Benjamin

May I remind this impressive post and the follow-up By the way, @PhoenixDude, have you got a way to buy Fujishiro's sword oil? I once send a mail to Fujishiro San and I didn't had an answer. I supposed he don't send to my country. Benjamin

Hello Carlo, Usually, the lengh of the sword match your size, and in unsheat and strike technique like in iaido, opponents can evaluate the speed of each others by eye-mesuring the lengh of the saya. A short sword can surprise the opponent and let more time to strike. Or maybe having a big saya was like having a big car today... I'm not in backroom of sellers but I suppose that some can sometime cobble Koshirae and swords if they luckily find saya with the same sori and koiguchi that fit the habaki. Suriage swords get a new habaki with new dimensions, and it overall shape is modified. I don't think the sword keep it original koshirae Take my answers with a pinch of salt as I'm a very beginner.

Hello everyone, To fulfill a recent trend about price, I oftenly ask myself about swords without prices (taged "price on request", or "ask") proposed by sellers that usually display it even on expensive items. Of course I suppose that thoses deals are open to proposals and negociations, that these types of sword are often very high end nihonto, or may be "out of market" for some reason or another. But Is it just the rule for items that cost for exemple more than 100 000 €/$/GBP ? Is there anything else that hide behind ? The provenance of the buyer ? a need to be introduced ? Is there a common factor about these sword ? Thank you for reading Benjamin

Can I had sayagaki by reputable appraiser ?

Jacques, I will not quote it, but I think your second post on this topic should be deleted. I don't know the quoted person but I found disrespectful to quote an insulting sentence of this person, out of context, I suppose without her permission. He could have said that long time ago and have different opinion today. If you wished to say the same thing, no need to hide behind people that are not here. By the way, have you got the insight that almost all your post on this forum drift the topic out it original context, aiming at discussion around your own person. It's unpleasant, I'm not here to discuss your physicist Curriculum Vitae, that is not interresting us here. (I think you're welcome to present your cursus at the Izakaya section). So please, if you feel the necessity to protect beginners, speak about the topic, explain more, be respectful. You have got far more interresting things to say when you speak about sword than about you. Regards. Benjamin

If your choice is limited, my very first catch would have been the Encyclopedia of Japanese Swords from Markus Sesko, an incredible tool to understand further material, books or online ressources, as well as all you find on this forum. Benjamin

Current average age at first purchase is 36yo, with median age at 27 yo, youngest was 10 or 11 yo, oldest was 65 yo, amoung 35 collectors.

Hello Thomas, maybe you can find it there https://shibuiswords.com/papers1.htm Regards

So far : average age is 31 yo, Median age is still 25,5 yo, youngest was 10 or 11, oldest was 64.

Hi Examining a sword is basically playing with light, it's adjusting three objects in space : the blade, the light, your eye. In museum the blade can't move but I dream about a system of moving light on a mechanical arm or more simply on a rail, manipulated by a joystic outside the glass, or more simply automatised to alternate positions. That could be a bit complex to install (whatever..) but that could be very fun for neophyte and very exciting for connoisseurs. And let me dream more, add adjustable magnifying glass, telescope...

Not military swords (by the way this topic shouldn't it be placed in general discussion?) but here menuki depicting the "Sakurai's farewall" between Masashige kusunoki and his son Masayuki, before the last battle of the father against Takauji Ashikaga's troup, and sadness of the son (11 yo). A classic of Japanese literature. See the kikusui on the armors.

