Paz

Hi @Alex A I do hate these discussions as a new collector and a martial artist. From reading Facebook. The sword used in this horrendous act was an already banned replica according to one specialist. An article by nine circles has been published which mentions that iaitos used in iaido are in jepordy as they are not traditionally made. The sword used in this act was not a legitimate sword ie antique or handforged it seems. Martial artist who practice sword arts carry insurances provided by the BKA. Their is talk of a license system to all sword carriers. Now this may even include religious groups who practice martial arts such as gatka ie sikhs. But the best logic is yes. That zombie and machete swords were easier to get hold of and don't have much antique presence as say indian and Japanese swords. Somebody on youtube did contact their PM and received a reply saying that fencing won't be effected. So I don't know if that includes iaido. But I'm sure people in the government know. 🙄. That Japanese swords are historically important and worth high value. Works of cultural heritage. Imagine telling the Japanese ambassador in the UK that they are melting Japanese cultural property. A permit system or license seems the best option. As with guns.

Actually just read scholagladiatoria post on there. Unfortunately your original post stands.

They are the same as royal mail. But apparently antique will be exempt. They backtracked on this. Paul martin asked this on Facebook. Worth reading

Their is a good book by William de lange on history of the yagyu ryu. Available on amazon.

It's amazing how you can easily collect nihonto books. Which begin to increase in price as time goes on.

Thank you all. Just ordered a copy. Kind regards Paz

😬 my mistake just re read it. Thanks Franco.

Sorry, you're correct on ubu. Not suriage. But doesn't over 60 cm mean katana ? Rather than o wakizashi?

Hi all Two questions. And some sub questions 1. I've heard and read that genuine mei were removed and replaced with gimei If so. - what are the signs on the nakago that this has happend ? 2. Are there any books or sources about the period from 1868 to 1920 ? I'm trying to study how shinshinto transitioned into gendai. This is one period that I'm interested in. Thanks Regards

Hi there and welcome to the forums. I beleive this is katana as its over 60cm. O suriage. I cant see the polish up close, but from what I do see. It doesn't seem bad for the price. Il let someone with more experience with kanetsune examine the mei. Seems tachi mei. But I could be wrong. Kind regards Paz

Hi all, I'm trying to ascertain this pattern on the hamon. You can see a pattern which is like a u shape on the hamon. Is this sunagashi or nie ? Doesn't look sunagashi to me. Thanks Regards Paz

Some of your posts have made them think quite a bit Alex. I recently did my own research on a blade, only because I was already given a lead on who the smith was. But then the smiths oshigata appeared in a well known book. The wakizashi was mumei, so it couldn't be gimei. And everything from type of hamon, to yasurime matched !. Luckily the hamon was unique to that particular school and one other. Oshigata books in Japanese which aren't translated which the NBTHK use, potentially have a huge impact If used in the west. But yes we can't issue papers. But aren't papers only important to people who don't plan to keep the sword forever?? Or is it a satisfaction of an authority saying "yes ,the sword is that ". Regards

What is it Gmail, outlook or yahoo? As in chris using

Yep, Gimei doesn't make a bad sword. Actually if it's gimei high chance that it's a quality sword that the smith knew could pass on as gimei.

@Brian Good point about education.. @2devnul Thing is If its gimei. Its still nihonto. Still a traditionally made Japanese sword antique. The question then is what is the value of a traditionally forged Japanese sword ? especially if it's over 100 years old. I mean yes it's gimei. But it's still worth polishing, restoring and preserving. I would not be disappointed unless i spent something stupid over the top.

As Oliver mentioned seskos book Nihon shinshinto shi has great much info. Generally masahide is seen as the originator of the shinshinto era of sword making. His famous students such as chousai tsunatoshi and tsunahide worked with hamons such as toranba. Masahide believed that shinto period swords were inferior to koto (old) swords, and tried to imitate swords from koto periods. (Am I right ) I think he even tested a bunch of swords and recorded the ones that broke. But yes he's a big name. Regards

@BranoI agree and this is where the difficulty comes in. We are using our brand new mobile phones, and a 1k plus camera is going to do so much more lol. We're trying to get the minute details with ios or android cameras. Which are great, but are not going to capture the details an expensive camera will.

Yep I tried something similar. I used a lamp and managed to get some decent results on a koto. Koto steel seems contrast well compared to shinto as mentioned. Using a dark background. The below is trying to use a lamp and black surface on a shinshinto.

Would the surrounding make a difference? Ie brighter walls ? Or would you cover them up with a dark or black cloth. I will try what's been suggested. For example I'm trying to capture the ashi on the hamon. Regards

So I've been testing lighting and photography and have tried to really get the best images I can. Using lamp light and flash. Please try to enjoy this late shinshinto piece (maybe). They might not be that great. Focused on Hamon and kissaki. And I would like to know what are the best photography practices to bring out the best in characteristics? Ie lamp light ect.

Hey David. Always examine the nakago of anything your going to buy. Especially if it's not from someone who deals with traditional nihonto. I'd strongly recommend books before any purchase, if its again, not from either Japan or a reputable seller of traditional Japanese swords. The best beginner book in my opinion is Leon kapp book art of the samurai, readily available on amazon. Unfortunately the market is flooded with replica nihonto made in either China or Korea and others. Some of these range from awful to close - Especially to the untrained eye. And even more annoying that I've recently noticed is that they are signing kanji names of real smiths. Good luck

Where did you buy this from David ? If you don't mind telling.

Buy the sword not the papers and be careful of the signature when their are no papers confirming the mei. Their are some great traditional stuff which is gimei and worth the blade alone. BUT. you pay the price for what is a gimei sword.

Don't have an example to show. But new koshiare might be a good reason

Here's a question. I've noticed some nanbokucho swords or later, which have Tokubetsu Hozon papers and sword polished, but without shirasaya ??? Instead their in koshiare. Why would a freshly polished sword not be given shirasaya?