Paul Martin

Hi Peter, I could not see any references to swords anywhere there. I don't think that there is a problem. I just received two swords from the UK earlier this week, so no immediate panic I think. Best

Hi Peter, I am in Japan and have not heard about this. However, a quick search on the internet reveals nothing. It would be very strange if this was the case to arbitrarily refuse to ship swords (particularly antique/art objects) when there is no law against it. If you have any links or primary sources, I would like to read them. Thanks

Sorry, seemed an appropriate time for a plug. Just a reminder that if anyone wants to submit blades or fittings/koshirae for shinsa, I am offering those services in Japan to any shinsa of your choice. I also have access to every kind of craftsman you may need for any blade of koshirae restoration. I oversee all aspects personally, offer advice and keep the customers reliably informed. http://www.thejapanesesword.com/services Best

Hi All, the previous video posted in this thread was the March and November type demonstration. Here is a link to a video of the New Year's event. Best

Thank you all for your kind words. It was two years of very hard work that kept me off of the sword scene. I am very grateful to my professors, and really enjoyed my time at UC Berkeley, but I am very happy to be able to get back into swords again. For those of you who have expressed an interest in reading my thesis, I'm afraid that I have even had it withheld from release at the University for two years. The reason is that a publisher has expressed an interest in it. However, it will need to be expanded, and mostly re-written in book format as opposed to thesis format. This would also be a good time to announce that the Japanese publisher Yuzankaku (publishers of Nihonto-Meikan, etc) are going to publish my little booklet on Nyusatsu-Kantei in all languages. Lastly, I am residing back in Tokyo and would like to offer my services as an agent for shinsa, conservation and purchases. If you buy from a dealer in Japan through us, we will send you a small gift. I have some pages on my site with explanations. http://www.thejapanesesword.com/services Thank you again. Happy Holidays to all! Best

Thanks Mark

Hello Everyone, Can someone give me an approximate worth of those stainless steel Navy blades with the anchor stamp please. Koshirae is in good condition. Signed Tenshozan etc. Thanks Best

Hi all, Still in the Honami line of enquiry. I have some more questions just to put out there... There are 9 masamune blades listed as national treasures in the Mainichi Shinbun National treasure catalogue. Not one of them are signed, including five tanto which should not need shortening or mei removal. One of the three hocho included in these has utsuri, and is disputed by some to be (rin) Tomomitsu. Additionally, the nakago-jiri is different on all three. The vast majority of all the other National treasure blades including three tanto by Kunimitsu and one by Yukimitsu are all signed, or if they aren't they are other signed example NT's that are. Does no-one find this strange? There are only supposed to be three authenticated signed examples of Masamune, but these are disputed too. So, I think that my question is, how can you base so many blades on only three signed examples that are in dispute? Sorry, thinking out loud and applying Ford's scientific sense of reasoning. Adrian, can you tell us more about the 29 examples that you have seen? Were they all mumei, kinzogan, etc? Best

Hi, I hate to get drawn into this (especially as I started the thread), but I just wanted to clarify the position of Facts and Fundamentals. I think that the book is pretty honest, Nakahara sensei's opinions can appear to be extreme at sometimes, but generally honest. It is a fact that Koson was a turning point in the Hon'ami family, as he realized the future, and devised the Goka-den that we all still use today thus simplifying and 'going public' with what was previously oral transmission within the family. Also, the book does criticize the family. p 80 on the attribution of a Masamune. p 99 (if you read between the lines) Third paragraph. p 120 Questions a Hon'ami attribution to Kunitoshi p130 'In the past, as the main branch of the Hon'ami school had the monopoly on the issuance of origami, if truth be told this authority was exploited when authenticating mumei blades. Furthermore, you might say that this was the reason so much effort was taken to promote Soshu works (Masamune, Sadamune, Go Yoshihiro) as a mainstream school' He also, states somewhere that Koson was a very good man, but had made some mistakes, but I cannot find the page at the moment. Remember! Nahahara's words not mine... Best

