Rivkin

First a disclaimer - I am a complete newbie when it comes to Japanese swords. So pardon my arrogance, but could you help me out on a little philosophical question - what is the beauty of a true nihonto? Every single book I've read says that the beauty of Japanese sword is inseparable from its functionality. Disrespectfull as I am - it's hard to believe it is so. It never works this way in other cultures - beautiful patterns on the blade, gold furniture might still accompony a greatly capable weapon, but do not add any combat characteristics, sometimes even present a liability. Similarly, I had a number of very artistic sukashi tsubas with the cuts that were uncomfortable enough to hurt when I pick up a sword. Shakudo reliefs on tsuba that probably would not last even 100 swings without starting to become dull. I had a great honor of looking at the blades of Osafune Motoshige and Nagasone Kotetsu. I am just a newbie, so I am absolutely certain I did not understand them, but generally speaking these juyo-level blades of the highest wazamono ranking smiths did not impress me as supreme works of art. The shape is graceful, but I've seen more graceful ones. Hamon is not particularly startling with activity. Motoshige's hada was quite luminating, but Kotetsu's was not out of this world. And on the other hand I've seen blades with amazingly graceful contours, with hamon literally changing from pitch black nie to milky whitish. With hada brilliantly reflecting in silky red or subtle blue. And those were highly ranking smiths, but I quite frankly don't know how highly irregular, artistic assemblies of nie are supposed to improve sword's cutting qualities. So my question is, as a newbie - what should I be looking for in a sword to call it a true work of art? Fantastic hada with lots of nicely shaped nie on a chouji hamon, with a thin, graceful blade with a deep sori and funbari? Or there is something about those thikish shapes with simplistic hamon and tight hada with wazomono ratings that is a true Art (I don't dispute the artistic properties of many wazomono blades, but some of the most highly ranking ones are kind of not what I expected) and I am just foolish enough to not recognize it? Or should I treat practicality and artistism as separate entities? And if practicality is my goal, then another question comes to mind - would I really pick a very poorly balanced, heavy sword, which supposedly cuts very well over something lighter and more balanced, which may be does not cut as many bodies lumped over each other, but can move and strike way more faster and more precise? Yours, Kira R.

May I ask another question - what's a typical situation with old mouts? I understand the lacquer offers some protection, but can one really use typical shinto mounts, or it is rather unsafe? Would one be better off, if one wishes to display the sword in mounts occasionally, to make new saya+, get old tsuba, menuki, whatever?

Thank you very much, I greatly appreciate the advice! Guess I'll dive back into books and start preparing for the next sword show .

To thy mercy I, though undeserving, apply! After spending a lot of time on books and going through a lot materials on sword, I decided to purchase my first blade. My purpose is mostly studying. I have been collecting for a while, but only recently decided to slightly expand my extremely narrow interests by learning about nihonto. My personal preferences were always - simple, very austerely decorated swords. I definitely strongly prefer sturdy, capable blades that can be effectively used today (not that I have any knowledge how to use Japanese swords). Now, I understand that it is somewhat tricky to ask for an opinion about something currently for sale, but I would greatly appreciate if you could help me to choose, between these two (or may be I am wrong in the selection alltogether and the first blade should be something else): http://www.nihontoantiques.com/fss381.htm http://www.nihontoantiques.com/fss373.htm Pardon my arrogance, but I would like to explain my reasons for thinking about these two. I like the second one: Simple, yet elegant mounts. The blade appears very healthy and usable (however I am a tad surprised that the seller does not say anything about iai-do or tameshigiri, as he does with other swords - for example http://www.nihontoantiques.com/fss387.htm). I love the curvature, which I find very gracious and overall fitting my preferences . Minus - no activity, rather simple construction, therefore not a lot of learning (?) and a lot of rumors (?) about bungo takeda being relatively low grade, very few people actually liking it (resale potential?). I like the first one:Lots of activity, like the hada, like the curvature. Minus: fatal flaw? I hate the military mounts (per se). Also, I am a huge guy, and short swords actually look a tad funny when I hold them. As you can see - not of knowledge in me yet, mostly just emotions, feelings. Again, I apologize taking your time with a such personal request, but would greatly appreciate any advice, even if it is to return to reading books.