Mark S.

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Live fairly local so this is my regular show. As always… can’t wait!

This will be my first time attending the Orlando show. Looking forward to it!

Today’s dumb question. When I click on Dealer Showcase, I used to see each individual dealer and then be able to go to that dealer. Now I see just a running list of posts with the dealers all mixed together. Did I accidentally change a setting?

He took the time to reach out to me with some kind words when I needed them most. Seemed like a warm, genuine person. Such a shame… I wish his wife and family Peace in the days ahead.

When someone has a chance, let’s hear some thoughts on the show. I was close to coming this year, but some things came up and I had to defer.

My initial reaction is that the Kane kanji with the 5 lower ‘strokes’ seems a bit ‘odd’. It is usually 4 strokes… but I am far from an expert in this area.

Sorry… old game for kids. Please excuse the hijack…

Or the funny bone from the Operation board game.

Tsuba is tea ceremony (Chanoyu) equipment theme. Feather (haboki), iron pronged stand for the tea kettle (go-toku), tea scoop (chashaku), and small ceramic tea container (chaire). I very much like this theme.

Not to hijack… but a couple pics of the car too wouldn’t hurt my feelings…

One reference from Sesko’s A-Z of Japanese Swordsmiths: KUNIYOSHI (国吉), Keian (慶安, 1648-1652), Bingo - “Bingo Fukuyama-jū Kuniyoshi saku” (備後福山住国吉作), real name Kodama Tōshirō (児玉藤四郎)

Mei reads: Bishū Fukuyama-jū Kuniyoshi saku 備州福山住国吉作 Bishū 備州 consists of three provinces: Bizen 備前 (east) Bitchū 備中 (central) Bingo 備後 (west)

I don’t disagree… I was referencing the only “Bingo Mihara Tamura Masayuki” that I could find in the Sesko list of smiths.

From Sesko: MASAYUKI (正行), Ansei (安政, 1854-1860), Bingo – “Bingo Mihara-jū Tamura Masayuki saku” (備後三原住田村 正行作), “Masayuki” (正行), Tamura family (田村), chū-saku

So the first kanji is Seki? Don’t believe I have seen that version before?

Sensei is always Sensei no matter how far you progress. I’ve used Woody’s services on a few occasions. Always impressed with his work. And my meetings him in person on a few occasions only added to my level of respect for him and his work.

After a quick review, there are a couple tea ceremony pieces that are very appealing. Thanks for sharing.

Not “All”.

Along with the current issues, you also have to ask yourself how this blade will stack up competing against other blades. Juyo is a competition between ALL blades submitted, not just a checklist of criteria. A blade can check all the right boxes and still not obtain Juyo because other blades were simply judged ‘better’.

First character is very difficult to see. Initial impression of mei is Kunimitsu. But that is based more on feeling than clearly being able to read the characters. More confident that second character is ‘mitsu’.

This has been an interesting thread even though some of you seem to like to argue about some really meaningless, silly s**t. Stop wasting time on silliness guys. Having said that, and turning back to a more practical response to the OP, I just turned to my wife and asked the “what if” question, and while she is not ‘helpless’, her pause and uncertain answer made me realize I need to create a more ‘concrete’ plan for her to follow. Lucky for her, I’m a bit anal in my documentation, cataloging, and labeling my modest collections (nihonto, tea ceremony equipment, firearms, etc). What I will be putting together for her are avenues for her to consider when she is ready to part with my things and a ‘tour’ of the stored items and where documentation is located. Of course, if given the opportunity, I will part with my collections on my terms. If not, at least she won’t have to worry about being totally lost.

My guess is that this is very loose hada in the layer of core steel revealed when the bohi was cut and made worse over time. Umegane is usually a rectangular shape with defined edges.

That Ray is just too quick! Just went to look at reference to confirm Kanechika and he answered before I got back.

Yes… Nobuari appears correct. Unless there is an alternate reading of the ‘ari’ kanji? Can’t find the smith listed (but maybe someone with more extensive records can help) so maybe meiken-more (unlisted smith)?