Soshin

I had a great show. I took a few photos of me packing up and unpacking from the show. I sold two tsuba and reduced my collection of Japanese sword fittings by -1. Thanks to @Mark and family for creating such a positive and welcoming atmosphere at the Chicago show. My wife Tamaki-san wants to join me the next time I go to the show.

Getting everything ready for the show. Only one more day of work helping students as a high school and college‑level private tutor in biology and chemistry before heading out. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it to the Chicago show this year. Everything I’ll be bringing has been appraised and is 100% authentic. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

I have done something similar with my Japanese coin collection last year. I used an app on my iPhone that IDs the Japanese coin and gives me an idea of the appoxiamate grade and value. I submit the top value gold and silver coin regarded by the app using AI from the Edo Period and both passed and came back with a high grade from the PCGS and they were also able to narrow it down to the specific Era in the Edo Period when the coins were minted by the Tokugawa government via the Goto family. I think international Japanese sword collecting in general could learn a thing or two from the international coin collecting hobby.

It should be noted that Matt is a member of the American branch of the NBTHK. This presentation will be well worth the time investment. I have old photos of us attending a old Mid Atlantic Token Kai meeting in northern Virginia way back in 2010. I think we became members of the the NBTHK around the same time. I joined the NBTHK a few years earlier in 2007.

I remember purchasing from his website way back in 2006. It was a nice tusba at a reasonable price that has long since left my personal Japanese art collection. I haven't been at his website recently, but still have it bookmarked. I think I will take a look.

I’ve already been in touch with the presenter for the 1:00 PM session on Saturday, April 25, 2026. I’ll be bringing a fine set of large Ko-Kinkō menuki with NBTHK papers. While they feature an iconic dragon motif, the pair also showcases several contrasting stylistic elements and techniques when compared with contemporary Ko-Gotō examples.

I have a signed copy of that book and that tsuba set is number 89 of the book. In the book it stills looks like a fake to me. Proof positive that no one is immune to the occasional fake as a collector. I have had my fake over the years.

Just wanted to follow up on my original comment with a post saying that I like Bonhams and still register and bid on their Japanese art auctions even to this day. I like their commitment to Japanese art throughout the years and have always had positive interactions with their director Jeff Olson. I just registered for their current fine Japanese and Korean Art auction here (Bonhams : Fine Japanese & Korean Art). It should be noted that I selected local pickup only during the registration process. So, I should be able to avoid extra fees associated with shipping and handling of the auction items. I recommend all NMB members who bid and win at the Tsuba: The R. E. Haynes Study Collection Auction to pick up their items at the auction house directly if possible.

Good luck @kissakai! From my experience if an auction house subcontracts the shipping it will usually be very costly. I once won a Bonhams Auction during COVID-19 pandemic, and the shipping was very slow and expensive from New York, USA to Maryland, USA. The shipper also shipped every tsuba in its box. This resulted in many damaged wooden boxes. Fortunately, tsuba were all iron Ko-Tōshō and Ko-Kachūshi tsuba and were unharmed by the very poor packing. I later had the tsuba boxes fixed and customized for each tsuba in Japan when they were apprised at the NBTHK.

I don't collect Goto school work I just searched how much 11,000 euros is in US dollars and I was shocked. I am friends with Paul, and his father and was shocked to the point I didn't response on Facebook to Paul's post about the tsuba (this does have happen often). It really looks fake to me, but keep in mind I don't collect and not really interested in Goto school work but have seen some fine examples in hand over the years and this set of tsuba is far from that level of quality.

I completely agree with Curran and Skip will be greatly missed. Will also check out the Grey's website but will be especially looking forward to seeing what Grey and Mark bring to the Chicago show as well from Skip's old collection.

Don't really care about this auction per say so not a big loss in my opinion in terms of not shipping to the USA. This not an attack on Mr. Haynes, I am just not doing much active collecting of Tsuba now and what I am after is really nice in my subject opinion and can be obtain elsewhere. I did just notice now that Curran has a new website. I am going to check that out this morning before work.

Hi @Markus! Thank you for posting the index of volume #4 of Tosogu Classroom. This is really helpful. I decided to get this volume and have send you an email confirming my address as such, even though it contains many schools that I not really interested in actively collecting. The Suishinshi Masahide School is one school I would love to learn more about before collecting a few nice examples of their work.

Hi @Markus! I am sending you an email now.

Hi Ray, Some very nice books. I know you are dealing with many, many Japanese swords right now, but when you get some free time later this year. Please send a title list and prices via PM or email via my website (Tsuba Otaku | Reflections of a Not So Empty Mind) of the Kokusai Tosogu Kai Convention & Exhibition books you have. I have a friend who has a piece from his collection that is going to be in the next exhibition book coming out in 2026 so I will be tied up with buying this book right now. Thank you.