bjmoose

Nagasa: 62.2 cm (2 shaku 尺 5 bu 分 3 rin 厘 – 24.49 inches) Era: Kamakura Perod - from Enkyō (1308 AD) to Kenmu (1334) Style: shinogi tsukuri Construction: Well grained Itame Hada with utsuri and Ji-Nie. The hamon is sugu based gunome/midare sunagashi and Kinsuji Koshirae: Tsuba: Shakuda plate. Rim is entwined silver rope. Kojiri and Fujikashira is a silver wave design. Menuki is a Gold dragon on shakudo plate. Class: Sai Jo-Saku Condition: Excellent Nakago: Machiokuri suriage. Signed two character signature: Chika Tsugu, Remarks: The sayagaki on the saya reads Daikinsu 100 mai, by a Japanese appraiser it states appraised at 100 gold pieces. ChikaTsugu (1275 – 1334) is a representative smith of the Chu Aoe Bitchu Provence School. It is said that he is the son of Aoe YoshiTsugu. ChikaTsugu seems to have traveled some as he received training in Bizen well Bingo province before returning to Bitchu. ChikaTsugu has signed this work with a two character signature. It displays the very fine hada of the Yamashiro school. Its nagasa is 62.2 CM (2 shaku 尺 5 bu 分 3 rin 厘– 24.49 inches). The sword displays Bo-Hi on both sides, a longish Kissaki, well grained Itame hada with Ji nie and utsuri attached. The hamon is Gunome/midare with Kinsuji and sunagashi. It comes with beautiful fitted mounts. This sword came from an American Marine who acquired it from a Japanese Officer post war. The sword was passed on to the Marines’ nephew who sold it to a dealer. The shirasaya has a sayagaki stating this sword is appraised at 100 gold pieces (Dai kinsu hyaku Mai - 代金百枚 ). 1 mai (gold piece) = 5.30 troy ounces. At today's (June 10, 2020) gold price of $1733.89 USD per troy ounce that equates to $918,961.70 USD This beautiful Katana has been appraised by Fred Fimio (President, Japanese Sword Society of Canada) at a value of $15,000 USD ($20,085 CAD). My asking price is $16,000 CAD plus shipping & insurance, but that is open to negotiation. I will accept EFT, Certified Cheque, Bank Draft, or PayPal **. **If using PayPal, fees will be added to the total price

7. 11 Monographs by W.M. Hawley & Yasu Kizu 12. 1100 Japanese Sword Terms and 400 Named Blades by W.M. Hawley 14. Kantei - Glossary of Sword Terms by Fred Fimio 16. Mino-den Oshigata 1302-1867 24. Basic Kantei Course SOLD

