James

Thanks Barry, I have been using it; but I was thinking more of an online database that contained oshigatas and photos also. Unfortunately, it seems they only have the Japanese versions of the reference books Can I buy this directly from the JSS/US? Buying those 3 volumes would be good but that's a bit over my current budget at the moment.

Thanks for the info guys, where's the best place to get Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten Koto volume (English) and the JSS/US Sue Koto book? Also, just out of curiosity, has anyone thought of making an online swordsmith database? Or if not that, putting all recorded smiths and related photos/oshigatas/information, from the 59 volume set by the NBTHK for example, onto a CD (or DVD if extra space is required) and selling copies of that?

Yes, sorry. I should've been more specific. I'd prefer it to be in english but that's not essential and it to consist mainly of oshigatas and photos.

Hello Could someone please let me know what the best reference book for koto period blades would be? Thank you

Ah, of course. Thanks for clarifying that for me Peter.

Hello everyone, Please excuse this novice question, but why don't o-suriage swords have a nakago that is a patina of the original nakago and a different patina at the place on the nakago where the polished blade has begun to rust? So far, the o-suriage nakagos except one (see below) I have seen have had the same patina throughout the nagako. I don't understand this - can anybody explain? Here is the picture of what I should think all o-suriage nakagos should look like: Of course I don't mean that all the nakagos would necessarily have the same patinas as the photo, but the contrast of the original nakago and the later addition of the nagasa to the nakago should be clear.

Yes it is Stephen, why the capital letters? So can anyone validate these papers?

Hi There's an eBay seller who is offering a Masatsugu sword with NTHK papers, but for some reason I have a feeling like they aren't genuine papers. Please let me know if they are good.

Help with this signature would be appreciated. Thanks.

Why don't the tachi keep it edge up and have the nakago to the the right of the kake?

Thanks, I'll do that.

Is there a list of Japanese togi somewhere online? I've just been in contact with Kenji Mishina about having this piece polished, but he says his waiting list is 18 months. Are there any togi that people can recommend to me and also provide a way for me to contact them?

I'm my novice opinion it can take another polish, and there seems to be a fair amount of niku remaining on the blade. Is there any chance of getting a photo or two of the actual blade of that sword Jacques? I'd love to see what the hamon/hada may look like on my Kinmichi.

Good to hear about the signature, thanks Jacques. What's the Shogun competition? I haven't heard of that before. Also, I've just noticed something on the sword and I'm not sure how bad this is; the area just below the ha machi looks like it has been recently grinded a bit - possibly to make the hamachi bigger (?). Is this bad / possibly a sign of a tired blade? Here's a photo:

Noted, thanks Brian. Here are a few of the photos from the links:

Dear NMB Members, I recently bought this wakizashi on eBay, signed 'Izumi (no) Kami Rai Kinmichi' and I'd appreciate some help assessing it. It's an interesting sword for a few different reasons. Most obviously is the unusual kiku mon on the nakago; I believe it's called an eda kiku mon(?)- please see photos. The blade is really thick and heavy compared to other wakizashi I have seen and held. The specifications are: Overall Length: 68.95cm / 27.5' Nagasa: 54.6cm / 21.5' Width at Machi: 3.35cm / 1.32' Thickness at Munemachi: 0.8' / 0.32' I think this is of shobu-zukuri construction, but I'm not sure. There doesn't appear to be a yokote but it's not in polish so it still may be shinogi-zukuri. The hamon and hada cannot be seen at all and there are many very light scratches along the ji, but the shinogi-ji is burnished nicely. There is no rust at all on the nagasa. Some other interesting things are that it came with a shirasaya that is literally falling apart but with a lovely (and modern?) habaki. Also there is a strange grey patch between the machis and the top of the kiku mon - is this just from the polishing stones or something else? As you can probably tell, I'm a novice here but I can usually tell a well made Nihonto when I see one (the Sandai Tadayoshi sword I bought on eBay for example), and this blade really seems to be a powerful and potentially beautiful sword. Here are the photos: http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00285.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00287.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00276.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00279.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00281.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00282.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00283.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00284.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00290.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00291.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... C00292.jpg All comments/assessments are most welcome.

I certainly like the sound of that Darcy. Please keep us up-to-date with the progress.

Thanks Paul!

Please could someone assist me with translation on this mei:

Yes, thank you NMB and to the individuals who contributed to the analysis and to my decision to have this sent to Shinsa. Greatly appreciated.

Good news - Colin has emailed me today letting me know that this wakizashi has passed the NBTHK Shinsa. This news has made my day.

Thanks guys. So you'd say this tsuba is a forgery?

Hello NMB Members, I've just bought a tsuba signed 'Hikone-ju Souten'. Does anyone know of this craftsman and whether he is well rated? Here are two photos of my purchase.

I'm also far from an expert but from what I know, the tiredness of a blade has just as much if not more to do with how much hamachi is remaining than the niku (meat on the blade). Of course there are exceptions such as the Hizen school who are notorious for forging swords with a thin outer steel layer. As for your sword; I'll let another member conclude as to whether it can take another polish.

Can you post a photo of the hamachi, from the photos you've displayed it seems that the blade is very tired. I can't even see a hamachi.