Jussi Ekholm

Search for netaba-awase. Warriors knew how to sharpen & fine tune their swords back in the day.

I would like to get 1 limited edition.

Just received my copy today. Unfortunately it has to wait to next year until I can really get into it but of course I had to take a sneak peek. I can share the opinion that was posted above, this is spectacular work and the full set will be an amazing series to have.

What is your price range and do you have some specific preferences? I think there are multiple swords of this school listed by various dealers in Japan. I unfortunately don't have a blade for you but I should be able to maybe link few.

At first I was thinking it could be Hironobu 廣信. *EDIT* Now after bit more looking I might lean towards Shigenobu 重信

I think this will be much more on the field of Darcy & other high end dealers / collectors but I'll take a stab on amateur level. I'd think there is lots of speculation on the price. The sword is in very good condition and I think there could be a chance for this to go for Jūyō (and for the asking price I am sure the dealer suggests that too). Morimitsu being a very famous and important smith and this work of his being in so good condition. You can see there are Morimitsu in various condition with different papers, and this being a work in such good condition and worksmanship I would think it could have potential. Of course I am just basing this opinion by just looking at pictures online of various swords but to my eye this looks to be better condition & craftsmanship than many Tokubetsu examples that are for sale. Of course someone with Jūyō books (and hands on experience) could look into quality & condition to Morimitsu wakizashi that have passed and draw more conclusions if this would have a chance to pass when compared to those that have passed. Here is one for comparison that is dated to same year: http://katananokura.jp/SHOP/1512-W03.html I also second Currans thoughts about the one at Aoi. I think it's very good quality vs. price but it is unfortunately way out of my league. Here is one Hozon which has similar horimono: http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/2013/1310_2001syousai.htm Sometimes you see some quite puzzling asking prices, I don't have nearly enough knowledge to understand all of them. And of course you can always ask as much as you like. At these high asking prices you really have to know what you are buying and why + add a good idea of market value to that.

The most important thing is that this will help your learning. As you type them and search them, little by little you'll start remembering them. For those who asked about radicals, I use this very handy website for tricky translations. It has the multiradical + free draw options: http://kanji.sljfaq.org/mr.html Same thing with Jisho: http://jisho.org/(don't know why but I've just been mostly using the first site even though both have similar options) At least for me excellent websites like these two eliminate the need for radical spreasheets etc. They are so quick and easy to use.

Hopefully we can get some pictures when the sword returns to home. Another big + to Paul from here too (even though I haven't used his services).

It will be a good set, can't wait for my copy. Also in my opinion JSS/US Newsletter gives more than enough content for your membership fee. There are always great articles and the special numbers like the last one on ko-Kinkō fittings are great reading.

I'm on phone so I can't check it that well but the numeral date is just messed up at their English page. Their Japanese page has correct date 1789 寛政元年八月日 They even say Kansei in English description but have taken numeral year from Kanen by mistake.

Nice to see you again Carlo.

NBTHK Token Bijutsu 664 - Article by Naruki Issei (I hope I got his name correctly) - Comparison of satetsu from various parts of country and the results in homemade steel (that is about the loose translation). 10 examples were made and the result explained and studied. My Japanese is not good enough to read it and give an explanation of it. But I believe it explains how different starting material results in some features being different. For examples some test examples were darker in color, some produced chikei, kinsuji could easily be seen on some etc. Very interesting stuff but unfortunately too advanced for me.

I'd guess 江州住 Gōshū-jū and on the other side possibly, 宗 mune (which could also be start for Sōten).

I would second Steves thoughts. Even though I do not know the climate of Hawaii that well (I have a basic understanding) having oshigata framed under glass is a long lasting option and it is not affected by elements. I had small bunch of them framed and I really like the results. The art gallery made passepartout cut outs and I think the end result looks really classy. Can't wait to see that big oshigata.

I think Finland is a very safe country so I don't really have to worry much especially as I don't own much. I have insured my whole sword collection to a small fixed amount (mostly fires & other disasters in mind). However in current state my Japanese sword book collection is worth much more than my 2 Japanese swords. No thief is going to carry 100+ sword books down from 6th floor and manage to sell them in Finland... As I don't really own anything valuable aside from couple swords & books I'm not a profitable target. There are a lot better (and easier) targets here in the same city.

You can check this if you feel like you've hit a wall. Translations can be very tricky but we usually encourage people to try their hands on it. Of course we will also offer help as much as we can if solution does not seem to come easily.

I've greatly enjoyed this ongoing series on JSSUS newsletters. I think your part 8: Ōei Bizen was amazing. Of course my personal preferences skew my judgement for which part is/was the best.

Looks top notch. That über res...

Sounds like it was an amazing show.

I agree with Gordon, while hada is really standing out in those pictures it is very hard to get a look on the hamon.

Nice pictures and very visual hada, looks great in new polish.

In general older papers are not really recognized by NBTHK anymore. However that does not automatically mean they are incorrect. Of course it always affects the value and general opinion about the sword. However I must comment that I'm really liking that Yoshii school sword (as a package when you consider all things). To me it looks very fitting to the attribution as my own personal thought about it would be Yoshii school, so at least I am agreeing with the old attribution. The downside is it is a suriage mumei wakizashi with old papers and Yoshii is not the most highly praised school. I like the Yoshii school and I think it's a quite nice package. John gave some good info above. As you might have decided to go with a wakizashi which is a good choice for getting quality for money invested, I think another important thing would be comparing the condition the swords are in. And then of course you will have to decide on which sword suits most your collecting intrests (time period, smith & school, overall look etc.). Welcome to the forum, I hope you will enjoy your stay in here.

I think it's bit transitional like Paul said earlier and we tend to be bit too caught up on classifications in general. I know at least I am. I was looking at Nihonto Kōza and there the cutoff for later group seems to be at Muromachi as early part of Tegai is told to be until end of Nanbokuchō. There are several Ōei dated examples listed under Sue-Tegai. Of course these classifications are not set in stone and I believe it's pretty much impossible to say if the suriage mumei sword was made in 1386 or 1402. However they have to draw a line somewhere. I've thought that Sue-Tegai = Muromachi and Tegai = pre-Muromachi.

肥州八代住兼照作 - Hishū Yatsushiro-jū Kaneteru saku

I believe at least in kantei bids a cutoff from Muromachi is noted. Here are two quotes which indicate that there was a demand for either specifying Sue or Muromachi.