Mark

i am lost when the kanji are written like this........ any help appreciated thanks mark

65 started when i was about 30

here is a link to info on the Vegas show. There will be several knowledgeable people in attendance https://www.vegasswordshow.com/ you can contact me if you have questions nixe@bright.net

Here are a couple of pictures

Bruce here is one i just picked up Mark Jones

Sam the show rate is 199 so 2 nights even with tax should be in your price range here is a link https://book.passkey...492/owner/12506/home I run the Chicago show and the one thing that helps support the show (and keep it going) is to stay at the hotel and reserve in the show room block hope that helps mark

Chris sorry! i was thinking he was focused on Detroit Toledo area (he live in between) I was able to attend one of the Indiana meetings and it was great, i recommend them if you can attend mark

i read Shigeyuki

websites have dates and info https://michiganantiquearms.com/ http://michmilitaryhistory.com/index.htm

I live near Toledo. I am usually at the Novi Antique Arms show and also Livonia and Perrsyburg shows (unless they conflict with a sword show). Stop by may table and say hello, maybe we have met? Maybe we could plan a small "get together- show and tell" etc at one of the shows? mark

Mark, his family, and team did a great job with the show............. If anyone has thoughts about the shinsa that should be a separate thread as Mark doesn't have any control over the shinsa other than arranging for the space etc. I think Orlando is growing and hopefully will continue to prosper see you next year mark

knew him for 30-40 years. sad will miss him.. always a gentleman mark jones

there are plenty of known, reputable dealers here on NMB. I see tsuba listed quite often. Grey Doffin has some nice tsuba and he is easy to deal with (caveat i partner with him) check his site https://www.Japanese...tegory/tsuba-kodogu/ mark

Emura saku https://www.Japanese...dindex.com/emura.htm

I will have tables at the show as usual. If anyone attending needs any parts or unusual items let me know. I will ave my usual swords (many NBTHK papered) and tsuba and misc. But i have limited space so will not bring everything. If i know someone needs something like gunto handles, gunto parts, books, parts etc let me know and i will pack them see you soon Mark Jones

looks like a signature. Minamoto Naga?? Kao i am not positive on the third kanji

thanks to everyone for the information!!! at least i don't feel too bad not being able to figure it out, seems like you just have to "know what it is" or recognize it, i will try to remember thanks again mark

i have a katana, mumei, possible O-suriage so the inscription is probably altobori I am not sure what it says and the meaning thanks! mark

we can only see pictures. i always like to examine in hand before buying that way i know what i am getting. It has a paper so i would not expect a fatal flaw. Comes down to do you like it and is it worth that to you? you are buying from a dealers website so the price is usually top retail so if you resell you will not get what you paid but if you are buying it to enjoy that does not matter. I would suggest moving slowly, buy some books, do some studying, see swords in hand (at a show or group.club etc) and then when you see something that is "special" to you or catches your eye you will be ready and have some background and experience.

Paul is accurate. But unless you know the owner at the time it was papered you will not know the motivation. It may be that the owner just wanted Hozon, weather to confirm a mei or get an attribution. Or it may have been submitted for both and pass Hozon but rejected for TH. Sometimes an owner would get Hozon, submit for Juyo and if that failed they would follow up with TH, (thinking if it passed Juyo they saved the TH fee). You can try and make assumptions but no way to know for sure unless you can ask the person who did it (and if they are honest with the answer). I am happy with Hozon or TH, it does not make a big difference to me

it has always been similar. you could submit for just Hozon or request both if it qualified (those standards have a changed a little over he years) there are written guidelines....... the one big change is that in the past you could get Hozon then submit for Juyo, now it has to first get TH before Juyo shinsa

what is your planned budget (not for parts you are buying but for the work)? If we have an idea we can possibly give better advise

here is what i have. the one on the left maybe they style you want but i included the others just in case they are all $100-125 each

Here are some Ed posted on FB

Here is the sword presentation