Toryu2020

Sasa no tsuyu BTW implies that this sword cuts thru targets as easily as dew falls from the young bamboo leaf (sasa) I have seen other swords with this name, never with this hori... -t

Guido - Most of the reproductions are done on heavy stock (paper), this appears to be on silk. Likely someone had to brush that signature on and the picture as well - nice work even if a copy. Got close-ups of the mount? -t

Clearly looks like sap/pine pitch as deposited from test cutting to me, pine especially can turn a blade black pretty quick. I would avoid WD40 and if you use any chemicals, make sure you keep them away from the nakago and the saya and other fittings. If there is a way to neutralize them before returning the blade to the saya do so, the last thing you want is a pertroleum smell emaninating from your scabbard for years to come. fwiw -t

Gee Keith, I guess our poor guest should not even have bothered huh?

Blair et al - I may be out on a limb here but I don't see this blade as suriage. The hamon starts at the machi and the jiri looks correct. Are we sure we aren't looking at a kodachi here? And if so then the soe-bi appears to have been polished away leaving only what we see on the nakago. That is what I see anyway. Blair - blade length is one indicator of blade type, placement of the signature, and age may also be determinants. The koshirae if original could also make a katana out of a shorter blade if that is how it was worn. We have to be flexible sometimes with our understanding of these terms. If the age is correct the blade you post would be a kodachi I think and if later a wakizashi barring any other evidence. Koshizori appears in the lower third of the blade, not just the nakago - the machi are something different altogether neither have much to do with prayers. Perhaps you are thinking of Gohei-gata nakago, a unique shape of tang that looks like the sacred paper of a Shinto shrine. -t

Alas there have been more books written about Kiyomaro than Masahide since that time my venerable friend... :D -t

Simon - You could hardly do better than Masahide as already mentioned. Worked in Edo, influenced artists from all over the country, wrote books and his revivalist teaching mirrors the revivalist trends in other arts, religion and politics of the times. His dates fit your timeframe and many who know swords will know the name, though Kiyomaro may be more well known. you won't need an expert for this one just google him... -t

Looks pretty good Guido, Do you use a stylus or your finger to write your entries?

Thanks - Checked out the webpage may have to try the trial version. -t

Dear all, A bit tired of fumbling around on my own so thought I would ask for yall's help. I am looking for any ideas on the following; 1. A good electronic JE dictionary for the Mac that can "learn" - new kanji can be added, new readings taught, and archaic and little used combinations added. 2. a good electronic JE dictionary for the iPad - thinking of buying Nelson's but wonder has anybody seen better? 3. A word processing software that will generate charts and family trees with JE included - vertical and horizontal text. 4 any sword books or history apps for the iPad that you cannot live without like the Sengoku Busho Dictionary etc... Any help appreciated, -t

So does any member know of a good program that will allow you to create clean geneological charts, with English and Japanese like the family trees we see in the Japanese references? -t

It says in Japanese; Ma Chi Ho Ku Se (マチホク世) If it is Chinese they are now copying Katakana which I find odd. No idea what this could mean BTW... -t

Tsuneishi Hideaki writes in 1986; 政次 Masatsugu stu of Yokoya Soyo founder of the Yanagawa line 直政 Naomasa Shodai stu of Somin 直故 Naohisa Nidai - died young 直俊 Naotoshi (Yamada) 直光 Naomitsu Sandai - adopted son 直隆 Naotaka (Yamamoto) 直重 Naoshige (Inegawa Shodai) 直克 Naokatsu (Inegawa Nidai) 直久 Naohisa (Inubushi) 直次 Naotsugu (Kiyonaga) 直利 Naotoshi (Morikawa) 直矩 Naonori (Nakamura) 直俊 Naotoshi (Yanagawa) 直常 Naotsune (Kato) This is from the chart on pages 139 and 140 he gives more detail in the individual listings for each artist. The chart also includes the Naohisa, Naomitsu, Naonori and Naotsune lines. I don't know fittings so well but can say that his books on swords are spot on, very helpful kantei hints and always including info not found in other works. I really like this writer and I recommend you try to get this book it is not at all rare. -t

Making no comment on the tsuba or the poster, I just love the idea of "Kane-ie versus Gime-ie" :D -t

Ludolf- I wonder if you have seen the excellent genealogies in the Tsuba no Kantei to Kansho by Tsuneishi? My scanner is not working but if you like I could type it out, very different from what you have posted BTW... -t

Shinjirarenai! Unheard of in Japan, I am sure this guy is some lone nut and not part of a trend. At least I hope so... -t

Ken - Thanks for posting! This was a tough one. A very idiosyncratic signature and one I'll not soon forget. Would love to see photos of the blade if you get the chance... -t

Jan - Looks like you are making a terrific start as a beginner! FWIW the kanji are 長谷部国重. I for one look forward to hearing about the fruits of your research... -t

A terrific weekend! Lots of great items and all the great old faces seemed to be there as well. Bob Haynes was doing tsuba appraisals and signing books, David Mcdonald was wrapping handles and you can the wonderful artwork that was taking shape at the Toraba table. The NTHK held a kantei and gave a presentation on Ko-mino fittings. While this has been the subject of past presentations there were some exciting editions this year including a rare Ko-mino kashira in the shape of a kabuto-gane. The NBTHK display of the 16 generations of the Goto family was IMHO unrivalled by anything put on in Japan. Not only were the pieces spectacular individually the variety of items and themes blew holes in the notion that all the Goto did was make gold shishi and dragons. The detailed explanations by Robert Benson and Mike Yamazaki represented a master's course in the study of these amazing artists. This was likely the best display the NBTHK/AB has put on to date. There seem to be lots of buying and selling, I heard many sellers say they had successful weekends and I cannot recall anyone saying they were disappointed. The registration staff reported 170 something walk-ins on Saturday, in addition to a number of 3 day passes sold on Friday, I think you can see from the photos hos busy it was. Eric - these are some great shots, much better than my little camera could do. I have posted a few photos of things that caught my eye on my website; http://tinyurl.com/3zgfmvc Please visit and feel free to post questions or feedback here... -t PS Best in Show goes to Andy Quirt's Oku Motohira

Ed - Two different kanji actually; Tan, Sumi (炭) coal/charcoal as Morita san has pointed out Dan, danjiru (談) conversation/talk with/discuss Bibai Tanzan - a place name in Hokkaido Nara Tanzan Jinja - a shrine in Nara two very different locations as well. Also Go (後) To (藤) a very common family name as compared to Go (五) Ro (郎) a common first name - its easy for westerners to make the mistake but seeing it in writing there is no room for error - an interesting piece even without the connection to the tanto... -t

Now that I look closely you can see a sayagaki, How about some close ups of that? -t

My money is on Shinto, Shinogi-zukuri wakizashi by Hitachi n/k Muneshige (常陸守宗重) Student of Sukehiro. I expect if we see photos of the other side the yokote will be there, the shape I think is beggin for one... -t

Ordered mine as well, Looking very much forward to reading this... -t

Daphne- FWIW not sword related, not terribly old it appears. As Morita San has pointed out this is a Sumo-gyoji's fan or at least a model of one... -t

　Thanks George, Stay tuned for part two! -t