b.hennick

Hello:

Here are a picture of the mei and the temper line. Enjoy!

Hi Jason:

Scan your fittings in the evening. Set up the scanner, place the menuki, leave the cover open and turn off the lights. When you scan the background will be black and the scan will look great. You should be able to limit the scan size to the menuki. You should scan at maxiumum resolution but then crop out extraneous areas. With photoshop[ you can change the image size. Messageboard allows for images that are I suggest using photoshop and use save for web. That will allow iamges up to 800 pixels wide and 1000 high. Select the largest dimension and then set the pixel size one less i.e. 799 or 999. You then have an image that all can see.

Of course you can also photograph the object and crop that photo as above as well.

Thanks for all the help! The blade is by Sukenaga.

Thanks for the translation! Osafune still bothers me. I see Osa but not fune.

Help needed.

When I see Bi and then Osa/Naga I expect to find Bizen or Bishu Osafune.. not in this case. The mei also starts with Kiku Ichi. All help is appreciated.

Hi Ford:

I enjoyed the report on the first tsuba. I was happy to see an iron piece. I appreciated the links that you added as well. I look forward to the next one. I see that the tsuba is on hold. Someone must have liked it once you pointed it out.

Here are some photos of my nidai Muramasa.

As for the cost, it is in the ballpark of those listed. The Nidai Muramasa tends to cost more than the others as it is the one with all the stories associated with it. The blade is papered by the NBTHK.

WOW another door opens! Thanks!!!

Hi Ford:

I look forward to seeing this in action. I am in for a year's subscription. I hope that you intend to include one or more images of the piece being discussed. It would make for a great printout. Perhaps after the first year you could turn this in to a book.

Great to see Brian Tschernaga and David McDonald on the list. Both live in the USA and do excellent work. Brian makes habaki, shirasaya and can repair fittings and even make fittings if necessary. David wraps handles and can repair or make a new tsuka. He usually wraps two or three handles during a show. He also adjusted the fit of a saya for me...

Congratulations to Frod Hallam who is also honoured on this list! My deepest appologies as I did not look at the fittings .

Hi Brian et al:

I should have read those rules decades ago! It would have saved a lot of time and MONEY!

I enjoyed the FAQ and do think that in a friendly way new members to the board should be encouraged to read them on joining.

I might have broadened the 10 rules to include more things such as

Never mix in to an ongoing transaction at a show or other place.

Buy books and read them, yes read them. Some books can be reread every year or two. It is surprizing how much you miss on the first read. As you learn more you appreciate more what the author is telling you. So read them again.

Trading with friends leads to both parties having new study material. You do not have to win on every trade as long as things average out. Some people will elnd you books and even blades to study.

This is getting a little long - perhaps stopping at 10 was the right idea :D

Jim used to come to all the San Francisco shows and bring an "old sword" i.e. Heian or early Kamakura piece to teach those willing to learn. He got me interested in older pieces rather than in the Hizento that I collected at that time (and still collect). He arranged for me to meet an older gentleman who was looking for someone to take car of his baby - a ko Naminohira late Heian or early Kamakura tachi - one hole ubu blade. It took two years of calls and letters until the owner thought that I was the person to own his sword. Jim's good words I am sure went a long way in making that person pass the blade on to me. It is still my longest blade but not my oldest... JIm has a way of passing his passion on. I miss the guy. I appreciate all that he did for the sword collecting community.

Craig's post let me reread some of his articles. I do have the site archieved thanks to a kind messageboard member who shared it with me.

As long as we keep learning, memory of Kurrasch will stay strong in those who were lucky enough to know him.

BTW the previous sword owner hassed away a couple of years ago. We are all only temporary caregivers for these piece of art and history.

I have and was satisfied with the tsuba I bought.

Hi:

Support the blade so that a section lies directly on the scanner. Keep the lid open. Turn off the lights in the room. Start your scan. The part without the sword will look black. The sword should show well. MOve the blade and repeat. Use photoshop to put the sections together. Crop close to the blade and reduce the image size so that it loads when one opens the post.

Welcome from another Canadian - Barry Hennick! Of course we can all meet this weekend in Chicago at the sword show or in August in San Francisco... :D Good idea eh

(Just had to get eh in there some place!)

