Toryu2020

True - his son Chris has taken over the business but it is not his full time job - if you are waiting for work to be done he has many "back-orders" to get caught up on so response time may be long... -t

Michael - Yes we used to do Iaido demonstrations at the old theater on base - different crowd than those outside the gate. Bakumatsu Meiji history is a favorite of mine so even if its light on sword related material I am going to look up a copy... -tom

So this I think belongs in another thread - I don't put that much faith in baggage handlers and the TSA - instead I get to the airport plenty ahead of time - I take my case to the TSA counter - there I have it inspected and swabbed for explosives, which is what they really care about - they put an "Inspected by" card in the case and then it is sealed in the presence of the TSA officer. This ensures that they will not need to open it in transit... -t

So the 750% number is complete BS - use situational awareness like you would in any major city as noted The venue is in Burlingame which does not have a smash and grab problem but still "don't leave valuables in your car" - do travel to the City, all the popular tourist spots are still worth the trip - don't forget though they are popular tourist spots... -t

Welcome Michael - Having lived in Kamakura we used to go to Yokosuka to the movies and we did demonstrations on "Open Base" days. Youve got the right books there and I see one that I'm going to need (Meiji no Senso to Yokohama) - thank you for the recommendation! -t

Michael - My usual advice to first time visitors is "Leave your wallet at home!" - you'll see so much good stuff you can fill up a suitcase pretty quick. Seriously though Grey has covered what you need to know - if you get to the show and have questions you can ask any of our members - recognizable by the black and white happi coats - we are happy to point you toward persons who collect in a certain area or answer general questions about sword stuff. Since there are booksellers there if you find you need a reference while making a purchase decision many folks will be happy to lend you a book so you can do your research on the spot. If your wife likes decorating there are often paintings, scrolls and woodblock prints along with pottery and other things to look at - if she likes kodogu there will be lots of good stuff to eye and one of our members even makes her own jewelry from kodogu. If she'd prefer a long walk there is a beautiful bayside promenade just outside the hotel that is popular with locals. Give your self plenty of time to see everything, keeping in mind that some table holders will duck out during meal times so you may have to circle back to catch them "at work". Do take the time to introduce yourself and do give us your feedback afterwards as we are always looking to improve the experience for folks... -tch

You do have the profession correctly - and yes Masahide would have made the stamps himself - why so many? Maybe his wife moved his s**t when she cleaned up? IDK :-) -t

Bruce - They are in sequential order by date - they are all by the first generation Masahide - he did not however use them in strict sequential order, there were times where he was using the third stamp and then the first... -tom

You would have to ask - most likely credit card only - they do have English speaking staff but he may not be on duty everyday... -t

Kokuin number Five

Kokuin number Four

Kokuin number Three

Kokuin number Two

Kokuin number one

Wish I had stacks of Masahide blades to show you, however I am happy to send scans from my references... -t

Bruce - I'm not sure I can help - I always assumed your world of stamps was for Showato and did not include kokuin. If I am wrong about that I apologize. Masahide used at least five different stamps all with just the characters Ni-Ten and all looking very much alike... -t

Bruce - The kokuin is a combination of the characters Hi (nichi) and Ten (Ama) Masahiide is the first to use it - he had as many as five different stamps with the same kanji over the course of his career. There were three generations of Masahide and they all used the stamp to my knowledge. Later in his career he styled himself Amahide using various combinations of kanji. Amahide (Showa) was a student of a student of, so was in the Masahide line and therefore used this same stamp on his swords. The particular form of Masa seen in your example is a short-hand version of the Sei (Sho) kanji... -t

George - Remember they don't put gimei on poor swords generally and it you want to gussy up a mumei blade it makes sense (cents) to put a Bizen name on a Bizen sword - stick with the workmanship as has been said ignore this signature... -t

Meirin Sangyo - One of the oldest suppliers of budogu in Japan - very reputable - very reasonable prices especially in their "reasonable Price" section as you might imagine. Tomano Sensei is head of the local (Osaka) branch of the NTHK... -t

Sorry - had to wait to get home and look at this on the tablet - I agree with Barry the tip is the most significant damage, that we can see. the question of restoration I think should go to a polisher - regardless of the validity of the mei - it would obviously be a labour of love since reshaping the kissaki would alter the original shape... -t

Please try - you never know what others might see...

Chris - Looks like Hizen (no) Kuni Yoshitsugu - cannot comment on the veracity of the mei. You want an opinion, my opinion is that many blades are worht restoration regardless of the signature - bad signatures can be removed. We really need to see more photos of the blade itself - especially close ups of the jigane just above the habaki and below the kissaki - from what little I can see I think it very much is worth restoration. -tom

Jim Kurrasch - grumpy as always...

The shape of the blade and the condition of the nakago suggest earlier manufacture - now was it made in the mid-1500s the time of Kanefusa? or was it made in the Edo period and then altered to appear older? To answer that you need hands on examination - me feeling is it is older and this is the one you should be considering to restore... -t

Thanks George