Big Jimp

Recently at the advice of a friend with shared interest in the preservation of nihonto, I’ve tried and now implemented the use of 99% isopropyl alcohol in my sword care regimen. I’ve used it, rather than uchiko or anything so abrasive, to remove old oil at the start of a cleaning or before studying my blades. My test run was on a showato I posses, and with great result I have since implemented it for use with my nihonto. A partially saturated, folded tissue paper wiped gently across a sword does a fantastic and quick job of removing old oil and evaporating. A single follow-up wipe with dry tissue paper or a microfiber cloth ensures dryness and gets up any remaining bits. The blade is left perfectly cleaned, an unharmed. Everything in moderation, of course. Attached is a photo of my gendai Hizen-tō after such treatment. V/R, Jim

Pending Sale to 2devnul

Thank you very much for this document! I knew that Masatsugu had learned from his father and knew a bit about him, but not that he can be considered an 8th generation Hizen smith. The wealth of information NMB continues to provide is incredible.

Hi Bruce, I was talking with my Sensei the other day and he and I agreed, the little things are big. Good filing on the nakago is one of those little things that really brings a sword to the next level for both of us! And I quite appreciate the little shows of hard work, like the rain pattern on the habaki. ,Jim

Considering parting ways with my showato. It is immaculately well polished and has an impressively deep sori (~1.7cm) for its relatively short 64.4cm nagasa. The gunome midare hamon is prominent and has many ashi. The nakago is unmarked and the sword is in shirasaya with a copper habaki. I am considering parting with it simply to clear space in my collection and humbly offer this as an inexpensive entry point to the study and collection of Japanese swords. Though showato are not considered nihonto proper, they are Japanese swords in the literal sense and, I feel, an excellent “jumping off point” to begin one’s sword journey. The sword was purchased from Aoi Art and will ship in its sword bag with an Aoi Art estimation paper and a whole oshigata. Asking 1200 USD shipped in the US, price is negotiable. Including the oshigata and full scan image here, with photos by me to come below.

Just out of export jail and transferred safely to my care, a katana signed by Hizen Kuni Masatsugu, real name Taguchi Kiichi. He was an accepted army swordsmith and was rated a “one million yen smith” at Toko Taikan. NBTHK Hozon papers issued 2021. Based on mei location, overall length and the period it was produced, I believe this sword to be a former gunto. It is around 64cm nagasa with 1.5cm sori. Hamon is a well done, regularly thick suguha and jigane is well packed. It is well polished. What really grabbed my eye though is the koshirae, a meticulously made false hiking stick. Shikomizue were often made with wakizashi, yari, sharpened farming implements or chains as the concealed weapon and were mostly made when it was necessary to conceal one’s weapon. It’s interesting to see a gendaito with such koshirae. I wonder if it was made to scratch a particular itch in the previous owner’s collection, or perhaps for some other reason.