Toryu2020

corrected one small mistake on the announcement page...

sorry im of the school that enjoys the researching as much as the knowing. Howard the default here is to help folks find their own answers, and we're a bit thick at times, so it helps if you state outright that you want the translation and not a lesson in code breaking. No one is offended. Keep in mind email does not show our smiling faces. Fushimi Monjushiro Kanemori is a Yamato smith, there are several generations. If authentic this is most likely by one of the late generations, late Edo. Im sure there is info on this smith online... -t

I dont think Sanmai applies to softmetal, I do believe beautiful does apply to this tsuba... -t

Howard Morita san has done you a favor Since we cant read the last character he placed an X there. Your smith is Kane-somebody. Use the other info you do have and I think youll soon have your answer... -t

Thomas - first off better pictures are in order from what i can see this was dedicated to a shrine 奉献する it also notes "offering" 奉納 the date of dedication is 1848 嘉永元 戊申 the month is not clear the rest would seem to be the name of the man making the dedication there may be info on the sword but without better pictures I cannot say. im sure someone will help solve the rest of your mystery, -t

$50 included the DVD and a BlueRay disc... -t

Watched the whole thing today, the subtitles flash by a little too quick in places but otherwise great photography and detailed explanations of each stage in the production of a sword, shirasaya and full koshirae. 110 minutes and a bargain to boot. -t

thanks Peter very helpful and leave it to the old Bazza himself to point out a source I have but had not thought to look in cheers! -t

Thanks Klaus I have Hizen no Katana to Tsuba as well as Markus' books - I am hoping someone has encountered the later generations outside of these. -t

Looking for oshigata of late generation Dohi Shinryo smiths from Hizen - 5th, 6th, or 7th generation. Thanks, -t

https://www.facebook.com/NCJSC/posts/1066713943419862 If the link doesnt work then please visit and LIKE the Northern California Japanese Sword Club Facebook page. It was another great year, we enjoyed hosting everyone, old and new, all we spoke to had a good show. On behalf of the NCJSC Thank You! -tch

Announcing the NTHK 2017 West Coast Shinsa August 4th, 5th and 6th 2017 http://toryu-mon.com/Toryu-Mon/NTHK_Announcement.html The registration page is up and running, more info to follow as it comes in, -t

Just two weeks away - All of us here at the NCJSC look forward to seeing you all at this years event. http://ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm

a nice set Sylvain White tsukamaki was hard to maintan so sometimes referred to as Daimyo maki, since you needed the pocket book of a Daimyo to keep them pristine. There was also a group of Hatamoto who wore only white tsukamaki, the Shiratsuka-gumi, if my recollection is correct... -t

Remember the Tokugawa edicts were not for application in the countryside, the far north or Kyushu for example. They were mainly for Edo and mainly for persons in attendance at court. If you were on duty at Edo you wouldnt show up with a 10 cm tsuba but you might wear it back home in Kagoshima... -t

Number two with the manji sukashi is most interesting to me - looks to be signed 江都住 which to me suggests a late manufacture, Late Edo or early Meiji perhaps. Need better pics of the rest of the signature and I too am curious about the reverse, would be nice to see more pictures of this one. -t

I will see if I have that issue handy. -t

nice find

How about 横山上野大掾藤原為宜 ○○元年 Looks like Tameyoshi to me and not a gimei Sukesada. The date looks like something something Gannen, and the kanji may have been wiped out by whatever happened to the nakago. Is there any hamon at all? Looks like all you have there is an interesting signature... -t

I believe there was regular commerce between Mino and the capital, and therefore plenty of opportunity for cross-pollination between smiths. see attached... Whither Mino.doc

I find that among Shinshinto works his sugata are better, more elegant than say Munetsugu. Always seem to like his work over his teachers. -t

Hang it on the wall to remind yourself to study first and go slow! Folks in Japan generally know what something is and what something is worth - buy from reputable dealers, buy papered pieces until you truly know what you are looking for and what you are looking at... -t

Akasaka Nobuie - legitimate work, mid to late Edo. They made copies of "the great one" but i dont think there is any real relationshhip. Quality in this group varies... -t

明治十八年十月十八日於津島 the rest will take a while...

indeed a bird catcher - the stick has a kind of tar on it that catches the bird but doesnt harm it.