jamesicus

I agree with that assessment, Robert. James

They are nostalgic icons for me, however. Thank you for that information, Peter -- I was not aware of the Honma-sensei book at that time. James

That is benign and stable verdigris and not active corrosion (bronze disease). I have been collecting and conserving Roman Imperial coins for some seventy years and know what of I speak. Here is a seventeen hundred year old bronze coin of Constantius and a nineteen hundred year old bronze coin of Nero, both of which exhibit the same verdigris (the Nero more profusely), that I conserved over fifty years ago after simply washing them with warm water: The verdigris on these coins, and similar copper coins, was present when they were unearthed after laying buried for undoubtedly many hundreds of years. What it comes down to is personal preference -- do you like your items of antiquity to retain their "as found" condition (with just the surface grime washed off but retaining untouched patina) or do you want them restored to a somewhat cleaner, neater, appearance? Best regards, James

However, I prefer the beauty of untouched patina, Franco. I gently washed them using warm water to remove any surface grime -- that is as far as I will go. James

Very nice indeed, Curt -- thanks for posting the link. I will keep you in mind, Curt. I have always been fascinated by what I perceive to be the marvelous Japanese sense of harmonious balance and appropriate association with regard to their choice of sword fittings. Do you think that exists in this case with my fuchi/kashira/menuki combination, Curt (and anyone else who wishes to comment)? James

Thanks, Tony. Nice menuki. James

Thank you for the information you provided, Robert -- the Japan Sword shop knives are very interesting -- I vaguely recall seeing items of that nature displayed in the shop in the early 1960s. I bought the following ShiShi miniatures at a shop in Haijima - site of the Haijima Daishi (Hongakuji) Temple -- close to where I lived in 1960. They have been the guardians of my homes for all those years. I have also used these images in another post of mine pertaining to ShiShi fuchi/kashira fittings James

I bought the following ShiShi miniatures at a shop in Haijima - site of the Haijima Daishi (Hongakuji) Temple -- close to where I lived in 1960. They have now occupied a prominent place in our homes for the past fifty years -- I like to think they have protected my family from harm all those years. I have always wanted to have a Nihontô bearing ShiShi themed metal fittings (tosogu), but I never could find fittings I really liked until now. By sheer chance I have come by this upper pommel (fuchi) and base pommel (kashira): that are especially appealing to me, being made of raw copper (suaka) that has attained a lovely chocolate patina: Now I have to decide what menuki to use. here are the ones (radishes?) that accompanied the above fuchi/kashira: James

I have just purchased a copy of Inami-san's book: NIPPON-TÔ: THE Japanese SWORD -- a 1948 First Edition in excellent condition. I was especially pleased to obtain this book for now, along with my copy of John Yumoto's THE SAMURAI SWORD Handbook, I have the two books I started off with in 1960. I will be using photographs of various articles of memorabilia that I own to illustrate posts in other sections of this Board from time to time. James

The book arrived today -- a 1948 First Edition in excellent condition. Sure enough the text accompanying Fig 2 in the Introduction reads: "For the first step, one wishing to examine a sword should show his respect by bowing to it, as illustrated, before proceeding to unsheath the blade." I was especially thrilled to obtain this book for now, along with my copy of John Yumoto's THE SAMURAI SWORD Handbook, I have the two books I started off with in 1960. James

The following is actually the content of the Introduction page of my little Nihontô web site. It just reflects my own subjective views unsupported by any in-depth technical or scientific investigation. I have collected various items of antiquity (mostly military associated arms and accoutrements) for some seventy years now and after all that time I still admire the beauty and craftsmanship of Nihontô the most: I first became enamored wih Japanese swords -- handmade in the ancient traditional way -- when I was stationed at Yokota AFB (approx. 30 miles north of Tokyo) as a member of the United States Air Force in the early 1960s. There was very little research material relating to them in those days -- no internet or published research papers and only two books written in English -- and so I spent much of my off-duty time visiting Tokyo sword shops (in particular the Japan Sword Co. shop) in order to further my Nihontô education. Why all that time and effort to study swords? Once you have gleaned even a little knowledge about them -- and if you own just one specimen of Nihontô -- you will understand. They are, in my opinion, the finest swords ever made. The self evident quality of their blade construction, their superb design and their incomparable polish bespeake their excellence. Just a blade itself in a plain wood scabbard (shirasaya) is a treasure. And if you own a sword replete with its exquisite fittings (koshirae) you will own a magnificent work of art that will rival any other and surpass most. If you delve deeper into the history of Nihontô you will discover the unique part they have played in the history of Japan and why they are so eagerly sought after by admirers of consummate craftsmanship throughout the world. My own love for Nihontô has persisted over the years. Now, in my twilight years, I am once again building a modest collection of Nihontô -- a few blades and fittinngs (koshirae) -- in order to admire and cherish them. James

I think that pretty much captures the essence. I believe Inami-san discusses and illustrates bowing to the sword in this manner in his book NIPPON-TÔ: THE Japanese SWORD although I am not certain about that since it is some fifty years since I read it. However, I have just purchased a copy of that book -- it is on the way to me now -- so I will render a report here when I receive it. BTW, Bowing to the sword "in order to show respect and pay homage to the skill of the smith who made it" are my words not those of Inami-san and I may be wrong in this thesis. Roy and David point out that they have not encountered bowing to the sword at sword shows or during normal handling in recent times. Maybe it is impractical now (there were no sword shows of the scope, size and frequency of those of today -- at least that is how I envision them -- in 1960) or maybe bowing to swords is now considered quaint and archaic -- a throw back to "the old days". Of course, the etiquette may not have been quite as I remember it -- I am, after all, plumbing the depths of an eighty two year old memory concerning events of some fifty years ago. James

As recorded here: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 006f1.html James

Here is the Etiquette, as best I remember it, for Nihontô handling and presentation that I was taught by Hakusi Inami in 1960: http://jp29.org/nihetiquette.htm

Thank you very much, Thomas. It is true, once you are bitten there is no cure! James

May I suggest that you include a note to that effect adjacent to the contact information on your website, Boris? -- in the spirit of maintaining customer goodwill. James

Does anyone know of any other way to contact them other than calling the phone number or sending an e-mail to the address listed on their web site? I did both of those things over a week ago and have received no answer. James

I have composed a small web page depicting it here: http://jp29.org/nihtanto01.htm I welcome all comments and suggestions. James

Thank you, Robert. James

Thank you very much. James

Thank you, James

Variation on the theme: James

Here is a little preview information relating to my new Tantô: ..... just a little display Calligraphy. I will include photographs of my new Tantô, accompanied by detailed information I have gathered, elsewhere. James

Thank you, Ed, I understand your feeling of loss. I think I traded all of the items I had (a few Tsuba, some menuki, etc.) for Roman Imperial coins (another expensive pursuit I have) several years ago. But I can't remember for sure. I will check with my daughters and grand children -- I gave them most of the Japanese tea ceremony items and other antiquities we brought back with us -- to see if they have any. James

There were some other US Military people interested in Nihontô -- I ran into a few of them from time to time at the Japan Sword shop. My boss, a Major, became so interested that he ended up buying a very nice, fully mounted, Koto Wakizashi (I had accompanied him to the Japan Sword shop and introduced him to Inami-san). He also bought a nice old display stand and I believe assembled a fine collection of Tsuba. Before I departed Japan I sold three Wakizashi's, my Katana display and most of my Koshirae collection to other servicemen who had developed an interest in Nihontô -- I cannot remember who they were -- my memory has dimmed so much with the passage of time. I really regret doing that now -- I was buying a new car for our return to the US and needed the money -- but in retrospect it was a bad mistake. I did bring my Norimitsu Wakizashi back with me, I simply couldn't part with it, but I sadly did eventually sell it (or rather traded it) as I mentioned earlier, also to my everlasting regret. I don't remember what happened to my books, etc. When I parted with the Norimitsu Wakizashi I determined to blot Nihontô out of my mind for the memories of what I had lost were too painful. That worked pretty well until recently (and until I discovered this Forum) but now in my dotage I am once again entranced. Of course, I had to buy books and purchase at least one (I wonder?) sword -- and I recently did just that: a nice (but undistinguished) in a Tantô Shirasaya. I have never owned a Tantô until now -- I will describe it later. Of course, I have to resurrect my Nihonto interest modestly -- I don't wish to appear morbid, but I am now 82 years old with some severe medical problems and, while I do not intend to "shuffle off this mortal coil" in the immediate future, I do not want to burden my survivors with more eclectic flotsam to dispose of. James