johnb

I have already been informed that "You're not going to spend 2 weeks dragging us round sword shops are you?" So I'd better be careful. JohnB

Urushi does it for me! My wife and daughter hate the fresh smell...it is pretty nasty, but I love it. And once it's almost cured...yummmm. I sit on the sofa watching the telly and sniffing a freshly usushi'd saya. My wife has suggested I see someone for help. John B

Thanks John, most appreciated. JohnB

Thanks John, yes, I was thinking about markets, I remember seeing a very nice Kabuto in a market when I was in Japan 20 years ago. I kept working out the exchange rate and couldn't believe how cheap it was. So I assumed I was doing the math wrong and didn't buy it. (I was low on funds...then and now!) However, when I was home I was doing my sums correctly...I've been kicking myself ever since. DO you know whether the Markets in Kyoto more interesting than the ones in Tokyo? JohnB

Hi, I'm off to Japan this Christmas...my second visit, the first being a three day business trip 20 years ago. We are thinking of staying in Tokyo for two weeks but a friend suggested we go to Kyoto as well. I'm actually keen to visit some antique markets to see if I can pick up any bargains :D . Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks John B.

I'll take a set Grey!! John

Thank you Chris, much appreciated. It's pretty crude mei I have to say. Johnb

Try as I might I struggle with mei translation...Maybe it's my age or could it be that I'm dyslexic? Probably a combination of the 2. So gentlemen...any help would be much appreciated. John B

An antique plans chest is a good option. They are generously wide but sometimes the drawers are a little too shallow. they are reasonable easy to find and they do seem to be getting rather expensive.

On quickly checking the internet, it seems that camillia oil has another benefit. It rejuvenates ageing skin. (I've just ordered 4 more bottles!)

Boys!!! Carba-Tec NSW Pty Ltd, 113 Station Rd, Sydney, Auburn NSW 2144. They pretty much have outlets in most Aus States. Don't buy it all! I'm living in Singapore at the moment and have just ordered a couple. Johnb

I've lived in Sydney, Jakarta and now Singapore...I've never had any rust issues. And this is my oil of choice! (Sounds like a retail advertisement). At AU$24 it's a lot cheaper than choji, which is, as I understand it, light mineral with a spot or two of oil of cloves added to make it smell nice. And frankly I spilt some neat oil of cloves on a saya and it left a mark. http://www.carbatec.com.au/camellia-oil_c6250

I lived in Sydney for years where the humidity is around 70% plus. Then Jakarta for 5 years...very humid and now Singapore for over 6 months where the humidity is 80% plus. I have around 20 swords all stored in an old English chest of drawers. They are cleaned an oil...probably not as often as they should be. Not a spot of rust to be seen. I'm all for a good circulation of air.

It really depends on the finish. If it's high gloss then probably best to re finish entirely (Urushi of course) textured or patterned finish, I'd go for the wood glue. I have a lovely saya old with gloss black mon showing through a brushed textured finish. It had been damaged here and there and the chips were getting bigger as brittle edges often broke off. The wood glue worked a treat. However, I would recommend diluting it prior to carefully squeezing it into the broken areas with your finger. Oh, be sure to clean thoroughly with a damp cloth.

I don't know that I agree Lee, Based on the assumption that that some one new to the "sport" will buy several books, I think that 40 bucks spent on this one is more than worth it. A lot of the beginners books that I bought really only skimmed the surface and quite frankly...buy one, and you have most of the information that you'll find in the others. What I like about this book is it's very pratical and easy to understand. It does a good job of filling the gap between the readily available sword books such as "The Samurai Sword, A Handbook" and "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" I also feel that it will quickly alert people to the complexity of the subject and hopefully, make some DIY experts that seem to be popping up more and more frequently, think twice before they turn their hand to togi. (Some hope.)

Facts and Fundamentals of the Japanese Sword by Nobu Nakaharahttp://www.kodansha-intl.com/bo ... 31303.html In my opinion is a must for newbies and a great source of information for for those of us who ain't newbies but still feel like one. (I speak about myself). This is the summary... This volume is an invaluable resource for both new enthusiasts and experienced collectors of traditionally forged Japanese blades-whether long swords, short swords, or daggers. Nobuo Nakahara takes a rational and discriminating approach to sword appreciation, closely examining long-held ideas and reevaluating them from a historical and functional perspective. His clear explanations and frank opinions will enable readers to evaluate the condition of a blade, determine whether it is "healthy" or problematic, and easily recognize the fundamental elements that characterize works of enduring value.

Yes, Thank you John...a great relief! John B

Well, further to my earlier post regarding moving to Singapore...I'm here and so are all my swords. To their credit the Singapore Firearms and explosives people were more than helpful. I had to drag 21 swords to their office and it freaked the guy on the xray machine when he saw what was in the bag. But they're all here and legitimate and pretty straight forward. Thanks for all the advise on my earlier post. John B

Three more from my funny little antique dealer. Im off to live in singapore so I'll have to leave him my number, he's turned up half a dozen swords for me. This one, a big shinto wakizashi I believe, and all very original. the saya was in a sorry state, split and broken with the koiguchi snapped off. Now repaired an re-urushied in the original deep brown. Also had to make up a seriously fat castleated seppa to stop the whole thing rattling. Nice to find something in what seems such an original state. 600 bucks well spent...help with identification most appreciated. Sori 11mm, Nagasa 550 mm, kissaki 42 mm, and nagako 150 mm. John B

Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated. Seems the movers can take care of details and have assured me all will be well. Fingers crossed! John b

The two brass seppa are obviously a later addition. Without them the caatch would be the perfect length to lock into the box which no longer exists.

It's the tax that scares me! Frankly, this collections has been in Indonesia for the last 5 years, high humidity and no air con...and absolutely no issue with rust whatsoever in fact they seem to fare better here than they did in Sydney. So thanks for the offers guys...but i'd miss them terribly.

Thank you Mark. I find great use for Buffalo horn salad spoons and my wifes discarded silver jewelery. John B

Whoops... forgot that snap. Not much detail visible, so very hard to see what's going on. John

It looks like some form of locking mechanism, fail to see quite how it works. I wonder if the saya original had some form of catch and has since been modified?