Ooitame

Nothing major, just thinking forward. It is stored in a display case, with uv protection glass, and desecants. Thanks all.

To be honest I am not 100% sure, there is inner shirasaya type wood wood lining, then metal, then something else and textured laquer. Will try to take a pick without the Fuchi on if needed?

What is the preferred maintainence method(s) for a type 3/late 44 dark gray koshirae?

Wolves or a lone wolf. If you have some for sale PM me.

Congratulations on tsuba! It is nice to see the progression. Now another tortise?

Thank you Uwe, for a fun game.

3 or 11.

Nice one Stephen! My initial thought would also have been Bizen. If I may ask a question, does this sword or tanto have shinogiji? Wild shot, Awataguchi or Rai school? Hello Barry, I have often thought of trying Oshigata. However, my dominant hand is still messed up from an accident and new meds only make my hands less steady. Plus, everytime I look at a sword I see something new. So, I fear that pursuing that will greatly reduce the supply of proper paper and crayons... and my bank account. But just incase, do you have any suggestions on suppliers?

Jeremiah, wow on the Masame too! ????

Is there a Boshi weekend? If not, there should be. Below: Ko-maru with kaeri-yoru. If you would like to share, please do.

Due to technical issue responses were lost. For prosperity, Jinsai, and Gyokusen-in, seem to be the valid opinions. If I have made a mistake in the attribution, attributers, please correct me. Thanks again to the Board and its members for their efforts

Thanks Steven, I have posted the seals for translation. These measure 15 1/2" x 22 1/2". Was wondering about the frames myself. However, I was pleased to find such tall and expressive inlays that I am ok with it either way.

I am trying to make sense of these seals, any thoughts? Donation to the board has been made in advance.

Unfortunately I could not buy this one. But, I figured the board may enjoy this piece. The yellow dots are not on the flag but added to obscure people's faces.

Thanks John! Looked at the receipt again and it is attributed to the Shibayama school.

Hi all, on vacation spotted a small Asian antique shop and dropped in. The owner was very nice. He was getting ready to close, but gave us a full tour, even the restoration rooms. Off to the side in one of the rooms not open to the public I spotted this pair. It spoke to me so I bought them. I was told it is mainly ivory and some bone. As I am completely ignorant of the arts I could use the opinions from the board if you please. Edit- apologizes for the two sideways pics I could not get them to rotate.

This again seems to be the NTHK NPO, does anyone know of the NBTHK, or NTHKs position?

Every situation is unique and no one answer correct. Like yourself, I thought about this subject, and came up with the answer above. That being stated, every 2-3 months seems to be a good opinion. I let nature tell me when to re-oil via desecants. Put two ~50g silica gel packets with color changing beads inside the case. When the beads change color, it is time to dry out the desecants, clean and re-oil the blade. The time frame for this routine in my location is about every 2 1/2 months. During the rainy season, closer to 2 months. During the drier season, around 3 months.

Seconded, same stuff I used.

So a nihongendaishowarikugunto it is then...

I find that the term showato is more used for non traditionally made blades vs gunto for traditionally made. Even though showato is translated as "wartime sword"?, and refers to any sword made during that time period. Never heard the term "Rikugunto" before... good stuff.

No worries Bruce! Nihonto is a big field. Had it not been for your study thread, I would have never looked so closely at Mantetsu blades and come to appreciate them. My thanks for that. Hi Kevin, I agree that it is a mistake to intermingle origami of traditional forged and non without distinction. As for getting papers for a gunto, if it is good enough you should. I did as it confirmed my opinion of the quality. Not to long ago these things could only get shinteisho and Hozen. I am not personally aware of many Nagamitsu with NTHK kanteisho or NBTHK TH. But, they probably exist. Furthermore, as we see the ever increasing prices of quality gunto, it only makes sense to confirm the investment as frauds are ever increasing. One more point, I believe quality gunto are rare and this rarity will increase since so many were destroyed, lost, or just neglected over the years... As they are not held in high regards as koto, shinto, or shin-shinto. Although, I believe this view is reversing. In summation reagding papers for gunto, rising respect plus diminishing quantity and quality will drive prices higher and frauds as well as it's easier to fake a more modern sword and the ROI is undoubtedly higher. Best to be on the safe side.

I checked the link and it shows NPO NTHK.

I can agree somewhat. Yes, Nagamitsu and Emura made swords and are showato, by definition; with some very nice blades. I own what I consider to be a powerful Nagamitsu with NTHK Kantiesho; so I may have some bias. However, I believe these were all made by traditional means tamahagne, pine charcoal, folding, hamon/tempering, and water quench, as dictated by the RJT. In addition, these were also forged within what I consider traditional Japanese country and not occupied territory. This to me, makes them true Nihonto. I think the issue is Mantetsu were not all of the above. This to me, means even though possibly having historical significance, and I must say after Bruce's survey thread I have become fond of some Mantestu works, they are still not Nihonto in my strictest terms. So I find the reasoning a little odd. The only thing I can think of is to try and prevent non traditionally made showato from being destroyed as per the current regulations. Although I could be completely wrong. Is it just the NTHK-NPO, issuing Kantiesho, or does the NTHK do this as well for Mantetsu?

Seconded, same stuff I use.