DirkO

Here's the direct link: http://www.anticahistorica.eu/dl/anticahistorica_catalogue.pdf

Hi, While there's a lot of info out there about the Hon'ami and Fujishiro families (probably because they're still active) - I can find very little about the Takeya and Kiya families, although the NBTHK named their top polishing prizes after them. Does anyone out there have more info on these two families? As far as I know, they both stopped working in 1876 - due to Haitōrei. Fujishiro is a relatively new school so from Muromachi untill Haitōrei you had 3 main families, Hon'ami, Takeya and Kiya. Kiya was the polishing family that worked closely with the Tokugawa shogunate, so I expect that there would be some info out there, but I'm unable to find it. Their lineage before the 16th century is doubted, but from Tsunenaga on, it seems to be documented. I've found this small essay, which seems to hold some basic information, but I'm unable to translate it coherently - maybe some of our more fluent Japanese speaking members might be able to help out? http://www.mokuzai-tonya.jp/05bunen/zuisou/2006/02nihontou26.html

Saw this for sale and alerted the seller of this thread: http://www.ebay.com/itm/400-Year-Old-Soshu-School-Wakizashi-signed-Kunishige-Horse-Menuki-In-New-Polish-/171061790239?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item27d413c61f

Welcome John! There's a wealth of information here for everyone, and although sometimes the replies to yet again "I bought something on eBay, but can you tell me what I bought" might seem harsh, please stick with it and don't hesitate to ask questions, because it's an addiction for live and very rewarding :D

Here are some better pics of the tsuba - first signature Mitsuoki?

Hi Kiyoshi-sama! Ah I see you found the seal! Very nice - I know the Hon'ami papers I sent you will be in good hands :D

Ah Gilles - I know the first one very well :-) Almost bought it myself - Gassan Sadakatsu - thought it was very well made! Good to know it's in France - Should you ever look to sell it one day - please think of me :-)

I thought it was widely known that Zen Gallery gets its stuff mainly on yahoo and resells it on eBay? Anyone following Yahoo and eBay can easily confirm this

I think Chris is right in saying that we as collectors need to document at least to a basic level the things we collect.I recently spent some time documenting every book I have on nihonto ( small collection 60+) with the prices I paid and the current average market price. This not only gives me a better view on what I have. but can also help in selling should something happen to me. I think that although shinsa papers do attest to a certain quality and the validity off the signature it doesn't say much about value. So like was said before, we need to document this ourselves in order to give the ones that are left behind with the task to divest the collection at least some guidelines as to what prices the pieces should fetch.

Hi Henry, Here are some examples of Choshu tsuba:

Thanks Moriyama-sama! Apparently I wasn't too far off (mostly) A few questions, so I can learn: 1. I was sure about the 江兼 kanji? - see a similar Juyo blade here with Honami Kochu origami http://www.choshuya.co.jp/1/0811/member_frame_sword.htm Or does the Juyo paper attribute it differently then the honami origami? 2a. What does "amari" mean? Thanks for finding the "八" in there - I couldn't find it, but I knew that there had to be a number before 分 I'm quite confident about the kao - it's a one on one match with several examples.

Hi, A while ago I picked up this origami (just the origami, not the blade) I've given it my best shot, but some kanji still elude me - can someone please help? 1. 直江兼次– Naoe Kanetsugu 2. 正真 – shoshin 2a.長X 弐尺 参寸 分 X – nagasa x ni shaku ni sun bu X 2b. X 磨上無銘也 – X suriage mumei nari 3. 代百五 拾寛 – dai hyaku goju ?tsuho? 4. 正徳二年辰 - Shôroku ni nen tatsu (1712 year of the dragon) 5. 卯月 三 日 来阿 「花押」- uzuki mikka Hon A [kao] (3rd day in April, Honami Kochu「kao」)

Very interesting read Henry - don't forget the Choshu school - they also use the sansui theme very often.

Thanks Henry! Makes sense I guess, although there are only tsuba in this volume.

Hi, I came across this book I've had for a few years now, and although I know it holds Choshu tsuba, the exact title eludes me. I think the following stands for Iwakuni Museum + Kashiwabara collection: However the subtitle I have no idea about: Any help would be appreciated.

I'm also with Barry on this one - I can commit to more copies if the price is that low.

Looks close to the 4th gen kyotamba - can't say gimei or not. From my archives they range in price around 7000-10000 USD - and that's for in polish papered pieces.

FT200 NBTHK Hirata Shippo FK They're magnificent! Too bad I'm currently not in a buying position.

Bidding was not that unusual, that one guy upped his maximum bid a lot of times, but if you look at his account, you'll see that only 2% of his eBay biddings were with that specific seller. So in my opinion, he bit of more than he could chew and asked the seller to cancel the sale? Just my opinion...

Yep, I also bought a few things from him already - every time it was a good experience! He has very interesting items every now and then and doesn't sugar coat the flaws as some other sellers do.

Would not go with Onin because the hitsuana aren't fully lined?

Just add: http://markussesko.wordpress.com/feed/ to your RSS reader.

Very nice blog and a very worthwhile read - bookmarked and added to RSS feeds

代金五拾枚 - dai-kinsu go mai/Worth 5 gold coins 磨上無銘也 - suriage mumei nari/ it's suriage mumei, but judged (authentic) 長弐尺弐寸七分 - nagasa ni shaku ni sun shichi bu Some clearer pictures might help...

Sure, here you go... http://www.ebay.com/itm/160732028408