Toryu2020

Jello - Start you adventure with 'The Samurai Sword by John M. Yumoto' and don't mind Old Stephen he may not be a fan of the Dead Kennedys... -t

For those thinking of buying, Remember there are two editions of this book. The first edition was small format with very large fold-outs. In fact the full sized fold outs you see in the photo. The more common edition is larger format, 8x10 perhaps? Be careful when shopping if it is the version with the fold-outs you want... -t

Ray - Be careful if this is your practice sword, that annoying rattling is a signal that your tsuka, mekugi and maybe even your habaki are getting ready to fail. If you find you are adding more and more leather and seppa to your tsuka, take a good hard look at your habaki to see that it is not deformed. Also check that the tsuka is not splitting and the mekugi moving up thru the handle. Older tsuka or poorly made ones will split with heavy practice. Habaki can split or deform and slip up over the ha-machi, especially if you are doing lots of cutting. It is very important that you use the proper equipment and that you check it before and after each use... -t

Very cool bit of history either way... -t

Chris - As a fellow martial artist I would caution that these blades cannot be trusted for cutting and the handles do not stand up to regular practice. A failure of the tsuka at the wrong time could prove tragic. If it is just for looking at then you are OK. -t

Very interesting question Jean! Looks to be Izumi (n/k) Kanesada on one side and I'm not sure the sig compares well - on the other is it Tenshi Kinsaku Suzuki Shigehide (wo) motte? "Made as an Imperial gift - Suzuki Shigehide carried this" or is it; Tenshikin saku "made with (Imperial) Government grant money"? Not sure I am even close, does the work look like Kanesada? Even a late-late Kanesada? How about the mounts? Any hints as to how this was "carried"? -t

Happy Holidays to all from the NTHK! Certificates were mailed out this past Saturday. We expect that all in North America should receive theirs by Christmas and for those overseas by New Years. If you have not received your certificates by the 31st December please email us at; NTHK2010@toryu-mon.com Yoi Yoi Otoshi yo!

Always look to see if the blade says "Katsumitsu" before looking to see what the nakago says. Can you post photos of the last 2-3 inches of the sword at the tip? Lots of artists named Katsumitsu, your piece should say Bizen at least... -t

I am sure they mean mock as in; "we are making fun of Japanese katana"! and frankly it is hilarious! -t

All - I was hoping to have them in hand to be mailed out individually by now but I am assured they are in the air as we speak. So yes Xmas looks to be the time depending on your geographical location. Stay Tuned! We do appreciate everyones patience, tch -on behalf of the NTHK

This story originally puiblished in the NCJSC News letter but... I had a signed and dated Shinshito that I used for Iai and Tameshigiri practice. I cut cardboard, mailing tubes, plastic coke bottles, tatami mat (not tatami-goza) whole mats!, swamp grass, pampas grass and all kinds and sizes of bamboo. The blade never cracked, chipped or bent but I sure put a lot of wear into the blade. Painted the saya with green auto paint, wore out two tsuka and two saya. Having learned the error of my ways, had the sword polished and put away somewhere safe where it will never face the danger of this kind of destruction again... -t @Ray be careful dude we have video evidence on you!

Jason - Lets look at your piece another way; I'll say it is authentic, I'll say it was an actual handmade Japanese sword that was damaged somehow and cut down to make this wakiwhozit in Meiji 2 nen. All good right? now what does that leave you? 1. The blade shape has been altered so drastically we cannot see what it once was, and it does not now exist within any identifiable category. Summation: the value is lost. 2. The hamon for all I can see is now lost, no amount of polishing will bring it back and re-temper would just alter the shape that much more. Summation: the value is lost. 3. The nakago is poorly formed and even more poorly treated. You would have to re-cut the yasuri and re-patinate the metal thus obscuring whatever information is there now so there is only one conclusion. Summation: the value is lost. 4. Curiosity gets you lots of "looks" at a sword show - Bemused, wincing, quizzical, and pitying. None of which pays for beer or gets your name in the newsletter. Summation: the value is lost. All of us have had to pay our dues, none perhaps so publicly as yourself, save yourself the pain brother! -t

Yury et al - I am thinking all acrylic fittings so you can see that beautiful sword inside! That however may be too avant garde. I am sure some will say stick with shirasaya because of the care which is needed when drawing and returning a polished sword. (swords in koshirae get drawn more)So purists might have a koshirae to display ALONG with the sword, but if it did not come with a koshirae they might see no need to create one. Now I am subject to both urges and if I had the time and money I might look for an early koshirae of the period to match my sword and (sacrilege) have it fit to my sword - this as has been pointed out will take considerable amount of time and even more amounts of money. If you absolutely must see it done in your lifetime go with John's suggestion; Find an example that you really and truly love and have a modern artist recreate it for you. In this way you get to have exactly what you wish for in a shorter period of time and you do the world a favour by helping to keep the arts alive. If you ask me, kawamaki tachi koshirae with all iron fittings like a Sengoku General might wear... -t

