Rich S

WOW! Seems if there is a way to con people somebody in Nihontoland will find it. Of course it's no different then anything people buy that's worth more then 1$. So much fraud, scams,etc. out there everywhere. We probably get 2-3 phone calls a day from scammers. Perhaps make a photocopy of your green paper for your records and then fry the original? Rich

Brian Thank you for the upgrade but I don't see where I've done anything special to merit it. Rich

Brian Is the $5 per month self limiting, like for a year? When I croak, I don't want the wife or estate to be paying it forever. Also, I'd rather it be done automatically for a year as I may forget to do it each month. Might be easier for us old geezers that are getting a wee bit absent minded. 😀 Thanks for all you've done, much appreciated. Rich

Yes, it is good to know that green papers were invalidated by the NBTHK. I guess many of the "old guys" were upset by that. I was at a couple big shows when the NBTHK held shinsa in the U.S. (no more) Back in the day (old geezer here) you could write and send an oshigata to the NBTHK asking questions, translations, etc. and in a month or two you'd get a letter from them (on their letterhead) answering. I guess that is also gone with the wind. As I said above, I've never sent a blade for shinsa, nor purchased one. BUT, I won't trash or burn any green papers, who knows in a few years they may be valuable (just the papers) to have original Yakuza papers. 😉 Rich

Mark Very interesting read on Darcy's blog. I was not aware the NBTHK had disavowed green papers. I've never submitted a sword or fitting for shinsa, so haven't really paid much attention to papers. Thanks for the link. Rich

Yes, the NBTHK "scandal" was in the mid-late 1980's if I recall (?) correctly and at the main Tokyo HQ. The old Tokubetsu Kicho (green papers) overlap about half of the current Hozon paper range. Re-submission could result in a rejection today as some for the point range for green papers were below the current Hozon level. Why risk it and pay lots of bucks to the NBTHK again? Rich

Late reading this thread. Why aren't Tokubetsu Kicho fine as they are? Used from 1950 thru 1982 by NBTHK. What makes them any less useful for id-ing swords than any later papers. Don't see the reason for resubmitting for another shinsa. Rich

I also had David do tsukamaki on one of my swords. Good,clean job. Rich

Mike I think the boshi is all there and obviously several ware'. I would think for the price you got a true Nihonto even if in rather poor condition. Congrats you got your first real blade. Rich

We all pay our "dues" one way or another. Rich P.S. I still have my first Nihonto 🙂

Sorry to hear getting sleep is difficult due to uncomfortable position. Put the laptop down and rest. All is OK here. Rich

Brian You are going to be stiff and less flexible with two fused disks. Therapy will help with that. I'm surprised they are allowing you to get up/stand at all this soon. As for "Just need to get to the point where typing one post or email isn’t a major event." - then don't do that !! All is fine on NMB, just take care of yourself - all is well here. Sorry you are hurting - it won't last forever (just seems that way). Rich

Brian Sorry to hear you're hurting. The second day is commonly the worse. Do take/ask for pain meds. Lots of medical literature shows people with severe pain don't get addicted. I was on strong narc for two years and just stopped - no problem. Hope you feel better real soon. Rich

Torrez I can't help with the Kanji, but I think the iconography is definitely Japanese. Nice smoking set. Rich

All Guys and Gals, Sword Freaks and Geeks - Please send out good thoughts, vibes, wishes, etc. today for good success with Brian's surgery. Hope he has a successful surgery and pain relief with quick recovery. Rich

Brian Things are working OK. Go to bed and rest. DO NOT work on the forum while in hospital. Last time I had surgery, I was out for hours, woke up very groggy, seemed like in la-la land. Not sure what planet I was on. You don't want to accidentally delete the forum while in la-la land. 😩 Get well soon; we'll be just fine. Remember, be kind to your nurses - they keep doctors from killing you! Rich

Is there going to be a way to delete old images? Would free up server space. Just a thought. Brain - Rest, no more messing with the board. It is working fine. Lots of time to tinker with it after you are well. Best wishes for a successful surgery.

Brian Looks great and functions well.Thanks for all your hard work. Now take it easy, rest. Just think only a couple more days then no more pain. You'll be able to walk upright and not hunched over a cane like some I know. Rich S Edit: just noticed; time zone and signature when you feel up to it. Thanks

Late into this discussion, very interesting and educational. Here's my entry, I think Hoan (for lack of info), but am open to other opinions. Please offer opinions. I've no idea what school it might be. rich

RKG I've seen many top flight tsuba ( don't have any). I never spend big bucks on anything (except the wife). rich

RKG Love the Saotome. Really nice. Of course Saotome are my favorite anyway. As for papered or not,etc. My philosophy has always been: Collect what you like, but like what you collect. I figure my estate will get maybe 20% of my cost, but that is their problem/concern, not mine. I enjoy my low to mid grade tsuba, maybe 100, 4 papered when I got them. Rich

Didn't Musashi use a two handed style at times? That would mean using the left hand. Rich

Mike - Nice collection of tsuba. I'm intrigued by the daisho - very unique design.What School/maker are they? Rich

Jefferson Welcome to NMB. So much to learn is a gross understatement. Several lifetimes to even begin the basics. Welcome again. Rich

Krystian All nice tsuba. I especially like the first one. What school or maker is it? Rich