Adrian S

Hi guys, Picked up a very nice naginata naoshi wakizashi with a kinpun mei. The attribution is to Sa Yasuyoshi, I was wondering if anyone recognises the attributor's mei or Kao (kakihan?)? Has anyone seen a similar attributor's mei in any references? thanks in advance Adrian S

G'day to all, Have just got an ETA from Gordon on the Shinsa papers. Looks like another 4 to 6 weeks. I will be sending them out Registered Post as soon as they arrive from Japan. Will let you all know if there is any further updates on this time frame. cheers, Adrian Schlemmer info@sydneytokenkai.com http://www.sydneytokenkai.com

G'day Matt and all, Excellent work Matt and I would agree 100% The problem is that the treasure hunt is almost over . But I would also add that the attendance is falling because of a switch in the market trading medium. Many more swords are now bought and sold on the internet than in sword shows. Of course show sales and attendance will drop in this new environment. Personally I am happy to see the new generation of sword collectors being more studious and with more knowledge available to them. Too many good swords have been ruined in the past because of lack of knowledge from profit motivated dealers/collectors. Interesting times indeed. Adrian S

Hi Everyone, I have just updated the Sydney Token Kai website with some photos of the 2009 NTHK Shinsa and Taikai, thanks to those who submitted photos to me ( I was so busy I didn't have time to take my own!) . Also I have added some information on the next meetings scheduled for the Sydney Token Kai study group , anyone interested in attending please contact me via the website. Our last meeting was an excellent night with some very nice polished swords and koshirae on display and bought along for show and tell. I will put some information on the website as soon as I have an update on the arrival of origami papers from the Shinsa http://www.sydneytokenkai.com regards, Adrian Schlemmer

G'day all, Has anyone got the official dates for Dai Token Ichi 2009? Looking into a cheap airfare but need to pay before Friday. cheers, Adrian S

Hello all, Ok, here is a run down of the best of the shinsa. The team were surprised by the quality of submissions and the pass rate was very high (67% swords 78% fittings and koshirae). This is particularly interesting considering we do not have any Japanese trained polishers in Australia and many swords were in only passable condition. Anyway, here are the highlights keep in mind many of these swords would have pointed higher in good polish. * Mumei Nagamaki naoshi katana, Den Yoshisada , son and student of O-Sa 77 points ( Juyo candidate ) * Signed and dated katana nagamei Osafune Yoshimitsu , early Muromachi 72 points * Mumei ubu katana , