CSM101

A little bit of masame: Uwe G.

This one. Uwe G.

There is simply no other place, where you can see something like that. Uwe G.

In the end it is enough to take a look at the signature: the kanji are just scratches. There is no strength in there. And with a signature like that you don´t need to take a look at the rest. Uwe G.

For comparison: Bizen Morimitsu. Uwe G.

Dear Paul, this is really the sword that you are holding in your hand. And you are right: nothing is more enjoyable than holding a sword of that quality in your hands. Over the last few months we were discussing a lot of topics. But somehow I got the feeling that most people don´t know, what we are talking about. Nashiji hada, tekkogane, konuka, chikei, whatever... Of course I could show just a photo. But then there is the problem with copyright and ownership. With a short film you have at least a chance to realise what is meant. And with Rai Kunimitsu you have the best of the best in suguha. Some may disagree, but that´s okay. I will try to make some more short films in the future. And only parts of the blade. Uwe G. PS: As far as I remember some tears we had to remove.

First try: Uwe G.

Maybe Gassan. I once saw something like that in a Ise Masazane blade (Sengo school). Uwe G.

Just to show what I mean. Uwe G.

I would exclude Hosho and go for Taema. With Hosho hada and hamon run parallel. Uwe G.

Dear Paul, I have always two things in mind: #1 = "If your photos are not good enough, then you are not close enough" Robert Capa and #2 = "The amateur wants a better hardware. The semi pro wants a better software. And the real pro wants a better light." Unknown So, here is my setup when it comes to tsuba. The best thing is F&V HDR-300 ringlight. Not a ringflash. You can control the brightness in a much better way then with a ringflash. And the result: two halves stitched together, CutOut, done. Uwe G.

Nowadays everything is digital. Okay, there are some enthusiats out there who use film. But in the end: digital. It is more ore less a discussion about using Photoshop or not. I am not one of those "one shot and be done with it" guys. I use Photoshop. And the next question is: how much is okay? Here are some examples: a Hirata tsuba before and after. Is it okay to cut it out? Is it okay to make a retouche? It depends on what you want to do with those photos. Are they just for you? Will they be on a bookcover? And a Gassan. Uwe G.

Well, in the end it depends on the circumstances. If you are in a Museum or visiting a friend then you can use a mobile phone. But at home and nobody near you, you have to use a camera. Otherwise you can try to win a Formula One Race with a Fiat Panda. Same result. Won´t work. But there is another magic word: whisper, whisper = Photoshop! Uwe G.

Let me guess: you use your mobile phone? Uwe G.

Dear Dwain, It simply doesn´t work that way. You give us maybe 5 cm of a blade and then you want a proper kantei. There are more points than just tekogane or something that looks like that. If you want an answer than show the blade someone you can trust. Or send the blade to Japan. I don´t want to give you an anwser. Or if my life would hang on it then I would give you a Thumbs down. Simply because hada and hamon are not consistent enough. But like I wrote: send the blade to Japan. Uwe G.

I don't know. If you think about it, i would assume on both sides. Uwe G.

As far as I know tekogane is core steel. And No. This seems to be no Kotetsu. Uwe G.

Kotetsu and his tekogane. Take a look at the photo from the blade and where to find it. Uwe G.

Okay, I think it is a little bit unfair to say gimei without an explanation. Signature # 1 is a wakizashi with Tokubetso Hozon. The blade is published in the Kotetsu Taikan. And here is signature # 2. the only known naginata naoshi by Kotesu. Juyo Token. Uwe G.

Gimei. Uwe G.

Chris, you should visit Japan and look at some of the swords over there. Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (Kokuho). Very nice sword! Uwe G.

A little bit more background information: Uwe G.

Another two examples of Rai Kunimitsus works. Rai1 with chikei en masse and in Rai2 you can clearly see the nie utsuri. Uwe G.

I had the chance to hold the blade in my hands. I can assure you that the blade is not tired. But with those photos I would say "Photoshop gone crazy!" You have no idea what Aoi did. But in reality it is not the same tanto. And the price was a little bit less (3.3 Mio). Uwe G.

Heard a story that customs from the Berlin/Brandenburg area gone crazy. But only there. At the moment. Uwe G.