Grey Doffin

Hi folks, A consignor to my site has asked for temporary discounts on 2 great books: Kanzan Oshigata https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b978-kanzan-oshigata/ and Token Oshigata Taikan https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b866-token-oshigata-taikan/ These are serious bargains; they shouldn't last long. If interested, please contact me by email through my site. Thanks for looking, Grey

Hi guys, Just got in a like new copy of this book in English and with its slipcase. Normally, for anyone living in The States, it is $350 plus $62 for post from Europe. This copy can be had for $350 plus $20 for post & insurance: $370 total. Incredible text, exceptional pictures, large beautiful book. Here is the description with pictures on my site: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/c265-Japanese-swords-soshu-den-masterpieces-by-pechalov/ If you are interested please send me an email: gdoffin at gmail.com Thanks, Grey

Possibly Kanbun Shinto. Grey

The number 326 painted over a Showa period date and Seki no Ju Kanenori Saku. Grey

Thanks guys; I think this one is fixed. Grey

Hi folks, I learned recently that my customers who use MS Edge or Google Chrome as browsers we're unable to see any of the photos on my site. I think my tech support guy has this corrected but I'm not sure. If you have a minute please logon, open any of the individual product pages, and if you see no pictures let me know. Thanks, Grey japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com gdoffin at gmail.com

Hi Crews, Scroll down for a brochure on care and cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey

I believe masame in the shinogi ji points to Shinto or later. Grey

If you want to have the mei (signatures) of your sword or tsuba translated, you'll have to post pictures. See below for 2 pictures of a sword mei and 2 of a tsuba mei. All 4 pictures were taken at the same time, with the same camera, in the same light, in the same orientation and, other than cropping the pictures to reduce their size, I have not altered them. The only difference is the color of the background. Ask yourself, if you could read the characters, which background would make the task easier? Please take your pictures of mei on a dark background. Also, the pictures are oriented properly to be read. The top of a mei on a sword is closest to the start of the cutting edge and on a tsuba, as it would sit if the edge of the sword were facing up. BTW, pictures on a white background are good for showing the true color of the nakago (tang of sword) or tsuba; they don't work well for translation. Grey

It is signed Mitsunga but probably not as old as advertised. I think beginners would be smart to buy only from trusted sellers. Grey

It is true. Order from Markus as before. markus.sesko at gmail.com Grey

Hi folks, Sad to tell you that Skip Holbrook has left us. Skip was a long time, knowledgeable and generous,with his knowledge collector/student of kodogu. I learned a lot from him. He will be missed. Grey

I think this is a piece of a broken sword made to look like a tanto, kinda. Nothing worth collecting. Grey

I drive to the Chicago show and can bring with me more than my usual show merchandise. If there is a book on my site that you'd like to pickup - save on post - let me know. Glad to lug it along. Grey

Hi Henry, Unless your shirasaya has been messed with it probably needs nothing and you should leave it alone. Post a picture if you're not sure. Grey