Ray Singer

Sue - Bizen now on hold pending payment. - Ray

Hi all, My website is still a work in progress, but I am continuing to list additional swords and fittings for sale. Last night I posted two daisho tsuba and a few additional tsuba and kodogu. There are a further 20+ pieces I will be adding to the site over the next week from the collection I have agreed to consign. Apologies for any missing descriptions, dimensions or pricing. I will be filling in the gaps asap. Donations will be made for any pieces sold to NMB members. http://www.swordsofjapan.com Best regards, Ray

Amazing, I've wanted to see an example of tsuka hei's work but never personally encountered one. Benson's article is here. https://web.archive.org/web/20060606185421/http://www.togishi.com/did_you_know.htm - Ray

I would like to purchase the Kanetane if not spoken for and possibly the Chikuzen Morisada. I would like to discuss the others as well. Best regards, Ray

Hi Peter, please email me your contact information at raymondsinger@gmail.com. Thanks, Ray

Perhaps Yukimitsu (kaga). - Ray

Did Bob feel this was Tegai or Sue-Tegai, nambokucho or later?

Thank you! Best regards, Ray

Having difficulty with the first kanji in the attached mei. This is from an ubu, Muromachi Bizen daito. Any help greatly appreciated. Best regards, Ray

Congratulations Grant. I have owned several swords from the Enomoto family: a Sadahito contest sword, a long Sadayoshi and a third katana which was a gassaku by both smiths. That tanto is as nice as anything I have seen from this very talented family. I love the more naturalistic take on ayasugi-hada vs. what we often see that can look artificial and forced. Definitely the smith I would reach out to if I were to arrange a commission in the future. Regards, Ray

Ohno Yoshimitsu? - Ray

Hi Brian, I know that hiromono is not typical of this generation but scrutinized and felt that the composition was in balance with the sword as a whole. I would stand by my earlier judgment that the hiromono is well executed. I am more critical in this area than most, but the hiromono does disappoint or detract from the sword. I will take a few additional photos in the next day or so and add to the discussion thread for additional review. Thanks again everyone who provide their thoughts, as always it is fortunate that we have this forum to be able to receive quick and valuable feedback... Regards, Ray

Excellent, thank you for looking over the mei James! I have only a few other photos the seller just sent me, not enough to evaluate the workmanship. The horimono is well executed. Best regards, Ray

Additional photo attached.

Hi all, I am out of town and encountered the attached Yasutsugu wakizashi at a local antique show. Any thoughts on the validity/generation would be greatly appreciated. I believe this would be a Mei of the Edo sandai if authentic. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to photograph the ka-mon, which is present on the nakago. Best regards, Ray

PM sent. Best regards, Ray

Thank you George, appreciate this info. Look forward to hearing more if anyone recognizes the smith or feels the mei characteristics match one of those you mentioned. Regards, Ray

Sorry to hear that as I was planning to visit on my next trip to the Baltimore / DC area. Does anyone happen to know if the Sadamune on display has papered? I went to graduate school down the street at Mt. Royal and used to visit the Walters every weekend. Have often wondered since if that was an authenticated Sadamune. - Ray

Is anyone familiar with this gendai smith? Photos are of a sword that went to auction this week, which I unfortunately did not win. I cannot locate any information about this individual. Thank you, Ray

Thank you both! Best, Ray

Hi all, having difficulty with one character in the attached mei. Soshu Ju Nobu___ Saku. Any help is greatly appreciated. If anyone recognizes the kao on the sayagaki that would be wonderful too... Thanks, Ray

I just returned from setting up the nihon-to section of this exhibit. Here is a list of the swords which will be on display. Display unit 1. KOTO - Early Kamakura ubu signed Hoju tachi - NTHK Bitchu Ko-Aoe kodachi - Tokubetsu Hozon Display unit 2. KOTO - Kamakura Ko-Enju tachi - Juyo Token Koshirae for Enju Display unit 3. KOTO - Late Kamakura/Early Nambokucho Etchu Norishige daito - Juyo Token / Honami kinzoganmei Shizu Saburo Kaneuji daito - Juyo Token / Honami kinzoganmei Display unit 4. KOTO - Nambokucho Osafune Masamitsu naginatanaoshi - Juyo Token Nobukuni naginatanaoshi - Tokubetsu Hozon Sa Hiroyuki daito - Honami kinzoganmei Nakajima Rai daito - Juyo Token Display unit 5. SHINTO Musashi (no) Daijo Korekazu katana - Tokubetsu Hozon Omi (no) Daijo Tadahiro wakizashi (sandai dai-mei) - Tokubetsu Hozon Display unit 6. SHINSHINTO Suishinshi Masahide daito - NTHK Yushu Saku As Pete and Jon said there will also be a wonderful group of tosogu on display. I hope that everyone who is able to attend will enjoy the exhibition this summer... - Ray

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but interesting to see the Yoshindo sayagaki on that one. It is the fifth Shigetsugu I have seen with one of his sayagaki, three of which were done at previous Tampa shows. I assume this is due to both Kuniie and Shigetsugu having the same school lineage. - Ray

Looks like the kao of Hon'ami Koyu. - Ray

I'm in agreement with Chris, this resembles some shinsakuto I have seen. Especially similar to one Enomoto family piece I owned. The kitae also greatly resembles a tachi I had which later papered to Ikkansai Yoshihiro. - Ray