Ichi

Hi Guido, I called them up to reconfirm the dates. You're right. It's from October 26 to 28 (Friday thru Sunday). For the first timer, 2,000 yen will give you a 3-day pass and a catalog. Best,

Hi All, I just talked to the Dai Token Ichi committee. The 2007 Dai Token Ichi will be held on October 27, 28 & 29. In meanwhile, work hard and save your dough. See you all there !

Yes, I heard about the rumors of the fake NBTHK origamis. I think it occured sometime during the '70s when faked papers started to flow around the market. You should check with the NBTHK and make sure that X origami was issued to X blade.

Hi Henry, Yes, I do. Definitely a must if you are into studying the historial aspect of Japan. It won't give you insight on swords and fittings, but tells you who fought who, when, etc.

Hi Ed, Here's the map where the major Shinsengumi events occuried and landmarks in Kyoto. Check out the Yagi house (this is where they stayed and it's now a mini museum) and Mibu Temple. April will be the best season to visit. http://www.2kyoto.net/eng/sinsengumi.html Here are other websites for visitor's tips. http://www.2kyoto.net/eng/sinsengumi.html http://www.linkclub.or.jp/%7Eswing/frame1.html

Hi Leroy, Good to hear from ya. I visited their inn in Nibu (Kyoto) where they stayed during their assigment to guard the capital from the rebellions. It was a nice place to visit with lots of detailed information of their life, plus books and other souvernir. Kondo was using Kotetsu, but later found out to be a gimei. All the best,

Hi Brian, Gimme a buzz when you are in town. If your time permits, I'll buy you beer and sushi.

Looks razor sharp. Very very dangerous!

There was this TV program on NHK (BBC Japanese version) that 80% of battle casualty were inflicted from yari, bows & arrows, and later part of Sengoku period guns.

Welcome on board, Raygun. From my experience, it's always better to have a non flaw blades when you consider reselling later. It takes time to liquidate blades with flaws especially the fatal ones. Mu-mei from a famous smith is always a welcome feature. This, of course, depends on the quality and condition of the blade. Your budget will also depends on the length. Wakis tends to be priced lower than katana. I haven't bought any swords from e-sword, but they look decent guys when I met them at the sword show. I bought about a half dozen from Aoi, but their business style have changed recently from what I observed. Dealers in Tokyo drop by at their shop to liquidate their stocks. Cheaper markup and inferior quality stuffs, I think. I am sure you can find a good one with your budget range. Just be patience, and keep studying as you surf around the net. Good luck. BTW, two degree north of equator must be damn hot !

You mean Hizen 吉長 ? There one with that name around 1868 rated 10 Hawley points. YOS 600.

Hizen Kuni Ju Nobuyoshi

Okay folks. Just returned from Maruzen bookstore in Tokyo station with a copy of "Living National Treasures". They stocked back numbers so Tokyo NMB members can purchase without a hassle. It's a weekly series scheduled to print 70 issues and this one was the 28th dedicated to the Japanese swordsmith with Amada-san on the cover. Each issue's topics varies from Japanese tea, Kabuki, noh, pottery, music, etc. The cover price is 560 yen with a wafer thin 32 pages. The publisher's home page is http://opendoors.asahi.com I want my money back

That's a weekly magazine. I'll go take a look at bookstores today and see if it's still on the shelf.

Hi Andrew, Thanks for the tip. Thru my friend's friend connection, I might be able to get his tanto. Kunihira-san kept several tantos for himself of which my friend bought one recently. Most of them are soshu den. Whenever Kunihira-san has free time, he pays a visit to this shrine temple in Nara to study koto blade. I didn't personally saw them, but I heard that there are about 3,000 swords in this shrine. I don't know what to ask him for hako gaki. I presume nothing personal stuff which may lower the resale value. Thanks again.

Hi All Tokyorites, Please, please count me in for NMB bonenkai or shinnenkai. Sorry about last time. No more buz trip. Thanks! Erol

Hi All, Two questions. What's the average market price range of Kawachi Kunihira's tanto, and what kind of message do people usually ask toko to write on the hako gaki? Thanks.

Forget about the oldies. This newly released Bushi no Ichibun is highly recommended. It's about a blind swordsman. http://www.twitchfilm.net/archives/005999.html Click "offical website" icon once you visit the above homepage to see the offical trailer. May be need an another year to come up with a DVD with English subtitle. FYI

Hi Nate, It's so difficult to appraise the blade even for the experts. This dealer used to do it for $40-50 fee and advise you whether it's geniune or gimei. But he is too busy now. http://aoi-art.com/ Best bet is to join a nearby sword group and wait until the NBTHK shinsa comes. Guess there was a peaceful period during Edo when all samurai wanted show off his 'fake Rolex', and that's why they are so many Sukenaos. Hope it's a real one.

Hi Nate, I am still at work and don't have books with me. I am sure our gurus are working on it. Hang'n in there.

Tsuda Omi no Kami Sukenao was active during 1673-1688, and he is rated 150 Hawley's point which is classified as highly skilled smith. Not bad. Now, you gotta check if it's not gimei (false signature).

Is this what you were looking for ? http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/6300-6349/06319.html

Hi Roger, Once you post the major pics of tsubas here, and emborsed by our gurus, my suggesting is to send your message to this Japanese weekly TV program called "Nanedeno Kanteda" featuring all about antiques findings. A friend of mine was in this program two/three years ago with one tanto dating back to Heian period. The price came out to be Yen 15,000,000. They need surprise. Bet they will pay all the expenses, first class round trip, if you could persude them. It's all in Japanese. Mister Nobody may help you translate. Hope to see you both at the show! Wish you all luck. http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kantei/irai/irai.html

I'm a newbie here, just started this expensive hobby two years ago. Still no big names, and my next target is koto (Kamakura) soshu and bizen in juyo class. Here are my collections (except three more that I haven't got time to take pics): http://www.freewebs.com/eroly/ Dave Wolf, Justin Orr, and Leroy, thanks for visiting my site!

Print this page out, and go to Choshuya's fall exhibition sale to get a free calendar! It's held in Tokyo on Nov 18-19. http://world.choshuya.co.jp/exhibition/index.htm