Toryu2020

A quick look up of the lives of the Shinshinto smiths by year...

Tremendous example - very interesting analysis. -t

Exceptional grouping Bryce. -tch

Ron - look up the Five Sacred Mountains - I believe that is what we are seeing here... -tch

nicely put, Brian.

Evan - can we see the inside of the cup? Thanks

John Is the artist alive or dead? Is he recognized? Mukansa or other designation? A traditionally made sword could most likely get a paper. When we say Showato, we mean non-traditionally made most likely from the war years... -t

Ah well, that makes it OK...

All due respect to Mr Bowen this is an NPO paper as suspected, the one true and original NTHK does not paper showa-to... -t

It says "Token Hozon-Kai Kantei-sho" not Nihon To-ken Hozon-Kai I highly doubt this is a true and original NTHK issued paper... -t

We need to see this paper...

Keep in mind that a sword cannot be registered in Japan if it does not have NIE - this would pre-clude most hantan Showa-to. Someone very familiar with this smith decided that it was traditionally made even with the stamp - if the artist is dead that may also be one big factor... -t

I'd be curious to see the papers but they don't pop up with the link? -t

Well - the English speaking expert that we all know says these were a product of Meiji or later - I feel if there is evidence or a definitive answer it exists already in Japanese. I also think the two sides won't agree unless an authoritative voice speaks on the subject (no disrespect to the person mentioned above ) -t

Dan - we need to looking at Japanese websites and talking to Japanese collectors - fiddling around on English websites is not gonna get you a definitive answer... -t

Konotegashiwa is a famous piece where both sides of the sword are done in different style - like the Kashiwa leaf which is bright green on one side and white-ish on the other... -t

interesting

Very nice.

Exceptional.

I'm not sure why it hasn't been posited before - perhaps it has - could these be for Shichi-Go-San? Would fit the size/age of the children - would fit the "Hakamagi-no-gi" the first wearing of hakama - and since they were ceremonial the more toy-like nature of the koshirae in general... Thinking outloud, -t

I do not believe these were ever worn by boys - they were miniatures, perhaps for Tango no sekku display, perhaps kazari tachi for courtiers, perhaps salesmans samples of what could be made to order, perhaps gifts for newborns. At a coming of age ceremony a boy would receive his adult swords - if he were small in stature then he would wear just the wakizashi until he was older. Sasama Sensei contended that if a boy showed up wearing one of these little swords he would receive a beat down from the other boys... -t

Not aware of any books - this may help somewhat... http://toryu-mon.com/Toryu-Mon/Archives/Entries/2010/11/8_Boys_Day_or_Tango_no_Sekku.html -t

Darrel - if your stay starts before the official room block you may not see the rate - in that case it may be best to call - expect to get the show rate only on the days of the show - Wed to Sun - if for some reason you still have trouble contact Fred... -t

Mark - TSA Inspection station is on the arrival level - I go to the Oversize baggage check-in - tell them what I need to do - they escort me to TSA - TSA does their inspection and then hands my sealed case to the baggage handler - an exciting break from routine for the employees usually... -t

PSA - The number of room nights we book at the hotel helps us secure the big ballroom - therefore we ask that everyone book rooms at the Marriott and request the "sword show" room rate - if we fill up the room block it means we get to keep the venue and there will be more prime rib and other perks for all of us. It may be cheaper around the corner or up the block but if you stay in another hotel you actually are taking away from the show itself - an event we want very much to continue into the future. If you have any trouble with room reservations contact Fred Weissberg at ncjsc.vicepresident@gmail.com - thanking you all for your continued support of the NCJSC and the annual To-ken Taikai, -tch