Mark S.

My letter arrived today. Mark S.

I guess another way to look at it is, is it worth $275 minimum to you (and only you) to get an expert opinion of your blade or signature whether it adds value or not? Once again, no one can answer this for you. You just have to decide if the financial gamble is worth it, or if the 'expert education' you will receive of your item is worth the fee.

Appreciate it. So if I am planning to attend most of the day on Saturday (I roam for HOURS), I just need to try to schedule a time slot when I will have plenty of time on both ends (drop off and pick up). Should I really stick to that time, or is early drop off acceptable/proper? Want to 'respect the process' while still being safe. I'm sure Mr Bowen gets deluged with this same question, so just trying to educate myself beforehand. Thank you again, Mark

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I would like to submit a blade (my first shinsa ever) at the Chicago Show in April. I live locally, so will be able to attend in-person and submit the blade. For those who have been through the process, can you give a few pointers and a quick rundown of the process? Main questions: 1) When reserving a 'time slot', is that the rough time the blade should be dropped off, or when it will be judged by the Shinsa team, or when it will be available for pick up after having been reviewed by the team? 2) If the time slot is not the time the blade should be dropped off, how soon before the time slot must the blade be presented? 3) How soon after blade is judged can it be picked up? 4) Any other advice? Thank you in advance, Mark

Something a bit different...

It hasn't arrived yet. I was just doing a little investigation while I wait for the mail Thank you all, Mark S.

You have been more than kind and helpful. Thank you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and help me Morita San! Do you know if this is a kiln name, artist name or something else?

Of course the bowl will sit on this...

I just purchased a Yuteki Tenmoku tea bowl. I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me identify the artist from the kanji on the bowl? I think the second kanji might be "Yoshi"? The first kanji is a complete mystery to me. Thanks all. Mark S.

I'm voting for the dark purple. Always considered a 'royal' or 'noble' or 'high ranking' color. Nothing but the best for those fittings...

Oops, you're right. Got my shows mixed up.

More specifically the taller bowls (also known as tsutsu chawan) were better suited for making koicha (thick or heavy tea) where the tea isn't as much 'whisked' as it is 'kneaded'. The water needs to remain very hot (especially in cold weather) due to the increased time necessary for the kneading process. Tea whisks came in different shapes to assist with the kneading and the bowl was tilted slightly during the kneading process (or whisking if making usucha - light tea). You can make usucha in the taller bowls, but it can be difficult.

Naoe Shizu or Kaneuji

This is outstanding news! Thank you to anyone and everyone who was involved in bringing them back to Chicago. And here is to hoping that Miyano Sensei is in good health (and not just so he can make the trip). We have heard stories of his commitment and dedication regarding his last trip to Chicago and I hope circumstances will be better this time.

Not sure if this adds anything to the discussion, but the article does address hamon and blade strength... http://www.nihontocraft.com/Suishinshi_Masahide.html

On the back cover of the book "The Sword and the Mind" is the quote: "The final state of any discipline is where you forget what you have learned, discard your mind, and accomplish whatever you set out to do without being aware of it yourself. You begin by learning and reach the point where learning does not exist."

Are you positive about his collecting Japanese swords? He was an old cavalry man, so I can see him collecting U.S. cavalry swords, and his overseas military service was European based, so I can see him collecting European military swords, but I had not heard he collected Japanese swords. Interesting... Mark S.

If you enter "Drafting tracing paper on rolls" into your search engine, many options will come up. There are all different qualities and grades. Some tracing paper substitute strength for translucency or cost. This is because (at least at the design level) tracing paper is meant as a quick way to get ideas on paper, layer different ideas, throw out what doesn't work, etc. In college, we had a nickname for cheaper design tracing paper... we called it 'trash'. Part of the name also was intended to remind you not to 'fall in love' with your design and to keep 'refining'. The design studio was littered with the stuff and it would not be suitable for anything long term, but might be great for practice. For 'old-timers' think 'onion paper'. For higher quality papers, look for the term 'vellum'. Clearprint is one of the companies that has different options. The only thing I am not certain about is how translucent each product is and how translucent is necessary to create a 'good' oshigata.

OUTSTANDING!!! But I must say it was even better to be there to see them in person, and handle them, all while hearing the backstories from Mr Broms himself. Thank you for taking the time to put this together and getting permission to post. My early vote for 'pinned' status...

Excellent show as always!!! Wonderful 'hands on' display of tsuba by NBTHK. I know pictures were taken, but I'm not sure if permission was granted to post them or if it was even in the plans. Hope it happens in some form, but I'll have to let others speak to that. Also got to meet SwordGuyJoe and his daughter. She was an absolute angel and an extremely good sport about being dragged around the show! My personal thanks to those who work so hard to make this show happen... from the people that organize it, to the vendors that come and spend money on tables, and then let people handle their items and answer questions or offer friendly banter, to the ladies up front that register us with smiles and a kind word... what a wonderful opportunity it is to have this show literally in my back yard. Without their dedication, shows like this would simply disappear... Mark S.

Ya know... if we all weren't friends here... that statement could come across wrong... Just kidding! Always love to see the future generations at the shows. I'll be there Saturday and looking forward to the show. Always too much to see and take in... and that is such a good thing. Mark S.

What I am always fascinated by is how blades survived over the years, all they have been through, and what they have seen. 1) Use at the time it was made and in following years? 2) Daily carry or combat? 3) One or more sword collections/confiscations? 4) Traded back and forth, given as rewards? 5) Dropped on the battlefield and subsequently picked up for use? 6) Sat in a castle storeroom? 7) Shortened once or more times? 8.) Polished ? times? 9) Remounted for WW2? 10) Survived mass collection and destruction orders... or the GI who brought it home to slice the shrub hedge with it? 11) Survived the years since... Combine one or more factors above (and any others you wish to add) and it is amazing these blades are here today. Just how does a blade several hundred years old survive to today? Mark S.

Thanks Brian... and all... Lesson(s) learned.

Jean, Yes, unfortunately it won't let you search for words less than 4 letters, so "den" was out. In the interim, another member kindly pointed me to exactly what I was looking for. Mark S.