David Flynn

Ono Yoshimitsu.

Guido, I understand and appreciate what you said. My politcs reference, was to the point you made about Hikaku. Must admitt only hearsay rumours I heard when I was in the US.

Here is mine. It's brother is listed in HWs Minotagawa book.

I don't think Yoshindo, will. I've been led to believe he was passed over last time. I am also led to believe it's a political issue.

It's signed, Takehisa (often has the W stamp). I think there could be a debate on whether this is a Gendaito or a Showato.

To me, it looks like Shinto with O notare Hamon, which looks like the precursor to Toran Ba.

Most people in the Nihonto world know about Neverdull. I also saw a can of it, sitting on Tsurita San (Aoe Arts) desk.

Brandon, Akihide wasn't the teacher, Shigetsugu was.

John Grasso of NihontoAu, Had a sword by Akihide that looked very similar to this one. He was asking 50k Aussie.

Both.

It's an Iaito. Blade made for martial arts.

Looks Shinto to me.

Kai Gunto, with Shinto blade (posted in Kambun)......

Hojoji Masahiro, Shodai

Kanebo.

Tsubaki is the best oil to use.

The old adage, Judge every sword on it's own merit.

Only traditionalists use Uchiko on polished or very clean swords. Most now use Micro fibre and Isopropyl 100%. Uchiko is crushed stone, so it's abrasive and can eventually dull the features

Vajo, I don't think this has a Hadori polish. What makes it look like it is a very wide Habuchi. Still need better pictures.

I'm not into the Militaria side of collecting, per se. However, I feel this is genuine. Always expect the unexpected with Japnese swords. Why I think its ridgey didge is, firstly, it appears to be a higher class gunto mount. Then it has a Colonels Tassel (if original to the sword). Next I would like to know who the smith is? I have a feeling, that it is/was a decent blade. Saying all that, the owner was probably a person of money. Son why not have a personal surate made?

I read somewhere that, if the Hi goes through to the Kissaki, then it's a good chance it's Kamakura period. Apparently, they discovered during the Mongal Invasions, that swords with Hi that go past the yokote, made the Kissaki weak. Because of this, when adding Hi to the blade, it shouldn't go past the Yokote. I'm not saying this sword is from the Kamakura Period (as to me, the Hadori is too thick to see properly.) Also, the Kissaki, to my mind, isn't Nambokucho.

To my eye, it's unfortunate that the Hadori seems rather thick and hiding the features of the Hamon. Definitely need a better photo of the Hamon and the Boshi. If this is Bizen den, then the boshi should follow the Hamon.

The Gassan Family made in all 5 traditions + their own Ayasugi. Shigetsugu, made mostly in Bizen den, though I'm led to believe he also did Soshu. Okimasa, did Bizen and Soshu. Nobufusa, did Bizen and Yamato. Kanenobu Shodai(rare) did Bizen and Mino. Toshihide, mostly Bizen. Bizen den, is definitely the most prolific. Next, I would say Soshu, followed by Mino, Yamato and Yamashiro. Some Yasukuni smiths made both Bizen den and Yamashiro. Minatogawa smiths, only Bizen den I have a sword by Kanetsune, that is in Classic Mino den (in Japan at the moment being polished). I also have a sword by an unlisted smith, that is a Mino Senjuin Utushi. Basically, it comes down to Smith and his teacher. If the teacher is proficient in different styles, the student will also do different styles, though, Some will only really stay with the style they're best at.

Nice Horimono Neil. I particularly like the Kanetoki.

Well I'm apparently wrong. Thank you Jean for pointing this out. I have only based my post on what I have seen and been told.