Bushido01

I’d like to get my swords appraised for insurance coverage. I was wondering whether there are any requirements, qualification or certifications that an appraiser should have. Also, is there any qualified Nihonto appraiser in Washington, DC metropolitan area? Best regards,

Okay, following are pics/meis from two swords made by Yoshindo Yoshihara both in 1973. The first one is for sale on eBay and it’s the one Stephen referred to. The second one was for sale on AOI couple of years ago. I'm no expert in comparing the meis and I'd leave that to the more experienced members.

Done, just sent them to your PM.

I have photos of a Yoshihara's katana including mei that was for sale on AOI a couple of years ago. That sword was also made in 1973 so it's very good for comparison. I'm not sure whether iy's okay with Brian to post them on NMB...Brian???

I came across these fantastic Kendo clips on youtube. It's hard to beleive these guys are at least in their 50s and above. Enjoy, Nito Vs. Chudan Chudan Vs. Chudan Nito Vs. Jodan Nito Vs. Chudan (maybe final)

Here is the link, click on the second button under "what's new" for a picture of Steven Seagal with a huge katana. http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~sword-master/index.html

Simon, Very interesting article, thank you. IMHO, beside the length of shinken, its weight is another major concern. Especially for Iaido practice a heavy sword, which usually comes with the longer swords, will become a burden soon. As you know in Iaido all drawing, chiboris and notos are done with one hand. Practicing with a heavy sword could cause pains in arms and shoulders as well as tendonitis after a while. Most Iaido Senseis regardless of their style agree that the shinken should be light and practical for one hand practices. I'm 178 cm tall and all my shinkens are between 700-800 grams (blade only). Total weight with tsuka and tsuba between 1000-1100 grams and the length of between 2.3.7 and 2.4.2. An average iaito including tsuka and tsuba weighs about 800 grams. Generally a bit shorter shinken than your practicing iaito is recommended. Balance of the blade is another important factor in choosing a shinken. Best,

Darcy, Thank you very much for taking time to summarize all the advices including yours. I can't be more agreeing with these suggestions and I will follow them up. I really appreciate and thank you and all other members who took time and gave me their thoughts. Thank you all,

Hi Mark, Thank you for your great recommendation, it makes a lot of sense. The sword came in full koshirae but no shirasaya. I will order a shirasaya for it and try to find out about Yoshihara's next trip to USA.

It would be great and, I hope, they offer me to help. I don't know which members have connection with him and that's why I posted this message. So, please if anyone is in contact with him, post a message or send me a PM. Thanks,

Pete, you are right, that would be a start point at least. I wish I knew Japanese; the language is also another barrier in the communications. Thanks,

I've been told that it was made just a few years ago.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Mark, you're right, I'm sure another reason for him not to sign all of his sword is the limitation on number of swords he can make per year. But, also it's his own expection and high standard. You made a good suggestion to try to get it signed by him on one of his trips to USA. I live in USA and will start looking to find out about his future trips to USA. Ken, the problem is that as far as I'm concern he does not have a website (unlike his younger brother) and it's very hard for me to contact him but I'll work on that.

Thanks Stephen, There is a chance to contact him but I doubt if he would engrave it. He must have seen some imperfection in it otherwise would have signed it at the first place and then probably I couldn't afford to buy it. I added some pics of the blade and nakago. Rod

Dear All, As many of you know Yoshindo Yoshihara is an strong candidate for receiving the Japanese designation of “Important Intangible Cultural Propertiesâ€, more commonly known as Living National Treasures of Japan (he has already received that title for Tokyo). Nowadays his goal is to make perfect swords with potential of becoming a National Treasure, therefore he only signs the ones that he believes are in that level. I’m fortunate to have a sword made by him but he has only signed it with a marker- I believe at the last minute he decided not to engrave his signature. I known as time goes by his signature on my sword will fade out and I’m wondering whether anyone knows a way to preserve it or have any recommendation/suggestions. Thank you in advance,

Yes, and that's exactly why I said Potential small hagiri.

Under the lighted area over the last line of the matt. As I said before "potential small hagiri".

This one, on the right side. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270112590920&indexURL=5&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

This balde seems to have a few chips on the edge and potential small hagiri, be careful.