We should have subtitled this topic "or the roots of entusiasm", we can feel toward all stories the real impalpable connection establishing itself between each of us and an exciting hobby. so far average age is 30 years old, median age is 25.5, younger were 11 yo and older were 61 yo among 24 collectors.

disconnecting the brain, only responding by feeling : 3 first 2 1 Ron's Hira zukiri wakizashi in fourth 4 last

and also https://www.kikusui-sake.com/home/en/

Hello, Did I miss it or no one mentioned that kikusui was also the mon of a 400 years old koryu? Many koshirae with kikusui could have been crafted for their trainee and it is still the case today. Regards Benjamin

There is indeed amazing stories here. And thank you Rick B reminding us there was a nearly similar topic So far the average age is 28 years old with 17 collectors

Hello all Take that as a second episode of the thread about average age of the nihonto collector. As politely proposed by Sam aka GeorgeLuucas. How old were you at your first acquisition ? and if you accept it, give us a little context. Regards Benjamin

Hello, After about a years lurking here and reading a lot, I finally decided to subscribe, I wanted to thanks the amazing dynamism of this forum and the work of Brian. your way of supporting the field of interest is the gentleman's way. And a subscription is worth buying few books. That said I bought the books as well. I'm a very beginner so i'll inevitably say stupid things in future posts. But the hobby is complex and exciting so I'll try. I'm so sad not having discovered it sooner. My interest began after a family travel in Japan a year ago. the purchase of a iaito that brought me to a koryu then to nihonto. All in a few month. I own three blade : an awful first purchase I paid to much (but I don't regret it), a cheap (maybe) mumei blade that I like pretty much (discussed here), and a middle range NBTHK TH shinto blade I love. I'm waiting for a fourth one, a TH koto blade. Oh and I will often apologize with my english for that I'm very unsecure. Please forgive my typos Regards Benjamin

45 years old I'm a young one year collector I would be interested in the average age of first acquisition

4 first 3 just near (that okissaki catch my eye) 2 last

Hello Maxime, Where exactly is the scar ? If it's near the tip and on the flat part. A trivial hypothesis could be an unfortunate shock against a door frame wearing the sword in hand at 45°. Parrying cut should be on the center and on the edge of the saya. Benjamin

Hi Lukas, Times ago, I saw some spot on catawiki. https://www.catawiki...gen-reservasjonspris maybe contacting the seller could help. I found this as well. https://larongemarti....com/vintage-bokuto/ but never trade with them. Regards Benjamin

Hi All, That's a passionate debate, allow me to introduce a neophyte opinion but I think seeing multiples bias to take in count : 1) not including each one purpose and point of view of the nihonto field : Nihonto is a fascinating object because it exceptionnaly cross multiple ways of appreciation : Nihonto is at the time an art object, historic witness, artifact, weapon and warrior item, martial art tool, religious and spiritual tool, object of knowledge field, legendary and fantasies pretext, exotic item (for non Japanese), expensive and resale thing with an existing market. Some collect to resell, some collect to protect, some collect just to collect, some collect with historical interest... and maybe some collect with multiples purposes. I don't think there is dogma and none is superior to another... but your purpose on collecting will drastically change your point of view on gimei. What would be an hollistic point of view on Gimei respecting all of each one purposes? 2) comparing Nihonto with what it should not be compared : A Rolex watch is not a weapon and it's not a craftmenship product : each nihonto, even a Gimei is unique!! At a point there is people that plays a game consisting at recognizing them without seeing the signature... (don't do that with authentic rollex produced the same day, they are the same). I would say there is nothing more similar to a Nihonto than another Nihonto BUT there is Nothing more different to a Nihonto than another Nihonto. A Picasso is not a spiritual object that we salute before appreciating it and in other hand owning a Picasso don't allow you to modificate it, that's a bit different in nihonto where we saw owner doing... you've got more exemples than me. Have you heard about the second "La joconde". a picture with strong doubt about it Da Vinci authership. What yould you say if the actual owner changed it signature to enhance it theory? Another question, If you bow before examinating your sword, do you do it with Gimei the same as mumei or Shoshin? 3) Applying an occidental point of view on an oriental object : There is an honesty matter or what you judge honest or dishonest in YOUR reference where as in Japan it could be more an Honor matter. There is a reality conception or what you judge true but Japan is also a shintoïst country with a different conception of what is living or inert : We could conceive that swords are living : they grow old, take scars, are modified, one day will disapear... 4) Applying a modern point of view on an antic item : Judging a 300 old gimei item as dishonest? So why not judging Oda Nobunaga himself? (And he wasn't a cool guy like you all). Why collecting historical war item and "murder tools" if it's an ethical problem? An old modification should not be judge as a recent modifcation. Hoping my english (and opinion) is not hurting your eye, I am more on the side of the "respect it like it is even if it is Gimei" but I want to thankful all participant to this great debate that provided me much. Benjamin