Hi, That wasn't a rough polish really, thats just to remove the clay to see if the hamon is successful. Kaji-togi is performed on stones the same as other stages of foundation polishes otherwise the lines of the blade would get really messed up. The wheel also gets used for sharpening/grinding tools etc. Best

Hi, I hate to get drawn into this (especially as I started the thread), but I just wanted to clarify the position of Facts and Fundamentals. I think that the book is pretty honest, Nakahara sensei's opinions can appear to be extreme at sometimes, but generally honest. It is a fact that Koson was a turning point in the Hon'ami family, as he realized the future, and devised the Goka-den that we all still use today thus simplifying and 'going public' with what was previously oral transmission within the family. Also, the book does criticize the family. p 80 on the attribution of a Masamune. p 99 (if you read between the lines) Third paragraph. p 120 Questions a Hon'ami attribution to Kunitoshi p130 'In the past, as the main branch of the Hon'ami school had the monopoly on the issuance of origami, if truth be told this authority was exploited when authenticating mumei blades. Furthermore, you might say that this was the reason so much effort was taken to promote Soshu works (Masamune, Sadamune, Go Yoshihiro) as a mainstream school' He also, states somewhere that Koson was a very good man, but had made some mistakes, but I cannot find the page at the moment. Remember! Nahahara's words not mine... Best

Matches mine too.

Hi Eric, I wasn't doubting your word. As I said in my first post, I am writing an academic paper for Grad School, and they won't just accept my word for anything. I have to cite official sources. So I was looking for evidence such as a kantei-sho by another organization for the same sword, or evidence of failure at shinsa or something. Best

Thank you everyone for their contributions. I have the collection of Kao several times over now. I had even published them in the Nakahara/Martin book I was after Honomi Koson stamps. So, the red stamp on the Kiyomaro is a fake, or was used on this particular fake? Is there anywhere where I can cite from about the Kiyomaro and origami being denounced as fakes? Does Shibui swords know? Best

Hi All, I am working on a paper for grad school, it involves looking at things produced by Honami Koson. Would some people (I need a few examples) be kind enough to scan and post the stamp that he used on the back of his origami that he issued. I have seen two different types, and would like to know if A) one is fake, or B) when he changed stamps. Also, I have heard some criticism of his attributions over the years, but can anyone direct me to a documented example of a misattribution, or some documented evidence of someone criticizing him. Not looking for personal opinions, looking for hard evidence. Thanks in advance. Best

You can still get it from amazon, or http://www.emptymindfilms.com

Hi All, Here is the entry form to the 2011 NBSK (Tobunkyo) Sword Craftmen's competition. I am still working on the other pages of the application forms. Please note# It is 10,000 JPY per entry. Application form must be faxed in during March +81-(0)3-5216-5866. Entries are physically accepted between April 18 through 21, between 10 am and 4 pm at the Okura Shuko Kan Museum, 2-10-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001. Tel +81-(0)3-3583-0781. Award ceremony June 12th. Exhibition June 12 through July 24, 2011. Good luck! NBSK comp 2011.pdf

Hi Ichi, Not as far as I know, but I can post to Japan Best

Hi All, Just installed a buy now paypal button on the site for the DVD. Best

Hi Bob, PM sent. Best

Hi All, Thanks Tony. I am back in the USA now. The DVD is now available $24.95 + $3.99 p+p. Please use thejapanesesword (at mark) hotmail (dot) com via paypal if you would like a copy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiWQ1PzG5_A Best

In Case anyone is wondering. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiWQ1PzG5_A

Thanks Klaus PM sent. best

Hi All, I am in the UK until the 12th, if anyone living in the UK and Europe would like to purchase the DVD, I can send them out at local postage rates. US customers, I will be sending them out when I get back. Best

USPS website said that they should have been delivered today, but I am still empty handed. I fly for the UK on Monday, please wait with baited breath until I am able to ship out from the UK for the next few weeks. Thanks for your patience Best