11. Japanese Swords of the Bizen Tradition by Robert Benson and Darcy Brockbank - SOLD

I will be moving within a year and need to lighten my load considerably. So I am selling some Nihonto related books. Canadian funds would be best for me. I prefer EFT, but will accept PayPal + fee. Thanks for looking! Bows, Arrows & Quivers of Ancient Japan by W.M.Hawley Surveys famous examples related to kyudo, and includes detail of original measurement and construction details. The "Yumi-Ya" volumes are reproduced in their entirety from the Shuko Jisshu of 1700. Woodblock illustrations of historical items that all well-educated samurai were expected to be familiar with. Fine Condition $90 CAD + Shipping The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama Following an in-depth consideration of the history of the sword in Japan, the five traditions of workmanship and some outstanding Edo period examples, Nagayama's guide to sword appreciation expands on criteria to judge sword quality, identify flaws, and ultimately make a correct attribution. This ambitious guide includes an index and is supported by 560 b&w illustrations. Very Good Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $45 CAD + Shipping The AFU QUARTERLY by Harry AFU Watson 1st Edition (1995), Summer (1996), and Fall (1997). Each magazine has informative articles about swords and tsuba. Very educational for new and old collectors of kodogu and tosogu. A must have for any library. 1st edition - 64 pages, Summer edition - 128 pages, Fall edition - 192 pages. Approx. size for each 8 1/4" x 11" inches. Fine Condition $100 CAD + Shipping Nihonto no Horimono (Engravings on Japanese Swords) by Sato Yoshiki and Nakamiya Yoshiro Horimono is carving on the blade; this book presents hundreds of examples and includes a photo essay of how the carving is done. In Japanese. Very Good Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $65 CAD The Samurai Sword: A Handbook by John M. Yumoto This complete handbook reveals the lore of the samurai sword, fascinating both for owners and for the intrigued. Detailing the origins and development of the samurai sword, its historical background, styles, famous schools, and differences in construction, outlining methods of identifying and researching the sword, as well as caring for it properly. Very Good Condition $15 CAD + Shipping The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation by Yoshindo Yoshihara, Leon Kapp, Hiroko Kapp In this book, master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara offers a detailed look at the entire process of Japanese sword making, including the finishing and appreciation of Japanese blades. Brand new, still in shrink wrap $45 CAD + Shipping 11 Monographs by W.M. Hawley & Yasu Kizu: The Yamashiro School Of Swordsmiths The Bizen School Of Swordsmiths The Soshu School Of Swordsmiths The Mino School Of Swordsmiths Swordsmiths Of The Yamato School Bitchu Province Sword Groups Curvature In Japanese Blades The Decoration Of Sword Blades Buddhist Symbols On The Japanese Sword Temper Lines In Japanese Swords The Goban Kaji Of Ex-Emperor Gotoba $50 CAD + Shipping - All in New Condition Gokaden: The Five Schools 155 pages, Plastic comb binding with cardboard covers. Fine Condition $25 CAD + Shipping Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords: A Collector’s Guide by Nobuo Nakahara a practical, comprehensive volume that offers information, along with 300 photos and illustrations, enabling collectors to evaluate the veracity and quality of swords that they are considering acquiring or already have in their collections. Very Fine Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $40 CAD + Shipping Nihonto kansho No Shiori from Sano Art Museum This small book introduces the Nihonto and koshirae in Sano Art Museum with the title of 'Appreciation Guide'. Sano Art museum, founded by Sano Takakazu after the Pacific War, has lots of valuable blades including Kokuho Nagamitsu's Naginata. This catalog contains about 50 blades with clear photos and explanations. Especially, this book shows the hada of blades very well. Book size is 15cm X 21cm, 64 pages. Japanese language with English Index of swords. Fine Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $50 CAD + Shipping Japanese Swords of the Bizen Tradition by Robert Benson and Darcy Brockbank - SOLD 22 great blades, thoroughly described and illustrated with oshigata and photographs, and articles on the different schools and features of Bizen Den, one of the 5 great traditions of Japanese swordmaking. This is a very informative book; great value at the price. Very Good Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $35 CAD + Shipping 1100 Japanese Sword Terms and 400 Named Blades by W.M. Hawley A compilation from the old, foxing card files of Willis M. Hawley. Terminology is arranged both by subject and alphabetically. Romanization and kanji. Illustrated. Types of blades, appraisal terms, forging terms, grain and temper terms. Fine Condition $30 CAD + Shipping Introduction To Japanese Swords by W.M. Hawley A basic guide for collectors. Clear, concise history of the Japanese blade; construction details; well-illustrated with drawings and photos. Also includes a short section on the Japanese matchlock. Fine Condition $10 CAD + Shipping Kantei - Glossary of Sword Terms by Fred Fimio A unique glossary with Japanese Kanji. To assist in the identification of Swords. This glossary is unique in that (1) it is divided into specific sections dealing with sword descriptions such as Boshi, Hada, etc.; (2) it has an English translation with Japanese Kanji, and (3) it identifies the Smiths using a particular characteristic named in the glossary. Fine Condition $20 CAD + Shipping Arms and Armour of Ancient Japan Book co-sponsored by the Municipal Art Patrons of Los Angeles and the Southern California To-Ken Kai for a showing of Japanese arms and armor at the Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Park February 19-22, 1964. An excellent survey of Japanese swords and tsubas. Very Fine Condition $25 CAD + Shipping Mino-den Oshigata 1302-1867 Contains 97 pages of Katana, Wakizashi, and Tanto Oshigata from the Mino-den. Very Good Condition $25 CAD + Shipping Token to Rekishi ("History and the Sword") The journal of the Nihon Token Hozon Kai (NTHK). 12 Issues: No. 685 to No. 697 (Nov. 2008 to Jan. 2011). All in Very Fine Condition. $24 CAD + Shipping Art Of The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, 1156-1866 by Metropolitan Museum of Art Samurai arms and equipment are widely recognized as masterpieces in steel, silk, and lacquer. This extensively illustrated volume includes the Very Finest examples of swords, sword mountings and fittings, armor and helmets, saddles, banners, and paintings from Japanese collections. Dating from the fifth to the nineteenth century, these majestic objects offer a complete picture of samurai culture and its unique blend of the martial and the refined. Hardcover, Very Fine Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $130 CAD + Shipping Arms And Armor Of The Samurai: The History of Weapons in Ancient Japan by I. Bottomley & A. P. Hopson Illustrations and text trace the development of samurai arms from their earliest beginning to the ceremonial armor of the Tokugawa era. Hardcover, Very Good Condition (with Brodart Protective Clear Jacket) $15 CAD + Shipping Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan by Oscar Ratti , Adele Westbrook This is the definitive study of the martial arts of feudal Japan, explaining in detail the weapons, techniques, strategies, and principles of combat that made the Japanese warrior a formidable foe. Hardcover, Very Good Condition $15 CAD + Shipping The Sword & The Mind translated by Hiroaki Sato this pivotal seventeenth-century how-to guide for the swordsman is also a penetrating philosophical and psychological treatise on strategy. Yagyu Munenori's step-by-step instructions for positioning, striking—with one and two swords—and defending oneself against an opponent can be applied with equal success to many types of conflict, from sword fight to political struggle to business competition. Hardcover, Very Good Condition $15 CAD + Shipping Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior by Clive Sinclaire A fascinating look at ancient Japanese weaponry, complete with 150 dazzling full-color photographs. Paperback, Good Condition $10 CAD + Shipping Canadian Journal of Japanese Swords by The Japanese Sword Society of Canada The quarterly journal published by the JSSC, filled with lots of info and tests on Japanese swords. 13 issues from Vol 3 No 2 to Vol 6 No 3 (Summer 2009 to Autumn 2012). Plastic comb binding with cardboard covers. Good Condition $20 CAD + Shipping Basic Kantei Course Translated by Gordon Robson with the permission of the Japan Preservation Society of Tokyo, Japan and Yoshikawa Sensei. Revision, additions and changes by Fred Fimio. The Novice Sword Kantei course of the Koto Period Gokoden. From the Japanese Sword Society of Canada. 5 sections, 4 in Plastic comb binding with cardboard covers, 1 loose leaf paper. Very Good Condition $10 CAD + Shipping JSSUS Newsletter by The Japanese Sword Society of the United States Newsletter published by the JSSUS. 13 issues – Vol 42 No 1 to Vol 43 No 6 (Mar. 2010 to Dec. 2011) Very Good condition. $25 CAD

