MHC

Hello MichaelR, Just out of curiosity, why did DHL hand off your package to the USPS, instead of delivering it straight to you? That seems exceedingly strange? DHL will deliver any package, anywhere, sometimes they transfer to an independent for the final leg, by that entity is still under contract with DHL, and still give you great updates as to progress. No throwing on the lawn, no bogus signatures, no leaving unattended on the porch. Hell, with the last sword delivery, not only did I have to sign for it, but I had to show I.D. & the driver took my picture too! Mark

For what it's worth...and just my .02 worth. I have recently started using DHL for ALL my shipping of important items. I started using them just about 2 years ago. Below is the breakdown of my experience with DHL, 1.) They are expensive (worth every penny). 2.) They are shockingly efficient. 3.) They up date you with absolutely every move the package takes (damn near hour by hour). 4.) They deliver so fast it makes your head spin. I have used them to ship from Japan to the USA, 2 times. Each time less than 48 hour total time frame. I have used them to ship from east coast USA to west coast USA 1 time, slightly less than 24 hour total time frame. I have used them 1 time from England to USA, less than 48 hour total time frame. I personally will no longer use any other mailing/shipping service if given the choice. Mark

Hey there Dale, The forgers out there will go to any length to fool the buying public. It is very simple to add a few punch marks and place a soft metal filler piece at the Nakago-Ana, to give the illusion of being older and have been mounted on a blade. However, all Tsuba's that I have seen that have been mounted, tend to show a shadow line/discoloration/rub marks, where Seppa's would have come in contact with the Tsuba over the years. This example does not appear to show any such telltale indications. So buyer beware....... Mark

Here is another one, originally titled "The Coast Watcher". Mark

Hey there Michael, Regardless as to what you spent, if you are happy with them, then you did well, it matters not what others think. The semi mystery mumei katana looks fun to me, I think you will end up learning more from that sword, than you will from the fully documented one. I'm personally way too green at this hobby to comment, just wish I would have been able to get into this obsession when I was your age. Best of luck, and most importantly, ENJOY! Mark

The center symbol is very, very close to the Horiuchi mon. Not identical, but very close...so??? Mark

Yes, I'm a member on numerous Facebook sites, that being one of them, but to date nothing has come up. I'll keep my eyes peeled. Thanks! Mark

Hello Kyle, Thanks for the attachment, it was good and informative reading, very helpful indeed. Now I feel comfortable knowing a period and a school style. The Aizu-Shoami school style, seems to fit it the best, wish it was in better condition. It came on a sword I bought that was probably a civilian WWII Gunto re-mount, utilizing the older blade & Tsuba, with a re-used Saya wrapped in Gunto leather and a Gunto Tsuka. Everything fits together flawlessly and super tight, and all the patina is exactly the same, so I'm confidant it all belongs together. I will re-mount the blade with much nicer Koshirae, and I guess just hang onto the parts-n-pieces. Thanks again. Mark

Thanks Kyle, A school with beginner students I would guess, by the questionable skill level of this piece. It had a lot more gold & silver inlay at one time, but the installation style is lacking good adhesion, and has fallen out over the years. It does appear that it has been mounted on at least 2 swords over the years, so somebody liked it enough to use. Mark

Hello all, Had this for awhile, I know it's nothing special, but still curious about it's approx. age and the artist. Hate having something, without knowing details about it. Mark

Hello Brandon, I'm considering a Shakudo (maybe iron) fuchi kashira set in nanako pattern, similar to the set you have shown on the right. Maybe something a little fancier with boarders? Or silver inlay grasses or orchids. Anyway, just throwing it out there in case you have a lead for me to follow, would greatly appreciate it. Mark

Hello George, Found this online, and thought this could be another reason to have an Orchid on a Tsuba. "By the early 17th century, the orchid flower was a symbol of respect and admiration in Japanese culture. Orchids became so revered in Japan that growing orchids was sometimes considered a noble art form. In particular, dendrobium orchids were grown by Japanese royalty for their fragrance and beauty. Another orchid that has a special place in Japanese culture is the Neofinetia falcata, also known as the wind orchid. These orchids are sometimes popularly called samurai orchids, mainly because samurai were known to grow them as symbols of bravery and peace." Probably just trying to rationalize my western likes....but what the heh. Mark

I've never seen chisel marks that far away from the nakago-ana before, is this normal? Seems too far away to effect proper fitment, just causes damage instead. Mark

Thank you George for the link, very helpful!

