Mark

they may have had it displayed at the Chicago show. They had a table and i know they had swords out from future auctions (nice to examine items before bidding) Mark

I am looking for a copy of Token Bijutsu #522 for research i am doing. I have copies going back to 529 and grey has back to 523 (what are the chances) anyway of someone has a copy i would like to buy one if extra or ask for a scan of the information i need thanks in advance Mark Jones

other than listed Josiah Boomershine does shirasya David McDonald and Wally Hostteter can do handle wrap with any craftsman i suggest looking at examples of their work and see if it is what you are looking for

there were some for sale at the Chicago show, i bought one and the others sold i think. I bought mine as a second copy to carry to shows so don't intend to sell it. hopefully someone will reply and have one. If not let me know mark

Thanks for the comments there were 114 tables on the floor, all occupied, not sure exact number but i think about 70 vendors. I thought the show went very well. We had good attendance, my son said he saw more people bringing swords in than usual. Thanks to the NBTHK-AB for a great display. if you see great work you will know what to look for. Thanks to Matt J for the assistance with the sword presentation. Those attending could hold and examine 6 GREAT swords, a Ko-Hoki with Mr Tanobe's sayagaki saying he thinks Sadatsuna so it was made 1000-1100 what a treat. there were 5 Juyo, a Sejuin (kamakura), Aoe Hisatsugu (signed- it is the one in Fujishiro), Sanekage, Ko-Mihara (looks Shinshinto it is so healthy), and an ubu Skikakke Naginata...... It was great seeing a lot of old friends and some who came for the first time. I apologize if i was ever short with conversation, with taking care of the show and doing presentations etc i get a bit flustered. I think sales were reasonably brisk, one regular vendor said he saw people he had never seen there before buying items. It was the Ito' first time and they were very happy and have already signed up for next year. At one point Grey and i had a big pile of free books on our table. But it wasn't there long. Next Orlando! Mark

attendees -- please stop by and say hello to Grey and myself. We will have some special items for sale this year: Heian, Kamakura, Nambokucho, efu Tachi, Juyo, lots and lots of treasures. see you soon mark

The show is just days away. On Saturday there will be a presentation on swords with some great examples (most Juyo) to learn from and at 3 pm the NBTHK-AB will have a display of high quality fittings "Springtime in the Year of the Dragon" as the fittings will show the dragon as well as things that occur, are associated with, or can be seen in spring. Here is a chance to see some wonderful fittings for education and enjoyment. You learn the most from studying high quality items so you learn to recognize them.

Chicago Sword Show April 26-28, 2024 is less than 2 weeks away. Don’t miss it! It should be the busiest show yet, the hotel had to add additional rooms. Free parking. The NBTHK.AB will be doing a great display on fittings with the motif of Dragons and Spring "this years ..year" with some great Juyo and equal to study. There will be a presentation of great blades 600-1000 years old. Buy-Sell-Trade. If you need anything let me know. I look forward to seeing everyone. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064937373977

Ray. Thank you and the link was very informative. Appreciate the help

I think I have seen this before and should know it but maybe having a senior moment. I think the second kanji is Masa. And third looks like Shin any help is appreciated

the usual test is to ask the seller to send a picture with a card/paper with his/her name and contact info in the picture this looks a bit like Sam Young's (samurai Sam) swords but it has been a few years since i visited him. I think he may have passed away but i doubt someone legitimate would be selling things this way mark

Steve Thanks! maybe he is an obscure guy. i was hoping someone may have come across this inscription before. at least i have a start. thanks mark

I have a katana. Suriage and it looks like the makers name is gone but part of the Mei remains. It is dated 1848. So that narrows it down. I am hoping someone can recognize the Mei and know the maker thanks in advance mark

thanks to both for the help. it was challenging, makes sense and time period is right. i appreciate the help mark

Thanks Ray! Piers I posted a changed picture. I will get additional a bit later thanks again mark

i have a tanto. i would have thought it was Shinshinto unless the nakago has been cleaned. The mei seems hard to see especially the last kanji of the makers name all help appreciated!! i think i see Chikushu? JU ??? ??? thanks mark

i believe Robert Hughes member here https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/profile/1318-keichodo/ offers that service. Bob Benson does also

Jon someone else will reply and know more.. but from what i see i think they are registration numbers/info, if the rifle was left in Japan and owned in the late 1800's all firearms had to be registered, the information was stamped on the item. the rifle may then later have been bought in Japan around the turn of the century or even brought back from WW2. I have seen several matchlocks with these stampings

i will give it a try. Probably wrong but---- maybe i will learn something it is hard to be positive from the picture, it would be better to see it in hand... but if i saw this picture i would say the sword is either ubu or machi-okuri just a few cm. It appears to me that the temper line ends just past the machi and that it turns down to the edge. If the temper actually turns down to the edge then it is either suriage and then retempered or it is ubu or the machi has been moved just a little (some makers end temper at machi and some just past). If it were suriage i would expect the temper line to fade out past the machi where it was heated when shortened.....

are there direct flights by JAL from Japan to Poland? I think we have discussed this here in the past. It may be a shipper issue and sometimes using another service other than the Post Office might work but sellers may not like that

there are organizations that will assist with returning items. I have some experience with that, Keep in mind if you want to made a donation and extend good will with a "gift" it can work out, of you are hoping the family will value it and pay more than market value then in my experience you will be disappointed

Here is a picture of what I have. Prices written on the baggies. The 3 gold ones at the top are very heavy thanks Dan thanks mark

The show is getting close, less than 2 months away. This year looks to be the biggest and busiest yet with many new vendors, some from Japan. The room block is getting full (i will try and get more rooms but i am at the mercy of the Hotel). Tables are just about sold out, i have a couple of people i need to confirm are coming but i may have to try and put a few more tables in the room. If anyone has any questions email me at chicgaoswordshow@gmail.com or message me. Show details and links for rooms etc are at http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ Thanks Mark Jones

The show is coming up quickly. There are a number of new vendors who have tables for the first time. The hotel room block is already getting filled up. The show website has a lot of information http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ FB-- https://www.facebook...p?id=100064937373977 If you are planning on staying at the Hyatt here is a link to reservations for the show https://www.hyatt.co...booking/CHIRW/G-MITK We are upstairs in the big ballroom, people seem to prefer it to the basement and there is a lot more space. If you have a question email me at chicagoswordshow@gmail.com or post a question here Thank you for your interest Mark Jones