DirkO

I'm curious, seeing the number of items passing just Hozon shinsa, what gave you this idea? A lot of collectors, not having easy access to shinsa, won't bother with it. This doesn't mean that those items wouldn't pass.

Agree with John, Paul Martin's services are a blessing and he's an utter gentleman, always willing to help!

NORISADA (則定), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Fukuoka – “Moritsugu Norisada kinsaku” (守次則定謹作), real name Moritsugu Seikichi (守次清吉), he studied first under his grandfather and forged blades as a sideline to his actual profession as a smith for agricultural tools, from 1933 he entered a regular apprenticeship under Sakurai Masatsugu (桜井正次), it is said that he was a descendant of the kotō-era Chikuzen Moritsugu (守次), kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

(TH) Yatsushiro Jingo saku - although quite unique in its appearance and in its school, this piece is continuing to bring me a lot of joy. Maru gata, tetsu, tsuchime-ji with dote-mimi.

Probably hishaku and kama. You should look into tea utensils.

Done

Yokoyama Sukesada is far less in numbers, Ken. If I remember correctly, he wrote the Kanji for Sukesada in an odd fashion. Gimei pieces usually overlook this trait. I did a post about it years ago. I'll see if I can find it.

As long as it's signed with the smiths name I don't see any issue? The OP is signed "マサヒラ" on the mune, so it's fine to receive papers seeing it's clear what it is. The issue lies with blades that are made to deceive or where there can be doubt, not with clear utsushi (how many Masamune Hocho utsushi are out there? Dozens) BTW I had the chance of handing that Sadakazu I Sadamune utsushi - it's absolutely brilliant!

Personally I'd go for the Tombogiri utsushi: Asahitoken usually has quite a few of his pieces for sale, which is really showing off Ono Yoshimitsu's skill in various traditions, even though indeed he's most famous for his Yamatorige utsushi, which are absolutely a joy to watch and handle! http://asahitoken.jp/contents/01_token/product/token-O.html

Sadakazu II called himself Sadaichi out of respect for Sadakazu I (same kanji, different reading)

It's also the fact that if a new nengo started, that it wasn't known immediately throughout Japan. However, this would only account for small errors, by a year or so.

Great to see they're finally doing it online! Submitted my answer for the first time. Let's hope they indeed continue down this road in the future.

#1 has the most organic form, elegant distribution of niku along the mimi. It's thin where the branches seem to want to push out of the form. The mimi also accentuates the form better than the other examples. The completing of the seppa with sekigane is - I think - an early afterthought to its creation or even an initial part of it. The curvature of the underside of the pine bushes suggests more movement than the others, creating a sense of wind, which is enhanced by position and form of the mimi, where #4 and #5 are more static. Very free, creative design. If I didn't know the maker, I would say Kanshiro.

Just as a book tip - please read the following - it explains Steve's point very well imho The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty Yanagi, Soetsu,

I always pay the courier, that should suffice. Basically if you don't pay him, he won't hand you the package. Downside of that is, if you have an issue afterwards, you've already accepted it as-is.

Please add your name to your posts (or set up a signature under your account to do that automatically) Regarding possession - I think you're fine http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi/article_body.pl?language=nl&pub_date=2006-06-09&numac=2006009449&caller=summary How you describe it, is your own choice, however, I would avoid the word 'weapon' seeing it will raise questions. So "Japanese Antique" isn't a bad description.

Hey Dave, weapons older than 100 years are considered antiques, younger aren't. So if you're importing it, you can expect 21% + handling costs extra from the Douane before receiving the Gunto, antiques have a more favourable customs tariff.

Been around for years, a lot of Ito Mitsuru published tsuba. Although published, a lot of them aren't backed up by papers, and are his opinion. I'm not saying this is a good or a bad thing, just something to take into account.

Wow, always love your contributions because they're brutally honest and we can learn from that, no use in sugarcoating. The result you've achieved here is absolutely top class - which can only be the outcome if you employ top artisans and have a lot of patience.

Followed both auctions, good price for good items!

I have a Shonai school tsuba on file with 16 confirmed mei on them How's that for collaboration?! They all did one piece of design on the tsuba and signed it.

All my pieces except 1 are papered by NBTHK. Commercially it's the best approach, otherwise it will be 2nd guessed when trying to sell off later. Obviously this only makes sense starting from a certain price range.

It's called a Gekken or Getsuken - a half moon shaped spear blade

@Paul - thanks for the update! Can you elaborate on the live auction on Sunday? Not really sure what to expect from that.

Also called karazi-zame (飾り鮫) or kenjo-zame (献上鮫) . See below for more info, I've seen some sell for 4000+. All in all a very nice curiosity - but beware of CITES (even though antique, some customs will give you a hard time over this!) Usually the larger the nodules, the higher the price on rayskin - the one on YJP seems to be sharkskin however - no real reference for that one, but will go up from starting price I imagine. https://www.nihonto.com/11-6-17/ https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32829 https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24151/lot/120/?category=list http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords5/ET560174.htm