The simple odds of there being any kind of "scratch' apparent on both sides of the blade, at exactly the same location, are beyond minimal, better luck with buying a lotto ticket I'm afraid. Additionally, in the magnified views, you can clearly see the anomaly following grain patterns. That would be as very cleaver hat trick for a scratch. Mark

Thank you George, that is very insightful information about the 4 gentleman theme, I like it. Anybody know of a written source that outlines themes/stories/fables and their meanings in the Japanese culture from days gone by? It would need to be in English as my Japanese is nonexistent. Mark

Ok, a little more in depth set of questions. When one assembles their Koshirae, do you generally delve into the individual meanings portrayed in each items design, and then assemble the pieces so a "meaning or story" is conveyed? Do you try to find all items that date around the same time as each other? Or is that getting too esoteric and impractical (not to mention difficult)? Does any of that really matter in this day and age, or does everyone simply go with aesthetics? Mark

Monty Pythons killer rabbit.....couldn't resist. Mark

At the risk of ending up with two sets of koshirae that might be deemed "boring", I'm going to forge ahead and try to find at least complimentary pieces to make up the complete package for the 2 naked swords I'm working to complete. #1 is a Wak, and getting the Kinko grasses Tsuba with complementary grasses/heron Fuchi/Kashira, and heron menuki (not shown). #2 is a Katana and getting the orchid Tsuba, with as of today, no other items yet acquired. Maybe, just maybe...I'll come around to a more Japanese appreciation mind set, as time goes by....but I'm already 63, so a change better start happening soon..;} Mark

Well thank you all. Todays classroom was both enlightening and disheartening. During my childhood, I grew up with a great friend that was Japanese, his home was of western design, but his parents went all out to make the inside and the landscape impeccably Japanese. So this is the main basis I have from a young age, about Japanese aesthetics. The house was beautifully austere, with everything exactly in it's place and surgically clean. No detail large or small was overlooked, everything blended absolutely perfectly, and the flow of the house matched the daily routine, from waking, to dressing, to bathing, to eating and to evening family gathering. So jump 40 years into the future, and I start down this road that is Nihonto, only to find my pre-conceived notions now dashed. Ok, I'll get over it, and start learning a thing or two about this arena, but I don't have to like it....... ;} Thanks again everybody, and I wish Brian the best of health with his Covid recovery! Mark

Hello all, Query from a relatively new to the scene collector/admirer. I've been viewing a lot of swords with complete Koshirae and can't help but notice that very few, if any really, have a complete theme. Maybe the Fuchi & Kashira match, but rarely does the Tsuba share the same theme. Then there is the saya which almost never matches anything, and the Menuki are simply all over the place, no rhyme or reason. My OCD is bouncing off the red zone, I simply can not image that a properly fitted sword/Koshirae would not share a flowing continuous theme for all items. Sometimes the parts are a close match {i.e. waves pattern, but even then rarely does the style of each item match exactly. Sure I realize that over the years things get lost, changed, damaged and even styles change. What bothers me the most, are comments like "Beautiful complete Koshirae", or "stunning attention to detail", when all I see is a Koshirae that is a mix-n-match mess, with zero continuity and form. I would think the artist would want all items to be "autumn leaves" or "shell fish" or "plum branches with flowers" or "cherry blossoms" or "pine trees" etc., etc. I think I probably just need to get over it, but..........am I the only one that thinks this way? Is this a true sign of a rookie entering the scene? Mark

Hummm...everything about this sword reeks of modern, made to look older, absolutely nothing looks right to me...run forest run. Hey, but what do I know I'm just a rookie viewing from the gallery..... Mark

It is my understanding that most, if not all Japanese families, do not want to entertain any remembrance of that era. It was a sad time, and to many a shameful time. If the sword is indeed an older family heirloom, you might not cause any possible grief by attempting to return it. However, and I could be way out of line here so please use your own best judgement, but I fear you could do more damage than good by trying to find the owners family, and return the sword. Remember the Japanese culture is way different than the American culture, so please tread lightly. My .02 worth. Mark

Yep...that's the one, thanks for sharing with us all. It is so over the top it leaves one speechless. Mark

That is simply too cool...wonder what happened to the other pieces needed to complete the Saya in that theme? I saw photos of another very old and elaborately fitted Saya some time ago, that was along a similar theme, but can't for the life of me recall where??? I tend to like simpler style fittings, but when you see something like this....well what can one say, other than marvelous! Mark