Curran

Anyone been to it yet and gotten a catalog?

Clive wrote, "Even for me, this is a rather long and boring diatribe for which I hope you will pardon me." *Not boring*. I've been reading your posts since I began studying, and after all these years- I didn't know how you began collecting. I collect what moves me that I can afford, mostly playing devil's advocate with myself to test my own aesthetic and whether or not it is my true opinion or that taught to me. If that taught to me more so than what I feel- then of course attempt to learn what I am missing. Maybe the "Emperor has no clothes", but also sometimes my eyes suddenly see something new and that ah-ha moment is rare and precious as I grow older. Nihonto is pretty good in this regard, as there is considerable mastery spread out over many centuries and many schools from a complex country. Easy to get seduced by it for a few decades. Ps. Jean, Santa says I've been a good person this year. He says send the Yasumitsu to 115 Sunset Drive, FL, USA. The Naoe Shizu also would be welcome. I don't see as many nice examples from that school as I once did.

When I first looked, Rich had not replied yet. Going through the links, I thought that Martin was joking or game playing? But then I got to the last one, so yes 1 out of 6 looks legit. The last one is also listed in Japan on the site I have linked. Given link after link of Martin's was a dud and I couldn't tell if Martin was joking or serious. Maybe Rich didn't bother with the last link. I like Martin's original example that started this thread. Ideally those two who have the most experience with Kaneiye could teach us a few things here, by comparison and contrast of Martin's example and some of the known Kaneiye such as those here: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/tsuba_001/m/201108 Scroll down to see all the examples. After 12 years of study, I still have yet to hold and study an authentic Kaneiye. I have held and studied way too many of the other Kaneiye.

I didn't even recall there was a second generation. From a quick glance, I was pretty sure this was by the first generation. Here is a drastically overpriced one that has been up for sale for a few years: http://www.seiyudo.com/TU-080812.htm Viper- if you would be able to show a photo of the entire koshirae, I suspect it would be a pleasure to see ensuite.

Have you a photo of the entire koshirae to share?

I don't think this one Yagyu. However, I have seen a near identical one papered to Yagyu by the NBTHK. I didn't think it quite Yagyu either. Why no photos or images of the mimi? If it doesn't show the Yagyu layers in the mimi- just safer to assume this one is not Yagyu.

I agree. I would always like to talk to him more, but it seems this past decade has had many of us in survival mode of different degrees during what some are now jokingly calling, "the Not so Great Depression". I envy those who were able to go to San Fran and have long discussions over those topics of mutual interest. I would have liked the Goto display very much. I hope Craig's next pursuit is more rewarding to him and those he cares about. Curran

Mm. I agree.

Martin, Probably as Christian said: signed Saga Kaneiye If there be mountains (probably 3) in the background and they have pointed tops, it pretty much further supports Saga Kaneiye work before you even check the mei.

We have three or four Northern Irish on the forum now? Seems like a growing little community. In this Nihonto University Pub, names are useful and polite up to first and family name initial. Our Ulster man in Tokyo, Henry W. can probably best be found on this forum if you search under Ulster Breakfast? Since I'm the only Curran on this list and been around since Stonehenge was built, I'm a bit lax just using my first name most of the time. Welcome. Curran

I disagree. I see too many later Mino traits in what I can see in the photo. I won't explore it too much more without considerable photos, but definitely lean towards Mino. A calculated shot in the dark: take a look at Mino Akasaka Senjuin School (?) and see if that is a better fit. Curran

Rabbit, Welcome to the NMB, the e-citadel for collectors. One or two shady types hang outside the gates, so be wary of unsolicited emails from Pawel or such (search the forum for notes on him). Also please remember the forum rules to use your real first name. :D Grey: The sayagaki reads 'Kunimitsu' to my eyes. Just stylized so. But you read better than I do. Rabbit: as said before, unpapered sword out of Japan. With the US$ having cratered against the yen, you'd probably do better to find a papered sword at a US sword show or from a seller in the US with a solid reputation. That said, at least you purchased a real one. It has its flaws and looks to probably be gimei from Grey's helpful post of reference signature. BUT gimei is relatively common event in Nihonto..... and you are NOT one of the MANY people to come through having purchased a chinese or other fake. Real blade with some age and personality to it. Needs some proper clean-up and TLC. If there is any legit sword club remotely in your, visit or join them. Curran

Ken, Kozenji: There was very little in English. One of the Japanese speakers here has helped me translate a few articles from Japan books, and at home I have a small folder of Kozenji fittings images. I own a tsuba and a f/k from this school. Their work can often be top grade in execution, but conservative of designs. An odd mash of Kaga Goto, Ko-Mino to early Mino, with a dash of Yoshioka-ish nanako work. It leaves me begging that it was signed. Their tsuba tend to be small, and you are more likely to see their work on kozuka, fuchi & kashira. I don't think I've seen a Kozenji kogai. I'll post an image tomorrow, and maybe a few more when I get home.

