Muki

Cabowen, in your estimation... what is your best guess on how productive a smith would be as far as production numbers during a "normal" smithing career?

Well, the "harry knife" with that "shief" could be pretty rare...

AOI-ART.com has a very nice website with many choices.

Would the various stroke methods of the Kunisada daimei signatures be able to then be identified with the same certainty as the smith's particular method of signing? jim

Chris, if only a nakago is seen then are we but collectors of names? It seems a bit like collecting baseball cards with only names and not images on them. Art is appreciated for its context and expression and how can this be realized without seeing the artists work? For example could not a "mediocre" smith not have made an exemplary blade at one time in his life? For what its worth, you are one of the "experienced" members on this board I would dare as a neophyte to even pose this question. Your non-condescending approach in your posts is appreciated, thanks. jim

Will someone elaborate more on other one as well? What is the metal it is made from and what makes this a "tourist" creation? jim

In the little museum of Nakagusuku Castle in Okinawa (near Motobu, Nago) there are some various pieces of tosugu that have been recovered during excavation and they are in very, very, very poor condition. At any given point on Okinawa the ocean is less than a mile or two and the salt air is pervasive. Iron becomes flaky and separates into small pieces in a matter of years. I dont think this is from Okinawa personally. West side looking toward China... North side by Hado Point, close as you can get to mainland Japan... jim

In the risk of getting in trouble Brian, KM is the FIRST poster to actually bring pictorial evidence to the thread. Reinhard, advanced or not, didnt do so and left the rest of us beginners in the lurch and waiting for knowledge. Thanks KM, it is appreciated. jim

Interesting news story! http://blog.livedoor.jp/pfj_blog/archives/50609775.html

Isn't the "munched" part simply the space for a kogotana cleverly done? Forgive me for being obtuse... :?

Ford, I only typed that in a "tongue in cheek" manner! Any given day driving down the street in Japan is a mind expanding event from an artistic point of view much like anywhere in Asia. From the garish Pachinko parlors to the loveable street construction signs it is always an adventure. Following this thread has been a fantastic insight into how you and the other learned artisans and collectors approach and categorize the various relics and pieces that have been posted about here. What I take from all I have read is how much I do not know about nihonto and tosogu. Still, I follow what you and others write with great interest. Please, keep posting photos and writing! jim

I've lived (and continue to live) in Japan for years and still am not sure what Japanese art is or should be...

Ben, do you know anything about that sword with the .45 stuck in the tsuba? I see "Okinawa" on the leather I believe...

I was just told today that the postal system isnt taking large packages.

Are tobi-yaki and mune-yaki created by thinning out the clay prior to heating/quenching?