Mark S.

All, I apologize if the subject of ‘corrected’ Kicho papers (if such a thing really exists) has been discussed before. Attached, please find the front and back of an old NBTHK Kicho Paper for a blade I recently purchased at the Chicago Show. A “My Chicago Haul” thread is forthcoming, but I need to work on some pictures. I always try to create detailed translations of my papers (OCD?) and REALLY TRY to do as much work on my own to translate papers so as not to just ask here without learning/trying on my own first. So here are the favors and questions I am asking: 1) Can you please look over my translations and point out any errors (especially dates). 2) Translations of the 3 red boxed areas on the back of the paper (Japanese and English would be appreciated) 3) Any discussion about this paper would be extremely appreciated. I was ‘told’ that this paper has been ‘corrected’ by the NBTHK? From what I can see, the corrections were: reassigning the tanto designation to wakizashi (33cm length) and the removal of the “Kuni” in the original mei (as it is not on the nakago of the blade). Whoever wrote the original paper added the “Kuni” on their own I guess? My BIGGEST question is, does the NBTHK correct old papers (as late as 2020) and does this make them more valid? I though all old papers were invalid and a new Hozon was required??? I’m confused??? As always, thank you in advance. Correction on back of paper (please note this is zoomed in - actual size of this section is only about 9cm wide x 12cm tall) Front of Original Paper. I removed name of original person who submitted it. Is that etiquette’? (I read that online) or is it ok to post that? I would actually like that information for historical purposes, but didn’t want to be accused of one of those social ‘fox paws’ (faux pas).

I’m confused

Did you pay for bohi? Send it back to them to finish job.

See everyone in a couple hours!

I don’t think I ever would have got the ‘Bishu’ characters. The ‘shu’ kanji would have definitely stumped me…

Hey everybody…. I’m in no position to tell Mark how to run his show but I think it would be a great idea to include your NMB user name on your name tag or (especially) on your table so we can put a user name with a face. Just sayin’…

Made a temporary newspaper shirasaya for it because I could see no good coming from the split wood saya. Blade is a 1st generation Hojoji Tachibana Masahiro wakizashi (no papers yet but mei looks pretty close to documented examples). I’d be quite happy with a future shirasaya. No plans to build a whole koshirae for it. Bringing to Chicago show for review.

Last character in mei is mitsu. Hard to read character above but I’m going with Kane. Will have to work harder on the rest.

Thanks ahead of time.

Details

And finally, the saya. Poor condition.

You’ll remember the odd ‘knife’ in the kogatana slot I posted about before.

The tsuka is 23.5cm long and feels more like a katana tsuka, however blade is 52.3cm and heavy, so maybe it is right? Not in great shape. Menuki appear to be copper and in fair shape. A kettle (tetsubin) of some sort?

Fuchi-kashira described as “iron tsuchimeji”. Seems rather rough (rusted) and well worn.

Tsuba was described as a “shinchu tsuba formed as a chrysanthemum, partially pierce carved and finished in gold nunomezogan”. Couldn’t really find anything similar (finish-wise) on-line. Doesn’t seem well constructed or finished?

Hi All, I have several questions regarding the koshirae that came with the Masahiro blade I recently posted about in the Nihonto section. Please excuse my ignorance and inexperience regarding these items, so my comments are coming from a gut feel. In general, the whole package feels like a mix of put together (low quality) parts and an abused saya. My biggest overall question is at what point do collectors part something like this out vs saving it ‘as is’ as a part of the blades ‘history’? The LAST thing I would want to do is someday regret not keeping it together… but if there is no point and it is too far gone or of little consequence to matter… I’ll break this up into several posts. Any comments on the individual items or the whole ‘conservancy’ issue are appreciated.

I try to not tell people how to spend (or don’t spend) their money or what should make them happy… but I might in this case…

Was Bizen mentioned in this thread?

Just tucked all the way down in a saya slot for a wakizashi along with a piece of thin wood… almost didn’t see it. Just the very tip of the ‘tang’ was visible.

Going out on a bit of a limb, but maybe later Naminohira?

I’ll take pics next to ruler in the next day or two. We are talking small… between 2” to 3” long overall. Looks to be made of yellow metal… brass? Old cutlery (knife) cut down to fit in kozuka slot makes sense? Was in an old wakizashi saya, kozuka missing and another thin piece of wood also in the slot. As was stated, it may have been fashioned to hold a now long gone kozuka in place. Thank you.

I have a thing for ginkgo related items. Really like this one.

Did you ever stare at something so long that you can’t see the forest from the trees? Of course, why didn’t that pop into my head?!?!?! Thank you! Still wondering what it was/is?

Found this hiding in the slot in a saya. It’s pretending to be a kogatana, but obviously not Japanese. I took a close up of some markings which look similar to proof marks found on European firearms. Any ideas?

All, Thank you for talking me off the edge. Still gonna have that drink though It was just so discouraging because I was looking at the ashi and starting to find classic midare-utsuri in the right light and what looks like mokume hada in the bohi, and other activity, and then turned the blade just so in the right light was like… “hey… what the $&@$&! is that!!!!” And then panic set in. I’m sure many of you have been there before. PS… and by ‘more knowledgeable’ I mentioned above, I in no way meant you gentlemen are not knowledgeable (nor did I mean any disrespect). I simply meant there are many very experienced people there who will have direct access to the blade. I trust and appreciate all of you here.