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Thanks for posting @Tengu1957. Do you have a translation of the Tanobe Sensei sayagaki that you can share here?

Congratulations @BKB5! I think it is an interesting blade and very nice koshirae. If it were mine, I would not switch out the tsuba since the two-tone tsuba matches the two-tone wari-kogai. Also, if it were my blade, I would ask Aoi Art to arrange for a Tanobe Sensei sayagaki if he agrees with the Wake attribution.

There is a lot to like about that blade, in my opinion. It would be one of the three I would want to look at if I were visiting Aoi Art with that budget. But as others have stated, you have to ask yourself why you want this particular blade, especially if you have that much money to spend. I think Kirikomi are neat, if they really are battle damage, but how can anyone say for certain? And not everyone appreciates kirikomi.

Not sure of your definition of cheap. The best place to stay is the Westgate, which is the show hotel. There is a room rate associated with the show. So it is both convenient and you help support the show.

What are you using to make the cuts, Emilio? They look really nice!

It was in the original listing, @SteveM, but it appears to have since been removed.

I am looking for volumes 27 and 28 of Fujishiro’s Meito Zuikan. I am open to any condition as long as the photos are clear. Even scanned/photocopied versions are appreciated. Not sure what these might go for, so I am open to considering anything. Thanks!

Interesting @PNSSHOGUN—that Tadamitsu wakizashi was for sale at Aoi Art for a couple of years. It sold in June of this year. Aoi Art had it listed for 6,000,000 JPY.

Both are possible. You can research blades advertised online that are of interest and then see them in person while in Japan. Seeing them in person is superior to online only. For example, you may find that a sword looks good in pictures but appears tired in person. And there are many reputable Japanese dealers who post much of their inventory online with prices. You’ll get that same price if you buy from them in person. English speakers at Japanese sword shops can be hit or miss. Aoi Art, Touken Matsumoto, Ginza Seiyudo, and Japan Sword are just a few in Tokyo that I know have good English speakers. Value varies, too. Some dealers have higher prices due to higher overhead, just like any other business. There are also really nice swords in the U.S. in your price range. You might attend one of the sword shows in Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, or Orlando to see what’s available and to continue your learning. I’ve learned a ton by going to sword shows, asking questions, and examining swords.

AOI describes it as a karasu-guchi, which certainly isn’t to their advantage. And it does seem to be on both sides. Perhaps @Lewis B is right and it formed after shinsa. The 61st Juyo Token wasn’t that long ago. Really unfortunate if it happened in the last ten years.

I have wondered that, too, @nulldevice, especially when they reflect a multiple-body test. I only recently purchased Sesko’s book, so I haven’t read all its 378 pages. Here’s a partial answer from it about the process: “These special kiri-tsuka had not only the function to provide a more robust hilt but served also as additional weight. The heavier the blade the more power there was in the cut and the better a blade would cut into or through a target. Apart from that, kiri-tsuka were also used to test ko-wakizashi and tantō under the same conditions as long swords. Normally mounted, such blades are too short and too light to enter a test medium in a representative manner.” He also talks about using lead tsuba to increase the weight of ko-wakizashi and tanto. But I don’t yet know if he discusses the definition of a complete cut with these short blades.

While I am not interested in purchasing this Ryokai, I am curious about how it reached Juyo with the karasu-guchi. I had understood that to be a fatal flaw, like hagire but in the boshi. Is it because this is an outstanding example of Ryokai that even a fatal flaw like this can be overlooked in shinsa? It would seem to negatively impact the price, though. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks for posting @Alex A. A friendly suggestion: you might generate more discussion if you offer more detailed thoughts of your own or pose a question. That would give others something to react to. Koto with saidan-mei are rare, but they are out there. I think I’ve seen 5 or 6 in the last year on dealer websites, including several on AOI Art. AOI has another one here: Taima Tomokiyo, although it is tired. I’d like to own a koto with cutting test, but I’ll wait for something better.

Nice job on the high resolution photos, @Lewis B. They show a lot of detail.

I talked to him about it on Friday. He is quite proud of the accomplishment of writing a book some others passed on writing. It sounded like a labor of love. I am not sure what you mean @lonely panet, Tsuruta-san and AOI Art have always dealt with me honorably.