Red Anjin

Thanks Brian.

Ok, Here is another modern smith. http://www.waltersorrells.com/blades/new.htm While I don't have years in the art, I've never seen a hamon like that. Since all this swords have this style I imagine its supposed to look like that. This is a modern take on the sword? Whats with the spots north of the shinogi? Is that intentional? Looks like the clay got splattered randomly over the blade. Are these something that will appreciate or even hold their value or is this like driving a new car off the lot; it loses 30% of its value as soon as you take delivery? Red

Thanks, Not trying to beat a dead horse, but where do modern swords like this fit into the nihonto world? This $30K sword is more expensive than the modern smiths in Japan right now. I could be wrong but would I not be able to get a blade by Ono Yoshimitsu for less than $30K? Are the swords done by western smiths what I would want if I was studying ia or looking to do some cutting tests? I can't imagine buying an Ono sword then using it for cutting. I'm feel I'm a bit in the deep water. If anyone wants to throw me a line I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Red

Hi, I recently met a guy who makes swords and fittings. Anyway, his site is below and also a link to what he has up on ebay currently. When I saw that he was asking $30K for one of his pieces I was surprised. Has anyone heard of him or have any experience dealing with him? Thanks, RA http://www.goldmountainforge.com/forge.php http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkinzan3

Thanks for the info Milt. I wrote Roger and am waiting to hear back. Hopefully I'll meet up with him when I get into HK. Thanks again, Josh

Barry, Thanks for the info. I'll try to get hold of him. What is Roger's username? The connection on the ship prevents me from scanning all the threads for him. Have a great day, Josh

Hi all, We're headed to Singapore and Hong Kong shortly for port visits and I was wondering if anyone knew of a museum or other venue that would have swords available for viewing? Shops for buying/browsing? I've looked on the internet and haven't been able to find any leads. Thanks in advance, Red Anjin

Paul, Is there a way to order the catalogue from you? As I'm in the middle of the Persain Gulf right now attending isn't really an option. Thank, Josh

Darcy, Tampa is about an 8 to 10 hour drive from Pensacola, (when I'm actually there) and San Fran is 6 to 8 from San Diego. Of course, as I write this, I realize I'm much closer than many on this board. I was naively hoping there would be a group in San Diego that I might get to join. While LA is relatively close, its not close enough to be readily convienent for regular meetings. Thanks for the input though, I appreciate you time. Cheers, RA

Is there anyone that has a collection today on the scale of the Compton collection? I've noticed the vast majority of the swords with papers available are Hozon, and a few Tokubetsu Hozon but nothing (in my very brief searches) above that. Someone has got these other pieces squirreled away, or in a museaum, right?

Thank you so much for the advice and the welcome. The former is very appreciated and the latter is surprisinglyenexpected. When distill the above the basis seems to be "go look at swords!" Unfortunately I don't live in an area, when I'm not on a ship, that this is very easy. Right now I'm homeported out of Bremerton, WA. My "home" is in Pensacola, FL and I'm hoping to move to San Diego by years end. I have found a sword society in LA, but that is as close as I've found. In the meantime I'll just keep buying books and looking online. Thanks again, look forward to sharing my first piece. Red Anjin

Hi, Quick question. Does the fact that a sword has previously been in an important collection (say the Compton collection) add value to the piece? Thanks, Red Anjin

Hi, I thought I would take a minute and introduce myself since I hope to be a regular on this site in the future. My name is Josh, I'm a 33 yr old Naval Officer. About a year ago I bought John Yumoto's book (A handbook) and since then I've bought 4 others including Sato's The Japanese Sword. I've been studying aikido off and on since I was in college. I hope to move back to San Diego in the next few months and start training seriously again. Through no fault of my own I'm a dedicated Japan-o-phile and have a deep love and respect of bushido and the warrior spirit. So far I've resisted the urge to "get it NOW" and have only bought a few f/k sets, individual koshira, and a few prints. I view the swords as not only a fantastic piece of art, but a weapon of unsurpassed efficency and investment. I've been toying with the idea that I should start out small, in the event that I make a mistake and overpay, since I have very little knowledge of smiths, who is valuable and what to pay for anything. Of course a wise investment is a wise investment, regardless of the entry cost. And I'm not afraid to pay a lot for something of historical significance, as long as I'm not overpaying. I've decided my first weapon should have NTBHK papers. I'm also less interested in modern pieces (Gendai) as I want something with history to it. I'm partial to weapons in Koshirae, but I'm not completely opposed to shirasaya. I am, after all, looking for a weapon, not decoration. I did see this item that Stephen highlighted http://www.nihonto.us/TAKAHASHI%20NAGANOBU%20KATANA.htm and think it might be a good place to start. I've also been spending a lot of time on the aoi-arts website and have selected a few that caught my eye. I was wondering if someone could comment on their thoughts to these weapons. http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/ken/05177.html This one I like because of its buddhist connection and the uniqueness of the ken. I'm concerned of its ability to hold value over time though, especially since it is unsigned and has no papers. http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/06004.html http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/04157.html http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/06199.html This one is less expensive than the top two and has been slightly reduced. http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/wakizashi/06460.html Ok, more then enough, I think you get the idea. The more I look at these though, the more I think I should move on the one Stephen posted. I'm amazed at how many of these are on the market. Obviously "there is always be another one" is true. Thanks in advance and I look forward to spending more time here. Cheers, Josh

a perfectly flat kissaki?

Stephen, Thanks for the info. I'm very very wary of ebay swords, if for no other reason that what I've been reading about on these boards for the last few hours. I take it by your comments you are saying he is trustworthy, (its not a disclaimer, buyer beware and all that, but it probably wont be a fake, right?), so maybe its time I get that tsuba. Sorry about the name. I was looking for a topic labelled "Rules" when I first came in, didn't realize it was on the index page. RA