Japan2112

I think 平戸正久作之 Hirado Masahisa saku kore (1801-1804) Hizen. chu saku.

I am not particularly a soft metal guy, but that is a very handsome work. So much to look at. even the color of the ground is nice. I wouldn't have guessed Ishiguro, but like I said... what would I know? Nara seems reasonable.

From Tosogu CLassroom Vol II. (Thank you, Markus). 1st generation (Kawasaki) Munetoshi studied under Myochin Osumi no kami Munesuke in Edo and was given the Myochin name. 4th generation Tosa Myochin Muneyoshi studied with the Akasaka Tadashige (Tadanori) and and began copying Higo. i would have guessed Kamiyoshi if it were not for the rectangular yose tagane on the omote - a dead giveaway. Nice tsuba - the TM are generally under rated

I learned that Bob Benson plans on setting up at the Orlando show, anticipating that travel restrictions from and to Hawaii are, or will be favorable.

Markus, You efforts are greatly appreciated by the community, and me personally. I visited the high country of NC last week. I can say it was a pretty place, and hope you have found some respite there apart from the bustle of NYC in these times. Regarding the print quality of the Tosogu Classroom. Yes, it suffers some, but an invaluable reference and well well worth the investment and effort. I may consider an upgrade but the original volumes have opened many doors for historical study and I continue to pour through them weekly. Personally speaking, I think an upgrade could be something I would consider as "in addition to" rather than "instead of", and at my cost not yours. Best, Mark

Wonderful read. How exciting!

Les, Juyo Wakizashi. No problems UPS.

I think I remember that drilling a nakago ana came in late Muromachi, around 1560. I agree that the hole appears punched with that chamfer like opening. That and an ubu looking nakago is of value itself. The Sukesada production shop of Muromachi put out a lot of war blades, after all that's what they were meant for. Nice historical connotations.

Hi Justin, Here is the origination of this design - Hayashi and Akasaka. The Shoami attribution must have something to do with the elaborate ground of the tsuba and shape of the hitsu ana. Even yondai Akasaka doesn't have a hitsu ana so rounded. I call it a "D" shape.

Thanks, David. I hope the show was a good one for you. I always like that one. See you in Orlando!

Heianjo and a bit tired, but the namako shape is a nice one.

Higo Kamiyoshi. Although the Akasaka/Tosa Myochin is a valid thought. The motif, I think, is originally from Hayashi Matashichi - twofold hiki bar and Kiri, so any three schools would be suspect. Fun.

Hi. Anyone who has any pictures of the Chicago Sword show that they would like to share I would like to see them. It is always nice to see a table of tsuba, or old friends. Thanks,

US Fish and Wildlife department will study any same, horn, or other such natural materials for a while then charge a stiff fee for doing it. SO be careful of anything in koshirae. UPS is no problem for swords, Fed Ex for small filtings. Value over $2500. requires additional paperwork that you may be contacted for by US customs to provide. The info they want can be related to materials or proper identification of age. If your (buyer) info, as in email or phone number, is on the outside packaging that will help. This was handled in concert with the shipping, so no additional delays occurred. Communications were easy. I have bought from two Japanese dealers since the pandemic no problems. You can always save your money and attend the July 9-11 Orlando Florida Japanese Sword show.

I am sitting here drooling over your haul. You have some nice sword study ahead. Thanks for sharing, and am pleased the show went so well. The yari is a splendid outfit.

I can say that the two of three volume set that Les refers to has kept me fascinated, and enriched my tosogu knowledge tremendously. Thank you very much, Markus. I wish I could help somehow, but my skills are only good for editing. To save time, perhaps any updates can be added to the Markus blog for broader community update.

Confirming successful sword (Juyo Token) shipment from Japan to USA (21 days including registration...) by UPS. Fittings still Fed Ex JP>US - 4 days. Best,

Not Owari nor Akasaka. Maybe Higo, but it has a more of a Shoami look of movement to it. My 2 cents.

Kanban Shinto sounds right - ubu, very little sori with a great looking, wide, hamon. A lot going for it. The mune machi looks slight, as if the tang was shaved to fit it into a tsuka.

Lots to enjoy with this one. I would have found it difficult to walk away from it given the circumstances, although I would have simmered a little while for the surprise pricing hike. But now you have enjoyed it for 25 years, the circumstances surrounding the process no longer of consequence. I, too, like the horse F/K and habaki is very nice.

Nicer pierced maru gata version of heianjo zogan. Check out Sergei Vashavsky's write up on brass inlaid tsuba. (I think he focuses more on Onin and Yoshiro but...) Best Mark

Tsuba looks Akasaka - suzumushi bell-ring crickets. Pretty nice.

...and I'd like to mention that Ray Singer's website, Swordsofjapan, contains a series of published articles by Jim Kurrasch that are very informative.

Mark, If you are referring to Nihonto.us, Andy Quirt is a fine gentleman and helpful dealer. I will say that there was a spell a time ago where Andy had some lapse in communication, but that is not typical. P.S. - I saw that Nobukuni sword in person a few years back - indeed, stunning.

Neil, Of interest to see the scope of the Bizen Sukesada smiths you might Google Nihonto Club on the web, use the swordsmith index and it will list the large group. A solid reference to Bizen works is Nihon To Koza Vol IX Koto Part 2 translation by Harry Watson. Grey usually has a copy on his website. Not cheap ($150+), but I found this one handy for a deeper dive into Bizen works. Nihonto To Koza Vol IV Shinto also covers Sukesada works but largely just the main guy - Kozuke Daijo. I concur with others that Markus' articles are a free and very helpful resource. Best, Mark