O-Yumi

I would also recommend Joe Bott's "Sword of Japan"...very good! John Weeks

How about some contact info for future meeting, etc? I live in north central PA and know there are other PA Nihontophiles that might be interested. Thanks, John

I believe, according to tradition, that in oorder to demonstrate "peacefull intentions", the handles(tsukas) should be displayed on the left side.

See attachment on original post. Thanks, John

I have an o-tanto(sunnobi?)/ko wakizashi that is mumei and has a sanbon sugi hamon. I have been told it is Bizen and shinshinto. Anyone out there that can narrow my search down some? Sanbonsugi.bmp

Ron, I've used Jaap Koppedrayer at Yumi-bows.com for refurbishing a 19th century yumi and to make a couple war arrow reproductions and he does good work. Unfortunately I can't seem to enter his site on-line? Try Krackow Co. LLC, in Pa. They have dealt with Jaap and may be able to help. Good luck, John

We seem to be in about the same class of Nihontofile and since I live in North central Pa., was wondering if we could connect somehow and compare notes, etc.? I usually make it to Timonium MD. for the Antique weapons show in March. Let me know, John

O-Yumi loosely translates to "Longbow"??

I also recommend J. Bott's book...I wish I had this book when I first started my Nihonto studies. Lots of terminology and useful explanations that would have saved a lot of time!

I believe modern Bladesmiths refer to this process as "annealing". John

Looks like coral to me?

Does anyone else notice the "notches" filed into the nakago in the second pick under the 7and 8 inch marks on the tape? Just wondering as I have a wak with similar notches and would like to hear other's opinions on what they may be? Would a samurai put notches on his tang like you hear gunman of the old west to represent "dead men"? John

More photos....blade, tsuba, etc? It would be nice to see more details of the "package"! John

Ryan, do you know Dale Garbutt? He is in the Baltimore area and has lots of experience with Nihonto. John

Greg, I'm back with more info for you on Nobuyoshi II.(from various sources). Hawley's #NOB 592, 60 points, worked 1673-1704, Fujishiro rated Chu-Jo Saku. Also signed "Shinano no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyoshi". Civilian name, "Takai Kinzaburo. Also worked in Osaka. Also lived for a while in Kyoto's "Aburanokoji" region(stomping grounds of the Shinsengumi)(see the movie, "When the Last Sword is Drawn") They were the military police under service of the shogunate. His father, Nobuyoshi I worked in the Mishina school style. He also worked on joint works with his brother(or other son?), "Echizen no kami Nobuyoshi". (Back in Feb. there was a wak by Nobuyoshi II "on sale" for $5500 at "Japanese swords & Asian Arts", Netherlands.) Hope this helps you out some, John

Greg, I too bought a Nobuyoshi,2nd gen. katana last fall. There is info in Markus Sesko's Swordsmith Index on this smith and I will get my notes out and post or send you what I have in a couple days. Also, check the "Shoshin" website. John

Does anyone know where to get patterns to make your own sword bags? John

To whom it may concern; There are a couple articles on this sword in the latest JSSUS newsletter. Just received my copy an Sat., 2/23/15. There's some interesting info there. John

Thanks for the info, Brian. I'm still wondering what kind of hamon I'm seeing in my sword, and what is/was Kyoto's "Aburanokoji"? I guess I'll have to look into the Mishina school. I'll try to get some photos posted later. John

I posted this question several weeks ago, but it seems to have been "lost" in the transition to the new format. That said, here goes; I'm looking for any further information on a swordsmith/sword. The maker apears to be Nobuyoshi, 2nd generation, active 1673-1704. Hawley's #NOB 592. He was rated Chu-Jo-Saku by Fujishiro, and I believe worked in Yamishiro province. I'm wondering what school he worked in and what type of hamon I'm seeing. It appears to be suguha with double gunome/choji? spaced relatively evenly every couple inches, some of which look something like pairs of rounded breasts? I assume his teacher was Nobuyoshi, 1st generation? Thanks, John

While we're on the topic, is cursive the same as Shoshu/Grass konji? Would Marcus' book be used to decipher such? John

Just a note to ALL Nihontophiles. In the last issue of the JSSUS newsletter there was an article profiling Mr. J.W. Bott and his recently published book, "The Sword of Japan". I immediately ordered it and am now most of the way through it. I sure wish I had this book five or six years ago! It's loaded with loads of general Nihonto information in a very easy to read format, explaining a lot of stuff it has taken me over five years to accumulate PLUS a lot more! A "must read" for any beginner including good charts and references. Also very affordable both in softcover and hard! Check it out! John

I would first suggest "The Sword of Japan" by J.W. Bott, published last year. I just recently purchased it and am half way through it and wish it was available when I first got interested in Nihonto ! THE really good research book in English is "The Connoisours (please excuse spelling) Guide to Japanese Swords" by Nagayama. MR. Bott's book explains so much that you NEED to learn along the way AND it's affordable as it's also available in soft cover. Nice sword !! John

While we're on the topic of lenses, does anyone know anything about an "art magnifier" to view swords at a museum, etc.? Sort of like a close range monocular? John

I have read in several old newsletter articles about small "art" telescopes for close-up viewing of art work, including Nihonto displayed at museums, shows, etc.. Does anyone know of a source for these? They usually come in 4x-8x. Thanks, John