paulb

Can I just point out that Bowman is not an uncommon name and that the one referred to here is not me, nor as far as I am aware do I have any relatives in the USA.

The Unji you mention was one (one of two Juyo blades) of the 53 swords donated to the Armouries by the family of my very dear friend and teacher, Deryck Ingham. The other Juyo blade attributed to Yamato-Shizu is on permanent exhibition in the Tower of London. The Armouries team are very enthusiastic and always support us fantastically when we have study days there. Overall I would guess they have over 200 blades and some important armour. One of the most important is currently at Buckingham Palace for the Japan exhibition in the Queens Gallery. This is the armour presented to James II as a diplomatic gift in the 17th century. You are correct that both the V&A and the British museum have stronger collections of fittings. The Ashmolean in Oxford and Pitt Rivers in Cambridge also have good examples of fittings although with limited numbers on display. Regarding the Unji, it was purchased at auction by Deryck when it was sold as part of the A.Z. Freeman collection. Professor Freeman was based in the USA, and I believe he purchased the blade directly from Japan.

I have read the above with interest, not least because one of the most common questions we are asked at the Token of GB is "which books should I buy". It is true that the books by Basil Robinson and John Yumoto have errors and have been greatly superseded by more recent texts. However, 40 years ago they were all that was available to us and we cherished such information as they contained. They did at least feed some of the hunger for knowledge and drive us to learn more. We are fortunate that the combination of a further half century of research and much greater availability of information online has greatly enriched the knowledge pool. Regarding more modern references, personally in recent years I have found Markus Sesko's publications to be of great use. Again, best read with a grounding of knowledge but even for the complete novice they offer a great deal of information in an accessible form. Other than that, I fall back on the old favourites of: Nagayama connoisseurs' book of Japanese swords Nihon-to Koza The NBTHK English version magazines And once one has a basic understanding: Anything by Tanobe Michiro Sensei

I spoke to the president of the NBTHK EU about a month ago. He told me that regrettably Gido's condition remained pretty much unchanged. As far as I understand he has not regained consciousness since the initial trauma.

Not saying I'm right and your wrong Alex but my perspective is pretty much the opposite of what describe. First and foremost I have to like what I am seeing regardless of whether it was signed or not or I know exactly who made it and when. I now have two signed blades the rest mumei and some have varying attribution. What they all have common is a beautiful shape and hada and all in good condition. As said this isn't necessarily right just different. It's a positive thing that there are so many different approaches

Thank you Gentlemen you have been a great help

I bought this Fuchi Kashira set some time ago. At the time the mei was given as Omori Hidefusa. However having relooked at it I don't believe this to be correct. I struggle enough with kanji on swords and I am afraid I am even worse on fittings. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Hi Colin I think that has always been one of the frustrations with the NBTHK they have never, as far as I am aware, offered an explanation (They may do in person to Japanese members or if asked directly but I don't know) I think part of the problem is volume, they see too many swords and it would be too larger task and partly language. The quality of English within the organisation has improved greatly but there still appears to be a reluctance to communicate. If it were the other way round, we would find it equally challenging. The NTHK have a different approach if they fail something they will usually say why and if gimei they will say what they think the sword is.

George, We are often told that shape tells you how old a sword is. Actually, it doesn't. An ubu shape can tell you how young a blade is but not how old. Smiths have been making copies or pieces in the style of older work for very many years. Below is an example seen here before. The shape is screamingly early Kamakura. In fact it was made in the Oei period some 200 years later than one might originally suspect.

George, I think it is pretty much impossible to guess at the age from images (not just yours, any) Shape is interesting and suggests early but the steel just doesn't look as early as Kumakura and certainly not ko-Bizen. Again, this is very much guesswork. It desperately needs to be seen in hand to get a better idea of what it is. If i had to offer an opinion I would say it is late Muromachi but can't honestly tell you why. Edit: Sorry see I Jimmy got there before me but seems to come to the same conclusion

Will do Colin

membership has increased year on year for the past 5 years. demographic has reduced (albeit slowly) and most new members are in their 30s/40s. The only way you can assess the age and number of members is through access to the Society's database which you don't have. So once again your comments are inaccurate and speculation. As long as there is an interest in what we do, which certainly seems to be the case the Society will continue. When that ceases to be the case it will stop.

Colin, I don't think anyone here would have claimed to have "cracked it" Next year it will be 40 years since I bought my first Nihon-To and I have studied the subject more or less continuously since then. I have taken part in the NBTHK Shijo kantei every month for the past 20 or so. I would love to think I have cracked it, but the reality is I remain a complete beginner. Unfortunately, we (i) just do not have sufficient opportunity to look at really good, authenticated swords in the volume and frequency necessary to build a level of expertise. However, that doesn't stop the journey from being incredibly exciting and rewarding. I think all that happens is that you accept you can't learn it all and appreciate what you have picked up enroute.

