Rich S

Yes, this site is one that actually is nice, clean, simple to use - the way all sites should be You do a nice job, thanks. Rich S

You know me, as simple, old style as possible. 800x600, no graphics, b&w (no color except links), no Javascript Did you poll really end in Sept 2006??? :-) Don't recall if I mentioned it before, but if you turn off javascript on my geocities site, you will not get any ads, popups, etc and the pages will be full screen. :-) Rich S

I believe it's Kanenao; Showa smith from Seki. Rich S

There is an index of Slough's book setup to ToShow in zip format on my website at: http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/jsgendai.zip Don't know if you can make heads or tales out of it without having ToShow. ToShow is still available for FREE from Peter McCullum at his website: http://www.geocities.com/saipan59/toshow/ Rich S

Alf Tan has a copy in stock for $99 US http://www.japanesesword.com go to the books section. Rich S edit to take off the s on sword...link should work now SC

I agree, IMHO it's the best English language source available on Showa era swords. John Slough lived only a few miles from me and several of my swords are in the book (which of course makes it good :-) Seriously, it is well worth having and originally (when in print) sold for I think about $100. A while back I recall someone doing an authorized hardback reprint which was even higher I think. Rich S

Brian - See my page on Kanefusa at: http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/kanefusa.htm Lots of info on him. Rich S

Ford - I think Bob Benson still has some of the old issues of Bushido for sale on his website. Might contact him for copies of the articles on Ezo fittings. Rich S

No, carbon 14 doesn't go back far enough. You need potassium/argon 40 dating :-) Rich S

Brian - Don't do any special scripts for me. I'm happy just as things are. BTW, anyone who does routinely run Javascript should get a small freeware program called "Script Defender" - it prevents any website or email from running scripts without your knowledge. Javascript is one of the main tools hackers and other nasties use to invade and control your computer via malicious websites and email. Rich S

You bet I do. But you need to distinguish between Java and Javascript. Two different animals. I surf without both (Javascript off unless absolutely necessary and don't even have Java installed). Also I surf without graphics; only showing those I wanted/need to see. It's MUCH faster this way; especially for those of us in the backwoods that don't have broad band connections. On a good day I get a rate of 28.8 Kbs. IMHO there is just too much crapola on the web now; ads, megabyte pics of peoples rugs (supposed to be showing a sword or tsuba). I started out before there was a WWW when we only had telnet (anyone remember that?); ftp and email. It was "cool" (now I'm really dating myself) when Mosaic first appeared and we had to telnet to CERN to logon to the first web connection - all early websites had to connect thru CERN. The internet was designed for scientists and the military; now every three year old with a box has a website or page on one of the face thing sites; spam is over run the email system and the great majority of the web is IMHO just garbage. I'm a info seeker and former teacher and very text oriented. I want information, not megapics of some kids drooling. It works just fine for me this way. BTW, not using either Java or Javascript does not show the spoilers. Rich S (aka, old 'net scrooge)

Goldy - My site, The Japanese Sword Index, has a pretty fair set of links pages, although the Japanese site page is the "lightest". Check it out at http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/sites.htm Rich S

Remzy - While the thing about oil standing swords vertaically is somewhat true, really only applies is they are heavily/overly oiled. I've stored mine vertically in a gun safe for 30 years with no problems. Rich S

Actually I did see a "trisho" (swords, not the other type - I can only dream :-) at the mall a while back. Of course they had plastic "gold" fittings and aluminum blades. :-) Keep looking they're out there :-) Rich S

I've a few that you may enjoy on my website at: http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/jokes.htm Rich S

The style is fairly rare. It is modeled after the famous sword, "Kogarasu Maru" from the 12th (?) C. There have been numerous smiths who made this style in later times, but it is still a fairly rare form. I have seen it made in all sizes; tanto, wakizashi and tachi. One of my favorite designs even tho I've never owned one. Rich S

Check towards the bottom of my Kanefusa page. Maybe the same stamp?? http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/kanefusa.htm Rich S

Peter - I'm not good at reading mei on tosogu (have hard enough time with Nihonto), but I would expect it to be legit. Since so many schools used pattern books and passed designs down from "master" to apprentice, etc. there are lots of similar if not identical tsuba around. Also the same design was not uncommonly done in different sizes making it rather easy to piece together a daisho set of tsuba. By the mid to late Edo, the schools were so "mixed" that the same basic design was being used by several different schools. Makes trying to get an absolute maker id lots of fun :-) Hopefully someone can translate the mei for you. Rich S

It's not at all unusual to find identical or nearly identical tsuba. Most schools of tsuba makers used pattern books for their designs - many of these books are known. The "one of" tsuba is more the rarity in my experience. Rich S

Alan Quinn's "Meiboku" website has mysteriously re-appeared. http://token.cz/external/meiboku/index.htm No idea who saved and/or copied it. Rich S

There are dozens of online dealers in Japanese swords of all types (real ones) on my sword links page at: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/sites2.htm You might want to look at some of them to get an idea of what's available. IMHO STAY AWAY FROM EBAY. Rich S

The full catalog with all items pictured of the Freeman's Auction of Asian Arts in now online. The swords and lacquer starts at about item 780, p 15-18 of the online catalog. Remember you must register in advance. Freeman's is more like Sotheby's, etc. It is not ebay. http://www.freemansauction.com All of the pictures should be online within a day or so. Rich

Martin - That is correct. The online catalog should be posted somewhere around March 5 or 6; approx 10 days before the actual auction. The online catalog link will be on their front page which I posted. Rich S

Ichi - Not just for East Coast folks. Freeman's sells internationally between the online bidding and phone bids, a lot of their sales are from outside the US. Rich S

Freeman's Auction of Philadelphia, etc is having a major auction on March 16-17 of Japanese and Oriental arts. Included is a large collection of over 100 pieces of lacquer, swords, and other items. http://www.freemansauction.com/ They are an international auction company; taking online bids (ending before regular bidding); phone bids, gallery bids. This is not ebay - read their procedures, etc on the website. I've dealt with them before and they are first rate. The entire auction catalog will be online approx March 5 or 6 with photos of all items. The mail catalog will be available soon. Check them out and register early to bid. They buy and sell internationally, with a lot of Japanese buyers by phone. Rich