Marked Hamon

Sorry, that should have read hounded to death.

The reason I changed is because I was wounded to death. I left the board, then people kept emailing me asking me to come back, so I tried to fly under the radar as Moss obviously resents my success. But he's so obsessed he recognised my writing style. I can't get rid of him. What would you do?

I'm sick to death of it. Every time I log on to talks swords, I am attacked. Just go away Moss. I have every right to raise questions on this site without being hounded.

Moss, stay out of my posts. If those watching trace the thread back, you will see that I post honest, polite and pertinent questions until Moss comes in with his personal agenda. I express gratitude to all that help. How did I get you going when I was merely talking swords to those helping out? You came in guns ablaze as usual. I would love to see if you are so brave in the flesh. I already know that answer to that point. I have seen your like crumble many times. My posts are just about swords until Moss comes in with accusations and abuse which have nothing to do with the posts I place. STAY OUT OF MY POSTS and there will be no problem. I have had others from this forum private message me about you as being the general problem on this forum.

I neither request nor want your answers to my posts. You come in slinging insults which have nothing to do with my posts, mere vitriolic jabs wherever you can fit them. I place this response on the public forum and not as a private message as many members have written to me stating you to be the prime problem with the harmony of this site. You want to place this in the major newspapers? Go ahead, we're only facing the greatest disasters in our time, perhaps all time. I'm sure they will be overjoyed at the huge public attention a squabble on a message board for Japanese swords will bring, overwhelming Global Warming, earthquakes, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, etc. You want an introduction to Rupert Murdoch, Rob Hulls, John Thwaites? The latter two are friends. Rob Hulls is the Governor General of Victoria; John, a recent vice Premier and Minister for the Environment. However, what you have said to and about both myself and Simon Binks is categorically libellous and I have a team of solicitors on call. I am a solicitor. I don't want to hear from you again. I have checked some of your other posts, your English language skills are that of an 8 y/o, so don't try to tell me you run a big company, unless it's a prison. You need professional help. I am the last person you want to incessantly irritate, as I am connected on so many levels. David Blencoe is not my name. Nobody uses their real name on such forums. I very much doubt that your nemesis IS actually Simon Binks. I tried to ignore you for a long time, but you keep coming back with insults that have nothing to do with my posts. No more.

Dear Jason, Once I get it, I most certainly will. I am sure that whatever it is, it will be a good blade. You have been a source of cheer on this confounding board that would have Friedrich Perls lost for words. Moss; get a job. You have nothing to add to this board but rancour. Look it up. Dave

I have finally amended the post which started this. Go back and read that before digging yourself a deeper hole. I think odd and rudest should be awarded to the person with some personal agenda constantly watching this board for the appearance of somebody that has realised his dreams and success beyond your ability. I checked back after you attacked me. I found nothing rude or incendiary in his posts and many members felt the same way, asking him to come back. Yours are just bitter snipes from the depths of some strange psychosis. MODERATOR.

No, it's not. Jacques gave you the hint, but you wouldn't listen: KAGEMITSU never signed his blades on tachi-ura. Your "bargain" is just a waste of money. You might learn something about very poor gimei though. reinhard Thank you for your kind words after a much sweated, tense decision. There is nothing more calming after making a complex, heart-racing decision than a hurl of abuse, after the fact, at my decision based upon years of study. I got Jacques' 'hint', which was no hint at all but a straight well-meant opinion as he saw it, but found contrary evidence, or we should say more opinion some 700 years later, in subsequent research only moments before the auction finished. I've been collecting over 25 years and been through this process many times. I have been wrong but more often right. I have also found that swords that have gimei that are cut so well by professional mei fakers to make determination so hard, to usually be very good swords to complete the deception, so whatever it is, it is likely to be a good sword. Samurai were generally not fools. If presented with a Gremlin with a Porsche badge on it, I think most Samurai could tell, pardon the time discrepancy in the metaphor. I have had the exact same response when I have found big names in the past and they passed shinsa. I have found an example of a tanto Kagemitsu signed katana-mei. If the mei-faker had honto Kagemitsu to copy from, as he obviously did to get it so close with the highly idiosyncratic 'Osa', why would he blow it by putting the signature where Kagemitsu didn't? He had either a genuine sword or a good oshigata in front of him and superior skills to cut such a close resemblance (remember it was a full-time occupation for mei-fakers). Compare the mei of the sword I just bought with those in Fujishiro. It's as close as I've seen. This was no fool if he did fake this mei. To put it on the wrong side, when we have evidence that Kagemitsu DID make many katana and tachi (the distinguishing factor ultimately the side upon which he signed), makes no sense. I know tachi generally have a distinct kissaki, buy I have found the same on kissaki on katana. As stated, I read where Kagemitsu was a wag and all rules went out the window. I have always recognised that this may be a gimei, but as stated, more than likely still a good sword. I had a big katana signed Enbun Kanemitsu that once the gimei was removed, was such a good sword that it drew the attention of Nobuo Ogasawara - author and curator of swords at the National Museum at Ueno Park; in the probability that you don't recognise the name. I seem to be learning more about human nature than Japanese swords on this site, humble exception to Morita-San, Simon 'Thekrish', most others and certainly all Japanese who have been humble and helpful, not feeling the need to be abusive where there is no justification. There are just some very odd, rude people here that spoil it for the rest. I always listen, but make my own decisions. That has been what led me to the top of my field in everything I have done. Can we be nice, pleasant, amicable? Is that too much to ask? I fail to see the point of a rude message after the fact. The transaction was complete, decision made, all done, what was your objective? Thank you Jacques for your well-meant advise given for the right reasons. Further research may prove you correct, but I didn't have the time. Rather end up with what is most likely good sword, regardless of Kaji, than miss out all together. David Blencoe

