Mike

Hi Jon, Thanks for your kind words. I live near Tel-Aviv and Iam glad you have great memories from Israel, we have many greatplaces here . Here is a photo of my yoroi-doshi. Mike

Hard to the mei from the photo, but I have very similar one, though width at hamachi is 10mm. It dates to ca 1500, and has nijimei, the first kanji is Yoshi and on the second one the mekugi ana is punched I still have to researched it. Mike

I see differences in the kao as well as nakago jiri, but a prety nice blade. Mike

As per the blade, it looks fake. Nakago is crude, the kissaki photo is (on purpose ) not clear, as well as the other photos. Someone is going to be sorry :? Mike

Long, wonderful and Expensive :D journey. Mike

Hi, as far as I can see the zogan shows pine needles. The sukashi might be clouds or maybe snow flakes. It is only my 2 cents worth guess. Mike

General construction looks good as long as it is not close-up. Tang and kissaki are wrong, hamon is clearly not real, fittings looks exceptionally good. That is my opinion only, of course. Mike

I have one as well, very nice one. Mike

These paper weights usually come in pairs since they are used to hold both sides of a scroll. Mike

The book "The art of Japanese polishing" by Takaiwa, Yoshihara & Kapp has a photo of Fujishiro Okisato polishing the same Norimitsu O-dachi (p. 155). In battles the sword was carried on the back of the warrior valet, and when the time had come the warrior drowned it while sitting on his horse. This obviously wasn't the most convenient weapon and I couldn't find any materials describing it use. Anyhow this had not last long. I have read that sometimes O-dachi were made as a gift to a shrine, such as this Norimitsu which resides at Kibitsu shrine in Okayama prefecture. Mike

Here is some more info and photos on these expetional swords http://japantrip.tripod.com/nodachi/nodachi.html Mike

Hi, I will give it a try although there will be others better than me. I could not make the first 2 kanji, the third is KUNI YOSHI MURA(?) SAKU. I tried and look for Yoshimura and found very little, only tosa yoshimura chikamune , Kaei period. Mike

I donn't think it is umegane, I think fifth photo shows core steel, also I think this might be Mino school but I am not sure. Mike

Looks to me more like an ambush, since they are hiding near the tree, it is not shade they are seeking. Furthermore the big cheese doesn't have the same mon as that on the shields, so he is about to be knocked down. Mike

The removal must be done professionally so there is none or very small damage. AFAIK gimei swords are rejected in shinsa (but I might be wrong). Mike

Don't hesitate, sell the sword to your friend in 10 M $, I am sure it is good deal. I have not seen such rare amazing sword since your last post couple of weeks ago. Good luck and be honest. Mike

Hi an Welcome, it might be good idea to join one of the clubs that is issuing a newsletter, although you cant attended the meetings there is a lot of info on the newsletter. I for instance , am a member of NCJSC in the US. As for kanji it is a matter of practicing, I am not saying you will read fluently but you will be able to hang around. A good site for this may be Rich T kanji pages on http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/ . Hope it helps. Mike

Also a photo of my Mino kanemoto katana. Mike

Here is an interesting article by DB on the relationship between Kanesada and Kanemoto schools. http://nihonto.ca/nosada/index.html Mike

A piece of art, the reserve is probably 17.95$ Mike

Seems like very productive business trip :D Mike

Different hand, see the ring. Shorty has thick gold wedding ring, long fingers has different ring. :? Mike

Did they specific made an attribute to Kanemoto school Mike

The point is that even later generation of Mino Kanemoto put sanbonsugi hamon, and you mentioned suguha, so this is something you have to check. Mike

I always appreciate your ability to catch even the most tiny details. Don't stop. BTW I thought I have short fingers, now I know i don't. :lol: Mike