David Flynn

Kam, I didn't get to see it (wasn't told it was there). Also, about that Emura, It was the file marks I believe, more than the signature and the Nakago jiri.

Kam, thanks very much for your support at this and the last Shinsa. Thank you to Tina also to Isaac and Craig.

Brian, I only submitted two swords. Both Gendai, Bungo (no) kuni Hidenaga, dated Meiji 37 (1904) and (Taguchi) Hizen (no) Kuni Masatsugu dated 1941. Both passed. :D

Isn't Fumbari found in Heian to Mid- late Kamakura blades? Late Kamakura blades had little or no Fumbari? and Nambokucho blades, definately didn't have Fumbari. However, they were tachi.

forget what I said about just missing the shinsa (just read your other posts).

You just missed a shinsa/show in Sydney. Contact Barry Thomas on this board (look under members list ) and message him.

Well, the Sydney Shinsa/show has come and gone. What a wonderful weekend. I can't comment too much on the Shinsa aspect, however, Yoshikawa sensei was very happy. As for the Show, although it was smaller this time (not so many dealers) it was in itself a success. Talks were given on Koshirae from Kamakura to Gendai by Gordon Robson. There was a show and tell, hands on talk on Tsuba with Jim Gilbert. A talk on Gendai by myself. A talk on being an apprentice polisher by Andrew Ickeringill as well as a class on making Oshigata. Gordon Robson, also gave a talk on best in Show swords. Thank you all our overseas and interstate visitors. I hope you all enjoyed the show as much as I did.

Just a further note. A case in point is holding shinsa in other countries.

It all depends where the money Lies. When one takes into consideration the hassles and costs of sending swords to Japan, no wonder there are many who would take shortcuts. The cost of sword restoration was extremely expensive years ago. Although inflation has helped a little, I still believe one doesn't get real value for money by sending swords to Japan. P.S. I'm not condoning amateur polishers.

avagoodweegend Jean. :D

Sukarno and his forces allied themselves to the Japanese, hoping for independence when the war ended. Some Indonesian soldiers were issued with Japanese made swords. Many others though carried indigenous made "lookalike" swords. This appears to be one of the latter. As an anecdote, a friend used one of the badly made Indonesian ones, as stake for a potplant.

In a competitive market, maybe the Japanese craftsman should lower their prices?

John, this sword could be by Kaneko, who was named and signed Kanemoto in 1944. See you at the Shinsa.

Why not ask them, where the crack is? Ask if they would show you in a photo.

Jumyo (long life) is the smith. Looks like shinshinto/ shinto . Long list of Jumyo, began in Koto, right through to WW2.

Yes

I have seen quite a few Gendai with Ububar.

For some reason This sounds condescending. No1 not everyone involved in Nihonto are on this forum. This really appears to be aimed at one person only and thinly veiled at that.

Firstly, does it have a Showa/Seki stamp? Kanetada made both Showato and Gendai.

At the moment, I'm having a sword polished by Francis Boyd in San Francisco. Quite like his work.

Can't say who polished it, as well as name the sword. It has been sold on, as is ( for a substantial loss) and I don't want any repercussions. I only posted to show even professionals, can stuff a sword.

I sent a sword to Japan through and agent. The sword was by a Gendai Mukansa smith and was published. When it returned, I was beside myself with grief, the polish was terrible and there was a dip in middle of the blade (Quite large and noticeable). I quickly notified the agent (who said he could not see the problem) and asked it be returned to the polisher and corrected. When the sword was returned the second time, the polish was much better, except the dip was even more noticeable. I consider this sword ruined and it was by a "professional" Japanese polisher. I will not use this agent or polisher again.

I believe this sword is now on ebay!

Nice to meet you Blair, welcome.

I had a sword sent to me from Japan. I was told they couldn't send it EMS, that it would have to come Fedex. However when it arrived, it was via EMS?