Curran

Owning both books suggested so far, I would vote for the 100 Masterpieces of the Compton Collection.

Send him a message through Benson, and maybe he'll call you back. Talented sayashi, but I am not sure he still has anything to do with Nihonto. Motorcycle racing would be an interest of his. Last time I saw him, he was turning his lower barn into a cycle workshop.

Bob, Over the years several of my contemporaries as they started and grew in their understanding wondered, "Why are Kaneiye (generally) considered masterpieces?" Many of them have gone on to see them in person and study them, and most come back having lost their Kaneiye virginity and essentially going, "I get it now" and trying to explain to me. When I see and get to study a good one in person, I'll let you know if "I get it now" and will be sure to try to explain just as others have tried to explain to me. Several people I really respect have had the "I get it now" reaction, so I'm looking forward to losing that Kaneiye virginity.

Peter, Not being an NBTHK member, I agreed to stay at the table while the two other gentleman went to your lecture. I wish I had known about the Kaneiye tsubas being there. My loss. Fred, Thank you for sharing. I'm surprised by the use of silver. I definitely have much to learn about his work.

Uhm.... almost missed the Fred G. reply. I don't think there is a Smilies for the green curiosity I have. Able to post pictures here?

Morita-san, There is a picture of the tsuba above (John?)'s drawing. Are you thinking of a Shimizu (Jingo) school dilettante student? Or something different?

It may be in your best interest to show the sword here and get some advice as to identifying it. Is that all there is of a sayagaki?

Ford, In response: "Mmmehhp...." . I like Ikkin's work overall in terms of mood, but all the examples I have seen have lacked some degree of anima / soul. Like his work. Don't L-O-V-E it. It never grabs me, nor invokes Impression from me. At $3000, maybe it would go. At near $6000, not for me. Others seem to agree, as it has been up for sale for 3 years or so? The signature is close enough and the workmanship close to that on the tsuba, so I'd probably say Jan has a fair chance as this set being legit.

Other than the silk we usually see: I recently got to see this one in the collection of a Japanese oldtimer who doesn't do internet. Many of his boxes used felt, but this large katchushi (11cm) had a fitted box done with Japanese indigo material. The Indigo certainly made the Iris sukashi pop.

Thank you for sharing that picture of the koshirae. These past few years I've been more interested in koshirae, especially original tanto koshirae. I recently enjoyed seeing this one: http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/146024478 Nice little Namban tanto tsuba. Jan..... Is the tsuba facing the correct way? Given the slender kogai or umbari slot, there should be a corresponding inlet on one side of the tsuba. Otherwise it would be impossible to draw the kogai or umbari without drawing the blade.

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?