DanielLee

Everything is locked up most of the time, but i got a small display case so that I have a a tanto out when I'm at the sword desk. Link to the display case and others can be found here https://en.katana-case-shi.com/shop

I think that each collector has his/her own goal and even mumei, suriage muromachi or later swords have artistic merit and value. The important point for collectors is to know what you getting into when considering a purchase, identify if the sword has been altered (sometimes its hard to tell when a slight machi-okuri or suriage has taken place) and make sure that the price of the sword is commensurate to its condition.

I like this very much too!

The yasurime is the part which makes me wonder. It appears that looking at the ubu examples, the yarurime end at the polished part of the blade. Perhaps its ubu but the entire nakago was once rusted over so after restoration there is a portion of the nakago which has patina but no yasurime. The Iidakoendo example also has the yasurime ending quite a distance from the ha.

Also the hamon doesn't end at the ha like the other 2 examples i posted. Perhaps need to find more examples like juyo blades (has to be ubu to pass juyo) by this smith and compare

Papered saiha blades will also have the kanji for saiha (再刃) written on the certification. If i'm not wrong , it written near the attribution so that its clear to anyone who views the paper.

Appears to be slightly machi okuri since the top portion of the nakago does not have yasurime. Here are some ubu examples which you can compare with: https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-070216.htm https://www.seiyudo.com/wa-010802.htm the 2nd link is one with the Tsuda signature.

Looks like a long blade, unusual construction as you mentioned. Was the machi moved up slightly?

Other nice swords by Ono Yoshimitsu https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-030619.htm https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00523.html http://asahitoken.jp/contents/01_token/details/token-B/B059_O.html

https://twitter.com/katana_case_shi/status/1267791990655078402 Regarding some of the blades in the gallery, Horikawa Kunihiro (top left), Deiwa Daijo Kunimichi (top right), Yukimitsu (bottom left) and Naotane (bottom right). He has some videos on youtube too https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCquXADbHtN6Hh2WN4AlXNw?disable_polymer=1 Video of the Yukimitsu on this instagram page https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Mh-GHpkxM/

Came across a Japanese website selling beautiful display cases for nihonto and i thought of posting it up to share https://en.katana-case-shi.com/ They are also having a limited time offer for the Desktop Tanto Display Case at 72k yen (usual price 90k yen). The offer is until the 5th of June Japan time. I picked up one of the tanto cases myself and look forward to receiving it. Prices for the larger cases are on the high side, but they look to be well made with a good lighting system and even the use lacquer for the base

Use isopropyl alcohol and a microfibre cloth to remove the talc and the old oil. Polish seems fine, if you get it cleaned up it should look like how you had it before.

The gofundme didn't allow me to donate saying that donations are paused, so i sent some funds via paypal instead. Hope it helps!

The dimensions of mine are almost the same as yours, 8cm X 7.4xm.

You could compare with the tsuba which I have too, papered to Kanshiro. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17668-some-pics-of-my-first-tsuba/

Stumbled upon some old pictures of a tsuba (Kanshiro) which I have on my desk and handle as much as I can. Have always wondered which generation this could be by , thought I'll just post them up on the board. It was the first tsuba that I purchased, Mike Yamasaki very kindly helped me to pick it as a good study piece during one of the DTI exhibitions. Really miss going to DTI and the parties with the rest of the foreigners.

Hi Francis, There's no need to restrict yourself to buy tanto and importing into Singapore. I'm based in Singapore too and importanting katana is no issue, you just have to have documentation to show that the sword is an antique (more than a hundred years old) and it will be exempt from the "blunting" requirement. I'll drop you a pm , feel free to contact me if you want more info or need help. Daniel

The Budoshop classes look pretty interesting, and it appears to cater to English speaking students too. I think I will include this in my next vacation to Japan, and will definitely report back here if I do attend the lessons. Thanks for the links and advise! Regards, Daniel

Hi all, Does anyone know of a short nihonto forging course in Japan? Perhaps a week or so? I was checking out the Seki Sword Tradition Museum and Bizen Osafune Japanese sword museum websites, Bizen Osafune Japanese sword museum offers a 2 day course on kogatana making. http://www.city.setouchi.lg.jp/~osa-tok ... /index.htm Any information will be appreciated , thanks! Regards, Daniel

By the way, if I recall correctly, Masahiro is a jo jo saku rated smith.

Here's a few more i found http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100496?d_lang=zh&s_lang=en&word=&class=6&title=&c_e=&region=&era=&cptype=&owner=&pos=97&num=1&mode=detail&century= http://www.hyozaemon.jp/masahiro.htm http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords/KT119001.htm http://www.choshuya.co.jp/sale/sword/0902/masahiro/masahiro.htm Video

http://www.tsuruginoya.com/mn1_3/f00018.html Here's another one, had the fortunate chance to study this blade during a previous DTI. It was forged to resemble an osuriage blade. Not many signed works by this smith as he mainly did dai saku for Kunihiro.

Hi John, Lee's reply pretty much sums it up, I've had no problems with importing nihonto, I just needed to show that the swords were antiques, i.e more than 100 years old. My swords have papers from nbthk and nthk. You should write to the Arms and Explosives as suggested by Lee's friend, let them know that you are importing antique swords and get their approval to import them in. Feel free to pm me if you need more info! Regards,

Hi John, I reside in Singapore, I have had no issues with importing nihonto, you just need to get an import license to bring them in. The blunt condition does not apply to antiques or swords which are used in martial arts practices. Have to rush out for an appointment, I'll be more than happy to provide you with details when i get back. Regards,

Since my daughter occupies the guest room at my in-laws house, I'll stay at this hotel. Rather new, clean, conveniently located, and a real bargain (considering hotel prices in Tokyo). Hi Guido, Thanks for the recommendation! I've booked a room at the Shiba Park Hotel since its situated near DTI, they have a 30% discount for guests which stay for at least 5 days so the rates are pretty ok too (14,000 yen per night for a twin room). https://booking.ihotelier.com/istay/ist ... nId=533003