Many Thanks to a fellow Canuck in the Arctic! I like your web site - would LOVE to experience the Kozuka Kobou some day...

ありがとうございました (I looked it up) Thank you so much!

Howdy. Would someone be kind enough to translate this book title for me? It was tucked away on a shelf for a few years, and I just can't remember when or who I got it from. I will be adding it to a list of Nihonto books I will be selling. Many thanks. Cheers, - ian

For those who might be interested: The Fred Fimio collection of Hizen swords will be up for auction at Christie's on Nov. 9, 2011. It is a beautiful selection of Hizen blades - I have been lucky enough to see most of them during my visits to Fred in Ontario. Here's a link to the up-coming Christie's Auction for his Hizen collection- it starts on pages 136-137: http://christies.scene7.com/s7/brochure ... &wb=000000

If you want to get an antique fancy one: http://www.jtansu.com/SearchResults.asp ... Search.y=0 Also you can find some on the Japanese Auction sites.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu!

Gentlemen, A thousand thanks for your aid

Thank you for asking. I was hoping for a translation. Unfortunately, my schedule is so hectic now and for the near future, that I must put studies and hobbies aside for a while....

Folks, I recently acquired a katana with the mei Chikatsugu that has Sayagaki. Can someone please let me know what the translation is? Thank you very much. I kope to be posting photos of the blade and fittings in the near future.

I might be able to help a bit. PM sent

Here's a good site with lots of examples: http://www.samuraisword.com/nihontodisp ... /index.htm