Hello all, Forgive my opinion, I'm a totally beginner as Jone, but I wanted to say : don't be to rude to beginner purchasing gimei nihonto. First of all, a gimei blade is still a nihonto (if I understood correctely), it's still a piece of Japan history forged handly by a craftsman, hold for defense, cultural, social and mystical purpose. It is still, at it level, a desirable object. And, more pragmatically, valuating a gimei sword automatically increase value of better pieces. It serve all the nihonto world, even collectors and sellers of fine pics. The value of an art object is in proportion with the number of peoples wanting to own it. More people interested is more value for each blade. But obviously, it must be presented as it is really. Moreover the first steps in this world is very difficult : the large amount of knowledge needed is intimidating, the prices of item is high, even for for a basic one. And as said, out of Japan and USA, and a few capital city, there is very few opportunity to look at one blade (and I don't say hundreds of blades). In my first step, I would not invest in a 30K € item as first purchase even if I own the money. Except very rare opportunity of specific item. I would not feel legitimate to appreciate it, and I would fear being in a transitory fad. And learning without even handling and taking care of a blade can be boring on month (years? decades?) of studying. I've bought a maybe gimei wakizashi but I'm still happy of it and observe it frequently with pleasure, that's my first step. And one day I intend to appreciate a real fine sword with the taste I don't have already. Finally it is advised to go from the bottom to the top. So not acquiring a top sword before even desirating it. IMO enhancing all types of Nihonto and encouraging all types of learning necessarly serves everyone, preventing to close the "discipline" in on itself in some sort of elitist world. And forgive also my english if there is mistakes. Benjamin

Very interesting, so there is a third generation. Is it possible that Inoue Dan'emon forged this blade under the authority of his grandfather (or father when he was still signing Izumi no Kami Kunisada) and signed as daimei for his father or grandfather? here is what i'm thinking : Inoue Dan'emon necessarly learned smithing in the family workshop before having his own mei, it is said Kunisada had an eye disease in the end of is life but forged until near his death in 1652, and his son (Shinkai Kunisada) forged lately under the name of his father. The mei on my blade doesn't seem to imitate the first or second generation mei, it frankly sign Izumi no Kami Kunisada with it own kanji (I compared the kuni kanji for example that drive a vertical ligne in my sword, whereas it's more wavy on original mei). Imitation would be more linked with the original with small mistakes (or the copier never saw what he was copying). The JTK appraiser is also a knowned polisher and is based in Osaka, so here is an Osaka appraiser and polisher judging an Osaka style sword with the name of one of the most famous Osaka smith... and would fail... I hardly figure, or it would ruin JTK reputation (but maybe..) And this sword, that is really nice, seem to me to match the kunisada family caracteristic with the Osaka yakidoshi (thanks Kirill for the term I didn't know), this wide hamon in notare, ko-nie-deki and wide nioiguchi, kaeri boshi. If it's Gimei, it would be Gimei from the smithing process until the mei. My automatic generated traduction of the token speak about "Dan'emon, second son of Inoue" that became "samurai of the domain obi in Hyuga" after having forged a small amount of blade until there, but I'm not sure if it's correct, is there someone here to translate the token ? Do not hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong, I'm learning and... I'm trying hard there. Thank you very much all of you for your responses. Benjamin