Mark S.

I hope it helps. Once you get it and take a look, please give me an honest evaluation. I don’t want to recommend it if it doesn’t help at least a little.

Not to hijack, but if anyone is interested in understanding a little bit more about stroke counts and the formal, semi-formal and informal versions of kanji characters, I highly recommend the book: “Shodo, the Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy.” By Shozo Sato. Not directly nihonto related but interesting nonetheless. VERY reasonable $… about $25. Just a quick side note… he was my Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) instructor when I was in college at University of Illinois. He was (unfortunately he is no longer with us) a master of tea ceremony, calligraphy, kabuki, and other Japanese Arts. Google him if interested. I will always be grateful for Sato Sensei and all he passed on to me…

Also, it took me a while to catch on that the “Kane” with the ‘4 separate strokes’ underneath was the same Kane kanji. Once I made that connection, besides “Kuni” it is one of the most recognizable kanji to me now.

I’m not sure if what I am about to say will help, but I’m pretty sure the answer is “yes”. The stroke count is based on the formal way of writing a kanji character. If you look at Sesko’s Nihonto Compendium translation charts, the stroke count is based on the first formal kanji, but then he includes the semi formal and informal versions and variations for each. They still remain within the same stroke count category. Not sure if this answers your question?

I managed to screw up the quote feature… in response to: “Probably again the aliens....” Maybe we are asking too many questions!

From Sesko A-Z Japanese Swordsmiths:

I don’t understand an attribution based on WHO OWNS a blade? Doesn’t make any sense to me. You evaluate the blade, not the person. And there is a huge difference in attribution between Koto and Gunto. Not sure how that happened. Gunto is not a “worse attribution” if that is what it honestly is… unless of course you wanted him to say Masamune. An attribution is what it is. Our expectation is what makes it ‘good or bad’ in our minds. And there is always the possibility that in some cases a really good Gunto is better than a really poor Koto depending on who is collecting what.

Resurrecting this one rather than starting new. One more Katsunaga blade to add to the list just popped up on EBAY. Too old and technologically challenged to copy and paste the direct link.. but here is a screenshot of the site/blade.

Book arrived safe and sound. Thank you!

Once again… THANK YOU!

Thank you so much for the help and the very detailed response. I really appreciate it! I hope you don’t mind but just want to be sure I have these right: 但(closer to although/albeit than but/however) = tadashi? 也(kind of like "this is") = nari? … so the general idea is: “attributed to Koyama Munetoshi, however it is o-suriage and mumei.” Also, 半(half, or in this context "and half" = han?

Any and all help appreciated. Attached, please find a Kanzan Sato sayagaki for a Koyama Munetoshi katana. Length is 2 shaku 3 sun 8 bu (according to papers). I do try my hardest to translate what I can, but struggle with the handwriting. Attached are pics in order from top to bottom of sayagaki. Can you confirm what I have is right and help fill in the blanks? Thank you!

Taking / displaying heads is well documented.

Would I personally own a blade with the hypothetical markings? Yes. How much does it add to the value? I would guess it would add about as much as test cutting notations do. Some will collect and pay more for such items. Some will not. I simply believe it is a part of the blades history.

No way to ‘prove’ the kills. Another form of gimei?… or inflated prestige/valuation?

Will be my first time attending the Orlando show. Very excited to experience it. As a 17 year practitioner of Tai Chi (body too old and painful for my old Shito-ryu karate days ) I appreciate and look forward to the demonstration along with the swords and spears demos. Sounds like a great show.

Nagamitsu?

Just got back from vacation and pulled out Art & Sword 8. There is about 60 pages on the Sengo School and Masazane is prominently profiled in that article. I would reach out to Grey Doffin as I would almost guarantee he has a copy for a very fair price.

What did Moses say was ‘wrong’ with the original polish? Not saying original polish was good or bad (although I ‘prefer’ the new polish based solely on the pics), I’m just interested in his language and what he saw and what he felt he needed to correct. Just interested in his original evaluation.

Out of town right now and away from my references. If no one comes up with snything, I’ll send you what I find in Art & Sword 8.

Just a few pictures from the show. This was from Sunday. Saturday was much busier! As always, Mark and family put on a great show! Lots of great items to see and had the chance to meet up with old friends.

Donation made and PM sent regarding Book #1 Ro No Cho. Thanks for making this happen.

Really looking forward to this weekend!

I’m in for $20 for Book 1 - Ro No Cho