Mark S.

I’ve only owned iron tsuba so this is my first soft metal (brass and other alloy mix?). I have left it alone since buying and only handle with a cloth until I learn more about proper care and feeding. Wasn’t sure how patina reacts to washing or handling. Any advice? Will also add to discussion in Tosogu section.

Maybe a few other questions. Why did you buy it? What did you see that made you like it? What do you think it is? What do you feel you can learn from it? Is it what you expected? Are you happy with it? Why or why not?

My following comments may seem harsh and I really don’t want to be that way because I want NMB to be friendly and inviting. My advice would be to wait and study until you can at least tell real from replica. Asking afterwards can be very disappointing. You state shop has a good reputation, and then you ask if it is real? If you have to ask if it is real afterward, why would you buy? My opinion is that it is ‘real’. As to what it is, or if it is a blade worth owning, I will leave that to others. Condition is really an issue and it will be difficult to tell much based on what can be seen, or more to the point what can’t be seen.

Next time you have a chance, I would appreciate pics of the tsuba(s) I just picked one up with the hawk and plover design, and would like to compare. I know mine is probably a common copy, but like the design nonetheless. Great story on the set!

The second blade (Utsuri) makes me think Aoe school… but you wouldn’t give answer away in your opening description of the “blind kantei expert”. I’m still trying to decipher what you really mean by “unseen kantei point”.

Suriage and a pretty substantial machi-okuri?

Extremely grateful to you all!

Most definitely did a lot of that

Moriyama-san… thank you so much! Then I assume the information on the bottom left corner is also Yoneyama zo and seal is Yoneyama and the Beizan info provided by seller and info I found is something completely different? The bowl was not that expensive and I bought it because I liked it, not based on the box info, so I have no concerns there. Just like learning more.

Now I feel like a knucklehead… I did a search for Ishime and didn’t find it. Looked again and there isn’t much, but it does make sense! Thank you for the help!

Also, regarding the two kanji I could not identify, I found two terms that had one kanji in each, but when the characters are combined it doesn’t make sense. The first kanji is “Ishi”, the first kanji in “Ishihaze” which roughly means ‘stone explosion’ in the finish of the bowl. The second kanji is “me”, the last kanji in “Hakeme” which denotes a design of white slip that is applied with a stiff brush. Bowl has both these features, but kanji combined, “Ishime” doesn’t make sense?

A bit off-topic, but wondering if I could ask for some assistance. Purchased a chawan that was labeled as Beizan (potter or kiln) Irabo-ware. I would just like a confirmation of lid translations and some help with the red ?? Seems like it should be easy, but I just couldn’t find the two kanji together!!! I also included a picture of the stamp that is on the cloth that wraps the bowl while in box, a reference I found on line that confirmed Beizan, and the paperwork that was in box. I am in no way asking for a detailed translation of the paperwork, but figured it would help for those of you who can easily read it. If there is a one or two sentence ‘executive summary’ you could give (date made, potter, kiln, location, etc) of anything interesting, it would be a bonus and extremely appreciated, but I don’t want to over-extend this request. Thank you in advance! Mark S.

ALBATROSS!!!

Tsuba futaoki - stand for tea pot lid

Most definitely not the point to this.

The blade is all that matters and everything else is designed to fit around it. Shirasaya and koshirae should fit blade. Tsunagi is a place holder for blade in koshirae and all items associated with it when blade is stored in shirasaya. While technically tsunagi should be a copy of blade and fit in shirasaya, it is not important that it does. Its only purpose is to fit in koshirae and hold all the mounts.

As always, you are all so generous. Thank you.

I do at least ‘try’ first Could you please take a look at this inventory sayagaki information and confirm I have it right? Admittedly, some of the translation is based on context and knowing certain information as opposed to actually being able to read the individual characters. Nagasa is 1-shaku 4-sun 1-bu, so that was the only way I could even guess at that. Unsure of ‘Zaimei’? Thank you in advance.

I bought one item from them. My advice is to know what you are looking at and then simply ask any questions you have. They are responsive and I found them to be more than willing to make sure you are happy. They made a mistake in their listing and when I raised the concern after the item arrived they offered a full refund and pay to send it back. I still like the item and they then offered me a 50% refund. I know they lost money on the deal… but they wanted to make it right.

I’ll be honest… I REALLY HOPE this is the case and that someone with a real plan bought it as opposed to someone who had no idea it wasn’t ‘rare’.

Can ANYONE explain to me how this blade is at over $200??? https://www.ebay.com/itm/404063486220?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XPZXHWDtRNO&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=6jpyya7kske&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Was looking forward to this… THANK YOU!… although tempered with the sadness that Miyano Sensei will only be able to assist ‘from the heavens’. Have too many items to submit and hard to narrow it down.

Thanks Mark!!!

So I know I’m about to ask the dumbest questions of the day… but asking anyway. Best girl and I (OK… SHE made it all happen) put together a Thursday to Sunday Vegas trip (staying at Westgate) so she can gamble and I can look at swords . First new show other than Chicago Show. Maybe I’m just not seeing it (or just slow/dim), but I see table rates and special 4 day passes, but assuming we are just standard guests at hotel and just want to go to show Friday and Saturday: 1) What is $$$ rate for both days? 2) Do you get access to both sword show and antique arms show? I’m assuming it’s one price for all, but just want to know what to expect. Sorry for dumb questions. Thanks in advance.