Mark S.

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.

Welcome… and glad you found us FIRST I mean no disrespect when I say this, but based on the questions you are asking, please read and study here (and other ways already recommended) until you can answer many of those questions on your own. Before you spend your hard earned $$$, you really want to have a good feel for who you are comfortable buying from, what you want/like and why. Everyone here is more than willing to help with the details, but we always feel bad when someone is disappointed with a purchase. Hope you stay and study with us!

And finally, the mei comparison. While I am under no illusions that my blade is same level, there was a Tokubetsu Hozon katana example at Samuraimuseum.jp to compare as well as a mention in the Zuikan Tomei Soran. My blade did not come with papers, but I think mei is a pretty close match.