Alex A

Its a lack of understanding on your part Baba. Yes the NBTHK are obviously more experienced and well read than us guys, but that does not stop them using a boat load of reference material (they are not so "EXPERT" all the info is in their head). It does not stop them making the wrong call on some blades either. To be honest, i think some folk are that thick at kantei, they cant do it for themselves and because of that assume everyone else must be the same. See it a lot in life really, over different things, human nature

I dont think you need the experience of looking at 1000,s of blades in hand to work out what a particular sword is, and is that not the point ? No point over complicating what can be achieved by some study, some ownership and 1000s of examples in books and online. As evident in the odd Kantei here, that is when the sword is textbook with all the correct info available. Ps, I find it a lot easier looking at large clear images online of details for particular swords than i do trying to see it in blades in hand, Horses for courses, everyone has their own view

Hi John. "Vultures" is a term often linked with valuable items and the deceased Whilst not dead lol, certainly went on a learning curve. Some people are ruthless when it comes to attaining swords.

Nice Chris!. Also whilst your here, i will buy the Tadakuni back should you check out And if your reading this, that goes for the Sadayoshi too!

Forget dealers and auctions, Pretty sure the folks you leave behind will be aware of the time you have spent on this forum When your gone, tell them to join this forum or give them your log in details. Explain to folk that here that you have popped your clogs and are wanting to sell (if thats their choice) No doubt they will be inundated with enquiries. When Covid killed my job a few years ago and had to sell some swords, surprised at the number of private enquiries. Not just what i had listed but folk looking for all kinds of stuff. "Have you got this?" or "Have you got that?" Reminded me of vultures a circling, but i suppose thats just life and understandable. You will achieve better prices here than from a dealer.

Hello Jimbo The original post states "or a temple sword". Aoi states they have never seen a sword by this smith made so LOOOONG (neither have i) and describe it as a "sword offered to God" so i guess that gets it in the brackets. I see it as an alterative for a guy that maybe just might be happy with a BIG sword, which is what Odachi are. Anyways, just a polite thought to help someone Cheers.

Maybe this, if your still looking. https://www.aoijapan.com/katanabiyo-osafune-ju-yokoyama-sukekane-saku-nbthk-hozon-token/

First glance, it reminds me of Ishido, not sayng it is though. Plenty to go off there, Folk always talk about sending swords of to Shinsa, sometimes i wonder, why bother? What i mean is, sometimes there is enough to work it out for yourself and avoid all the hassles, worries. Nice sword!.

If im being honest, if i was extremely wealthy, there would not be an end. Even now, not in buying mode but still look around the same old sites. Occasionally, maybe once or twice a year i see something that i really like, something that you seldom see for sale. The last one was a late Edo Tanto, lovely blade by a good smith, but it was the inscription that was rare! Nearly, but had an holiday pay for so had to be sensible. For anyone keen, there is no getting away from the odd temptation now and again. Saying that though, something would have had to go Maybe thats the right way to go about it, if not a lottery winner.

When you realize that you dont actually need to acquire any more swords. A big awakening, sometimes caused by issues out of your control, job loss, house purchase, divorce etc etc etc. Some have owned all they feel they need to own and no point putting any more money into acquiring more swords. For a lot of folk, that interest never goes away though. Just a few points.

I cant say say Paz, they know who they are. Some good honest dealers in UK though, real sword dudes, will advise you to do the right thing when it comes to good blades.

Late reply, but just been thinking about this. In contradiction, it may actually make matters worse. Imagine customs officers making a big deal about dealing with the import of Japanese swords, the headaches involved and the hassles. Wouldn't want them to make life easy for themselves and just ban ALL Japanese sword imports

Not mentioning any names but there are well known sword dealers destroying good quality historic heirlooms with cheap crappy commercial polishes. I hope they read this and i hope it makes them STOP!!! Its all about profit, not a care about what they do.

