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Peter, You sent me the Saga article a few years ago and I thank you for them. There were some things in it that were very helpful and I have really enjoyed reading it. I have not read your book yet and I am sorry if I said the wrong thing. It was not my intention to point my statement at your book. Morita, I sent you a letter. Thank You!! Matt, Matt, It is my pleasure to share with the forum who has helped me through the years. Stephen T

Friends, I hadn't intended to say anything, but... Glad to see someone is enjoying the materials I brought back from National Archives. I had everyone on this forum in mind when I got these so please enjoy. To date, the oshigata that Morita san and I viewed in Library of Congress of Honjo Masamune that shows my arm, is the most precise oshigata of the hamon I have seen. If it is a real oshigata of the blade, then the blade was too short for today’s katana standards…. Morita san, how are you? Is it possible that you got my PM on the other oshigata of Honjo by Kotoku? By the shape of nakago jiri, maybe the Honjo was made by someone else. Hahaha! Then again…. If this Ben fellow does finish his documentary/drama , I sooooo look forward to seeing if they will get sgt. Coldy Bimore’s name right. :D Cheers, Stephen T.

Wow, that was fast!! Thank you kindly Jean for placing my question in the right place. After posting, I questioned myself then dismissed it. Perfection is not one of me strong points. Morita, my friend, it is wonderful to hear from you again! Thank you so very much for your expert translation. I hope you have seen the pdf documents and missing sword photos on the forum that I got from the National Archives in College Park, Md. I had you in mind when I got the photos of the lost swords. These were meant for you but I could not make contact. Are you well? Thanks again, S. Thorpe

Hello, nihonto friends! A friend of mine picked up this blade last week. Can someone help me with the signature? we are not familiar with the 3rd kanji. Please see the photo link. Thanks all, Stephen Thorpe http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/35144286/ ... 0_1397.jpg

KM, Thank you for your question. Most of this is just random. These documents are mostly about the NT and IAO swords that were lost. I do have a list that indicates, ....as of Nov 30 1945, 569,013 swords of historic and artistic value were handed in. Only 86,000 had a certification issued. These were from all the prefectures listed. I will start on the scanning on Monday and see if we cant get this done in a timely manner. Thanks everyone for your intrest, I wanted to ask if anyone knew if Tadao Iwasaki... (I think he is the founder of Mitsubishi) lost his collection of swords. I have a list from his hand of many important swords he owned. I dont know if this is a lost list or a registration list. There is also a list from H. Iwasaki... I guess a family member. Stephen Thorpe

NMB, Here is a letter from Iguchi, Masukichi to General Headquarters (General MacArthur) asking for the return of his Important swords on Oct 12 1946. Second page lists swords missing along with values. Stephen Thorpe

Christian, I am happy the information has helped your research and you are welcome. I will not charge a dime but if you feel you want to donate, when the project is complete, please contact Brian and make out your contributions to NMB. I am just happy myself that these documents were saved by folks who knew their importance to Japanese sword researchers. all the best, S. Thorpe

Yes, it is very sad but if we are in the study of Nihonto it is part of our history. I feel that every nihonto enthusiast has the right to know. I have about 130 copied pages that will shed light on the the disturbing days after the war. I will see what I can do in the way of a pdf file and get back with you Brian. I guess i did not think of a pdf file. My excuse is that my mom is a blond,...maybe it rubbed off..LOL!!

Here is the IAO Narimune. Has this one been found yet? And the IAO Masahiro Stephen Thorpe

Hello folks, This week I visited Washington DC to do my yearly research on Japanese swords. I went on to visit National Archives in College Park, MD where I found a file called “Sword List of National Treasures and Important Art Objects.” I copied much information which indicates the turbulent times at the end of the war along with letters from the authorities and sword owners. Luckily most of these documents were translated in English! I felt that someone on the forum might find these documents useful in their studies. One of the folders had a few actual photos of some of the lost swords. I got these for photos for Morita san, but would be happy for anyone to see them. Perhaps some of you already have these photos, but in case you do not, it is my desire to share what I have. Pictures or oshigata and photos I have: N.T. by Shume no kami Ippei Yasuyo, Photos I.A.O. Masahiro, Photos I.A.O. Narimune, oshigata and photo Also have others like the Aoe and Tadayoshi which are on Jim K’s old site I will be scanning these letters and documents in the next few weeks. To keep me from going crazy with requests, What is the best way to put these up so everyone may have these documents? Can there be a special place on the forum for these or do I have to do a webpage myself? Stephen Thorpe

Hello folks, This week I visited Washington DC to do my yearly research on Japanese swords. I went on to visit National Archives in College Park, MD where I found a file called “Sword List of National Treasures and Important Art Objects.” I copied much information which indicates the turbulent times at the end of the war along with letters from the authorities and sword owners. Luckily most of these documents were translated in English! I felt that someone on the forum might find these documents useful in their studies. One of the folders had a few actual photos of some of the lost swords. I got these for photos for Morita san, but would be happy for anyone to see them. Perhaps some of you already have these photos, but in case you do not, it is my desire to share what I have. Pictures or oshigata and photos I have: N.T. by Shume no kami Ippei Yasuyo, Photos I.A.O. Masahiro, Photos I.A.O. Narimune, oshigata and photo Also have others like the Aoe and Tadayoshi which are on Jim K’s old site I will be scanning these letters and documents in the next few weeks. To keep me from going crazy with requests, What is the best way to put these up so everyone may have these documents? Can there be a special place on the forum for these or do I have to do a webpage myself? Here is a couple of teasers called “The Statement of Mr. Homma”, and “one” of the lists of NT and IAO swords. Have fun! Stephen Thorpe

