Rickisan

John, Thank you for the info. Rick

Good Morning, I have started to accumulate a few peices of Nihonto. I am considering a safer way/place to store said items and wondered if the board members could give their opinions/ideas. Since I may be away from the items for quite a while my first thought is a stand up gun case/safe. My concerns are; 1. How good does a gun safe breath...would I have to worry about humidity? 2. It would seem that if I store swords (verticallly) that light coat of oil might find its way down into the end of the shirasaya? We dont want that I would assume. As always, thank you for your advice. Rick

Might find something on "Larry' List" ...the one that Stephen posts once in a while. Rick

Mr. Harris- Thank you for your input...I will start checking around today. Rick

Thanks Jean You never fail to help out the newbies. Rick

I was hoping to see some examples of real Goto. To narrow it down to a master...how about Goto Sojo. (thats the gimei signature says) Anyone have an example of his work? Thanks for the knowledge - Rick

Michael - All, Thank you for your answers, and throwing in the extra comments. I didnt know a CD came with it...thats a nice plus And thanks for steering me towards the Baur book also, time to start shopping. Now, until all these new books arrive, feel free to give your thoughts on my other post about "What makes a Goto a Goto.

Thanks guys...that looks like great info to have. Any thoughts a an all around good book with picture refrences? To go with it ? Rick

I was hoping the question wouldnt lead to a bunch of links...(nobody likes clicking off somewhere else) The tsuba doesnt look too bad...when compared to other shakudo/nanako items in auction catalogs, and other refrences. So...this is not Goto. I am cool with that. Can anyone elaborate on it on perhaps, any ideas about what inspired it? Just wondering what the defining characteristics of genuine Goto stuff are. Thanks, Rick

I am at the verge of buying the Haynes Index, that all the tsuba guys quote often. Is it just a refrence book with artist names, or does it also have pictures and examples to compare with. Thanks, Rick

Sorry about the links...I just tried resizing them in "Paint" lets hope they display without having to click a link. Rick

Good Morning Gang- I just purchased this tsuba from Ed, over at Yakiba. I bought it because I liked the design, and wanted a good Shakudo nanako to learn from.(and I could afford it :D ) Before I ask my question, let me clearly state Ed told me,"the early masters did not sign their works...thereby making this signature highly suspect at best, and in all likelihood gimei". My question is not about the mei, I liked the design to beigin with. The question is,"What makes it a Goto?" If anyone can enlighen me...maybe it will help me, or other rookie's getting interested in tsuba as well. Hoping the NMB, "tsuba guru's" could lend a hand. It has nice carvings of Daikoku and Ebisu, the Gods of farmers and fishermen. Aside from a few little areas where the nanako seems like it could be straighter, or maybe punched from a different angle...what are the special traights of the Goto Masters. Hey look...on my 25th post...I actually asked a pretty good question ...I think Regards, Rick

Radio- Dont forget to leave your name / signature, its a friendly bunch here...and part of the rules. I reccomend you dont try to clean or polishthe blade, or knock any rust off. If possible, post a few pics, and the experts here will lead you in the right direction. Welcome to the gang! Rick

Actually I just saw it as an affordable sword first. I just liked the look of it. Veiwed the pictures, and it didnt seem to have the "tell tale" signs of a chinese fake. Thought, hmmm, maybe I can learn something from this...let me see if the smith name even comes up. I didnt even know who Rai Kunimitsu was, until I started trying digging around. Rick

Sencho - Yep...you are right. I knew the members here have great knowledge... How many years of studying Nihonto do I need...before my "mind reading" powers kick in? You guys are awesome. Rick

Brian- Thanks...i was "googling"...didnt think of trying the images. Rick

I'm looking for a good pic of a Rai Kunimitsu mei, if anyone can help. Regards -Rick

Ed - Thank you very much for the info. Boy I sure looked foolish on the date, need more practice. Thanks all- Rick

Markus- Thanks...thats the only part on the papers I was haveing trouble on. Any clue if I got the date right? Rick

trying to post the papers again - Rick

Guys- I took a shot at the second column. I think it says, Heisei ju ku nen roku gatsu niju ichi hi. Does it mean 21 June 2008? Thanks, Rick

Sebastian.. Congrads..that is beautiful tsuba....nice job! I have been dreaming a nice shakudo nanako! Any hints as to where you found this treasure? Rick

Good Morning- Request assistance translating the paperwork on a new tsuba I purchased from Ed, over at Yakiba. I bought it because of the unusual design on it, (I havent seen this particular design in any books, online stores, ect...) But I am very new to this, all things are possible. I beleive its Nanban, the dimensions 8.1cm x 7.4cm and its Mumei. The papers are NBTHK: Hozon-Tosogu, and would like to see if the papers give an idea of the design, or additional information. My best guess as to the "brass" shape would be either; 1. A roof of a temple. 2. A genie lamp. (That tells me i've been in the desert to long) I have attached pictures of the papers and a few of the tsuba if it will help. Any assistance will be very welcome. Thanks, Rick

Darcy, I like it. pays homeage to the old...with a twist. Rick

Dear Board Members, I have only had the opportunity to hold a few swords so far,(something I hope to rectify when I get back to civilization) as I am new to Nihonto. I know some of you have been doing this for many moons... But during my studying, and surfing I have read a few comments about some swords...where they are decribed as feeling," light in your hand". Just wondering, in your opinion do they light because they have been polished to many times, or just masterfully done - balanced, ect... Just curious Rick