Grey Doffin

What is a retrospective appraisal? Grey

Sorry Dale but I have to strongly disagree; donating to a museum, local or otherwise, is a terrible idea. If donated the tsuba might be put on display for a short time but then will be relegated to the basement where they will rot away. If the collection is important and the museum has a serious interest in and knowledge of Nihont, that's another story but common stuff and a common museum is a recipe for ruin. Tsuba and all other Nihonto art are best kept by collectors who appreciate and know how to preserve them. Grey

Hi Susan, It would be easier for us to see what you have if you take your pictures on a dark background. Your camera is reading off the light colored background and detail has been washed out. Pictures of both sides of the tang (part of the blade inside the handle) and of the whole bare blade with a yard stick beside it will help. Look here for a care and handling brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Best, Grey

Hi George, You may find this book interesting: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b351-zuikan-toso-no-subete-by-kokubo-kenichi/ It is in Japanese but maybe an online translation site can help. Grey

Hi Dave, Your sword looks interesting; someone knowledgeable and honest needs to see it in hand in order for you to learn much more. In the mean time, other than a light coat of machine oil on the area of the blade that would be polished (all but the tang) don't try to fix anything; well meaning amateurs often do serious damage. If you took your pictures on a dark background, not white, we could see more of the detail. There is a friend of mine in Toledo who could take a look at the sword. If you'd like to be connected with him send me an email: gdoffin at gmail.com Grey

Hi John, Here you will find a care and handling brochure; you would be doing yourself and the sword a favor if you read it. https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ We need better pictures before we can tell you much. Start with a dark, uncluttered background. Give us a shot of the whole bare blade with the tip at the top and another of the tang with signature, again with the tip of the sword up (your 1st picture of the tang is upside down). Grey

Hi Markus, Yes; cleaning the nakago can remove patina, which is important. Don't do it. Your nakago has been shortened but it is much more likely that the rest of it was lost centuries ago when last shortened than that it is stuck in the bottom of your handle. Get an ice pick and see if you run into metal or wood when you tap it inside the handle. From what I know about your sword, I can tell you that it is somewhere between hopelessly compromised and an important, valuable relic badly in need of competent restoration. No body can know for sure just where it falls from a few photos online. Seriously, it may be much better than it seems. I repeat: you would be smart to find honest, knowledgeable advise from in-hand examination before doing anything to change the sword. Grey

Two more fakes; sorry. Grey

Hi Markus, Don't try to fix the sword yourself; leave it be until you can show it to someone. Never clean rust from the nakago; never. Are you certain there is a bottom of the nakago stuck in the handle? If you can lower a small magnet into the handle, if it doesn't stick to anything there probably isn't a piece of the nakago inside. Any case, don't be in a hurry for anything with the sword. It will be fine as is until you can get help (it isn't going to fall apart tomorrow). Grey

Hi Markus, Your sword isn't a gunto (military sword). It is an older samurai sword. If I were in your position I would: 1. Whittle a new mekugi (menuki are the ornaments under the handle wrap; mekugi is a pin to hold the sword together) from a bamboo chopstick. The pin is incredibly important; don't delay. 2. Look for a collector/collectors' group that is strong on knowledge and honesty who can give you a better idea what you have. 3. If you are going to take other photos, use a dark background. Details will be more visible. Here you will find a care and handling brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ You should read it. Best, Grey

Hi folks, As many of you know, Mark Jones & I bought a large chunk of the tsuba and kodogu left in Skip Holbrook's collection when he passed away recently; I have been vigorously listing them to my site ever since. We will have everything that hasn't sold on our tables in Chicago. We also acquired Skip's library and I have listed many of the books on my site. There were, however, many more books than I wanted to list. I will have 3 heavy boxes of Skip's books on our tables at serious bargain prices; please stop by and lighten our load. And, since I drive to the Chicago show, I can bring with me any book from my site you might like to own - no charge for post. Check my book pages and send me an email from the site to place an order. I have recently taken on 2 other libraries beyond Skip's; I have a great inventory of very useful titles. Thanks, Grey

Possibly the most beautiful of armor books: Sengoku Kawari Kabuto. $305 https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/armor-books/b863-sengoku-kawari-kabuto/ Grey

Hi Christopher, Bring your sword to the Chicago show later this month. I and others also will be glad to look at it and tell you what we can. Grey https://www.Chicagoswordshow.com

I have had good results when I call 800 ask usps. Make sure you have the tracking number when you make the call. Grey

Saturday morning, 10 I think, some old guy will demonstrate care and handling. Free to all. Grey