Surfson

The tsuba on the right was signed by Konkan. He was one of the greatest artists and a reliable source assures me that the mei is likely to be genuine. In my opinion, this tsuba would have a good chance to receive juyo papers, so the hammer price probably doesn't just reflect two wealthy people with no regard for value, but rather experts that realize the quality of the piece and the possibility that it gets juyo papers.

Soheishi Nyudo Soten Ju

The written information you have is mostly correct, though the lordship is in Hyuga, not Hinata (just noticed that Geraint pointed this out already). There is an example in Fujishiro (p380 of my copy) that seems to indicate that this one might be second generation and chujosaku.

A NMB reader messaged me about what happened with this sword. As I mentioned in the thread, the NTHK-NPO papered it to Ko-Mihara. I thought it was Kamakura, and Darcy had a nice photographic demonstration of the identity of shape with a Sukezane (now gone on this very old thread). The thread also had a lot of debate about muneyaki and other interesting topics, so I decided to go ahead and revive it, even though it got a little chippy at times. When the sword was being fitted for a habaki and shirasaya, Mishina San reached out to me about the nakago. The habaki maker suggested that the nakago be filed and restored because of the active rust, and Mishina San supported that. I approved. When it went to NBTHK, it papered to Sue Bizen. I don't recall whether a specific maker or sub-school was mentioned. I was disappointed because the tang looked much more like that of a much younger sword, and I will never know, but thought that change in image might have influenced the shinsa team. I have moved cross country this month, and my papers are yet to be unpacked after the move. I will dig them up when the unpacking gets to them and see if they said more than Sue Bizen. Cheers, Bob

Does anybody have examples of hakogaki made by Kunzan?

I have met Udo several times at shows in Chicago and Las Vegas. He has high quality items with fair market prices.

Thanks for your candid views Steve. I may submit them to NTHK-NPO when they come to San Francisco some time. Anybody know if they have top experts for kantei of fittings?

Thanks all. It adheres to my desire to restore and preserve. Cheers, Bob

What do you think Steve? Shoshin or gimei. I love it either way....

Sorry it took me so long to extend this thread. Since we last discussed it, it has gone to Japan and received Tokubetsu Hozon papers to Kanemitsu. It now has a nice Tanobe sayagaki as well.

Forgot about this post. Does anybody have any opinions about whether the mei matches validated examples? The work is so good that I would be surprised if it isn't shoshin....

Nice sword and study piece Charles. And the Mino/Ko-mino tsuba is quite fine as well. Enjoy!

Thanks Chris, and I hope you make a speedy recovery.

I think you mean Hindson.

Probably a translation of "ichiban"