Grey Doffin

Hi folks, More fine books have been arriving, including among others Toso Kodogu Meiji Taikei and Nihonto Swords of Japan A Visual Glossary. Find these at the top of the book section on my site. I'd like, however, to offer a deal that won't be listed to my site. I have picked up a copy in excellent condition of the three volumes of Robert Haynes' Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists, with their plexiglass stand, accompanied by both of the Addenda & Corollary to the Index (both in like new condition). One of the Addenda is inscribed by Mr. Haynes to an important former owner. These books are already listed on my site, offered by a consignor. Rather than compete with him on the site I am listing them here at a discount. On the site the Index is $185 and the Addend are $40 each plus post. You can have this copy of The Index and two Addenda for $225 plus post Here is a link to the books on my site: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b760-the-index-of-Japanese-sword-fittings-and-associated-artists-by-robert-haynes/ If you are interested in the deal please contact me by email - gdoffin at gmail.com - not by personal message here (I need your emails to keep track of business). Tell me you'd like the discounted set. Thanks, Grey

Hi Gerry, The sword is signed Bishu Osafune Suke X (not sure of the kanji; the blade has been shortened a bit). It is dated Taiei Ni Nen Hachi Gatsu (August of 1522). It has a ray skin saya (same' saya); after the skin is glued to the wood saya it is lacquered and polished down to what you see today. The tsuba appears to be a meld of Nanban and traditional Japanese made. Grey

Thanks guys, Grey

Hi guys, I need Romaji and translation of the hakogaki for the pictured menuki. Much appreciated. Grey

Hi Mike, Here you will find a brochure on care and cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ You would be doing yourself a big favor if you read it at least once through. Do not try to fix anything; amateur repairs often damage both the sword and its value. If you'd like to call and ask a bunch of questions all at once, my number is 218-340-1001 central time, and I won't ask you to sell me your sword. Cheers, Grey

Hi guys, More books have sold but I can't edit the post now to mark them SOLD. Grey

And I have just listed another large group of books. B209. The Sword Mountings of Higo Province. $70. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b209-the-sword-mountings-of-higo-province/ B475. The Art of the Samurai. $70. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b475-art-of-the-samurai-metropolitan-museum/ B521. 3 great, beautiful books on Higo fittings bu Mr. Ito, with translations. $1,675. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b521-kanshiro-nishigaki-hirata-shimizu-hayashi-kamiyoshi-3-books-by-ito/ B699. All 10 Haynes Auction Catalogs. $325. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b699-all-10-robert-haynes-auction-catalogs/ B661. Japanese Armor Makers for the Samurai. $195. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/armor-books/b661-Japanese-armor-makers-for-the-samurai-by-chappelear/ B935. Tsuba. $95. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b935-tsuba/ B539. Echizen Kinai Tsuba. $165. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b539-echizen-kinai-tsuba-by-tsuruoka/ B759. Chic Sukashi: Akasaka Tsuba. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b759-chic-sukashi-akasaka-tsuba-by-sano-museum/ B214. Nihonto Koza Translation by Watson, Volume VI Kodogu Part 1. $195. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b214-nihonto-koza-volume-vi-kodogu-part-1/ B513. Bushi no Issho: Sukashi Tsuba. $60. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b214-nihonto-koza-volume-vi-kodogu-part-1/ B973. Akasaka Tsuba by Sasano. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b973-akasaka-tsuba-by-sasano/ B289. Meito in North America & Yagyu Tsuba. $35. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b289-meito-in-north-america-yagyu-tsuba/ B707. Gai So Shi by Haynes. $150. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b707-gai-so-shi-外装史-by-robert-haynes/ And 9 or 10 catalogs from Kokusai Tosogu Kai, various prices. Find these at the top of my tsuba and kodogu list on my site. As before, if you are interested please contact me through my website. And more fine books are coming soon. Thanks, Grey

Hi Ryan, Not a lot we can tell you from a few pictures; a true appraisal needs to be in hand. Where in The States do you live? Maybe there will be someone knowledgeable and honest nearby who can help. And pay no attention to anyone who sends a message asking if you'll sell the swords. Grey

2013. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b768-dai-token-ichi-2013-2/ If you're interested please contact me through my site, not Personal Message here on NMB. Grey

Hi Nick, What Ray said, and here you will find care & cleaning, which you should read twice. https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey And if you have a bunch of questions and would appreciate talking with someone who is not an authority but has been at this for 40 years and won't try to get you to sell the sword to me, feel free to call sometime. Grey 218-340-1001 US central time

