nagamaki - Franco

Hi Carlo, It is very probable that Kuniyoshi arrived in Japan at the "request" of the Japanese court. Rai swords are quite wonderful and a special treat to see, especially a sword with nie utsuri and/or packed with ji-nie. Being rare and generally expensive many collectors will never come to realize just what they're missing. On occasion Mr. Benson will have a Rai meibutsu at one of the sword shows. regards, Franco

Hello Carlo, Also, http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/tatara/nnp020103.htm Regards, Franco

There are 3 grades of ispropyl alcohol sold; 91%, 95%, and 99%. Additionally http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:ExI ... =clnk&cd=1 I've not used isopropyl alcohol to clean the oil off swords to this point. The one immediate reservation is some polishers use a lacquer to seal pin holes and the like following the polish to prevent further oxidation. The concern is that isopropyl alcohol will dissolve this lacquer. F

For your enjoyment..... http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/Museum_Gal ... le&view=85 regards, Franco

Another site to explore if you haven't already. http://www.tousyoukai.jp/english/index.shtml FD

Tanto - blade length is under 1 shaku Jo Sun Tanto - blade length ~ 8 sun 5 bu - meaning prescribed length Sun Nobi Tanto - blade length over 8 sun 5 bu Sun Zumari Tanto - blade length under 8 sun 5 bu Yamanaka Newsletters (revised) - Vol. II http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/8187/Script.htm Some of the longer lengths listed by some of the well known tanto makers during the early to mid koto period, seem to run 1 shaku and 1 or 2 sun more, but not longer. FD

Its amazing what a talented polisher can do to save a sword. What becomes critical and the 'big' question is how low is the lowest point that was ground off. It seems worth the effort to find out if it can be saved. Takeo Seki in BC Canada does excellent foundation work.

When the depth of the hamachi and boshi are at risk of running off, unless a blade is of some importance as in Carlo's example, then most blades begin to fall into that "over polished" category. Its best to ask a polisher as its amazing what they can do at times with saving blades. fd

It would not be a bad idea to seek out additional opinions from dependable sources. The better idea at this point is to try and submit the sword to the next (Chicago?) shinsa, as already suggested. There you will be receiving a professional opinion, and certificate if it passes, that holds much more credibility when it comes to parting with the sword. It will give you the info needed to further research what it is you have. In that way both yourself and the buyer, will have some assurance of what is being bought and sold. fd

This is why the better Bungo works will often make fools of those that try to kantei them fd

In short, yes, very possible. There are certain shapes that were very unique. For example kambun shinto is one of the more easily recognized shapes in kantei, which presents a specific window. There is also as DB indicated, 'replies' that are used to infer early, mid, or late. One Japanese polisher I met had an interesting little book that he referenced to narrow down his initial time period kantei (eg. muromachi, nambokucho, etc), to a specific era based on the specific shape and dimensions of kissaki. fd

I cannot understand on one point. How can he specify the era as such a narrow span without identifing the specific smith? This is a mere question of a beginner. :? Some shapes clearly point to a specific era based on the appraisers experience. The remainder of kantei then moves on to other factors such as jigane, jitetsu, hamon, and finally boshi. So, its quite possible to pinpoint the era without reaching a conclusion. In the end it's an educated opinion. fd

I am NOT a Bungo collector by choice............please remember that. :x One main reason I am into fittings is because i am freaking sick und tired of being " bung-ed " since collecting tsuba, I have not been bungo-ed, not even once !! They don't know how to make tsuba in Bungo milt THE ronin But Milt, you know that "its the sword that finds the owner" and that "swords call out to each other." So, while you can run to tsuba, you can't hide Why, you've become the Sisyphus of the bungo world Are you trying to wreck all that now, just as you were getting so close to the top fd

Images? fd

Some old nagamaki, which are mostly naoshi now, were made with a very thin kasane of ~3 mm or less. What does the shape of this blade look like? Shinogi zukuri? Hira zukuri? Thanks. fd

FYI http://www.samurai-archives.com/index.html fd

If a pinhole is left unattended and allowed to progress, at some point, usually the next polish, the cavity will open up into a crevice. With proper sword care and vigilance, pinholes are nothing to lose sleep over fd

First things first, ID what these spots are, or are not. Images In general, the problem with pinhole rust, if active, is it will progress unseen beneath the surface. Pinholes are generally taken care of in the regular course of polishing, but a good polisher will not unecessarily remove metal just to remove a deep pinhole. Some polishers seal any remaining pinholes with lacquer. For now you can oil the sword or just spot oil the areas in question, if it's a concern. Don't over oil, it will only pool up and soak into the saya. fd

http://world.choshuya.co.jp/engrave/index.htm fd

Rejects , interesting term for say an unsigned Kunihiro or Shinkai. fd

This dark linear effect is a result of a 'hadori' style of polish, placed on the sword by the polisher. http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/hadori.htm fd

try http://www.sayashi.com/ fd

some information can be found in one pamphlet titled "Laminating Techniques in Japanese Swords", published by WM Hawley (ISBN 0-910704-54-6). Unfortunately the literature sources for the pamphlet article are not cited. Most likely all were written in Japanese. http://www.wmhawley.com fd

It brings much sadness and a heavy heart to receive this news. Herman was a wonderful person, with a most charismatic manner of expressing himself. He was sharp as a sword with his unique type of humorous wit, and held little tolerance for nonsense, which made him an excellent nihonto student. Herman was a very reflective person that cherished life. You will be greatly missed dear friend. Franco