Franco

Piers, First, thank you for sharing these images, very much appreciated! The study of koshirae is a discipline unto itself, and very few, even those (including dealers) with a more advanced knowledge of fittings, will also have an advanced understanding of koshirae as well. Regards,

My collecting days have all but come to an end now, so I've parted with my signature books like Fujishiro, sorry. The mei guys here on the message board will probably be along to help. Building a good library is a must for the serious nihonto collector student.

To help get you started. Your choice of purchasing from a Japanese dealer with a Tokubetsu Hozon origami were probably good decisions considering that your homework is being done in hindsight. https://www.google.com/search?q=settsu+no+kami+minamoto+tadayuki&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1031US1031&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 http://nihontocraft.com/2015_NBTHK_Nionto_Tosogu_Shinsa_Standards.html

Hello, To begin with the NBTHK will have available more resources than we are likely to come up with. Years ago I had a signed katana that did not match any of the 12 published signatures available to myself and to friends with very extensive libraries. Yet, after being sold to another friend, it passed both the NTHK shinsa before being polished and the NBTHK shinsa after being polished with flying colors. It should be stated that that sword matched the textbook descriptions to a 'T.' Which once again affirms the notion that the sword confirms the mei and not the other way around. Regards,

For anyone that is truly interested in the study of koshirae I recommend Markus Sesko's Koshirae Taikan. Please define modern? Thank you. Regards,

Image if possible, please?

inazuma (稲妻) – Lit. “lightning.” Crooked kinsuji which resembles a bolt of lightning. Scroll down article to view image posted; https://markussesko.com/2015/05/29/kantei-3-hamon-boshi-1/

Rather than offering an opinion on this tanto, may I suggest contacting the Nihonto (study) club in NYC ( https://www.ny-tokenkai.org/ ) and attending a meeting. Regards,

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Nihonto_books_for_sale.html Best ??? The Craft of the Japanese Sword I would recommend as essential reading for a beginning student. Marcus Sesko publications and articles are a must read. Many are available online.

Thank you for responding. So very, very, sad to hear. Sorely missed. Warm Regards,

Sadly, a year has now passed. Is there any word on how is Guido doing? Thank you. With Warm Thoughts

My oversight ...

The process for making a foiled habaki versus a solid habaki involves different steps. The foil involves more labor and can be difficult. I have to disagree on which is more desirable while recognizing that that can be subjective. And, sorry, making a solid gold one or two piece habaki will be more expensive. http://www.cgfinearts.com/habaki_work.cfm Respectfully,

As a suggestion and fyi, Recommended polishers here in the states; Woody Hall in Nevada, Ted Tenold in Montana, and then Jimmy Hayashi who is a top level Japanese trained polisher in San Francisco. Decisions regarding a new shirasaya and or habaki can be made through the polisher. For shinsa, besides sending a sword to Japan, one option is waiting until the NTHK returns to the US. It may be wise to be certain the mei is valid before proceeding with a new polish.

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/files/file/36-collecting-nihontō-–-what-how-and-who/ The Craft of the Japanese Sword Yamanaka's Newsletters Revised http://www.ncjsc.org/ncjsc_publications.htm

Compton's Hundred Masterpieces.

It may be too soon to say at this point which tradition or school. There are quite a few listings for Mori-mitsu including Bizen, Mino and others. This sword needs closer study.

If someone is out to commit a crime a signature will not stop them. The main point being made by my post is that USPS Registered mail is still the most secure method of sending an item of value here in the States that I know of. That may be changing because of politics, but that's a different discussion.

Simply not true! Even when a sword is not in perfect polish if one knows how to look, if there truly is utsuri it can be spotted.

Following the Covid disruptions it was a relief to have the most recent USPS Registered mail package arrive with a knock on the door with a signature required once again. Hopefully that continues in this now everything for profit world. Yes, file a police report and get the authorities to start making inquiries, jerking people's chains. Sorry for your troubles.

This old thread may be of some value.

Mino Goto tsuba .... https://www.google.com/search?q=Mino+Goto+tsuba&sxsrf=ALiCzsYOeuSFiJ6J1CNhJ-1kewFdmlcehw:1667507065581&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5pLfy65L7AhXkD1kFHbXGCUUQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1097&bih=533&dpr=1.75

Fyi, https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/files/file/36-collecting-nihontō-–-what-how-and-who/

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanagassannbthk-hozon-token/