koshire that are part of the whole sword. 5) Kitae 6) Hada (Depending on how out of polish) Sorry about the misquote. Next time I'll hit the "quote" button.

I see sanjuro is stirring up the hornets nest again... I can relate to both sides of this debate though with the opinion of it's your money, do what you want with it. But if you post pics of your newly acquired Nihonto here be prepared for opinions and possibly judgment. Some honest, some snobbish. But you you have the option of taking the good and ignoring the bad. It's all part of the learning process. And whoever said you can't study a blade without it being in polish is wrong. Lot's of blade characteristics can be studied without a newly polished blade.

Well spoken. And welcome to the "rough and ready" NMB board. Imagine it as being the Star Wars Catina of Nihonto experts and Scholars . Lot's to be learned here so enjoy!

Yes I am the guilty party who shared the museum collection link. I'm sorry but it's just such a great collection that I couldn't resist...

Slightly off topic but I thought I would share the link anyways as this Tsuba collection is nice... http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/ ... 5?page=852

This thread made me think of this quote from "The Hagakure" "Being superior to others is nothing other than having people talk about your affairs and listening to their opinions, the general run of people settle for their own opinions and thus never excel. Having a discussion with a person is the first step in excelling him. A certain person discussed with me the written materials at the clan office. He is better than someone like me in writing and researching. In seeking correction from others, you excel them." Not sure why but it seemed appropriate.

I am actually surprised that he (the pawn shop owner) said anything at all. He only accomplished looking like a "know it all". But then again I am sure a very small part of their audience would know anything at all...

Excellent. Thank you for sharing.

Ummmm...OK.