Katsujinken

On 8/31/2023 at 8:14 AM, Gakusee said:

May I please check that you have held the Kokuho meito O-Kanehira and not just a sword by Ko-Bizen Kanehira? Would that have been at the NBTHK convention? 
 

I have only seen the O-Kanehira behind glass (during the 150th anniversary of the national museum last year). The same applies to KoRyu, which was also displayed there….

No, not the kokuho AFAIK. This was in a shop just before DTI. 

Three way tie between an O-Kanehira, Masamune, and a Sanjo verifiably owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. All studied at the same time on the same day in Tokyo!

Once on a tripod you could close down the aperture a bit into the zone where the lens is sharpest (maybe f/8?) and go for a longer exposure at a lower ISO for maximum quality. 
 

Shooting in RAW I assume?
 

Fun!

If this blade were going to go TokuJu, I think it would be there already. 
 

Part of the reason it is not there (and the price is what it is) in my humble opinion is the length. 
 

That doesn’t mean it’s not wonderful. Just know what you’re buying. 

I suspect if the NBTHK felt strongly about a generation they would have specified one given the implications of an attribution to the first or second generation. This is perhaps why the original seller pointed to the third generation. That said, I haven’t examined the mei in detail. 

29 minutes ago, Jacques D. said:

 

I would love to know why these rankings are relative and inexact.

Okay, Jacques, I’ll bite despite your usual latent sarcasm. :-P

it’s really quite simple, especially for a less experienced collector. These rankings refer to the overall work of a given smith and are also to an extent a product of the time in which they were promulgated. They do not necessarily speak to a specific blade in question. This speaks to my very first piece of advice in the other thread, which is of course, to always buy the blade and not the papers. And as we all know, in order to do this one must educate oneself via books, and seeing swords in person, and learning from experienced luminaries such as yourself. 

The SHODAI and NIDAI (1st and 2nd generation) Yoshimasa were ranked Jo Saku by Fujishiro. As I mentioned in your other thread, the 3rd generation is ranked chu saku, the "lowest" rank given by Fujishiro. This aligns with the other rankings you have noted and with the price you paid. But again please understand these "rankings" are relative and inexact and not a shortcut to placing blades in context. To truly understand requires lots of time with books and swords in hand. Welcome to the rabbit hole!

1 hour ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

These being roughly equal in price? I would then go for Yoshimasa with this amount of information.

Agreed. 

First, the age old adage: “buy the blade not the papers.”

You would be better served posting more photos of the blades and the prices, if you are willing. 
 

At a glance the smiths are comparable generally in terms of relative prestige. 
 

The Morokage smiths in Fujishiro are ranked chusaku or chujosaku, nothing special so to speak. This is the oldest blade, but it is quite short for a katana. 
 

Yoshimasa is ranked chusaku by Fujishiro. This blade is younger but is a nice length, and it’s signed, which is a plus for a Shinto blade. 
 

Taira Takada is a broad school level attribution by the NBTHK, and a mumei wakizashi is generally going to be of lower value.
 

NBTHK papers are always better than other papers in my opinion. 

Honestly that’s a tall order at that budget if you’re hoping for something in decent condition. I recommend you save a bit longer. 

Hi folks,

I’m wondering if anyone might be aware of or have a translated table of contents for Soshu Den Meisaku Shu. 
 

I’ve recently managed to buy a beautiful copy and would love to have something like this if it exists…

Thanks,

Michael

Great update Brian. Happy to read these whenever you post them!

Hi James,

Congratulations, it’s a fine piece.
 

With a proper shirasaya you can clean and re-oil a blade about twice a year and be just fine. Of course if you want to study the blade you can do the same procedure. This is sufficient even in a humid climate (Japan is quite humid after all). Oil and shirasaya are old technologies, but they work very well as far as creating and maintaining microclimates go.  
 

Enjoy!

On 4/4/2023 at 10:59 AM, sabiji said:

Well, I consider Tsukada Shiho-san to be experienced.
I think the reference "to a swordsmith from the line of Koyama Munetsugu" is aimed at a Kuwana-Bizen "utsushi". 
Family members of Munetsugu also forged in Kuwana. To me, Touken Komachi's assessment sounds plausible.

Right. Is this not a kuwana uchi?

16 hours ago, Infinite_Wisdumb said:

What about NTHK-NPO @Katsujinken? Same weight? In my brain I feel like NTHK is less valuable for some reason

NBTHK papers are the gold standard in the marketplace. This is pretty much indisputable in my opinion. 

If you think you might ever want to sell it, getting it papered will lubricate that process. 
 

If it’s good, it’s good, so you’ll always be able to sell it. NBTHK papers will just make it faster / easier depending on the piece and market at the time. 

Woody did a great job! Congrats David. Looking forward to seeing this at Token Kai sometime. :-)

I’ve certainly seen others on this board make worse decisions! :-) 

Based on your description: Ray Singer and Grey Doffin, often found right here on the NMB. 

Hard pass!

Smooth. Like the kind made for camera lenses. Example: https://www.adorama.com/cpcml.html

Could be! I’ll take a closer look. 

Okay that’s what I thought. And yes, “rough” cutting for the signature is putting it lightly! 
 

It’s a good sword though. Will have a good life in the dojo. 

And here’s the tsuba, which has me stumped. Also probably gimei. 

Hi folks,

I believe the mei on the blade is Dotanuki Masakuni, but I would appreciate a full transliteration (and correction if needed). 

The nakago on the blade may even be aged / falsely patinated!