Ichi

I think it's more like a status symbol for most Japanese to buy a piece from Choshuya. They carry the very best, but then their price reflects the land price (maintaining 4 storey building in Ginza) and payroll of some 15 + staffs.

Hi Jean, I don't think so. They say they are going to provide basic English description on all items. The word "basic" means not full Japanese explanation, I spectulate. Unless Paul goes full time translating word by word. As Henry mentioned, 5,000 yen is too much for web magazine. Might as well see what's in there while it's free.

Kojima should be the smith's last name and Kunifusa the swordsmith name. Markings on the back is not even a word. Probably incomplete chiselling. Sorry, I'm at work, and no books to trace this piece.

Kojima Kunifusa å°å³¶ã€€å›½æˆ¿

Hi All, Choshuya is inviting friends to their web magazine for the limited time. And there's of course Paul Martin behind doing the translations. Here's their email. FYI This is Ginza Choshuya Co&Ltd from Japan. Thank you for your taking time to check this information mail from Ginza Choshuya. I would like to send customers time-limited ID and PASSWORD to enter the fee-paid member page as follows. http://www.choshuya.co.jp/web_member/year_index.htm ID : 12345678 PASSWORD : abcdefgh The id and password are valid for a week from February 5th. Please enjoy our member site. It would be nice if you introduce our new service to your friends. If you have any requests or questions, please do not hesitate to contact wit h me. Sincerely yours --------------------------------------- Ginza Choshuya Co&Ltd Tomoriki Imazu 10-4 Ginza 3 cho-me chuo-ku Tokyo Japan TEL 03 3541 8371 FAX 03 3541 8379 E-mail ginza@choshuya.co.jp ---------------------------------------

Hi Paul, Maybe we've been reading repetitious quotes from Aoi Arts' bishu... sword description. Here's one from Darcy's reference archive on Yosozaemono jo Sukesada: "The setting is Japan, in Bizen province. The time-frame is near the end of the Muromachi period. The country has been at war for decades, and will be at war for decades to come. The great artistry of the past, which began to decline in the Nanbokucho period, was on a continuing downward spiral. The seemingly endless war had sapped finances and desires for artistic and showy weapons. Instead, the rule of the day was for simple, quickly made, and almost disposable utilitarian weapons. Groups of smiths were working as teams in a near assembly line effort to crank out cheap weapons quickly in order to meet demand. Thus, in the haste of producing swords cheaply, and quickly as the Muromachi period unfolded, the old skills that made the finest swords in the past were lost. "

Koichi-先生, I think the two different color tones occured on your screen when you used "nihonto" mode in the My Board Style selection (User Control Panel). Blackpearl which I applied didn't show such glitch on my screen. I think it's just nothing.

I'm at work and can't access to my books. According to the attached registration, this sword was registered on Dec 17, 2007 and issued by Okinawan Prefecture. It means that this sword was found recently. The length is 54.3 cm and 1.5 sori. "Museum Class" ? I doubt it.

Congrats Koichi-san and thank you for your dedication thru out the year enlightening eveyone on this board. You deserve it. I am sure Mr. Chairman Brain will fix a special raffle prize for you :D . I will vote you as the NMB Person of the Year award, and of course, Dr. R. Stein as the Comeback Man of the Year. Wishing your health recover soon from my sincere end of my heart. Without you, I have not encountered with Nihonto and we have never known each others in this wonderful world of cyber space. By the way, Mr. Nobody is a semi-retired ex-Nuke engineer. He knows lots about "hard" metal All the best,

Yes Brian, this is the one you saw in Ginza. Remember they had one window display corner full of Rai blades, and the others... one for Soshu starting from father Yukimitsu, Masamune, etc. All the best,

Just to let you Tokyo NMB members know that Kaibundo will hold the annual yearend sales event at their Ginza shop from December 7 to 12. http://www.taibundo.com/tenpo/tenpo.html They are known for having big names in their lineups. They carried Masamune at the recent Dai Token Ichi. Guido was holding so close to the blade that he was about to lick with his own tongue. I think it was priced at US$336,000. Some museum class blades, but you can see with your own hands. FYI

It looks Takada 高田　to me.

Do you think the NBTHK paper is also a fake?

I guess the local NMB guys will creep into the movie theater this weekend. The remake of Kurosawa's Tsubaki Sanjuro will hit the screen. Sorry, it's all in Japanese. http://www.tsubaki-sanjuro.jp/index.html

Hi Rich, Bon voyage, and see you next year.

Nice job, Henry. It was a great night seeing you all and thanks for the arrangements, Robert and Guido. Appreciated it. Kindest regards, P.S. Henry, by the way...when did you finished washing dishes that night?

I don't have books with me as I am still at work. This is my finding based on your description: 武 蔵 國 文 久 正 俊 上 作 三 五 〇 万 円 ① 甲 府 住 □ □ 源 正 俊 作 之 Masatoshi Shinshinto, Musashi no kuni (Bunkyu:1861) Jo saku MAS1053 TTp569, Â¥3.5M kofu ju iwai kishinmaro minamoto masatoshi saku kore

Not exactly a $0.99 menuki, but they are modern repros. http://www16.plala.or.jp/katana-iimura/ ... glish.html http://www16.plala.or.jp/katana-iimura/menuki1-e.html They also sell tsuba and other fittings but not listed in their homepage.

Hey Tsuba Guy, I think you picked up a very nice tsuba at very reasonable price. Looking forward seeing it at the next NMB party. Need a new belt buckle! Kindest regards,

The list of sword dealers that will participate in the coming Dai Token Ichi are out. Sorry, it's all in Japanese. Our friend Robert Huges' Keichodo is out there again at the world's premier exhibition. FYI. http://www.zentosho.com/daitoichi.html

While you tsuba guys busy enjoying your , check out the new exhibition starting from Oct 10 at Tokyo National Museum - Legacy of Tokugawa treasures.... http://www.tnm.jp/en/servlet/Con?pageId ... nt_id=4660

How about something like this antique from Meiji period. http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/7400-7449/07410.html

You bet. I will be at Dai Token Ichi on 26th (Friday). I will send you a private message.

personal name ___da (or ta)..... Nagata Sukenori

I think it's a geniune Chinese fake, and they are getting good at it .