Hi folks, I recently purchased a large collection of Nihonto books. Here is a list of some of them with links to them on my website, where you will see a bunch of pictures and a short description for each. You can access all new stock by clicking on Books in Store Categories and scrolling through the top 2 pages. There will be more to be listed in coming days. If something catches your eye please contact me through my site, not here with Personal Message; I need your emails to keep track of business. Thanks, Grey B474. All 59 issues of English Token Bijutsu. $1,295. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b474-token-bijutsu-english-edition-all-59-issues/ B590. Mino To Taikan by Tokuno. $275. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b590-mino-to-taikan-by-tokuno/ B868. Shosoin no Token. $200. SOLD B645. Issues of Juyo Token Nado Zufu by NBTHK. $50 each. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b645-juyo-token-nado-zufu-volumes-1-to-19/ B241. Early issues of Tokubetsu Juyo Token Nado Zufu. $60 each. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b241-tokubetsu-juyo-token-nado-zufu-various-issues/ B628. Kotetsu Taikan. $225. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b628-kotetsu-taikan-by-dr-s-homma-sato-2/ B735. 8 Volume set of Toso Kodogu Koza. $375. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b628-kotetsu-taikan-by-dr-s-homma-sato-2/ B724. Shumi no Menuki. $85. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b724-shumi-no-menuki/ B782. Mon The Japanese Family Crest. $125. SOLD B992. Nihon no Hinawaju. $50. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/other-books/b992-nihon-no-hinawaju-1-2/ B331. Hizento Taikan. $200. SOLD B364. Nihonto: Swords of Japan A Visual Glossary. $175. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b364-nihonto-swords-of-Japan-a-visual-glossary-Japanese-volume/ B639. Choshu no Tsuba. $175. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b639-choshu-no-tsuba-by-murakami/ B119. Inoue Shinkai Taikan. $200. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b119-inoue-shinkai-taikan-by-nakajima/ B654. Nihonto Koza translation. Koto Part 1. $200. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b119-inoue-shinkai-taikan-by-nakajima/ B939. Niihonto Koza translation. Koto Part 3. $225. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b939-nihonto-koza-as-translated-by-watson-koto-part-3/ B656. NIhonto Zuikan. Koto Hen. $550. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b656-nihonto-zuikan-koto-by-kataoka/ B394. Masamune: A Genius Swordsmith and His Lineage. $50.https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b394-masamune-a-genius-swordsmith-and-his-lineage/ B880. Illustrated Catalogue: Sword Guards. $100. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/fittings-books/b880-illustrated-catalogues-of-tokyo-national-museum-sword-guard/ B678. Minamoto Kiyomaro. $150. https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b678-minamoto-kiyomaro/ And others.

Hi Roy, If you can take pictures on a black background we will be able to see better what you have. If you can crop and add item numbers to the photos it will be even better. Grey

If the koshirae is for a beloved older blade and if cost is to be considered, I would suggest another option: buy a preexisting koshirae to display beside the sword in its shirasaya. Custom koshirae is, as Curran states, a money sink - you'll never recoup the cost when the time comes to move on - and the blade is best kept in a well made shirasaya anyway. For example, I have a nice, Higo, katana koshirae on my site that is priced at 1/4 or less what it would cost to have it made new. Grey

Hi Brian, If, as you say, you are new to the hobby, you don't want to be searching unknown websites for a bargain; it's a jungle out there. You need to learn a lot more that you currently do before buying and, even then, a trusted seller will be helpful. No need to hurry to a purchase; good Japanese swords will always be available. Grey

I heard from a mutual friend. Grey

Hi folks, Richard George has passed on. Richard was a serious student of tsuba and he was able to take excellent photos of the same. A great guy also; he will be missed. Grey

Hi Khalid, You get a minimal description and lousy photos; what's not to love? Unless you can attend and see the swords in hand, I find it hard to believe you can't do better with a knowledgeable dealer you can trust. Grey

I believe this is referred to as Ninja is because, with a sturdy saya, the Ninja could lean the sword against a wall, point down and with the flat of the tsuba against the wall, step on the projecting opposite edge of the tsuba and get a boost in climbing over. The flat stops the tsuba from rolling. I have been told that there is little evidence ninja ever existed. Makes a good story, though. Grey

Hi Christine, Look here for a care and handling brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ I don't know where in Minnesota you are. I'm in Duluth and would be glad to help if I can. Cheers, Grey 218-340-1001

Hi Jeffrey, Look here: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ for a brochure on care and handling; you should read it. If you'd like answers to a bunch of questions with one phone call, feel free to ring me up. 218-340-1001 in central time. I'm not an authority but I was where you are today 40 years ago and I won't ask you to sell the sword to me. Cheers, Grey

Hi Arnaud, If you take your pictures on a black background we'll be able to see what you have. Grey

I have to disagree Bruce. Paying to polish (even less expensive: amateur polish) this sword will be throwing good money after bad. If Sam wants to study/appreciate Nihonto he should move on. If all he wants is a sharp, shiny trinket, he is there already. Grey

Hi Sam, If it has been sanded or buffed (including the tang/nakago) it is an unsigned wakizashi with defects (pits/openings) mounted in shirasaya (sleeping or storage scabbard) that is falling apart and, consequently, it isn't worth much. Maybe $200 or $300 if you can find someone who doesn't know better. Even if not buffed it is no treasure. Don't mean to be a downer but no sense sugar coating it. Nihonto is a fascinating field; you need to find a dealer you can trust to steer you towards better. Grey

Hi Brandon, If you have a seppa (washer) or, if not, cut a piece of paper to the proper size, place it on the tsuba as it would be if this were mounted on a sword, and ask yourself if you like the tsuba and its design as much as you did before. Grey

Hi George, Find Care and Handling here: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey