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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:

Less than two weeks now. Hopefully the forest fires, and Microsoft updates don't mess with anyones flights Looking forward to meeting you @nulldevice and @Seth! It should be a good time, Cheers, -Sam

Hi Colin, Ill wait for the more experienced to answer your translation questions. What I am able to answer, is that these are Hozon papers, not TokuHo The easiest way for me to tell the difference is the top left punched out area. I got this image from this link: http://www.nihontocr...se_sword_papers.html All the best, -Sam

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Yes, Just like swords, fittings can also be given papers by the NBTHK. These fittings in particular are really stunning. But for that price, I’d personally want papers. All the best, -Sam

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Thats awesome Mark, thank you! I've got my room booked, and am looking forward to it. Good to know that staying on site helps support the show. If there is anything else we can do, as attendees, to support the event; please let me know! I'm going to try and make it to the Chicago show next year. Cheers, -Sam

Not sure what they're going for now, but at the Mariott where the event is held, I was able to get a couple nights for less than 500 Some of those "airport hotels" that are on the same street as the event have decent rates. BUT they're pretty far from anything cool in SF (aside from the event of course) ^Recommending the Mariott exclusively to support the event. Cheers, -Sam

Looking forward to meeting you, and seeing your table Tom! I appreciate all you do for the event. I'll be the young gentlemen, who's smaller than most, sporting a mustache. If anyone sees me, feel free to get my attention and say hello!

Now that Orlando is behind us - we're one month out from the SF show! I went last year for my first time, and really enjoyed it. For those who have not been before, I highly recommend it. Dates are FRI/SAT/SUN August 2nd-4th. I will be attending this year, and would love to say hello and meet other fellow members. Who is all attending? More info in links: https://nihonto.com/sword-show/ http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm All the best, and I hope to see you there! -Sam

Hi Reinhard, thank you! Good observation, and I agree, I also see hakikake boshi. I’m still stumped for now, but I am enjoying admiring the sword and looking into the possibilities. To address an observation made earlier in the thread: I carefully observed the shongi-ji, and am stumped if I’m seeing masame or evidence of burnishing from polishing. There is an open grain area that appears to resemble a continuation of the itame hada into the shinogi ji. I was unable to get a good photo of that, and I am unconvinced one way or the other. Thank you! Photos of kissaki near dime for scale, -Sam

There's really no danger in sharing your first name. If it were, i'd be in some serious peril having social media accounts and a Linkedin. The Nihonto community is smaller than most "collector communities". On this website people buy and sell items, join local clubs, chat and meet up at regional events. It's a personable hobby, and it will benefit you in the long run to be yourself and not just "anonymous crusader" Just my two cents, and with all due respect. All the best, and welcome to the forum! -Sam

Best of luck, It's good for all sorts of leather products and clothing. If you're crafty and savvy, you'll find multiple uses for it - and it will be well worth the price. Cheers, -Sam

Only you can say if it's too expensive, but 10oz for $33 - should last you a long long time. I'd go with the Connolly personally. The image below is the Pecard i've used. I'm not familiar or experienced with the version from your image. Russ's comment above includes some instructions on how-to-use. All the best, -Sam

Yes, it will only improve the life of the leather. Connolly is the best of the best. I used it on my antique saddle that was made before the 1906 San Francisco Fire - and it did wonders to improve the luster and life of the leather. (All thanks to recommendations on this forum, probably from @The Blacksmith ) Edit: I've also used Pecard brand Antique Leather Dressing with good success on other antique leather items. Best of luck, -Sam

Looks great Steve! Always nice when things work out. Woody, like always did a great job; and you've helped the sword return to glory Thank you for sharing, Cheers, -Sam

In my opinion the stamp looks to be applied “top heavy” and the bottom part of the stamp has a very faint impression compared to the top part. I’ve seen similar stamps on other swords - some more deeply imprinted than others. If you imagine hammering the stamp, any slight angle will cause one side to be deeper than the other. Cheers, -Sam

Hi Mike, That mark in the yellow circle is what @Bruce Pennington was referring to as a "SEKI stamp" Generally, it means that the sword was made with non-traditional methods in some way. It is still a totally genuine sword from WW2, and very collectible amongst militaria collectors. Below is a link that describes some differences between various WW2 Japanese swords and stamps. https://www.Japanese...ndex.com/showato.htm All the best, -Sam

Here is the opinion of CHAT GBT - which is an artificial intelligence used to search the internet for answers. AI is not perfect, and should be taken with a grain of salt, but sometimes offers a interesting perspective which seems to imply that both legends have melded to an extent: -------------------------------------- QUESTION: In Japanese folklore; what is the difference between Chinnan Sonja and Handaka Sennin? ChatGPT: In Japanese folklore, Chinnan Sonja (also known as Chinnan Shōnin or Chinnan Sennin) and Handaka Sennin are both revered as legendary figures associated with immortality and supernatural powers, often depicted in Taoist and Buddhist contexts. Here are the key differences between them: Chinnan Sonja (Chinnan Sennin): Background: Chinnan Sonja is typically associated with Taoist practices and is considered an immortal or sage who has achieved enlightenment and longevity through spiritual cultivation. Attributes: He is often depicted with mystical powers, such as the ability to control the elements, fly on a cloud, or perform miraculous feats. Cultural Significance: Chinnan Sonja is revered in Japanese folklore for his wisdom and his ability to teach others the path to enlightenment and immortality. Handaka Sennin: Background: Handaka Sennin is another legendary figure in Japanese folklore, often associated with more localized traditions or regional myths. Attributes: Like Chinnan Sonja, Handaka Sennin is portrayed as an immortal or a wise hermit who possesses supernatural abilities. Cultural Significance: Handaka Sennin may be known for specific tales or stories that highlight his interactions with other characters or his teachings, often emphasizing moral lessons or insights. Key Differences: Origin: Chinnan Sonja is more commonly associated with broader cultural and religious contexts, such as Taoism and Buddhism, whereas Handaka Sennin might be linked to more localized or regional traditions within Japan. Teachings: While both figures may impart wisdom and spiritual teachings, their specific philosophies or moral lessons could differ based on the stories and legends associated with them. Iconography: In art and literature, Chinnan Sonja and Handaka Sennin may be depicted differently, reflecting their respective backgrounds and the cultural contexts in which they are revered. Overall, both Chinnan Sonja and Handaka Sennin represent aspects of wisdom, longevity, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment within Japanese folklore, with variations depending on the specific tales and traditions in which they appear. -------------------------------------- All the best, -Sam

Just chiming in again to say, I love the direction this thread has gone, and I’m enjoying seeing these incredible tsuba with similar depictions. Cheers!

Thank you Piers! Those suggestions really opened up my searches. Always fun to look into a new piece. Much appreciated, Cheers! -Sam

Thank you Colin, thats very helpful. Knowing that it's depicting a known motif, Sennin releasing his dragon, makes me like it more! The one thing I DO really like about it, is the tiny brass/gold/yellow eye of the dragon. I thought that was a nice touch. Thanks again everyone. You've helped ease my suspicions, and given me some great things to look into! Cheers, -Sam

Great info Geraint, thank you very much! I'll enjoy looking into Kaneiye. Cheers, -Sam

It had no description whatsoever. It was just on a sword I received, and it fit poorly. I was able to replace it with another Tsuba that happened to fit very nicely. This one came from the sword in my previous post in the Nihonto subforum "Am I on the right track?". I agree that it feels off! I am certainly suspicious, but I don't have the knowledge to state anything factually. It won't hurt my feeling to receive bad news on this one. Like many of my posts, I just want information and hopefully I can learn something. I don't particularly like it aesthetically... It's simply not my style. I prefer more simple subject matter that depict Mon, animals, or plants. Cheers, -Sam