Clive Sinclaire

This reads: Seki kokuin NOSHU JU TSUKAHARA KANETSUGU KIN SAKU, or so I believe. I am sure you realise that it is only a Showa-to. Clive Sinclaire

As well as Showa-to which will be destroyed if found in Japan, the NBTHK will not issue papers on swordsmiths that are still alive. I am not sure but think the same applies to the NTHK. Clive Sinclaire

I think that on the first nakago that Eric posted there is the additional "oite Orande Kitae Saku" engraved, meaning "Made by Dutch forging" and this refers to Yukihiro's trips to Nagasaki to learn about Dutch forging of firearms. Euguchi thinks this may just be a marketing gimick and Yukihiro could not have learned anything from the Dutch! Interesting Eh? Clive Sinclaire

Gentlemen I am sorry to have joined this debate so late. I am pleased that so many like Sasaki's uichiko. He is also an old family friend of mine (I had dinner with him after Dai To-ken Ichi in November) and I know his uichiko is very fine and of excellent quality. I did not see it mentioned about after-polish care so I thought I should. After a sword is polished, for a few months it will "sweat" water and this must be cleaned off immdiately or your new polish will soon become damaged. You should use your good uichiko for this. Also, after a sword has been out on display or viewed, it should be uichiko'd as soon as possible and then oiled (if you keep a sword oiled, some don't). Mostly uichiko is for removing choji-abura which can not be done with the new impregnated cloths. You should learn to use uichiko properly and safely as part of your original sword care and etiquette training, such as how to uichiko swords with horimono etc. By the way, in caligaphy, the little up-strokes or flicking at the end of a stroke are also called hike, the scratches so refered to are at the end of a poor wiping action when removing the uichiko iin a similar way as the caligraphy strokes. Only use good uichiko on good swords, but mainly do it correctly and with a light hand. Good old Jim Kurasch had a few funny ideas but mainly he was sound. Regards Clive

It's a great shame that there is so much wrong with the nakago and it is a million miles away from ubu. The mei looks pretty good but the suriage, machi-okuri, 3 mekugi-ana and it looks like damage to the ha-machi, mean you need to buy this very cheap indeed. I would pass on it as there will always another Tadahiro along in a minute! Clive

Gentlemen Whilst this discussion is centered on the depth of zori, one should not forget the type of zori, which is arguably more important. I mean, saki-zori, naka-zori (tori-zori) and koshizori. Of course, all these may be altered, as can the depth of zori by any suriage that may have taken place. This is an important kantei point it is also the zori which might give the first hint of a saiha. Just my 2 cents worth Clive

Gentlemen, I am happy to be here although I am afraid Her Majesty the Queen has not yet seen fit to enoble me, a temporary oversight I am sure. I am guilty of all tthe other things being said about me here. I am only just trying to find my way around this site so I hope this posts OK. By the way, Barry, I still have an oshigata of your Tadahiro. I have just seen a named blade (Mist Cutter) in London with a big mumei blade by Masao . Nice thing with nice koshirae. Regards Clive Sinclaire