Derek

And if you are willing to spend $3000 plus, I would buy this: http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/gunsafes/detail.asp?fid=025F&cid=160&tid=298032 Very nice.

Without going into specifics here, neither of those issues are relevant to me. In my case, a $300 vertical safe on its side is better than not buying a $3000 horizontal safe.....

I keep my swords horizontal and edge up in a safe. I mounted the vertical safe on its side, and I have no issue opening or closing the door, although I could see some people having trouble with the weight of the door.

Very interesting, Chris. Thank you.

Hmmm, gonna go: bizen tradition.... Shinshinto... Koyama.... Koyama Munetsugu?

Thank you, Chris

That's not a stamp. Search for "gakumei" here. It may be orikaeshimei, but the pictures are too fuzzy. A picture of a papered Nidai Kanemoto with gakumei:

Tough to tell from those out-of-focus pictures, but my first thought is that the sanbonsugi is too regular for 2nd Kanemoto. Attached photo of a wakizashi with nbthk hozon to nidai Kanemoto for comparison.

Thanks for all your hard work, Brian. I can actually stay signed in now!

My first thought was Senjuin.

His work is lovely. http://www.japanesesword.com/Images/Other/habaki/kinmuku_niju_mon_habaki_2_piece_.htm

I may be an optimist, but I honestly believe that the future of nihonto collecting is very bright. Technology has connected us in a way that would have been impossible just one generation ago; this very forum is proof of that! In one email, I can beg Chris B for a quick translation! A minute later, I can get an opinion from Darcy! I can send a message to a legend like Clive Sinclaire! And he responds! And Ian B in this thread! How amazing is that? In this one forum, we have some of the greatest English-speaking nihonto experts in the world. As it has been mentioned, there is no substitute for having a great sword in hand, but I can search for a smith and have pictures immediately. The shows may be small and attended by the same people, but they are a small group of great people! People like Andy Quirt, Grey, Mike Y, all attend the shows and answer questions patiently, especially for new people. In our age, we are having people like Markus who translate Japanese nihonto books!. And if his past prodigious output is any indication, we will be blessed with many more!

Maybe 1 min 43 sec.......

If you want to start on the right foot, you should check out the yummy new tsuba that Grey just posted.... http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.c ... a-&-Kodogu

James, I like the look of it. If shinsa comes back positive, I would consider that a major score! Good luck!

Perhaps you had a bad experience with a Corvette? And I sincerely apologize to any members that are slack-jawed, drooling, profoundly stupid, or uneducable.... (As an aside... "matching numbers 1960's piece of junk American icon car") http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/18/barrett-jackson-2014-1967-chevrolet-corvette-l88-sells-3-million/

I would make a comparison to collecting cars. You may think it crazy for anyone to spend money on a car collection. Who are you to judge? If a person spends their time learning, talking, dreaming of a certain car, why should they not buy it? I have a friend who owns a 1969 Dodge Charger Hemi, all original matching numbers. He is not rich, but has a house, a daily driver, a great wife and kids. How can he "responsibly consider" owning it? If I feel the same way about nihonto, it is my choice.... Compare nihonto to Corvettes. You can buy a nice, solid 1984 Corvette for $5000. Nothing special. Not exactly highly sought after. Could we compare this to a solid nihonto, with no major flaws, average smith, hozon paper. If you own either of these, good for you. Enjoy it. Don't go to a website specializing in Corvettes and expect a lot of oohs and ahhs! Would you call an expert in Corvettes to be "elitest" or a "cool kid", if you brought it to Bloomington Gold, and they weren't excited? Of course not! If you were a serious collector, you would appreciate great cars, and listen to experts who know them. You would learn, read, look at great cars at shows, and save your money. You would sell things, maybe take a side job, live more simply. You would take your time, test drive many, then maybe take one to a mechanic for an opinion. I hope that you wouldn't buy on impulse on ebay. If your budget allows, you could buy a 1965 stingray convertible, small block. Ok, now you have something interesting. But maybe it has cracked paint, and not numbers matching. Maybe the comparison is a tired mumei koto sword with some openings. Maybe its hozon or tok hozon. Some collectors would prefer that 1984 in great shape, others this 1965 with issues. Personal preference.... Top of the line budget? Maybe a 1967 L88 Big block, convertible, matching numbers...... Yummy. Out of my price range, but I have seen them. I appreciate them. A Masamune perhaps? Juyo is like Bloomington Gold certified. Very nice to have. You know what you have. But you could still have a 1984 corvette. Doesn't mean it is worth anything near that 1967 without Bloomington Gold. Not a perfect analogy, but maybe helpful to new people.

http://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=Nobukuni&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=All&start_era=All&school_nid=All Looks like more than 60 smiths over 500 years, from Jo Jo Saku down.....

Just added an example from John @ Ricecracker.com (Thank you John!) 20 papered Muramasa blades now!

Shot in the dark... Higo Jingo

United policy is 62 linear inches max for a checked item. (L+W+H) for no excess fee. Up to 115 linear inches max with excess bag fee. Carry on would work, if you claimed it as a cane / medical device!

I would have guessed Akasaka.... but I'm not a fittings guy. My wife hates all things nihonto, but loved this one!

Lol, exactly my first thought. Not mine, just saw it while surfing. http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k178391610

This one made me smile....

Updated website with another example (18 total!) 112 pictures so far. My next project is oshigata..... Still looking for more examples! (Papered blades, oshigata, translated articles, or anything else interesting!) Please pm me if you can help. Thank you!