I got it. from $700 to $3000, so the bidding was fierce. I just hope I'm right. I've read where Kagemitsu was something of a wag, making strange marks in his signatures and swapping signing duties with Nagamitsu. They would sign each other's swords. Under those conditions, anything is possible. It looks to be a good sword, with good horimono, so we'll have to wait and see. Thanks guys. Dave

I've researched extensively and found no reference for a preference to signing all swords tachi-mei. I did find this: "Bizen Kagemitsu is called Sahyohenjo in most accounts and his dated works show that he was born in the latter part of the 13th century. We have works from him dating from the Kagen era (1303) through the Kenmu era (1335). While his father and teacher, Nagamitsu, did not leave many tanto; Kagemitsu, on the other hand, has left us a great number of fine tanto that have survived through the years. He also made extraordinary tachi and katana." It's only minutes until the auction ends. Thanks for your advise, but the signatures are too particular and too close to those in Fujishiro. I think I'm going to go for it, but not without trepidation. Thanks Jacques. Dave

Dear Jacques, Are you implying that the sword should be signed tachi-mei for Bizen Kagemitsu? I have read where he predominantly signed katana mei but open to any and all. Kagemitsu signed with a strange rendition of the second kanji in Osafune. It looks more like gatsu. This peculiarity is present both in the sword I am looking at and the genuine examples in Koto Hen. I'm usually pretty good with spotting gimei, as I not only look at individual strokes, but also the overall feel of the mei. I stand back and see if it has the right flow. This one seems to, but I've been wrong a couple of times. This may be an opportunity to own one of the classic Bizen masters, so I any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks Jacques. Could you elaborate on your point a little more? With Thanks, Dave.

That's what one would think but I have had many Bizen Osafune blades and none of the second characters to Osafune looked like Gatsu. That part of the kanji for Osafune is usually dwarfed by the right hand side. Was this a characteristic of Kagemitsu? It's the same kanji in Koto hen for Kagemitsu. It looks good, ironically, almost exactly the same construction as the sword I am alternating between, but if this is a genuine Bizen Kagemitsu, I would go for this. The other is nice and the mounts complete but this is mounted as well and with a genuine Kagemitsu signature, at half the price, no comparison. IF it is a genuine signature. I know 80% of famous signatures are supposed to e fakes, but this has the horimono Kagemitsu was famous for and the signatures look bloody close to those in Koto-Hen. Thanks for your help. Does anybody have a genuine Kagemitsu? Seen one? Would be greatly appreciative of any thoughts. David.

Hi guys, I'm looking at a nice katana with good horimono but part of the inscription makes no sense to me. It tallies with the oshigata in Fujishiro 136-139 and looks pretty close to the big Kagemitsu's: KAG 54 and KAG 60, who was supposed to be good at horimono but I can't translate what looks like gatsu after osa(fu?) in the mei. The same character is there in Fujishiro for the big guys. All looks good unless it's a gimei, which it may well be, but the horimono and the mei seem to make it a pretty safe bet, sort of. Would appreciate any opinion, as it's between this an another nice, mumei koto katana in koshirae with very similar horimono. At twice the price. Thanks guys, Dave

Thanks David, I'm still waiting on my copy of Slough. This was a good find. It was on eBay, but it was just a long shot of a blade and military saya. I could tell by the strong sori that it was unlikely to be an ordinary Showa-To. Family mon as well. Thanks David, David.