If anyone is interested, I came across this today at Paragon Books: Japanese Sword Society of the United States Newsletter (85 Issues) Japanese Sword Society of the United States 8 x 10.75, 85 issues, paper, Breckenridge, various issues from 1990 to 2006. *Due to size and weight, the shipping cost will depend on destination) Contents: Volume 22 - 5 Issues (missing January-February 1990) Volume 23 - 6 Issues 1991 Volume 24 - 6 Issues 1992 Volume 25 - 6 Issues 1993 Volume 26 - 6 Issues 1994 Volume 27 - 6 Issues 1995 Volume 28 - 6 Issues 1996 Volume 29 - 6 Issues 1997 Volume 30 - 6 Issues 1998 Volume 31 - 6 Issues 1999 Volume 32 - None Volume 33 - 5 Issues 2001 (missing February) Volume 34 - 5 Issues 2002 (missing June) Volume 35 - None Volume 36 - 6 Issues 2004 Volume 37 - 6 Issues 2005 Volume 38 - 4 Issues 2006 (Feb., April, June, October) Sale Price: $85.00 SPECIAL OFFER: $365.00 OFF $450.00 LIST PRICE http://www.paragonbook.com/html/browses ... item=39647

I did some research about a year or so ago regarding historical gold values in Japan. I can't remember where I found this info, but I have a copy of the email I sent to my teacher for whom I did the research: "It seems the standard gold coin was the Koban - introduced during the Tokugawa Shogunate - and it was equivalent to 3 koku of rice (1 koku was the amount of rice needed to feed one person for one year). Following the monetary reform of 1601 the Koban became the central unit of Japan's gold currency - rivalling the nation's silver and copper money, yet debased with the circulating silver coinage at about the same rate. The official gold/silver rate was at 1 Ryo gold coin (Koban) = 50 momme of silver coins = 4000 mon of copper coins, the momme being a unit of weight equal to 3.75 g. Fluctuations of the supply and demand and the changing quality of gold and silver minted subjected the gold/silver rate to changing market evaluations. The Kenji gold Koban Japan's dynasties and rulers) minted in the 16th century stood at 60 momme of silver, the Keicho gold Koban of 1601 had had a value of 80-90 momme silver, the Genroku gold Koban of 1695 was accepted as an equivalent of 70 momme silver " I figure they used that instead of humping sacks of rice to and from the market! Hope this helps a bit.

Here's one that I would probably give up my first-born child for (if I had one, that is). Unfortunately it was in one of those "previously sold" catagories. Oda Satsuma Naokiyo Monkey Tsuba

Ford, Just wanted to add my congradulations (and adulations) on the masterful work done on this project (both the tsuba and film). Having done a few videos in my past (shooting, directing, editing), I must say the production qualities on this are first rate. I'm always fascinated by the creative process involved in works of art - and love to see the transitions from raw materials to the finished piece. I have a copy of Yoshindo Yoshihara's "The Secret World of the Japanese Swordsmith", and now I can add your film as another cornerstone to Nihonto creation. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. - ian

Hi Darcy, Put me down as a Patron and a Proofer. Always glad to help out a fellow Canuck. I sent you an email on Wednesday, so I'm just waiting for the details... Cheers, - ian

Yup, that search comes in handy. I had fun converting the dates - thank heavens the original index had them in Romaji - made it much easier!

Hi Bob, I'll email you a pdf - it was done with Adobe 9, but it should be backward compatable. I do recommend the book, but it ain't for the faint of wallet, as it was limited to 600 copies. It's available at : http://www.ricecracker.com/japanese_swords_books/books.htm $1500 USD http://www.nihonto.com.au/html/sword_accessories.html $1200 AUD http:// http://www.japanesesword.de/?site=book& ... i8e1chtk90 1350 EUR Best Regards, - ian

A while back I obtained a copy of MEIHIN KATANAEZU SHUSEI By Tanobe Michihiro. A truly exceptional book. It came with a bare-bones 4 page English index, giving just basic info - swordsmith, mei, owner, status (kokuho, etc), page number. Well, I like to know more about the swordsmiths than just their names, so I set myself a project to expand the index a wee bit and to include stuff like the province, the era, the school, the father/teacher, and various ratings by Hawley, Toko Taikan, and Fujishiro. For a little more fun, I thought I would attempt to translate the dates, if included with the mei. I used various sources available on the internet: Nihonto Club, JSSUS swordsmith database, The Japanese Sword Index, and a really neat little program called "NengoConvert.exe". Anyhow, after quite some time (and a lot of typing!), I am finally finished. There may be a few errors, what with all those generations of swordsmiths in each family; but overall I think I got most of them correct. If anyone sees an error, please let me know. So, here's the expanded index for any of you who have a copy of this book. I hope you enjoy it... Meihin Katanaezu Shusei Index.pdf

Hello again - just wondering if there's anyone out there willing to take a "stab" at the kogatana inscription? Cheers

Thank you.