Okan

Just a personal impression. I’ll leave it at that

I visited two days ago and was surprised to see that some blades and fittings which would barely have qualified for Tokuho 5-6 years ago were able to pass Juyo. Of course, there were some great pieces as well.

@wakiboy yup!

I like them both — each set has its own character. And yes, according to the origami, it’s a joint work made at the same time. Sokujo and Teijo were cousins. Sokujo lived a very short life and passed away at the age of 31. His son Renjo was four at the time, so although he was the intended successor, uncle Teijo stepped in to take over the mainline, raising and training Renjo until he came of age. Renjo, assumed the position at 25, becoming the 11th-generation head.

No, I'm sending my collector half instead

I’ll be there as well.

Hi Mike, Previous set is NBTHK 67th Juyo..this one is Tokubetsu Hozon with Origami by the 12th gen Goto Mitsumasa.

Well, as you know, they all copied the work of their predecessors, so most of the pieces show similarities with both earlier and later generations. But of course, some are inferior in quality, while others just speak to you. Ones at Eirakudo are very nice as well. @Dereks Menuki and all other mon(shishis) are solid gold.

Hi all, Since I had some time for photos today, I thought I’d share this one as well. A mitokoromono by Sokujo, the 8th-generation mainline Goto. According to the origami, the nanako ground was made by Teijo, the 9th generation. Enjoy!

It's Juyo.

@Ray Singer Nice one Ray! Can't get enough of Hotei. @Curran And Kojo and his father Joshin..Ashikaga vs Nobunaga...First 5 generations really went through a lot..And of course I read the article, twice

Actually, it’s very close to Oda Nobunaga’s set, made by Yūjō. If he knew, I’m sure it would annoy Hideyoshi as well. Or maybe not.

Agree with @Curran...

Thank you, Curran! I knew he didn’t get along with Ieyasu, but I wasn’t aware of the connection to Lone Wolf. I picked it up in Japan from someone well known, along with a Sokujo shishi set, just last week.

Hi all, Just like to share my recent acquisition, a unique Mitokoro-mono by the 5th generation mainline head of the Goto school, Tokujo. He was the eldest son of Kujo, born in 1549 and passed away in 1631. After serving Oda Nobunaga, he became the court chisel master for Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Exhibited at the Tokyo National Museum. Enjoy!

Thank you, Moriyama-san!

Signed as: 莊司次郎太郎直勝 嘉永六年二月日庇畠山氏需造之 Shōji Jirōtarō Naokatsu Made by order of the Hatakeyama clan(family) in February, 1853 (Kaei 6)

Hi, Can anyone help me figure out what it says? Seems like 2 kanji? If so, second one is ト perhaps? Thank you

@Dereks, here's a comparison with a 25cm tanto. Regarding the stamp, I'm working on it.

@Spartancrest Good old deities..(Hiten) @Steve Waszak I'm glad you liked it! @Curran Thanks! Loved your quiet lion comparison—really captures its presence. I’ll make sure it’s well cared for. I'll share some more details soon.

I’d appreciate it if someone could kindly double-check this. 清音 ?

Thank you, Axel. The koshirae doesn’t have papers, and to be honest, I haven’t decided yet whether it needs one. (It'll get tokubetsu %100) And yes, the stamp is on the bottom of the shirasaya — part of the ongoing research.

Hello all, I’m pleased to share something that I’ve gave a lot of effort to get. It’s a special order Naokatsu Wakizashi. Although the name is inscribed, I don’t want to give so much information about the person who ordered it as my research is still going on. All fittings are made and signed by 7th gen Goto Seijo, and whole set is original to the blade(possibly sageo as well), bearing the name of the same individual - been preserved in perfect condition for exactly 172 years. I’m not sharing detailed images of the blade yet, as it needs to be photographed in a better setup. And at present, it is not for sale. Hope you enjoy it.

Dear John, I'll try to share it today. What made you think it has a koshirae :D