Gentlemen I really do think this needs to stop. Jimmy your comments are not based on facts and experience by your own admission they are based on "what you've heard" Are we perfect? No far from it but we continually try to improve. at risk of sounding arrogant we have come a long way in recent years built on a strong foundation laid down by my predecessors. I am confident that under the new chairman this progress will continue. We should and I hope do welcome feedback and we do encourage members to share an concern and criticism this is helpful Your hearsay and inaccurate comments are less so.

Glad you enjoyed your first meeting Lee I hope we have inspired you to come along to some of our regional meetings and museum study days in the future. Then there are zoom meetings which are Increasingly popular

This is not unexpectedly becoming a farce. It is apparent that regardless of what is said here you will take the contrary view. In line with our published code of conduct if any member has concerns about our activity they should contact a member of the committee they may find that of greater benefit than sharing their displeasure with you. I will say it as clearly as I can and for the last time your view whatever its origins is incorrect. Fortunately our membership continues to grow and attendance at meetings is generally high. So we seem to be doing something right for the majority.

Without wishing to become embroiled in any argument, especially one based on misconception can I draw your attention to the first sentence on our website home page: "Since its foundation in 1964 the role of The Token Society of Great Britain has been to encourage and support the study, appreciation and preservation of Japanese swords, sword fittings and associated artefacts within the UK" That is the focus of our meetings and hasn't changed I had the honour of being the Chairman of the Society between 2016 and 2021 and can say emphatically that the Society is not a "Sales platform". Do members sell to each other? Yes, I am sure they do. Is that the prime purpose or ever been the focus of any meeting? absolutely not. One only has to look at the meeting reports and agendas set out for the meeting we hold to see this is the case. I am not sure where this idea originated but please don't give it false credibility through repetition it is just wrong. Regards Paul Bowman P.S. regarding "Acredited experts" in our zoom meetings we have had presentations from recognised authorities such as Paul Martin and Eckhard Kremmers. Some of our regional meetings included lectures from experts such as Ian Bottomley and Ford Hallam. Admittedly others of us have shared ideas and experiences but don't make any claim to expertise. We are enthusiastic and trying to help each other learn

Dear Lee and Colin, As you may know the Token Society of GB hold regular regional meetings around the country. The only governing factor is finding a suitable venue and that there are sufficient people with an interest to make it worthwhile. We have held meetings in Scotland, the Northeast of England the midlands and the south. Happy to add East Anglia if the interest is there. If of interest, please get in touch via pm and we can see what we can do

Just a brief point. under ideal conditions a polish can last a long time, someone quoted 100 years but I cant find the reference.. Unfortunately such conditions weren't likely to be adhered to in the Kamakura or Nambokucho period (or much any when else) if as you say the sword was first and foremost a weapon. Therefore you do not see swords of this age in original polish. Also those that have survived have tended to be those that have been treasured over time and therefore less likely to have been used in combat.

Long list but main turn offs Cutting tests Contrived sanban sugi hamon Fittings with either dragons or shishi

Isn't the object of faith to believe without needing proof?

One that has been put together over time and with great thought and purpose. One that excites the observer every time they look at it and that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you pick one of the pieces up. Such a collection can be one sword or many the key is quality and fulfilling the ambition of the curator

Colin I think the event you are referring to took place in the 1980s. I believe it was largely funded by several Japanese dealers and organised with the support of Kenji Mishina while he lived in the UK and the Token Society . I did not attend it but understand it was an exceptional event. It was also very expensive to put on. Since then I have been involved in the organisation of the two UK NTHK shinsas and in recent years Samurai art expo the original concept for which started in a pub in Oxford in a discussion between the Token of GB and NBTHK EU. Thankfully that event was adopted by the The Kensington Gallery who took on all orgnisational responsibility (and cost) and organised a strong presence of dealers from both Japan and Europe. We worked on the educational programme. On a much smaller scale but at our regional meetings, which are usually all day events we do have sales tables where members and some dealers have items for sale. My last acquisition was from such an event. To date we have avoided advertising in our magazine but this is constantly under review and may change in the future. All of these events take considerable time effort and money and it usually falls to a small number of volunteers to make it happen. Bottom line is that the last time we looked running such an event would cost the thick end of £35k which is something our society could not afford to do. Knowing the effort put in to the Utrecht event and our regional meetings I think we would be asking way too much of our already very willing volunteers to organise such an event. However this may change in the future. I know you live in East Anglia which causes some travel issues. I have a similar problem being based in the north East. We attempt to spread our regional activity to enable as many members as possible to participate. So far it seems to be working and we are seeing an increase in both membership and attendance

Sorry Paz but I have to disagree regarding the UK not being accommodating re showing blades had you been able to attend any of our society's regional meetings you would have had the, opportunity to see, handle and discuss some outstanding examples

Retempering is carried out when the hamon is lost due to fire damage