Guido

On Sunday I had a look at the samurai exhibition in Speyer. As I suspected, it's an exhibition for a general audience that doesn't know anything about the subject. And correspondingly the objects are described very Spartan. It is an effortful and very beautiful exhibition nonetheless. Looks like I will go again on Thursday to listen to the lecture, and hope this time without children screaming in the background. This was another thing. Because I have gone on Sunday, many people were there, and not few families with children. I hope you have not already ordered the accompanying book of this exhibition?! I already have one for you as a small present. Next time I want to get paid for translations ...

I put the attached list of emperors (preceeded by a number) and Nengô together using different sources, and cross-checking them with the "songô to nengô no yobikata" that is based on studies of the Kunaichô (imperial household agency), which - at least in my books - should be considered the final authority on dates and readings. period.pdf

When Simon wrote it that way I thought it was a typo, but when you did, too, I honestly thought it might be a dialect (or maybe an insider joke). Now I know it was both! :D I had April in mind, but there never can be enough NMB gatherings, can there? I'm pretty sure we can squeeze something in in early June. PM me your e-mail address and I'll keep you in the loop.

Btw, is "hitashiburi" Yokohama dialect? Here in Tokyo we say "hisashiburi ...

Simon, I hope all is well now. We missed you at the DaiTokenIchi, and especially the party we had on the second day - maybe you read about it on NMB? Anyhow, I'm planning a spring-gathering, and count on your attendance!

ROFL! :lol: An awful day at the office, but a good laugh afterwards; thanks for making my day! :D

What makes you think that the Kanteishô is off?

Since the set was bought when my wife was born, your remark directly reflects on how old she is. I have no problems with that, but pray to God she never reads this thread! It's only for the Hina-Matsuri. If you fail to pack the dolls when the festival ends, your daughter won't find a husband. I always make triple sure they go back into the boxes at the proper time. Yes, with a few Inrô and other smallish art objects.

That would span almost 600 years, 1333 through 1926 .... In any case, not every "true Nihonto" shows the characteristics that make it possible to attribute it properly to a period, province, school or smith, even by the most learned and experienced connoisseurs. Especially when the state of preservation leaves to be desired.

And here's the real deal from our home. Bought when my wife was born, and still good for my daughter.

Henry, I'm glad that I'm not the only one who suffers from a Woody Allen-ish evil twin ... :D

That would be an odd Natsume; I never saw one that had more than one compartment. My wife, who holds a teacher's license in Ura-Senke, never heard of this type of Natsume either.

Just for the record: I only recently found out that my evil twin is still alive, and unfortunately the above post was made by him. Sorry, but I can't take any responsibility for the tone and/or content of his posts.

I used to live in China for more than 4 years - and actually will move back there in August - and therefore recognize "Mei" as a typical female given name. Which, sexist as I am, explains a lot.

You are way out of line. There are a gazillion "sleepers" and "study pieces" at any given gun and/or antique fair. You're maliciously spoiling the fun for those who are basically weapon collectors, and are only into Japanese swords because their past conduct makes it impossible for them to get a FFL. Since when do you really get what you pay for? Just a myth, self-servingly spread by those stinking egg-heads and so-called "connoisseurs"! Isn't it better to own lots of non-descript, crappy blades of Japanese origin than no Samurai sword at all? Heck, if I really have to spend serious money for quality I'd rather collect beer coasters, at least they're for free! Sorry, but my (anyhow underdeveloped) self-restraint went down the drain *fast* when reading your post - that should become a sticky, underlined and in a gigantic font size!

"Buy now, ask questions later" is a great way to achieve your goal. You'll earn more money than you can possibly spend in no time. Am I the only one who thinks "troll" whenever reading a post by our esteemed "pleasemx"??? Broken off tips on Mukansa swords anyone? Real name policy anyone?

Unsigned Muromachi period swords don't receive TokuHo as a matter of priciple. Exceptions are few and far between.

It doesn't happen too often, but it does, at least occasionally: I'm trying to be nice. Obviously it doesn't work. I should have known better. No problem, I'll go back to my pompous and condescending self; and don't dare to complain, capiche?

Since you're from Germany, you may have heard of the so-called "Harzburger Modell", a management and leadership training program. I'm sure that there are better methods nowadays, but when I participated in the eighties, I was told that a manager's initial response should always be positive and optimistic. *Yes,it's a sword that seems to be Japanese. *You could have done a lot worse. *I'm sure you made a good choice given the circumstances and price. *This sword will probably appeal to a lot of people. *You like it, and that's the most important factor. *It clearly represents a certain niche market. *Unfortunately it's a Chinese fake. How about this approach?

Clay, looks great judging by the screenshots. Is it possible to make entries in Japanese, and when editing the captions?

Actually I'm not that good a customer, but I have referred and introduced quite a few newbies to him. Other than that, I'm generally well-liked by many because of my men's-man-personality (when it comes to male acquaintances) and my rugged good looks and sexual magnetism (when it comes to girls).

Yen 45,000? Sounds like someone is trying to ripp you off! It's one of the most common sword books in Japan, and usually sells for Yen 3,000! I've seen it at many sword shops, and the NBTHK had some copies in their book shop last time I went there. Or you can buy it online here: http://www.samurai-nippon.net/shoseki/.

There are not too many shops that sell online, and I don't buy from them, so I really wouldn't know. However - and I already see some members looking down their noses at him - Mr. Tsuruta has the best prices by far (if you know what you're looking at, and ask him the right questions). He doesn't put his really good stuff on the website, instead contacting possible buyers directly. But then again, who on this board will dish out US $ 50,000 for an unseen sword without papers that he feels will make at least Jûyô?

It indeed seems to cover Momoyama until Bakumatsu according to the Wikipedia (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%BF%91%E4%B8%96). Which means it's a notch or two above the attribution "AD".

Why don't you ask the NTHK directly about their "kinsei" attribution? And while you're at it, tell them to fire the guy who writes Japanese like a first-grader ....