Doctor Liss., Thank you for confirming. Yes, stock and options markets has been like wading through severed limbs on the dance floor the past decade. Ed, no harm at all. You can call me Surely, you can call me Susan, or Betty, or Claudia.... but please don't call me 'Retentive' again. Flash backs to slang from 1980s movies. While I'm at it, let us use more smiles to grab a beer and popcorn to see US Congress muffs it up this weekend. Tick tock tick tock prats legislating around the clock....

When it looks like cross between Kaga and Mino, a good guess would be Kozenji work (Owari Kinko from Nagoya). But Kozenji work is usually incredibly precise. The nanako is tight and flawless. And the shakudo is very good black. This doesn't feel Kozenji, so probably best attributed as Kaga kinko?

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6818 Nobody-san signs as he does, but autosign still gives his signature. Many or most of us have auto signatures. In fairness I should use my last initial too. I like Bizen, especially O-tantos with good (or interesting) signatures. At the length you have given for the blade, I guess I was more curious about the shape. We've got the "Ichi" implying Ichimonji. We've got what looks like "Ichi XXX MuneMori"(? faint writing), which I have no idea what to think without hitting the books. Mine are currently about 1200 miles from here. Quite the pleasantly casino (chaotic) nakago with an unusual signature dating the shortening of the blade. Infinitely more interesting than reading Business Law here at 10pm. I'm bored, and your nakago doesn't suck. Probably worth shinsa gamble at some point, though immediate gratification might be to see if NTHK still has that online service for some feedback. It won't be papers, but would green light whether to shinsa it. Curran C.

Ugh. Just trying to help newbie. Surviving nearly two decades on trading floors and trading ops with guys so scathing in verbal abuse that it would be preferable any given day to take multiple soccer kicks to the manhood, I don't know if offense is possible for me in this kindergarten. Ludolph was very helpful, yet I would think someone posted Haynes or confirm student relation in Baur Collection. Yes, the Hiro with that sort of cursive feel does seem to be a distinct to school.

KizuKazu, Love that name play there, but remember forum rules to sign with proper name. This looks like a very interesting sword, with the bonji appearing well done on one side, not so sure on the other side bonji, and then that odd handwriting above what Morita-san has translated. Would you be willing to share photos of the blade with us. Whatever the condition, it looks like it has had a long life.

With US$$ going into the toilet, and so many good collections here, yes the US is the place for the international community to buy Nihonto. But memorize those first two characters.... when you see them, drop it faster than a hot plate.

I thought I addressed this in the Translation section. Hirotoshi had quite a number of students, most using Hiro in their signature. Hirotoshi was a popularly forged signature, with about 7 out of every 8 I have seen being gimei- including at least one in a published America museum book. However I don't know if I've ever seen any of his student's work forged. Flowchart can be found in the Baur book, under flowchart "Mito Part 2". I won't be back any time soon, so maybe someone else will check it or scan it for you.

Going off Richter-san's examples from database, it looks good. Haynes 01300 ? Curious to look him up when I get home.

Impressive. Liked the poem.

Hirochika with kao I am traveling, ie. no books and I don't know this guy. Maybe someone else can look it up in Haynes and type or scan in the info. Hiro is the same version of the character as used by Hirotoshi (aka. Hironaga) and his dozen students in the Uchikoshi school. If someone has the Baur collection, they might see if Hirochika is one of the students listed on the family tree.

Wakayama-san's work was mostly published in the late 1970s, with his main set being c. 1982? Probably the bulk of Dr. Compton's collecting predates it and was sword centric. At his level of collecting, if he knew- he probably didn't care and enjoyed it for the workmanship. The longer I collect, the more open I am to owning a gimei or two if the workmanship is excellent. As for Christies, well... not my cup of green tea unless it has papers and I can go to the auction and inspect the items in person. Sometimes incredible items come through, but it certainly is Buyer Beware and there is significant legalese involved.

Hamano Naoyuki.