CSM101

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.

#1 = Tanto; mumei, Juyo Bijutsuhin attributed to Masamune; known as Hachisuka Masamune #2 = Katana, shumei Rai Kunimitsu #3 = Tachi, signed Sanekage (Ko-Hoki) #4 = Wakizashi; signed Hizen Tadahiro #5 = Katana signed Gassan Sadatoshi, dated Heisei 30 = 2018 Uwe G.

Yes. Uwe G.

For comparison: some photos. Uwe G.

Quick answer: They don´t know you, they don´t trust you. Okay, it is a little bit more complicated. But in the end you won´t get any good shots. Time and light are the most important factors. Here is a different location with better light but less time: Uwe G.

It´s a piece that comes from a serious collector. But here is another one. A little bit blurred. Sorry! Uwe G.

My guess would be gimei. Uwe G.

No. You had a better chance to make close ups when you used a mobile phone. In some cases the dealers jumped in the way: "No photos!" So, that´s all I got. Uwe G.

A few impressions: https://www.nihontophoto.com/dai-token-ichi-2019 Uwe G.

Dear Barry, zentosho.com used to offer a translation. But not for the last three years. So, as a compensation: some photos. Uwe G.

For comparison: Owari. Uwe G.

I hope that you sit and a doctor is near by: The Kato Teruaki was sold for 19.000 EUR netto. And the rest was kind of insane too. Uwe G.

Sorry Brian, I came back with more than 6.000 photos. You can ask me in two months again. Uwe G.

And the rest: Uwe G.

More photos: Uwe G.

If you come to Tokyo and you are looking for Japanese sword dealers you can ask Professor Dr. Google. In my case I wanted to be prepared. So, I made a map with all the important locations in Ginza. All the other dealers like Japanese Swords-Inami, Aoi and so on are not in the map. If you want a better version from the map, please send me a PM. Be careful: Tsutaya books is in the Ginza 6 Shopping Mall, sixth floor; Seiyoudo you can find at Gin5za second floor and Sokendo is in the basement of the Imperial Hotel. Uwe G.

The catalogue is online: https://www.hermann-historica.de/de/auctions/detail/id/459 Now you have a chance to see the details. and on 21.November comes the rest: https://www.hermann-historica.de/de/auctions/detail/id/465 Uwe G.

A white balance card is okay. But then you need a calibrated monitor with 99 % AdobeRGB. And for god´s sake not a mobile phone! Uwe G.