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That's a great idea for a new thread. I'd start it, but I don't want to take your idea. I'd certainly participate. I imagine we all have a story! Cheers, -Sam

4, the width and shape into the kissaki is what attracts me and makes me think “old”. Then the tanto Then 3, 2, 1 in that order. I agree shape is very important. I’m trying to fine tune my ability to recognize how shape can inform age. Cheers, -Sam

Yes, sending pm

There’s also a show in Vegas at the end of January. Not sure if that’s further or closer than SF for you, but it’s sooner! Best of luck, -Sam

Maybe someone can help my memory here, Who was the smith/s on the two Tokubetsu Juyo swords in the Bizen Display? Cheers, -Sam edit: Got the answer = Osafune Kanemitsu !

Just got home from the SF sword show, and I saw a few people, probably around 18, showing some real interest. An encouraging sign!

30+ From my perspective, the community is an older crowd. There’s more and more young folk getting into it though!

Just there to learn for me, and to handle more swords. I was open to buying, but unprepared to fly anything home with me. My favorite sword of the show (aside from the bizen display and other 50k+ items): Was a Yamato Hosho katana with Tanobe Sayagaki. It had really stunning masame, hakikake, and some itame/mokume that I understand is a bit uncharacteristic of the school. I really enjoyed admiring it. Right now I’m liking Yamato swords quite a bit. Cheers, -Sam

Saw a lot of really amazing swords and fittings. It’s awesome what people are willing to let you handle on their tables - it’s really an incredible opportunity to handle swords; and the dealers and artisans are very kind, helpful, and educational. A big highlight for me was meeting fellow forum members to chat swords @Kyoto-13 @atm @nulldevice, it’s a lot of fun to chat Nihonto with other collectors. Another was the Nambokucho Bizen display and lecture. There were a couple TokuJuyo swords on the table that were absolutely stunning. What an opportunity! And Thomas’s Morisuke is really impressive! Anyway, I’m traveling back home now. All the best, and until next year! -Sam

The overhead lighting in the room is not perfect. But thankfully many dealers have their own lights for their display. Many of the swords are in amazing polish. So even in not ideal lighting, much activity can still be seen. I remember last year there was some purple light overhead, and that was really bad for viewing - I feel it’s better this year. I hope to meet some fellow forum members today! I’ll be in a green cap with a yellow 0 on it. Please say hello! And apologies in advance for my perpetual social awkwardness All the best, -Sam

I have arrived! I spent a lot of time on the floor today, and I’ll be there even longer tomorrow. Hope y’all made it safe

I think what you are referring to is called ATOBI. If it’s a horimono carved after smithing it’s called ATOBORI. Hope this helps your searches, All the best, -Sam

I am just now realizing that I spelled San Francisco incorrectly in the title Just a few days away. Safe travels everyone Cheers, -Sam

That's very exciting Thomas. Is there anything an attendee like me needs to do, to view the Nanboku-cho Bizen presentation? A sign-up perhaps? I've been reading up on the topic in preparation for the show, and stumbled across this. I hope you don't mind me sharing it here, its a fascinating read! https://nihonto.com/bizen-morisuke-備前守助/ All the best, -Sam

Wow, very cool! Thank you for sharing these photos and your story. Looking forward to seeing what else you find! Welcome to the forum, Cheers, -Sam

I did a little digging and found my post about it. Here it is! With some images for posterity: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/48491-weird-showa-to-with-seppa-latchlock/#comment-504210

Here’s another unusual method that I saw on a late war setup on eBay a while back. It attached to a peg on the saya. Unfortunately I did not save more photos.

I had a feeling you might be filing these . I will make a post in the military sword section once I find some time for a photo-shoot. I have this sword in my possession now, it came from a widow in the area. My first Showa-to! Hopefully I can add #8 to your files, we'll see. Anyway, hopefully this helps for your files for now: -The sword is in Standard type 98 fittings, with metal saya. -Inside the Fuchi, saya, and on the Tsuka under the button lock, are the numbers 226. The Fuchi is an off color compared to the other fittings, making me suspect a field repair or later addition. -I believe these numbers match the red writing on the nakago. -There's no numbers anywhere else i've found, yet. Button is missing, but lock is functional. Tsuba is not punched through. Nice sarute if original. About the blade, It's in OK condition with some surface rust and a minor chip (less than 1mm). Being a showato, I'll keep it as-is, or sell it down the road. Hope this helps! Cheers, -Sam

Thank you Geraint! My signature has less characters, but If I’m interpreting this correctly, is it signed: “Ôsawa Kanehisa Saku” With the Kanehisa kokuin below. Much appreciated, thank you very much!

Recently found this WW2 type 98 with a showato blade. It has a hot stamp, which I thought was interesting @Bruce Pennington. I understand the seki stamp indicates it’s not traditionally made - but I like this item from a Japanese militaria viewpoint. I was hoping to solicit your help with the translation of the mei and interpretation of the hot stamp near the nakagojiri. All the best, -Sam

Thank you Ray, much appreciated! The owner of the sword will be happy to finally have a translation after being in his family for so long

A person on another site gave me permission to share these images here. On a suriage sword he inherited. These are his photos, not mine, so apologies if they are a little unclear. I am curious if the mei is legible and I could help him get a translation. All the best, -Sam

Upon hearing this news, I tried emailing their website again. I got an automatic reply informing me that Chris has indeed passed away. It also had contact info for anyone who may have open orders with them. Very sad to hear, -Sam

Hi Jackson, and fellow neighbor/Oregonian! Unfortunately I don't think these kinds of questions belong on this forum - Unless that sword and repro-fittings are Japanese made or hand-crafted. It's also unfortunate that Fred Lohman's company is no longer around. He was active before my time in sword collecting, but man, it would have been awesome to have someone like him so close by. I've heard rumors that his son is still active - but my attempts to contact him have failed. Oh well, Anyway, I think your question might be best answered on Reddit in r/katanas. There's a really active community there who collect and outfit repros and modern blades. Not my thing, but they seem to help each other out quite a bit and are fairly friendly. Just beware, you can get a mixed bag of advice on reddit - so do your due diligence and research. Best of luck, Feel free to message me anytime about Oregon and swords - There's a militaria sale this weekend in Portland. Cheers! -Sam

For a side-by-side comparison: