Ray Singer

Hi George, there was actually an earlier discussion on this I read through recently. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12933-yasukuni-swords-in-type-3-mounts/?fromsearch=1 Best, Ray

I found it interesting to see that this sword was awarded Tokubetsu Hozon. A mumei Muromachi blade of ordinary length, not ubu, atobori horimono, and by a smith who would not be considered of the top-ranking or most famous for the period. Seems outside of the current Tokubetsu Hozon ruleset. http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-zenjyo-kaneyoshi Best regards Ray

I think it's telling that Tsuruta-san rated the sword as saijo saku. Clearly he also felt it to be Juyo quality. Best, Ray

Thank you Steve. Best regards, Ray

Would anyone be able to help with the signature on this sayagaki? Much appreciated, Ray

Keep in mind that it is not yet Juyo (if that will even happen). FWIW, the price sounds fair for a Tokubetsu Hozon Sue-Sa. Weigh in Juyo shinsa costs if you would be planning to send it for higher papers, along with the time involved and risk it might not pass. Best regards, Ray

The kanteisho reads Mumei (Naminohira). I would guess that this sword is Muromachi. Max, pieces from this school dating to Nambokucho or earlier would evaluated as Ko-Naminohira. Best regards, Ray

Very true. Thank you both for the feedback. Best regards, Ray

Thank you Ron, that does make sense. I wonder if the band was smooth shakudo as with your example or done in nanako. That may be unknowable. Here is the band which appears at the kojiri of this same koshirae. Best regards, Ray

Hi all, I have a issaku koshirae in shakudo nanako in which it appears that there may be a missing element on the kashira. There is a line of what appears to be solder (it is not glue) in a short band on both sides of kashira. I am confused by this and uncertain if there was some element, such as a thin band around the kashira, which was previously attached and now lost. Aside from that bit of solder, the piece does not seem to be incomplete. If this is helpful in evaluating the issue, the feedback I have received is that the set may be Yoshioka or Yasuda. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Ray

Jean is correct, they may all be intended for sale but some never make it through the week's kantei period. One of the early swords he had for kantei was a tanto that was clearly a Norishige. I called him two days in and there were already a queue of customers for that sword. Best, Ray

In this case it does. Both are terms for the appearance of shingane in the works of those particular schools (Yamashiro Rai and Bitchu Aoe). Not all Kamakura jidai blades were muku-zukuri. I am speaking from experience btw, I own a Kamakura tachi papered to Aoe which clearly shows shingane. - Ray

Both sumi-hada and rai-hada are expressions of shintetsu, seen in Kamakura blades. Best, Ray

Have not dealt with them before but that is a nice sized hakobore on the sword described as a 'small chip'. - Ray

After the first generation founder of the Yoshimichi school (Kyo), there were two parallel lines working in Kyoto and Osaka. http://www.sho-shin.com/osaka-tamba.html http://www.sho-shin.com/kyoto-mishina.html - Ray

I purchased a sword recently with a shirasaya by Brian Tschernega and was very impressed. The attention to detail was wonderful, to the extent of having made the tsuka to fit precisely into the the sword's futatsuji-hi. Every sword I have had a shirasaya made for stateside (or had an existing one repaired) has been sent to John Tirado and I've always been pleased. - Ray

Hankei's work is unique. Here is another example where you can more clearly see his particular interpretation of Soshu-den and the work of Norishige. http://www.sho-shin.com/hankei.htm - Ray

Very interesting, I would like to know what is said about that habaki. Can I assume it is an iron habaki that is also credited to the smith? Regards, Ray

Craft of the Japanese Sword The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords The Art of the Japanese Sword 'Modern Japanese Swords: The Beginning of the Gendaito era' also sets the starting date at 1868. - Ray

A few references, and yes let's split this off if possible. Sorry to have taken the discussion thread on a tangent, Best, Ray

Hey Joe, I will admit having no idea where the NBTHK draws the line on this one. I'd love to hear if someone knows and can chime in on how they frame these two periods. I have probably seen the 1868 cutoff more often then 1876. Best, Ray

My understanding is that the cutoff is either 1868 or 1876 depending on your reference. So, early Meiji perhaps. Different authors treat this differently, with some ending Shinshinto with the Edo period and others using the Haitōrei. Diego, if you have any books to share which indicate Taisho period falls within shinshinto I would welcome seeing them. - Ray

Yes, I am sure. Meiji and Taisho period blade are not shinshinto. Best regards, Ray

Diego, I think you may have misread the standards. - Ray

Nice find Jon! - Ray