DirkO

Could the 2nd to right on the first picture be Sato Kanzan in his mid 30's?

Did anyone already visit this museum? Do they perhaps have any publications overviewing their collection - except for the Menome issue? Seems it might be worthwhile. http://www.mori-shusui-museum.jp/en/

He uses a few different signatures: a sort of sosho-mei and his shudan giri-mei. I would propose ensō-ryū - 円相流 - but I'm quite certain he already gave this some carefull thought and came up with a more suitable name! ensō (円相 , "circle") is a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.

Hi, Hate to be the one to tell you this, but it looks like a blatant Chinese fake. The tang is 100% artificial, as is the mei. Please have a look at the FAQ at the top on how to recognize a fake. Sorry I can't give you any better news. I suggest you enjoy it for what it is, a gift by some one who meant well.

Hi Bob, They all had very distinctive kao. Yours is trying to be Koson, with the emphasis on 'trying' I'm afraid. Also I think I can see the stamp on the back coming through, its location is wrong, it should be better aligned with the kao.

Hi Darius, eBay is what it is, an enormous platform for items of varying quality. This teaches us a few things: seeing there are a lot of people looking, chances of getting a bargain are very slim. And the less educated you are on a subject, the less likely you'll be to find a bargain. If it's not papered on eBay and you don't know your stuff, stay well away. There's a reason things don't go for a higher price - plain and simple - they're not worth it! And yes, the Japanese are trying to sell items on eBay for far more than they would ever hope to get in the domestic market (eg YahooJP). Reputations on eBay are a bit of a guideline, but can easily be faked. It's really a matter of treading very carefully, and if you do take that step, be prepared for it to be a let down.

The meeting was well attended with over 25 members present. After the yearly statutory meeting part was over, newly elected President Prof. Kremers talked about Hirata Hikozo tsuba. Being the very beginning of the Higo tradition, it was very informative to see where they got their inspiration (Ko-Shoami but also Kagamishi for some parts of the design). As always, the combined membership was able to come up with some very nice examples. A rare first generation Soten was also on display, to educate people about (very) good Soten and the difference with run of the mill Soten you usually encounter. After that, it was kantei-time. Difficult one this time, I have to say. There were 2 Kiyondo(one in masame, one in the more typical flamboyant style of his master, simply marvellous), a blade by Miyairi Yukihira,.... Noteworthy was also a nice Higo koshirae, fully en suite. Then after the kantei we got an extra treat. One of the members had brought along a Shizu Kaneuji (TJ) together with a very nice Rai Kuninaga. Let me conclude by saying that this is just a very limited representation of the meeting (if other members want to add things, please do so) In fact, the explanations are quite thorough and the Q&A usually has some very interesting questions and even more interesting answers!

Direct link http://www.czernys.com/auctions_category.php?asta=59&catsel=17

The first two are commonly referred to as Fujishiro's (authors name) - It's a Shinto and a Koto volume. They're very handy and a must have imo :-) Well done. Third one is Nihonto Yogo Jiten (I think?) And the last one Yushu To Zuruko by the NTHK

I think they were aiming for Tango instead of Tamba?

yasurime - wrong patina on tang - awkard condition - poor signature - very questionable at best

I think the best is Nihonto Shubi - modern pictures and explanation by Tanobe. However in Japanese, ltd printing (500) and quite expensive. http://www.nihonto.com/12.3.14.html

Ah ok, now I understand ???? thanks guys

Thanks Moriyama-san - but I don't really understand what you mean by that?

Hi, A tsuba of mine has a kanji on each side of the seppa-dai. It's not a signature, more something added later to differentiate between ura and omote (I think?) One side is easy - Jo - 上 - above But the other one has got me beat. I would expect it to be 'below' or 'underside' or something along those lines? These were done very faintly in a shakudo tsuba with kasurakashi karakusa design.

That Hirata Hikozo with okina yasuri design is 1 of 2 with shippo zogan and has been extensively written about by Kubo Kyoko in the NBTHK Journals! All are excellent tsuba, Mike! This is just the Higo enthousiast in me speaking up - sorry if it's off topic :-) A collector I know wanted to try Juyo for a Jinbei tsuba. He knew one of the senior Juyo Shinsa members and talked about the chances it had of succeeding. He replied that while he and other senior members would agree to Juyo, the younger members would not, because they're too focussed on Kinko and don't understand the old iron tsuba on that level.

1\ National treasure level of swords are usually owned by government, hence the titel - they simply have quite a number of early swords and not all of them are unique or national treasures. However, they do command high prices. 2\ It's either the NBTHK or the NTHK (+NPO) - their origami are more a COA - blades aren't tracked at all. Blade can go Tokubetsu Juyo and be sold the next day for all they know. The goal of these organisations is to carry on the task of preserving and educating people about the Japanese sword. 3\ Swords usually live longer than their koshirae and kodogu, so every once in a while, a blade gets a new outfit. But tsuba, menuki, fuchi/kashira and full koshirae are also very collectible (depending on quality, age, maker,...) 4\ Nope - let's say you have a sword without mounts and you want new ones made. No matter the trouble you go through and the top pieces you use, it will always be a labor of love rather than a sensible financial thing to do. Same with polishing a sword. 5\ see 3 6\ I like to think Japan is actively trying to preserve it's cultural heritage and swords are a part of that. That being said - the younger people no longer have a strong interest in this, so our numbers are declining, although that could just be a temporary thing. All the above is just my opinion of course, other people are welcome to chime in :-)

6 - Awataguchi Hisakuni

Hon'ami Kokan shumei...

Thanks for clarifying Jean, I stand corrected.

Axel, it adds value because usually (not always, especially not on lower level swords) it gives more detail about the period and workmanship in the blade. I think it was Darcy who said that the more effort Tanobe-san puts in his sayagaki, the more valued the sword is. And if he puts chin-cho (or chin chin cho cho) well.... then you have a beauty. So let's say you have a sword with Hozon papers but Tanobe says chin chin cho cho, you can expect to pay Juyo price for that.

I would assume this poor horimono was done later (perhaps even in the West) to hide flaws.

I've seen them before on YJP - but didn't think people actually put value in them? Especially the radar chart seems arbritary.