Toryu2020

I have to agree, this doesn't look anything like a mamori-gatana. Perhaps two family legends got entwined?

Where are the love letters?

I would think Seki but it boggles the mind that we cannot find any listing for this Kanenaga... -t

Oldest to newest (Left to right) NFS

There is a Kongo-eki in Higo... -t

Someone did a hack job on that nakago - the blade looks tired. Save your money, buy polished and papered blades... -t

Thanks Brian - nice not to lose all that "history" -t

I love sword maker tsuba BUT it needs to be more than just a signature it has to be a good tsuba first... -t

try 筒

The Third day moon is an auspicious symbol. Beyond that you almost have to look at the entirety of Japanese Mythology and Iconography - it comes up in so many legends. The rabbit of Inaba, the moon and it's reflection, Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori, just to name a few... -t

I believe this is a four character idiom - unfortunately the fourth kanji indecipherable to me... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yojijukugo

Gentlemen - There is no difference between a properly trained westerner and a properly trained Japanese employing a Shinsaku-to for Iai or batto. If you visit AOI arts and other websites you will see swords, mostly Shinsaku-to but sometimes antiques specifically outfitted and sold as ready for Iai. While I know of no secret short-cuts used to make shinsaku-to for practice I know that swords made as art swords are made using the best materials and extra effort that is reflected in the selling price. I think Michael has the right attitude, this simply may not be the best place to find what he is looking for. Antiques should not be used for destructive practice and that has not changed. I wish him luck in his search. -tch

Most of us outside of Japan do not have the luxury of seeing good swords in hand month in and month out. Your best bet is to memorize the terminology - try to understand as best you can thru photos - try to do online kantei or shijo kantei. When you do get to see good swords you can connect the terminology to the actual activity. Studying this way takes time but you can get there, ganbatte! -tch

Kanbun swords were made to standard lengths for the period - a sword so long it needed to be cut down would be a rare thing from this time period. More likely it had greater curve before being cut down. I would be looking in Yamato - nagare hada - sunanagashi - hakkikake - chu-suguha - short or no turn back - suggests Yamato to me. This is Koto imho. -t

Notice The Shinsa for 2020 has been cancelled - due to lack of plane flights out of Japan - the To-ken Taikai is still on and we hope to see many of you there! Thomas C Helm NCJSC

Notice The Shinsa for 2020 has been cancelled - due to lack of plane flights out of Japan - the To-ken Taikai is still on and we hope to see many of you there! Thomas C Helm NCJSC

For help with mail-in service contact Cyril Skladany via cyro.nihonto@gmail.com

Dear All Very sorry to be slow in posting this, we had to create a new website as our old one is too old to be updated. Please visit www.nthkamerica.com for details and online registration. As always feel free to contact me with questions - toryu@toryu-mon.com Thomas C Helm www.toryu-mon.com

There will be a shinsa at this years NCJSC San Francisco To-Ken Taikai - www.nthkamerica.com - visit our website for details...

Saw an exceptional blade by this smith the other day - anybody have more info? 杉田明二　Sugita Shoji or Akikazu or Akiji of Yamaguchi-ken Signatures include; 善昭作 Yoshiaki saku 長州長府住川上家伝来昭和六〇年八月日　善昭作 Choshu Chofu ju Kawakami ke denrai Showa 60 nen 8 gatsu hi Yoshiaki saku 3 Time Nyusen winner Member of the All Japan Swordmakers Society lives in Hofu, Yamaguchi 防府市真尾掘溝 511 -t

I am inclined to go with "gojusai" but looking at John's rendering and the last character "hoko" seems more correct. John how would you translate the cho? -t

Army Kendo manual - for the army not the general public...

Rick - Your certificate is a Kantei sho - blade is unsigned but attributed to "Den Fujishima". This means that they think it the work of the Fujishima school but cannot pin it to a particular artist. You'll want to look at Fujishima artists working around Tensho for an idea of whom this might be. -t

Thanks Peter

Update! The first batch of certificates was mailed out today! The second batch from Japan was received today I should be mailing these out shortly. We do appreciate your patience, your certificates are on their way! -tch NTHK Hyogi-in