Merry Christmas everyone, Since this is a discussion on Masamune, I would like to add something someone may find of intrest or of use in their studies. In 2003, I found a forum speaking about a sword store in Japan called “Takabakuhu” by(Mr. Sudou Takanari) a sword expert, whose nick name was“Taka” and he had taken what they thought might be a genuine Masamune in on consignment. The sword was bought later by an unknown individual who went by the pen name “shumei san”. -- Since I cannot read Japanese, a few years ago I made a mistake and thought they were talking about a sword I have connection with. This sword has nothing to do with me. I am a mere cockroach looking in from outside. I am sharing this not for people to squish me, but to share and perhaps someone can get some info they have been seeking, so please have mercy? -- In the past this Masamune supposedly had something to do with Usa Jinja in Oita prefecture. In February of 2004, after the NTHK had made their decision, Mr. Takanari replied to a question on the forum and said, “I myself question this kantei. I think that the cutting method for the mei is different in almost all the swords that bear the genuine mei of Masamune, and the workmanship indicates that the sword cannot be made by the same swordmaker.” The sword was given “Den soshu Masamune” in 2003 by NTHK, and in addition Mr. Takanari, said at the beginning, the shinsa was considering Shizu. He also made comment that he thought this was the best work of Masamune in existence. The Masamune had Nambokucho features and the cutting method for the mei was identical to Shintogo Kunimitsu and seemed to think this Masamune was in a different category. For anyone who would like to read the forum, I would be happy to pass it on to you as it is no longer available online. The sword store closed in 2007. The sword went on to NBTHK shinsa in 2004. -Did anyone see this sword in person? The forum does not seem to indicate which sword this is by Masamune, so was this one of those “unknown Masamune swords?” -Can this work be considered an early work of Masamune since it is similar to Kunimitsu and workmanship appears Nambokucho? Stephen T.

Taking into account the method in which Tsuguhira made his oshigata of Meito, it is my opinion this is his translation of how he saw the Sukashi Hocho Masamune. The hamon in the tip seems to match. Stephen T

Uhh Ohhh, Now the fun begins.

Adrian, Thank you for your information. This is very interesting. Is this "mega Hocho" the one found in "Tsuguhira oshigata" page 99? I can't tell if it has a Shumei or Kinzogan mei. ?? Maybe this is not the same one? BTW, Do you consider the Masamune swords graded "den Masamune" to be of the higher class, or are these considered by you to be low quality since some of their features may not exibit "Masamune" characteristics? Thank You, Stephen Thorpe

Hope everyone is well, Wow, This sounds interesting Adrian! You lucky dog! You've seen 29?? since were talkin' Kosan Sensei, here's my part. A story I heard of Kosan sensei, was that in 1943 he was neighbors with Iemasa Tokugawa. This explains how Kosan saw the Tokugawa family Masamune (still lost). Yamanaka’s Newsletters talks of this event and when Kosan saw the blade he noted that he did not think it was that exciting or impressive. Sounds like he thought it was a second rate Masamune. Maybe someone was trying to attribute a Yukimitsu to Masamune when it was papered. By the way Chris, thanks for posting the page from Jissen to dan by Naruse Kanji! There is some very interesting info there. Happy Holidays, Stephen T

I was happy to have met John. I saw him on a few occasions at the gun shows. Even had some great discussion with him. And yes Morita san, this surprised me also. A friend told me he died in his sleep. He suffered with heart problems. Stephen T.

Just thought the forum would like to know. RIP John!! SLOUGH, John Scott, age 60, left us unexpectedly Wednesday, October 19, 2011. He was preceded in death by his father, William. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Barbara "Kay"; mother, Mildred Ellis; children, Christopher and Erin; brother, Carl Ellis; sisters, Pam and Cynthia; stepchildren, Johnny, Charlie, Cathy, Lisa, Angie and Karen; several grandchildren and many close friends. John had many interests and hobbies; his favorite was spending time with family and friends. He had a fun-loving, outgoing spirit and joy for life that we will miss so much. His life here with us may have been short, but those who were touched by him know that the quality of life far exceeds the quantity of life. We will miss you so much. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesd ... &fhid=4652

Morita san, The Token Shokwan scrolls can be found in USA at Library of congress in Washington DC. Should you wish to visit, it is best to call or write to request research materials so they can be reserved for your visit. You need a library card to enter Asian reading room. They do not allow photocopying of rare books/ scrolls, but you can carry a camera and take all the photos desired. I would be happy to share my photos with you to save a trip. Good luck in your search, S Thorpe

Morita san, If you'd like, just call me Steve. "Mr" Thorpe was my father. :D Thank you for your letter. You are correct about Xuande. I just sold my great grandfathers imitation incense burner for 10K$ and this was the email I used to communicate. I am happy to share information with you. I do not own these scrolls but have access to them. When given permission to view them, I was given specific instructions how to handle them. It was very tedious to get them rolled back correctly like they were. I had very bad neck and back stress afterwards. You will be very happy with Nihonto Newsletter. I like my set very well. May I ask, is there a specific study you are interested in? Stephen Thorpe

K Morita, Hey good oshigata find!! I may be mistaken, but I think this is the same oshigata in a scroll called Token Shokwan collected by the late Viscount Okubo Ichiwo 1817-1887, once governor of Tokyo and member of Genro-in. Part of a 34 scroll/8 book set. There is a similar but different oshigata of same sword in scroll number 13 of this set. Also, doesn't Yamanaka Newsletters say the BotanTsukuri tanto was found but didn't sell due to the high asking price? Stephen Thorpe