Scogg

Thanks for the serial# info, Bruce. That's interesting! It's a shame @Shamsy and others are no longer active. Are there currently any leading experts on NCO 95s? I've been reading a lot about 95s, and hope to become pretty knowledgeable (after a few years maybe). Sorry Eric! Very cool side latch, and very hard to find! One of those models I keep an eye out for. Cheers, -Sam

Is the last sword photo in that thread, the wooden handle on page 3, a genuine example? I have never seen an NCO in the 300k serial number range. I had previously thought they only went up to ~200k+ Cheers, -Sam

Hi Jacob, I would argue that you're comparing apples and oranges here. Tsuba are considered handmade crafts, and works of art. Whereas coins and stamps are mass produced by the govt, turned collectibles. If each individual coin/stamp was designed by an artist and then hammered/cut out by-hand, you would see similar issues amongst coins/stamps. All in all, I would encourage you to collect whatever you like! In my experience, nothing worth doing is easy. And best of luck on your collection journey -Sam

I'll be there! I'll likely spend a majority of my time at the show on Saturday. I am not sure if I will make it on Friday (flying in that afternoon). I'll be traveling with my wife. I'm going for swords, she's going for the Vegas restaurants; not yet sure which will cost us more Looking forward to seeing you Adam, and any other forum members who may be in attendance. I'd love to hear about your Chikafusa! Cheers, -Sam

Can we see the torokusho from Showa 16? Maybe a typo or mis-translation as Showa 26 would be 1951? Here's an interesting write-up detailing post-war sword production: https://www.Japanese...ndex.com/history.htm All the best, -Sam

I once purchased an item I liked, listed as an 'obidome' - that ended up being a repurposed kashira from a sword. Tosogu can be repurposed all sorts of ways, and I imagine stand-alone menuki like yours would be a perfect candidate. Looks like it was originally a menuki to me! Below is a photo of my item, converted to an obidome (so you can see what that might look like), then I non-invasively converted it into a bolo-tie . Thank you for sharing. Cheers, -Sam

Hi Steve, are you trying to determine how many swords MORINOBU and KANENOBU might have forged during their lifetimes? You could theoretically assume the amount of swords any particular smith could make during their career. But you could never determine how many of those swords were destroyed/lost during the conflict, and furthermore how many were destroyed after the war. Maybe someday we'll have some rough numbers; if Bruce keeps cataloging All the best, -Sam

I don't think English is Jaques first language; and I have also occasionally gotten confused. Maybe he can help clarify, or possibly reword the question? Absolutely NO offense intended - I WISH I was multilingual . I am also diagnosed dyslexic... Further complicating things on my end. Cheers, -Sam

Stunning Adam! I imagine you're very proud to own such an amazing work of art and history. I love the sugata, it screams 'old'. I imagine the sword offers endless enjoyment in-hand. Color me jealous Cheers, -Sam

For hamon, I typically oscillate between 3 and 4 But I likely go through each step to see what gets revealed

I am inclined to agree with Dee, Rob, and Polaria That being said, I took a really hard look at #1 also. Do the chain links on that one not join vertically down the center seam? Is this a feature on this type of chain, or perhaps the sign of a fake? (Area in question highlighted with red line). Seems a recipe for entanglement. Thanks Hamfish, Good for study. -Sam

I fear we are playing the part of unpaid editors and producers of his Amazon books. His book is harmful to the collecting community, being nothing but circumstantial conspiracy theories copy and pasted from his posts on THIS forum. How is a new collector to know his book is less credible than another? He knows what he's doing is unethical. Otherwise he wouldn't be so defensive about his book. Ever met an author who doesn't want to market their material? I understand my words are not "flowers and rainbows" - so delete if needed. But this is the way I see it. Are we helping him write another? -Sam

