Strider

Good morning to all, I am interested in making a stand using some red deer antlers that I have, and I need pictures of different examples so that I came get the scale correct. I was hoping that the members here had something that they might be able to share with me . Close-ups would be the best, but I will take any pictures that you can find. Regards Scott Enloe

This is a public thank you to Roger at hizento.com. I sent him a picture of a Tadayoshi Mei that I suspected was gimei and he kindly took the time to confirm it and respond back very quickly. I had hoped that it was genuine, due to the care that was taken with this blade over the years and the fact that it was housed in an older, darkened shirasaya. But, alas it was not to be. While it is a nice old blade in fairly decent polish, it is a fake signature. Thanks again for being so kind Regards Scott Enloe

I will try to find time to post a picture of what I have. I have not had very good luck getting my photos on this forum in the past and I think that I had to go through photo bucket the last time. I even had Stephen post my first picture a couple of years ago. I now sort of understand the mixing of the themes, flowers for life or rebirth and bones for death I don't know why it did not come to me originally Regards Scott

Does anyone have any examples of the life/death theme fittings that feature skulls and or bones? I have a set of menuki that were on a wakizashi tsuka that have this theme but the F/K were a very nice shakudo floral theme and they always seemed to be an odd pairing. If you have any links to fittings for sale, these would also be appreciated Scott

I am sorry to get off subject, but I need to tell Colin that I have swiped his catch phrase 'Tale tarts when tarts are passing" We recently got possession of a foreclosed property after 8 months of dealing with the banking industry and we considered it a good tart to take. I am even having a wooden sign carved with a lemon and cherries and his phrase that we are going to mount along the long driveway . I will post a picture for him when it is finished and up. Sorry for the redirection of this thread. Scott

Could this be a representation of two different mon? Maybe the joining of some large house represented by the leaf, and a smaller house represented by the three branches or fronds. Just some wild speculation Scott

It looks like they made enough money in the repro junk market and now wish to pass on their skills and secrets to someone else. Scott

I would not be too quick to state that this is a false hamon[ although in this case it may be]. The Takayama-to that I have does indeed have a temper into the metal even though it is simple and straight and tough as hell. I will try to get a picture posted. If I am understanding this thread, there might have been a special steel developed by a man named Takayama. Would all swords made from this material be classified as Takayama-to? Would this be a specialized area of collecting as in Mikasa-to [ was that the battle ship?] and Manchurian railroad swords? The plot thickens Scott

This may be a little off topic, but would a togishi polish one of these blades if they were not "true" nihonto? I feel that the scarcity and variation of these swords may make them worthy of proper preservation. Would this be considered a "courtesy polish"? If there are any polishers watching this thread, please respond with your opinion. BTW, I was so excited to see a thread related to something that I have been trying to research. Scott

Stephen, over a year ago, you helped me post a nakago photo for translation. The mei read as follows; Shinbu fusatsu takayama to ujinaga saku. I have also tried to find a reference to a Takayama prison or shrine that made swords. I think that the sword I have may indeed be made of this rust resistant steel that was mentioned in this post. I do not know how to go back and look for the post I made to compare photos. Keep up the good work. Scott

Brian, I would be more than happy to send a voluntary fee for board upkeep. While I cannot do any great amount, I would like to contribute $20.00 towards the cause. How do I get this to you? Happy holidays and warmest regards to all Scott Enloe

Has anyone ever bought the cheap tsuka ito from ebay? It looks like it comes from China and I was wondering if a person would ever receive their goods once the money was sent. I do not need high quality material as I am still perfecting my technique. If anyone could point me in a better direction , it would be appreciated. Regards Scott

Thank you for your response. I tried to upload directly to this site, but it always tells me that the information is invalid. I use a MAC and I do not know if there is a better way to get pictures from there to here. I would certainly like to be able to show pictures with a direct link and I agree that people do not like an extra step when viewing a photo. Scott

Could anyone tell me what the subject is on this tsuba. My wife and I call it "pigs eating persimmons" but I doubt that this is the case. They almost look like dogs but they have cloven hoofs like a pig. Here is a bit of good news, my wife wears some of my tsuba as necklaces from time to time and the other day she was trying to decide what to wear and realized that she had worn them all. She promptly told me "you had better get buying". When was the last time a nihontophile heard that from their spouse? Here is the link to the photo. Thanks, Scott http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll33 ... CT0399.jpg

Hello to all after a long absence. I have several items that I would like to post pictures of for consideration by this forums members. What is the best way to photograph detail and hada? I will be using a minolta dslr with a 90mm macro lens. Are there any tricks with lighting, background colors, distance? Any input would be appreciated. I am trying to determine if my blades warrant professional polishing and saya. Thanks Scott