Mark S.

It was many years ago, and I am sure I have missed a bit of meaning with my poor memory, but at a Chicago Show presentation of blades, Bob Benson once said something like “a smith had to put extra care into making a tanto because you can see the quality or flaws all in a single glance. A long blade may vary a bit along its length, but a tanto must be perfect.”

Kinda like someone telling you they are selling a car, but won’t tell you what kind.

Just a bunch of ‘stuff’ all put together, and in the wrong order I might add. Blade might have possibilities, but lots of current issues as well.

Never too soon to start planning for next year…

All, So just to re-cap the show. As always, Mark and crew put on a WONDERFUL show. Great seeing old friends/acquaintances, shaking hands, sharing new acquisitions, and just catching up a bit. Unfortunately, as I age, leaning over the table and looking down at items can take its toll on the old back… but it is a risk I am willing to take! The presentations on Saturday were top notch and we got to look at/hold fittings and blades that may rarely come around again. Matt Jarrell’s presentation highlighting the change in shape of swords over time was very informative. You know that ‘pictorial chart’ in books of blades showing that information? Well, you got to look at and hold that chart in person! From Heian to Shinshinto. How many opportunities like that come along? It was mentioned that some of the fittings from that presentation may be posted on-line for viewing, but I will have to let those associated with that comment. Please… if you have the opportunity to go to this show or any others in the future, make every attempt. You will NOT be disappointed and they really need our support. Once again, thank you to Mark and all!

With permission from the dealer. Please let me know if you would like any other info.

Interesting… every so often a glimpse and a bit of enlightenment. The disconnect with the rest of the collecting community is a bit more clear for me. Doesn’t explain the need to act a certain way… or maybe it does. Thanks for the ‘why’.

AOI’s Juyo Kotetsu starts at 60 million yen… $421,000 and change. Just a hair over my current year nihonto budget.

Always so sad to hear. May his family and friends find Peace in the days ahead.

Hope OP doesn’t mind and maybe this gets pinned at a later date if valuable, but here are the seals/judges from a 2011 NTHK-NPO kanteisho (I do hope these are correct). If this should be posted separately, please delete this post and I will resubmit. Seems like a single location for this info might be useful?

Nope… that’s not it…

I know no one likes this question… “What does your sensei recommend?”

I know this isn’t the answer you want, but really, it is worth whatever you purchased it for… and someday if you decide to sell, it will be worth whatever price you and the buyer agree upon. It is difficult to put dollar figures on other people’s blades as there are way too many variables involved. As long as you feel you made a good deal, that is what counts. You might do a search for other wakizashi from this smith/school in similar condition to see what dealers are asking and adjust up or down from there.

And kogatana were signed by a smith (or attributed to a smith), not the owner, so not sure how you could figure out who to hunt down? Maybe if the kozuka had the clan/family Mon on it, but how many “Kilroy was here” kozuka/kogatana have you seen?

Am I the only one who noticed this BRILLIANT tactic to convince our spouse to purchase a blade!?!? Ya got a keeper there (the wife). And the blade is nice too…

All excellent choices.

Have you considered bringing them to the Chicago Sword Show for some in-person evaluations? Show is end of April in Schaumburg. I am local to the show and you if you have more questions or need help. Both really need to be seen in hand as the pics don’t tell much. The kissaki on the katana gives me pause and the tsuka wrap is very ‘off’.

The Yamato edition in English is currently up for auction at Aoi Art…

My initial reaction from only pictures is that quite a bit of steel would need to be removed and you would probably start getting down to core steel. Hamon might be interesting but that blade would require a lot of work. You really need advice from a trained polisher. Not trying to be negative, but my initial reaction is “no”. However, there may be some wiggle room if you are willing to live with a less than perfect blade (some deeper pitting stays) after polish and polisher is willing to work on a blade they know will still not look great when done.

I highly recommend reaching out to the members at the Indiana Token Kai. Great group of people who (relatively) recently started their own group.

A psychiatrist who doesn’t listen to people… Never thought they were very useful anyway.

It also helps to learn how to ‘count’ the stokes of kanji. It is then easier to look them up (at least names) in references such as Markus Sesko’s Nihonto Compendium (downloadable free on this site - mentioned above). With practice you can usually narrow the kanji down to within a couple strokes and then just match to the printed version. Works well when the mei is written in the more ‘formal’ style. When written in ‘semi-formal’ or ‘informal’ styles (think cursive vs. block print) it can be a bit more difficult. It does take A LOT of practice. As previously stated, over time you will begin to recognize certain kanji or patterns of kanji. Practice, practice, practice.

Woody does beautiful work.

I think the new politicslly correct version is “calorically enhanced lady sings”.