Hi Craig:

I was not expecting a discount on a $12 book. I was trying to drum up some business for you. You know that the the first thing I buy at all shows is books! In case I don't buy a sword or fitting at least I can learn something.

Hi Mike:

I look forward to seeing you again and learning something new. That tsuba you showed looks to be a wonderful piece. I bet it will be better in hand (glove).... :D

Hi Craig:

Any special deals for Messageboard members?

Hi Paul:

I hope that those orders continue to pour in! We need more translations and more publications on swords. One of the things that the JSSUS does well is to arrange for the translation of good material on swords.

Unfortunately when we recently asked for a request for proposals we did not get any. SOOO if you have some time and inclination to do some work paid for the JSSUS please let me or Grey Doffin know.

Members of the board I urge you to buy Paul's book, to support his work and to encourage others to step forward to also produce material all of us can use. It is only $12 and one can use Paypal..... :D

Yesterday at our sword club meeting we had a kantei session with five blades. This was the first opportunity I had to put Paul Martin's book to use. We do a "team Kantei" where we divide up into two teams lead by more experienced collectors. We look ath the blades and discuss what we have seen and come to a concensus about each blade. Paul's book was of great help. I could show people the charts showing the shape of blades and when we decided on period and school we could look for likely candidate smiths. All in all it was put to good use. I also gave a little talk on the book to members. Below is what Jean wrote in a different thread on the book.

" Paul Martin has written a little booklet "Nyusatsu Kantei" I encourage you to get it (12$+shipping - it is a steal considering the amount of information available in this small booklet)

Here is an extract :

9. Genroku Era (1688-1704)

In contrast with Kanbun era blades, wakizashi from this era have a magnificient deep sori, a wide mihaba, and a slightly extended chu-kissaki. They are 1 shaku 8 sun (54.5 cm) and over in length.

Could be ....

_________________

Jean

Soshin Gimei"

If you have purchased on and used it please contribute to this thread so that others can learn the value of this little book!

Hello:

Here is a link to a file that has the images Ford Hallam uploaded. If you would like a copy please click on the link and download the file. It is a 7 page Word document.

https://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFO ... R2RjR0E9PQ

The first 100 people get to download the file. After that if there is still interest I will upload it again.

Hi Ford: (I tried to send you a PM but your email address is no longer available.)

Thanks for starting the thread on Japanese Aesthetic and Western influence. I am enjoying it a great deal. I just spent a bit of time copying the images of the tsuba that you posted. I managed to make it into 7 pages of information. With your permission I will upload the file to yousendit.com and post the addess in case anyone wants to keep a record of the images on their computer or print the images out.

My lack of formal training in art limits my ability to contribute to the thread. OTH I have studied swords and fitting for decades and know what I like and what I enjoy.

I was a little disappointed to not see Natsuo's work. Your earlier thread on his work convinced me to buy a book on Natsuo that I continue to enjoy.

I think that people must realise that Western influence or other influence does not dimish the art. Good art is good art.

I also think that we need a Ford Hallam tsuba at the end of the images so that people can see the Japanese aesthetic continue...

Thanks again!

Barry

Hi:

I was the high bidder but I did not reach reserve. I have emailed Mike and will talk to him in Chicago about them. I was the only bidder! I found that the most surprizing thing. I expected a lot of interest since these were discussed on this forum.

At the last San Francisco show Dick Dodge had an interesting display storage case for tsuba. I found it for sale on ebay and have been considering it. Here is the link to the item. It is regularly offered.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... K:MEWAX:IT

I have no affiliation with the vendor. He sells many types of display cases. The top is glass and so one can display a few pieces.

Hi Ted et al:

I have never sold on ebay. Something about it bothers me. I am not sure just what. I have bought a number of things over the years. Some were disasters others fine. I think that after over 30 years at this I would make not make mistakes. I have! I learned to never deal with certain vendors and that others are great. I am excited to learn about any alternative to ebay that you come up with. I have certainly bought items on the messageboard but not sold here as yet. Perhaps it is time to start...

No I think that I will wait to hear what Ted has up his sleeve.

Finally yes Mike is one of the good guys. I would have no problem buying from Mike as I have over the years. I still think about that Shikkake tanto I let slip through my fingers.....