Alex A

Hi Jussi, I agree that it doesn't seem very long for two handed use, but would you agree that the extra length on the tsuka may come in handy?. Imagine blocking a powerful blow using one hand, but then think how much stronger your block would be with two hands, I can see why Machi-Okuri was a good idea, the blade still as the same reach after all.

Darcy, I once owned a Nanbokucho Hira-zukuri "Wakizashi", and it never felt right when I referred to it as a "Wakizashi", I think Uchigatana would suit better. I suppose folk using them and referring to them as Wakizashi in the late Muromachi/Edo periods as kind of made the term stick. Jean, so the really was a doublewakizashi Daisho!!, il remember about length, cheers

Thanks Gents, fun getting ones head around the terminology Darcy, appreciate the detailed write up, plenty of useful information in there to take in. Fair to say that some Samurai would have had to make do with solely owning a Katate-uchigatana. As mentioned, Ive seen a few of these swords, late Muromachi/ Machi-Okuri, were an owner has swapped for a larger tsuka and sacrificed Nagasa. Quite often you will see them listed as "Wakizashi" because they are under 60cm, which to me is an incorrect term, it should be Machi-Okuri Katate-uchigatana. If a samurai at that time paired one up with a Wakizashi to make a Daisho, would he refer to his Daisho as a double Wakizashi Daisho I suppose you could say the same about early Tachi being cut down and labelled as Katana. If we know what something is, ie "O-suriage tachi", weird to me that often you see them labelled as Katana. Jussi, ive been after that book for a long time, just keep getting side tracked, its top of the list, cheers

Hello Geraint, thanks for the reply. I wasn't very clear with my questions, the result of posting a thread after a few sunday beers. Anyway.heres a link I was looking at.http://www.yamakawadojo.com/the%20japanese%20sword%20historical%20changes%20in%20shape.pdf As for Ubu tachi, take an early Muromachi Tachi for example (no 6 on the link), around 72cm Nagasa. Being Ubu and around Katana length already, I'm wondering that if it were worn with a wakizashi, would the owner have just worn it like a Katana?. As for Uchigatana, your right, short person/short sword. I'm sure someone told me a good wile ago that Uchigatana were favoured by a specific sword school or castle guard for indoor combat (something a long them lines ). Ive seen one or two for sale recently, all in good Edo Koshirae and all Machi-Okuri for two handed use, good swords, not Kazu-uchimono, as a lot were. It just got me wondering, there must of been a great number knocking about at that time. Possibly a case of me being pedantic again, thinking too much maybe Cheers

In Shinto times. I was wondering. Anyone know of any examples were a Samurai solely carried a Katate-Uchi (Uchigatana)?, lets say Machi-Okuri for two handed use, just short of Katana length nagasa. Would a wakizashi still be necessary? Also wondering if Ubu Koto Tachi during Shinto times were typically worn like Katana? Looking for any info linked to title, cheers.

Jeez, my one good eyesight! Now then, if that's the case, I would likely be happy with the sword, now that the gaping holes are no more.

The "battle scar" in the Hamon makes most hagire I have seen pale into insignificance, but its funny that because it may be considered a "cool battle scar", it makes it some what more acceptable than hagire , Does someone want to have a go at how the 2 gaping "chunks missing" in the mune got there.?

I'm not so bothered about flaws etc these days, especially in Koto, but price has to reflect this.

I suppose you have to take into account some folk will enjoy the battle scars and see them as a bonus, even as bad as they appear to be. Bit too much for me though.

Good to see, some serious looking dudes in there!

Sad news indeed, RIP John & God bless.

Alton, we are all fools when we start off in this hobby.

See what you mean

Really is getting to me all this, the last time I tried to post a sword abroad it was a polava in the post office! I was greeted by two ladies behind the window, the first of which started with "nah, ya cant post that, its ta big" I checked online, it was not "ta big". She started to measure with a tape measure, she clearly was not used to a tape measure, which was annoying. The other asked "whats the value?", I said just insure it for the maximum, she said "oh, what is it?", I said an antique sword (being honest). She said "don't think we can send that", I then gave her a copy of their prohibited goods list and explained it was ok. You really do need to be geared up and ready for these episodes lol Felt like I was in there an eternity, the folk behind looked tired of waiting. So glad this is not a regular thing.

Hard to say from just that one photo if it is O-surage or not. Hard to say if the hamon is ending at Hamachi? Nakago to me looks like its been coated with rust cure, but again that could just be the photo.

Some amazing pieces of art so far, so much to learn from. Sebastien, I know nothing, but I know quality when I see it, really like that Kozuka with the Ishime texture. For any newbs browsing, check out the Nanako texture in this thread, take Brians Kozuka and the tsuba that Hamish presented for example, then compare to a cheap Nanako fuchi kashira or tsuba your likely to find on Ebay and see the difference in quality, puts things in perspective. Good to see quality folks, thanks for sharing, appreciated.

Hi Grev, I had a set of Ox menuki like that with NBTHK, Ko Kinko was the verdict.

A spin off from another thread. Anyone got some good quality to high end fittings they wish to share? Good close up photos and a short write up. Be good to see, and educational.

Thanks for sharing Paul, I can see why this other caper can become addictive too. Some good close up shots, first time ive seen hair on fittings Be good if someone could start a thread were folk can exhibit their high class fittings with good close up shots, so folk like me not in the know, can see what its all about. Edit, in fact il start a thread, hopefully we will get some contributors.

Hello Steve, pity about the saya, hows your metal work skills?

Unji, rare smith is that, I can only find 4 in the index of Japanese swords, 1st to 4th generation, Bizen, pre 1428.

I stopped using Choji when I read the advice quoted below from Aoi, figured Tsuruta San knows more about this than me. Now using Express gun oil again in moderation, was using sewing machine oil but don't like it, the gun oil forms a finer film and doesn't form droplets, but I suppose best not to start this one up again . ​ From Aoi,s page........ Special notes "1. Generally, Chyoji oil has been used to treat Japanese swords. This is a sticky vegetable oil traditionally used in cleaning swords. It promotes ozidization of the blade that will result in rust in the future. In our opinion, and based on our experience. We not advise you to use chyoji oil. We suggest that you use high-quality machine oil on your sword. This is the same type used when maintaining guns or sewing machines, and it is the only oil that we use with our swords at Aoi Art."

And another.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12978-choji-oil-a-bad-idea/?hl=mineral&do=findComment&comment=134779

Hi Greg, the subject of oil as been covered extensively, if you do a search you will find many opinions.http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14894-choice-between-these-two-choji-oil/?hl=choji http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12978-choji-oil-a-bad-idea/?hl=mineral&do=findComment&comment=134779

Hi Greg, i didnt have a Shirasya either, just oiled it and left it standing on its mune in a suitcase in the wardrobe out of the way. Pity its the kissaki end, good luck with sorting it. Just to add, when i had this problem i switched to a more gloopy gun oil to help try and stop any more damage. Im not saying load it with oil, just be a bit more particular in that area of the blade until its sorted out. I suppose if its really bothering you then you could store the blade as mentioned in my first paragraph, again until its sorted. A real pain in the ass situation, keep a close eye on the swords for faint marks folks, this problem is a sneaky one.