Kam

Hi All Well finally back from Japan and I have finally updated our website and added a heap of pics from the trip to my blog. I am yet to add text (I think anyone interested in the craft of nihonto will find interesting), will be added later this week but there are many pics including from the NBSK workshop. My website is still in a transition phase as it has been recreated at a new address http://www.jigokustudios.com.au (you can access the blog from here) The old website is still up at jigokustudios.com but will be removed and be an alternative address for the up to date site. . . . confusing I know. The attached pic is from the Sanada festival that I was lucky enough to catch while there. Kam

I view selling and buying on Ebay as a completely different ball game to real world buying and selling. . . a "sims" like concept, unrealistic prices in either direction. When selling Nihonto in real world market the value the seller feels is applicable for the item is what he/she lists it as, they may then not sell that item for some time until someone comes along and says I want that item and I am willing to pay that price. When selling on ebay it is to make a quick and generally guaranteed sale, but usually with a huge price cut. When shopping on ebay we know there are risks and they are risks we accept when bidding and it is these risks we take into consideration when we submit our highest bid. Ebay is a place that we hope to find a bargain and peoples highest bids reflect this mentality. On the other end of the spectrum we have no-brainer bids on items that have more questions than they have answers - eg Mike ( Komonjo) listed a Naginatazukuri in what appeared to be in Binsui stage of polishing, he was very clear about it's condition and stated he did not know why it was never finished. He had pointed out that it was signed "yasutoshi" and that it might be from "Kenpaku Yasutoshi" - easy to check as his mei is in sloughs book - obviously no one bothered to check (it was not his mei) as despite all it had wrong it still sold for $1200US another blade shinshinto in good condition with koshirae did not get a bid at $1500. . . only at ebay world. And this is why in a nutshell I feel ebay does not reflect true market value. As for offering return policies I no longer offer that option as we have been screwed from both customers and paypal. . and not as much as a dinner first. I list as best as to my knowledge and I over emphasize any flaws. . . still some people will find one way or another to take you from behind . Anything I sell on my website or privately has a return policy. Had a lot more to say about this subject but I have to answer questions from ebay listings that have already finished?? Kam

I to agree that at these prices the ebay buying market is getting things a little to good. Unfortunately this then leads to the thinking that this is what the current market value is, which obviously it is not. i have had some silly offers made for the blade I am offering which isnt surprising as this is human nature but when things are already this cheap. . . . Joe P I was by no means offended by your comment it was only an after thought when reading a few of the other comments about the impact on sales. I also think some great artisans go unnoticed due to the "Nike" buying public. I am concerned also for the continuation of Nihonto production due to not only the economic climate (it comes and goes) but cheap copies and prejudice from the buying public. Kam

I see no problem with questions especially with ebay. . I have a funny story to tell, but in a different thread. . the problem is when an opinion is stated with little to no knowledge. I think discussion is healthy and a great learning tool as Joe P pointed out but when loose statements are made with little to no insight like Joe P made about low quality Shinsakuto, then that effects the sale and therefore some fore thought before commenting would be wise. I looked at Katsurugi's items and could not comment about quality because it would be hard to judge based of his pics. On my listing I have shown pics of detail, hamon , hada etc all well executed. . . where is the low quality? If smith X is unknown today and wins the shinsakuto competition tommorow are his blades transformed from low quality to high overnight?. . . just a thought. Should we as collectors be buying blades with quality not buying the mei? If the blade is average but the mei is shoshin Nagamitsu (and I have seen a few average quality blades from him) why buy it at such a high price? It seems things get so caught up thinking inside the parameters of the collecting box that collectors get a bit stuffy and dont look at the bigger picture. I would personally prefer to own the blade in the pic made by an unknown (nthk could find nothing on this smith) than some muji hada Nagamitsu. Kam

Wow I dont drop by for a couple of weeks and all this stuff to read. Anyway firstly I have a bit to add to this so I will start with I am selling the Shinsakuto on Ebay and I had acquired it through the states early last year. I have a few shinsakuto inc one by Ono (kenpaku) Yasutoshi dated 1995 and another that George Trotter should remember from the shinsa from Masatoshi Sugiyama I think dated 1976. The reason I mention these 2 is that they both have similar activity in the Hamon, the Yasutoshi also having Suguha. Similarity ends there though. The Shinsakuto I have listed (this is not a justification or a defense to pre said comments) has a very nice flawless itame hada and evenly controlled noiguchi, anyone familiar with cheap nihon Iaito on the market would be familiar with the almost Muji looking hada and ugly Sugata that they display. I see these cheaper blades on a regular basis and my way of thinking would be that if you were going to sell on Ebay (which does not by any stretch reflect true market value often in both directions) these would be the way to go in a modern Iaito (acid assist) polish. In saying that I have thought that many of these blades that Mike offers do look to be very similar and sometimes a little questionable. Another way to look at it is as has been mentioned is that they are in all regards cheap for what they are and this should be taken into account in comparison. . . . I have seen Tozando alloy blades more expensive. As for the Shirasaya they are made from poplar, Mike uses the same American guy to make his Saya and I have seen these pop up often on a variety of blades even as recently as a couple of weeks ago on a papered shinshinto. While I am not fond of these they do get around and I dont think should be indicative of a blades merit. And just to throw a spanner in the works check out "jade steel" being made in China, now that might be something to worry about in the not to distant future. . . oh and while I think of it I remember hearing that there have been a number of Japanese smiths since the seventies that made blades outside of Japan to avoid registration limitations. Kam

Hi, Not my main area of knowledge but I can tell you a couple of things to make it easier for yourself and those you are asking. Mei was often written by another hand other than the smiths, they could be students or someone hired to cut mei (ww2 era had this a lot) for a number of smiths. . check Slough's book. Also war time polish does not show the true details of a blade, what often looks muji actually has tight itame (I have just received a blade back from being polished and I was surprised to see it was extremely well forged with a nice clear hada (will post some pics later). And lastly some pics of the blade would be extremely helpfull in the overall assessment to your question. EDIT Just saw you made mention of the hada. Regards Kam

Hi Ian I did make mention, admittedly a little bit brief and written somewhat hastily. . . kids at home. . . not a great way to work. All the same thank you for a more concise explanation. Kam

It is defined as an Unokubi zukuri and was most likely forged as such. I have one almost identical. Will get some pics. As for Nagamaki, Naginata debate I think while the NBTHK might find it easier to classify as the same just diff mounts, I would be more inclined to follow the basic rule stated earlier. Gordon Robson (NTHK) made a point of this as I had pointed out. Either way red and green apples. Kam

Hello, Naginata is normally not reshaped, Nagamaki could be (as post above). /Martin Hi I have owned a few Naginata naoshi and a couple of Nagamaki naoshi. I think the problem is nagamaki and naginata are often lumped in the same bin. From my understanding (and this was also pointed out by Gordan at the first sydney shinsa) Nagamaki have no Bohi and tend to be either shobuzukuri or shinogi zukuri without yokote. Naginata on the other hand tend to be Unokubizukuri with "naginata hi". When converted to a Wakizashi a true naginata (as applies to a flared tip) is often easy to pick as there is no hamon turn back due to the removal of a section of the mune at the tip. Im sure someone may disagree. . . but this is my understanding in a nutshell, obviously there are exceptions to the rule although in this case it would apply 99% of the time. Kam

Mmmmm, lets see nice sugata, neat tight hada, well done hamon from what I can see (a little masked by the hadori). Still an art object. . . regardless. . . . and lets face it some forgeries are art in themselves, a lot of skill goes in to making a good forgery. So yes it really is a nice peice of art. . . just not as described. Kam

Hi Naginata have been converted for a plethora of reasons some of which may be emphasised by some of the other members. From saving a blade that has received a hagiri or other fatal wound to having more of a use as a katana or wak to the owner to trends of the time. If the taste of the time was Naginata naoshi, then it may increase its value and be more attractive to potential buyer. . . keeping in mind that "funny stuff" has been going on for a long time so anything to help line the pockets. Alterations have been acheived obviously by adjusting the Nakago and often ha and mune machi as well. The kissaki is also readjusted but not as to affect the Hamon. And then there is forged Naginata zukuri, Unokubizukuri etc, blades that have been forged as such. Just a brief outline on one of my fav styles. . . I hope it is of help. Kam

All other aspects aside and just assessing the blade (not the mei) The Nakago has been deliberately done and no attempt to make the mekugi ana look punched. The overall health of the blade would say it has not seen combat and as has been stated a very healthy hamachi. I agree with Chris most likely a Kimura Shinsakuto. I had a Higo dotanuki that was actually shinsakuto that had an expertly done nakago that would fool most experts. The patina on this example has the "crinkle rust that is achieved the same way the higo craftsman would do there Fuchigashira minus the use of green tea. On the flip side I have seen shoshin blades have the nakago done in this fashion after someone had previously removed the natural patina. Maybe Im wrong but for the chance of owning a Juyo blade by a great school and in superb condition and at that price the above mentioned is enough for me to "move on" Kam

I am very curious on what thoughts others have about this but from my perspective I am aware of this being done along with bohi and decorative horimono to disguise or remove flaws. On 2 occasions I have seen blades leave for Japan only upon return one had a Fudo myo horimono where a huge lamination was and in the other instance deep pitting was removed by method of Bohi. I am by no means suggesting that this is the case, although from a Kenjutsu point of view this type of weight reduction would make it tip heavy. In saying this I had a Wakizashi that looked very similar. . . will hunt done some pics. Kam

Sure, the polish is typical old style shiny with thick hadori. It appears that someone had given it a bit of a rub with I suspect uchiko to bring out some of the hataraki. Personally I think it would suit a sashikomi as there are no flaws and from what I can see of the habuchi the Hamon looks lively with nie sprinkled through out. Enjoy! Kam

Mdiddy I would have to 100% agree with you even in my flu driven stupor. . . which is really messing with my head. Thankyou for pointing me in the right direction. Regards Kam

Ha Ha my bad, I had just sent a txt regarding an Echizen blade must have had it on my brain. Shows why Flu medication and intelligence doesnt mix. Probably should wait to this Flu clears up before making any more serious decisions. Thankyou Morita. . . no more early ramblings from me. regards kam

Hi All As some of you know I am selling off some of my collection which has me now going through a lot of stored away blades that have been put aside for future projects or were waiting to get assessed and or papered. Anyway I had purchased this blade a while ago and had planned to take it to shinsa (unfortunately logistics of how much could be transported by plane) as the previous owner had lost the NBTHK papers for it. I had the translation for it as well as an email from Aoiart confirming the mei to be legit but as it was on our old hard drive I can no longer access it (Now all blade details go to hard copy) I would appreciate it if someone was able to translate the mei before it goes up for sale. Regards Kam

Hi Thank you all, I have to say I am very impressed especially when none of my Japanese associates could tell me and then to have both Usagiya and Aioart not know. Once again thank you very much. Kam

Hi all, I have a Shin shinto katana that some of you might have seen for sale. I have previously tried to have it translated by a number of people including through Usagiya and Aoi art, neither of which could tell me what it says although aoiart stated that it was in Kazushi script which was predominantly used on Shin shinto and gendaito. Thomas Helm was kind enough to offer his reading in which he reads it as ? ? Komyo Kazumasa, he also states "the first two kanji are a mystery, perhaps it says 孚建 (Fukken) which might be ateji for 福建 (Fukken) which is Japanese for Fukien". Any one elses thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated

Hi Adrian Well you had me convinced before the trial but now I am very excited. . . so many blades that I have been curious over that might finally be resolved Kam

Hi One of my favorite styles Posted is my very large hirazukuri, mei is Soshu ju Tsunahiro. 27" nagasa, 35mm motohaba, 7.5mm motokasane. Kam

I was never too concerned as i had planned to keep it. . . although i was a little frustrated that everything seemed right and it was out as fast as it went in for kantei and receiving a pink slip. Anyway more knowledge has been gained on Emura

I dont have one with Sanbonsugi. . . although I wouldn't be to quick to dismiss it :? Anyway just got an email back from aoiart and this is his reply - "The Emura is 100% genuine signature. Kind regards. Kazushige Tsuruta." Kam

Mate no need to appologies, I was hoping for a witty remark. I enjoyed stirring you up at the Shinsa maybe I thought I could get a bite. But your mushin has thwarted my attempts :? . . . I see your zen powers are to much for me Kam

Hey Dave I was informed by the guy that I had mentioned had an emura like mine except his suguha turned into choji that his also had kesho yasurime. And to top it off there is an emura on evilbay that also has kesho yasurime. As for muji hada I think the chilli in the szechuan we had must have stung your eyes as well, take a look at attached pic. . . there is a lot of hataraki you just need the right light to see it. . . . Kam