SwordGuyJoe

This is gimei. Search the web for Gassan Sadakazu and Gassan Sadaichi and it will be extremely apparent to you that this signature is bad. The Gassan group has a long standing tradition of painstakingly finishing their nakago and their mei is no different. Gassan Sadayoshi and Gassan Sadakazu used to carve every single yasurime line individually - there is a term for that, but I cannot recall what it is. I am not sure how far down the line that practice continued, as I do not collect the Gassan's, but Morioka Masayoshi (A student of Gassan Sadakazu, as well as Miyamoto Kanenori) practiced this as well, so it wouldn't surprise me if Sadakatsu did as well, who would be a contemporary of Morioka Masayoshi.

From a literal translation, this is correct. However from the standpoint of how the terms “Gendaito” and “showato” are used to describe swords, the literal translation does not convey how the terms are used today. Gendaito is used as a term to describe swords made from 1876 to 1945 using traditional forging methods and material, where showato is used to describe swords made in the same timeframe, but using non-traditional methods and/or material. I know you know this David, but others may not.

I have had a couple issues with shipping cheaply internationally and will sort out at my expense. That said, for international shipping, I am going to need to bump up to the next cheapest option. I am home for a couple weeks, so if anyone is interested in a copy, please let me know.

Sale is off, but will take $6,500 if someone is really interested.

Big name - Nice score!

All,I have added our next meeting to the calendar. Please see meeting details below. December Newsletter: https://shoutout.wix.com/so/9M2jmdm5#/main Meetings and Events: https://www.jsc-mw.com/meetingsandevents February MeetingSaturday, February 17th Time: 1:00 ​ Location is To Be Determined Format: I would like to help drive some additional learning to this sword club. One of the most elusive elements to sword appreciation is teminology, blade details, and kantai. To help this, there will be multiple swords to inspect and describe. We will break up into teams, including an advanced/intermediate collectors with beginners. I will also bring books to help with terminology that will be available for use by the teams. We will ask each team member to complete a copy of the shinsa form from the NTHK-NPO on there own, then discuss with the team where there are differences and why they made the call that they did. Requested Assistance: I have created a brief survey - 4 questions - and I ask that you please complete it. This is to help determine whether a conference room is needed, as well as gauge self-described skill in this type of activity to help me start making teams up. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS. I don't have the room for a group of 30 at my house and I don't want to spend $300 on a conference room if only 5 people are going to show up. I really appreciate it. Once I receive survey's back, I will update the Meeting and Events page with location data. Here is the link: surveymonkey.com/r/MNH5MR2

Chikugo Muto Yukihiro

More close up pics of the steel would help, but with the one pic, I’d say it’s likely traditionally made. The early date, the length, and visible hada lead me to this. I don’t see any activity in the hamon, but that could just be the quality of the polish and the sword itself.

I should also add that this blade is historically significant. Very shortly after this blade was made, Kasama sensei began signing sosho-mei. Based on research and interviews Chris Bowen did with those close to this smith, sosho-mei blades were daisaku (made by a student and signed by Shigetsugu). The reason is because Shigetsugu had health issues that made forging swords difficult/impossible. This is the latest kaisho mei blade that I have ever found. All meaning that this is one of the last blades that Kasama sensei forged from tamahagane to art sword.

Christmas Special: $6,000, plus shipping, pp fees. Ends 12/26

...And the paper

All, I recently bought a LOVELY Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu tanto. The problem is that it came with this Koshirae. I wanted to share and hopefully get some more information. Koshirae : (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Paper) Saya :On the black roiro saya, blue shell powders are apred and wipe black belts are painted. Tsuba : Silver hamidashi tsuba. Menuki : Shishi dog is engraved by silver plate. Fuchikashira:On the silver tsuba, flowers designe is engraved. The advertisement doesn't give a great deal of information, other than the Koshirae is NBTHK Tokubetsu hozon, the fittings are made out of silver, and some info about the saya. Couple questions: 1. The mei and smith ? To my eyes, I see 保治 (Yasuharu?) Kao - Can some one help out here and perhaps give some information on the smith? 2. Can someone provide any information on the set outside of what was listed in the sales page? I really appreciate the help guys.

I once had a star stamped tsuba for a late 44 (Type 0), that had a Ichihara Ichiryushi Nagamitsu blade. I have seen a couple since, but including this one, likely only enough to count on one hand.

The mei translation is correct and it is likely traditionally forged. The Shōwa hizen group don’t get the respect they should, as they made some good stuff. The date is February, 1945.

Thanks Allan. I hope you like it.

Bump

Bump. I’ll be making another trip to the post office Saturday.

Last call for books this week...

Absolutely!

Bump

Bump - I’ll be shipping out orders on Saturday. If you can get payment over by then, I can ship this week.

Bwahahahaha

Not that I’m aware of