Thanks guys, Does this mean that Sanyo Ichinori/Nakano Renji is a really good smith, to get "1941 exhibition 1st seat"? Though I can't see anything but what seems like really strong hada trying to burst through the scratches left by the steel wool, the way it is signed and the dimension are the hallmark of a well-made sword. If this guy won 1st seat in a 1941 exhibition, if I'm reading this correctly, this would make him a really good gendai smith? I've been busy with other stuff but will try to get the new pictures of the mei as soon as possible. Won't be able today as I'm just about to head out, but ASAP. I'm amazed that you guys were able to glean that much from the out of focus scans I have posted. Thank you all. David

Thanks Jason, I'll try that. The problem is the habaki is soldered on and I can't get it off, as of yet. This makes the top of the scanner sit up much higher than a flat blade would. All the antagonistic remarks from Moss seem to have been removed, so I hope the Moderator is moderating. Let's hope we can leave that chapter closed. Thanks Jason, Dave

Hi, I got the Sanyo Fujiwara Ichi or Kazunoru (couldn't find a Kazunori but could a number of Ichinirori, one signing almost identically in 1912), but it's the rest and the date that eludes me. And his value as a kaji, as I can't see into the blade due to a steel wool 'polish', although it does seem to have very string hada. I'm going to take some pictures today. I tried yesterday but the camera was flat. I had to charge it overnight (it's 8.00 am here now). I'll be back. Arnold.

Can't really see anything can you. I scanned them right off the scanner, but I'll have to take photos and submit those later. Any information on Sanyo Ichinori would be great in the meantime. Thanks Guys, Dave

I picked this up and it seems like a really good sword, judging by the mei and the dimensions. I can't get the date, as it appears to be a zodiac method of dating and much of the mei eludes me. I get Sanyo Ichinori and a few other kanji but can't put it all in context. M feeling is that it is the 1912 guy in Hawley, but the signature is different. Would anybody know if he is a highly rated gendai smith? It has been polished with steel wool but appears to have hada wanting to burst out from beneath the scratches. Thanks Guys. Dave

Could somebody help me with three mei? I've got the Shinto wakazashi as Harima Teruhiro, but would be interested to see what members think about the authenticity of the mei. It is well mounted but the 'saku' looks rushed in. Not what I would expect of somebody accustomed to signing the same signature over time. Also generation? The examples of his mei I have tend to suggest second generation and he did cram a lot of kanji into the small space available on a wakasashi nakago, but I have not examples of either of them ending with 'Saku'. The other two are Gendai, as stated previously, I know nothing about Gendai unless I see a good polished sword in front of me. Does anybody know if these are good Gendai smiths who used traditional methods? I have one shot of one of the blades that looks as though it could be. Thanks Guys David

Thank you George. Exactly the facts as required. I think I could get it for $700, but you're right about the nakago. It's not that bad. I think it would repatinate well enough, but I'm cautious of Gendai blades and the associated proclivities, simply because when I was first collecting, we turned our noses up at anything post 1926. I had, I was told, two or three of the best Gendai smiths, katanas in near-new polish, but sold them for next to nothing. A good sword is a good sword. I should have known better. I have to go to bed and decide whether to advise of cancelation of this sword. It's only 26", so I think I may until I learn more about Gendai swords. Thank you George. Your name rings a bell by the way. Dave

Yes, I understand what he means. The kanji are well cut but that just contrasts the nakago being; not finished well, or as he said, vandalised. A good kaji with a well cut mei should have yasurimei and patina to fit. It doesn't.

Simon, Yes, it doesn't look like the kanji of a master artist does it. I think I might withdraw. Thank you for reminding me of that. Dave

Dear Hunter, To any experienced collector, Hawley's proclivities, multiple listings of the same smith, etc, etc, are a given. It was still a great body of work for an old man at that time and has helped us all tremendously. Unfortunately, reminding us all of that still doesn't address the issues regarding this sword. It could be a good Gendai, or a waste of money. Gendai are not my area. I was hoping for some positive analyses of the dilemma by one of the knowledgeable and tremendously helpful members of this board, as had been the result of my post of the Shinshinto katana with the obliterated kanji in the mei. Thank you to all those you contributed once more. If anybody does have an educated view on this issue, it would help me greatly. David

Dear Morita San, I have researched this man and found information indicating that he stopped working in 1935, yet this sword is date Showa 17, 1943. In Hawley, MAS 314, there is a Katsumura Masakatsu working from1865 that has a TK listing, but this exact signature Katsumura Hitachi no Suke Minamoto Masakatsu, MAS 317 is given a lowly rating of 8 (for what it's worth) and listed as working from 1912-1935. This sword is dated 1943. Could this be gimei or a second or third generation? I have placed an offer on this sword. It's in Gunto mounts, the blade in poor but redeemable polish, but I wouldn't buy it if it were a Showa Gimei. Thoughts greatly appreciated. With Thanks, David