Another F*^%%% As•¥$$€ To the ignore list

What John just said. Also, someone mentioned the nakago has been altered likely to fit a tsuka, think they may be correct. If someone wanted to add mekugi-ana to add an age appearence they went about it assways. Would have made more sense to just put them at different points down the nakago.

"Sometimes appreciation is very complicated matter." Nail on head , Jussi Cheers

Well Jimmy, read some quotes on here over the years but that statement has come from someone on the tallest horse i ever did see, more like off a giraffe or even a Trojan horse I have a little time before work so will try and make things a little clear for you. Whilst not an expert and never claim to be i feel ive seen enough in my time to have an opinion. Its no concern whether you like it or not. Earlier, i was referring to the comparison between swords and paintings, so no point going over that again. First, the only thing that matters to me in this hobby is to look at a blade and be able to 1)know its level of quality and 2)be able to work out what it is (the fun part). As for horimono, i dont like intricate carvings on polished bright blades/steel. Show me a beautiful carved soft metal tsuba and thats a different story. I would not want to own a sword solely due to a carving, its the blade/quality alone that is the interest. Obviously, im not saying there is no skill in these carvings!, although i find many lifeless. There comes a time for any "collector" to be honest with themselves and really take a closer look., answer those niggles. Narrow the field, so to speak. Anyways, been an interesting thread, be good to find out more about about why folk pick out certain smiths above others, maybe you could enlighten us ? Best get off to water the bonsai haha

Il get my coat

There are swords and there are swords, Some you just pick up and you know straight away how much effort went into it and what the smith intended. You pick up other swords and the reality is "art" came in 2nd. This is the trouble. Sometimes you watch a video of a modern swordsmith making a sword, that sword turns out beautiful and you really appreciate it as "art". Thats about the only time i forget about function, the fact its a weapon. Hope my rambling makes sense.

Jussi, for someone thats main concern is the shape and size of swords, i have to say, you really do go far and beyond what you really need to know and add a lot of interesting info here for us all to pick up on, so thanks for that. Paul, the Yukimitsu, this is what is good to find out. A blade you come across that speaks volumes. For me opens other avenues of thought, same with the Tadakuni i mentioned earlier. So many swords and smiths............... Appreciate the extra words

Thanks Paul, your consistency stands out.

Jussi, i find it interesting, definitely Just slightly meaningless without people telling us why they picked their list and adding some enlightenment, at the moment it is just lists of names.

Exotic hamon ?, All hamon types listed in a few pages in a book along with hataraki, wouldnt get too carried away. Horimono, simple carvings on a blade, mostly, and yes there are some skilled and more intricate carvings but thats the minority . Only so much you can get into a piece of steel, as mentioned. Been looking at blades for 15 years day in and day out, i dont form my opinion likely, and as mentioned this thought as always been a lurking.

This has been an interesting thread and it has raised a niggle or two that have always been lurking in the background. Going to sound like im raining on the parade now but perhaps others have had the same thought. The comparison to paintings and music, those have infinite possibilities whilst im sad to say blades do not. Metal art work YES, different geometry and change of basic material and ways of manipulating that material to come up with a LIMITED number of variations (hataraki etc), each containing whatever "artist" intended. Imagine if paintings had the same visual boundaries!!, My point being there is only so much you can get into a blade, sorry but its the truth. Not detracting from their beauty and appeal though. You cant compare the variants in paintings or music to that of a blade. My final point on this and i think its already been mentioned. You have different smiths at different times working in different ways with different materials.. Sometimes in ways that did not allow them to go out on a limb and be all flamboyant. Think this thread would be more interesting with some examples of blades by these top 10 smiths, if possible. Reasons why you think your top 10 smiths are the best. Others may be too afraid to pull out their top 10 as it does not conform with what has been written in books, this is what i would find really interesting.

Can imagine many scenarios that would make for a dodgy mei ”Sign this last bunch and as soon as your finished you can get off” Just one example Ps, not saying the mei on your wak looks dodgy, looks ok to me!