Scott et al- Coming back to this a little late, but wanted to highlight something Jacques pointed out earlier. The most important point I think, and that is the KUNI character is wrong for this artist. Peter may correct me but I am pretty sure this is true for all generations; the Kunikane smiths used; 國　and not this kuni: 国 The lack of a date and the uneven pitting on the nakago are also not good signs - a polish is an expensive proposition, then again a polisher friend once said "every sword, deserves a good polish..." -t

Clive - Not that I have the most extensive library but I went thru all my references and found no mention of a 9 dai Munetsugu except in the Hizen no Katana to Tsuba. I didn't find the picture you mention but on page 218 found the following; "The 8 dai went thru a period when he lamented the state of swordmaking after the Haito-rei, he became active in local politics working as a village council member, he died Meiji 43 3 gatsu 20 nichi" "...the 8 dai had 2 sons and daughters with his first wife, Hana. His eldest by this marriage Buichiro died young and the younger son had been adopted out to another family. So the family name and fortune went to Soichi (Munekazu), eldest son of his second wife, Yui. He had a career as a village council member. Soichi's son, Muneaki, in his turn inherited the name and fortune, he retired from a career as a "Flying squad" officer in the Prefectural Police" (by implication he was still living at the time of publication) There were no photos or oshigata and no mention of any work by these guys. I am curious to know what you eventually do learn about your blade and 9 dai Munetsugu if there was one. If you can let me know what page your photo is on I would also like to see what info that yields... -t

Nice look to it, loads easily but only has two swords... -t

Gunnar - If you want to post larger (quality) photos of the nakago I am sure others would like the chance to see or you could email them to me. The Shin-shinto Taikan is the one you want but it is a lot to spend for the one blade. If you are patient someone with a better scanner than mine is sure to post an oshigata or two for comparison, maybe even the pages from the Taikan... -t

Gunnar - I would first caution you not to touch the rust on the nakago. The color and quality of rust is very important in determining the age and authenticity of your signature. Second given the condition of the blade as seen in your photos I could hardly guess at a value ( I am hardly qualified in any case). The Meikan is a listing of sword-makers and it is periodically updated to include new information. My copy is a bit old so there may be Man-en dates in there now but if not you would be doing a service to the collecting world by sharing an oshigata with the publishers of the book for inclusion in a future edition. -t

Gunnar - I have to agree with Moriyama-san. No Tsunesato () listed in the Meikan. There is however a Tsuneshige () listed: Banshu Meiishi ju Minamoto Tsuneshige, given name Sasao Taichiro, dated works from Ansei 5. More information in the Kokon Kaji Hayamidashi, To-ken Soran and the Shin-shinto Taikan. The Mannen date may be new information that needs to be added to this record. Would love to see better pics of the nakago... -t

Elliott - Kajihara Sensei wrote and self-published the Zusetsu Nihonto Yogo Jiten - another indispensable book for your nihonto library. The Yogo Jiten is a visual glossary of the Japanese sword that covers swords and koshirae of all ages, as well as things like cleaning, conservation, origami, knot tying and more. Much of the English translation was done by Yumoto Sensei as they were, as you mentioned, friends. It is also my understanding that he was active in the Fukuoka area Kantei-kai though the name of his group escapes me at the moment. fwiw -t

It had to happen at some point, I certainly hope nobody is spending 1700 dollars on showato these days without seeing pictures of the nakago but I am sure I am too optimistic... -t

Jason - Sorry to say but the modelling is pretty poor, making it very hard to say just exactly what the artist is trying to show us here. If I had to say I would think what is in your bowl is a Tachibana flower and around it are other auspicious plants like Plum and Pine but it is very hard to say. Granted the bowl does look a bit like a rendai, a ceremonial incense burner... fwiw -t

Go for it Dude! -t

"There's an exhibition going on...they won't need to spend 4 hrs with you. I just think that 'half' an oshigata won't attract the average NihonTo enthusiast who tend to want the best for their blade. Complete, professional package for a small fee sounds better than a free, rough sketch." Anthony - If you are an honest individual people would leave their blades with you, this is afterall a gentlemens' hobby. You would need to establish yourself a bit; let people know you will be offering the service ahead of time, provide evidence you can safely handle any blade while working with it, show folks examples of your work and be seen at as many shows as possible. (This is what the handle wrappers do) It is a very small niche so I would not expect much in the way of financial success and it could be slow going at first but if your skills are there people will eventually seek you out and you might find folks sending you swords between shows. Any excuse to spend a weekend at a sword show is a good one in the end you'll know more swords and sword-people if not become a fabulously wealthy artist. Go for it... -t

Has to do with religion; Look up NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO... -t