My guess is the top half remnant of a damaged showa stamp. Looks like some green buildup around there too. How conveniently obscured that part of the image is . I think wartime showato are really interesting from a militaria collector standpoint. Being able to learn about individual smiths and their lives around the war is always interesting. The Fuller and Gregory books and softcover material has gone up in price A LOT. It took me a while to find them at a price I could manage. Maybe another sign of increased interest and popularity. All the best, -Sam

https://www.jstor.or...table/48647105?seq=1 page 5 You asked Jean to state his references. He was referencing the article that you shared, that I linked above. On page 5. But you’re right, he can defend himself, and I’m sure he will if he chooses to. But Dan, your inability to connect the dots is flabbergasting. I think it’s time for me to retire from these fantasy and guesswork threads of yours. Goodbye Dan, best of luck finding the ghosts you’re looking for. -Sam

His reference is the article that you, yourself, shared. His quote is on page 5, I think https://www.jstor.or...table/48647105?seq=1

Wow, another thread to pull my hair out over. Fremdschämen

It's important to remember correlation does not imply causation; and not all opinions are created equal. Dan, some food for thought. Can you imagine if I persistently told people on the forum with more knowledge than me, even after they tell me otherwise: "Maybe my sword was made with cast steel, and an alternative hardening method. It has features that I am unable to describe and identify, so it could be RARE, and an example of SECRET KNOWLEDGE." Because that's how all this sounds. Sincerely, -Sam

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/50881-fs-mumei-katana-w-shirasaya-nthk-npo/#comment-531411 Here is another example, posted in our For Sale section. This one is quite a bit lower, closer to the nakagojiri Cheers, -Sam

I’m looking forward to what members have to share here. I have this sword in koshirae. I don’t think it’s been messed with since it left Japan sometime prior to the Korean American war (time my grandfather acquired it). Although my grandpa did spray paint the saya gold that has since flaked off Not sure if it qualifies, and open to learn otherwise; but it’s at least a not-so-modern assembly. Cheers, -Sam (yep that’s me!) Menuki is mouse on ear of corn.

I don’t know Dan, I’ve seen a lot of proposed ideas on this thread, that make more sense than some unknown and mysterious alternative construction method. Even from some very experienced collectors. I think the onus of proof lies firmly in your hands now. Until then, onward?

Well, it comes from me, because i'm the one who said what you copy/paste quoted. You said you used sandpaper and steel wool, which, in my view, is a step further than simple rust mitigation or non-invasive rust removal.

Very good points about respect @Hokke I figured they had already threw respect out the door, so a monetary argument might be more convincing . To everyone else, I just don't get it.. Has Brian not been crystal clear on the topic? Another downvote, Dan? Jeez. -Sam

I'd love to see it! Looks like some nice activity going on there. Just an idea; and the more I look, the less it looks like scratching Best of luck, See ya in a few weeks! -Sam

Nobody is ever going to agree that someone untrained should polish a Nihonto here on NMB. Nihonto is not only art, but also culturally important. Many sword polishers (togishi), and smiths, dedicate their lives to the craft, and sacrifice A LOT to do it. Not to mention that particular sword may have history you're completely unaware of. I just think what you're proposing is ill-advised, but also disrespectful to history, culture, and the ancient+modern craftsman. https://japaneseswordindex.com/togishi.htm I'm not worried you'll ruin a great blade. I'm worried you're establishing a mindset of altering antique artifacts for no other reason than personal satisfaction. I'm worried that people will read this, and think "hey why not try myself, he did it!" Dan, what you're saying and showing is irresponsible and harmful to the hobby.

Hi Chandler, nice looking sword! Congrats! Photographing Nihonto is so challenging. Whenever I try, like you mentioned, I get one great photo for every 100 bad ones. Which fills up my phones memory really quick I wonder... if the features you're seeing might be light scratching/abrasion from wiping the blade. I can see some active rust on the last photo you shared, near the hamachi and munemachi. I can imagine that over the years, someone maybe wiped the blade from that area north toward the kissaki, causing some scratching? Just a theory/idea, as I cannot see it in-hand. All the best, -Sam