Vermithrax16

This may be of interest, or not. I don't really know much about this segment of Nihonto, but found it interesting: https://www.e-sword.jp/tantou/2010-3012.htm

Signature hard to get a grip on, but wow someone did a job on that tsuba. Not sure what can be done restoration wise. Maybe Ford will be able to chime in if he is doing better.

Just so there is a masame hada example in this thread:

Loved the article Curran. As a collector that stays away from nanako as I can't properly evaluate it, this write up gives me hope I could understand it better.

Few more:

paulB you have inspired me to really put an effort into getting better equipment and better skills. Great thread.

Steve, good idea, need to look into this more. Kathleen, yes! That was my first thought or something in that line.

I was looking into another item on Ginza Choshuya, I saw this set of menuki and something just jumped out to me. So of course I added it to the order......... Shakudo menuki depicting crickets is the NBTHK Hozon description. I am not sure what kind of cricket or maybe another insect is a better fit for the shape? Attributed to Den Seijo, one of the late Goto lines. The shape and inlays of the gold circles (wire inlays is my guess) are fun to look over under magnification. Going to spend some time on these and get better photos:

Looks excellent in hand. Thanks for the tip Stephen!

Outstanding! Thanks for posting them.

Maybe someone can show an example, but I have only ever seen these papers with 70-78 ratings. Seems amazing everything winds up in that range.

This tsuba is an homage to the WWE's George "The Animal" Steele

Great thread!

Yes Peter, I want a full Norikatsu set, made after 1860. Have the katana. Missed a waki that was sold before I got home from work, and passed on a tanto whose nakago looked like it was Koto era with damage (still TH paper, weird).

Love mokume tsuba! Great pics all! Sold all of mine to fund other buys, but always looking to add one, great tsuba.

No on else went this route? I am thinking this is my plan.

More and more I am attracted to the better Shinshinto era swords.

Excellent! Thank you Matt J !

Just wondering, does anyone have a katana, wakizashi, and a tanto all by the same sword maker? Would be interested to see them or read how it all came to be. Thanks in advance.

Thin, light clouds shown by engraved lines layered in the landscape:

A late Christmas gift from a dear friend (like a brother to me really) but clearly he was listening when I talked about Japanese arts and rabbit motifs. A wood rabbit netsuke, it's an unexpected and loved gift:

Bruno, very nice!!!! If you were ever to move on from the piece, please let me know.

Any era maker that made quality masame swords

I PM'd you the relevant links. I was just joking, no offense meant.

Greg, Every piece on that table has been written up here on NMB with excellent pics (IMO lol). Dig a bit and you can check it all out.