Rich S

I have a page of the "idealized" types of blade construction on my website and a link to pictures on Ted's website (but not his full articles). http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/laminate.htm Rich

Remember Rich's First Rule of Collecting (which I've posted a dozen times:-) Collect what you like, but like what you collect! Rich

Just saying I've never seen a mumei (unsigned) Nagamitsu. As we all know he had numerous assistants, some of whom also signed his blades; so yes, his signature was "copied" during his lifetime - but by assistants in his own forge. The style of the mumei blade looks right, just not signed. Rich

The signed Nagamitsu is nice. Have a few myself. I've never seen one that was mumei though. Hope is it a Nagamitsu, but I would question it. (Nagasa is blade length) Rich

Is it possibly a cast copy? I think I see casting flanges in some of the cut outs - or maybe just dirt? Rich

In case some new folks aren't familiar with the term "Niku", here's a good article my Keith Larman. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/niku.htm Rich

Definitely keep the Nihonto and get rid of the kids. That's why I've always had dogs instead of kids; easier upkeep and still able to collect those things (knives and swords) that I like. Rich

I seriously doubt that! Rich

Likewise, I think (?) Yoshimune (but what do I know).

All three Hiromitsu oshigata I have on my site are 廣光. There are several known to be nakirishimei. Rich

H - Looks like a nice Emura. IMHO, it's in pretty good shape. I'd just uchiko it (a lot - let's not start that discussion again) and leave it alone. I don't think it warrants the cost of a polish or really even needs it. Rich

Guys, Thanks for the kind words, but I'm not goo in the ground yet :-) Just a decrepit, old man. Rich

Guys, I really flattered that you would want a continuation of my oshigatas; but unfortunately I no longer have the graphics software to resize, crop, edit or add print to graphics or the physical strength to do a major addition. I would suggest that someone else do something similar on their site. I would be glad to post a prominent link on my oshigata page. Sorry, but I'm just not up to it Rich

Might think about making your own leather seppa. Very easy to do and can be made to tighten up the fit (also much less expensive). Just a thought. Rich

I've known that for a long, long time :-) Rich

With respect, I think you mean if it has a yokote to avoid it. Many styles of good tanto have a shinogi (shobu zukuri, yoroi doshi, etc). At least I hope so :-) as many of my tanto have shinogi. Rich

I had one just like this; was on a civilian mounted Showa blade. Rich

I have a Saotome/Tempo tsuba with a very similar Bonji (I think?). Would never have caught it except for this thread. Of course I have no idea which Bonji it is Rich

Richard - Lovely tsuba. I think Dirk is correct (but I would never have seen nor guessed it) - good call Dirk. Rich

I think the page you are trying to link to is : http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/naga.htm Rich

Morita San - I agree completely. I want to see some hard, historical documentation before I accept this mei as correctly interpreted as regards it being the actual mei of Nagamitsu. Given the many dozens, pehaps hundreds, of Nagamitsu blades known, that this is the only one with this mei I find the conclusion quite suspect. Rich

Actually this was mentioned in an ebay Nagamitsu sword sale. However, the seller also said he was the warden of the Okayama Prison (which is incorrect; therefore I doubt the validity of the name also). No references were given. Rich

Jason - Thanks for the info. Rich

Jason - As you likely know I'm a Ichiyushi Nagamitsu fan. How does the book treat him as a smith? Any historical info on where he got his training, etc.? Thanks for any info. Rich

Yes, there has been some "Give me what I want to know" and then never see the folks again. Sometimes I have referred people to the NMB for info. I "google" for various topic info that I want to know about. So at times NMB is the "google" for Nihonto. I see nothing wrong with that. I think folks here should be flattered that "newbies" and "I want to know" folks think highly enough of NMB to do that. Not everyone is a serious, life long Nihonto enthusiast. Sometimes people just need a question answered; so let's do that. Who knows some of them may just become Nihontophiles or we may just save a good sword from serious damage - good thing IMHO. More power to the NMB. Got to go now and watch the Italian Grand Prix. Formula 1 Grand Prix is real auto racing; not the demolition derby they call Nascar. I guess that makes me an elitist about auto racing :-) Rich Spoiler Alert : Hamilton (Mercedes Team) won