Nice old vidoes of Nakayama Hakudo (Muso shindo ryu) in his younger and older times. Enjoy, Rod http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLCAeFOpHUY

Here is the link to Tenshin Shoden katori Shinto Ryu Katas by Mr. Otake Risuke; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVBox1dnEd4 Their katas and techniques are very different from Muso Shindo, here is a link to some old Muso Shindo katas videos; http://iai.whaleeaters.org/

Hi Ichi, No I haven’t cut myself in Iaido yet and I always bow to my sword before and after practice to be nice to me. But I get more than enough injuries in Kendo. I heard a high rank Sensei once cut one of his fingers off during Iaido practice and his students took him to the hospital immediately along with the remain of his finger off the floor. The surgeon stitched his finger back and said it was an easy task as the cut was very clean and laser like. The Sensei was able to move his finger after just a few months. Now you know why they like to practice with a 600 years old Koto blade.

This is a very intersting 4 parts video on youtube. I attached the link for the first part, you can find the other parts on youtube should you decide to watch them all. It is intersting that the Iadio Sensei uses a 600 years old katana in his katas. Also there is a short part on making a katana by Yoshihara Jr. Enjoy, Rod

Rich, I’m very sorry if you think my words were too strong. I had no intention to offend any one, my intention was to share what has happened and the members could and would make their own judgments. The sword was in polish when I got it and when it was submitted to NTHK. It was just the way you see it now on the AOI site. I did not loose any money on that sword as I got full refund, so I’m not soar about this in any way. As I mentioned I have no problem with different opinions and the comment that the “nakago was altered to look old†is not an accusation, I still have the NTHK pink paper with that comments written on it and would be glad to post it. I think an altered nakago should be obvious to the eyes of experts and it wouldn’t have passed the NBTHK shinsa with an altered nakago to look old. I never said that I know more than NTHK judges, I can never even dream of such a thing. In fact I believed in their kantei and that's why I returned the sword. Again this is not my opinion against NTHK’s opinion but it’s the NBTHK’s kantei and I didn’t and wouldn’t have posted this message before the sword passed NBTHK shinsa. Again, I’m sorry if my words were not politically correct but I had nothing but good intention and that’s what I read from your message. Best, Rod

Dear friends and members, I recently had an interesting situation which would like to share it with you in the hope that it might help other members who may have a similar case. Around the end of 2004, I noticed a beautiful long katana by Tsuguhira on AOI-Art’s website. That was my first time purchasing a katana online and from AOI, so I was cautious. I asked my Japanese Iaido Sensei to call and talk to Mr. Tsuruta about this sword. He did and told me it seems a good buy although it might be a little heavy. I bought the sword and was enjoying it for two years until last year’s NTHK shinsa at NY/NJ. I thought that was a good opportunity to get my sword papered. I was very surprised and disappointed when it did not only pass the shinsa but the judge/s remarked that it’s a showato with altered nakago to look old. I contacted AOI and told Tsuruta San what has happened. He said the NTHK’s kanteis are not very reliable these days in Japan and he believes the sword and signature is genuine but if I’m not happy with it, I can send it back to him. I had bought a few other swords from AOI since my first purchase, so I returned Tsuguhira back to him. He refunded my money in full immediately after he received the sword, which I think it was an excellent customer service. Last week, Mr. Tsuruta emailed me that he submitted the Tsuguhira to NBTHK and as he was expecting it passed the shinsa. He also offered me the sword before he puts it up for sale on his website, which again I thought was a very nice customer service. But I have bought two other swords from him (one still in Japan) since I returned the Tsuguhira and do not have a need for another Shinto right now. I thought to share my experience with the board members as I heard a few other members mentioned their dissatisfaction with the recent NTHK shinsa and many mistakes that the judges have made. I totally understand that there might be differences of opinions when it comes to the reading of signature and whether it’s genuine and/or if the blade is mumei, the attribution may be different. But, I do not appreciate when per say experienced judges make such an off the wall comments that the sword has been altered to look old and then the same sword passes NBTHK’ shinsa in Japan. Sincerely, Rod PS.The above mentioned sword is currently up on the AOI website. http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/06477.html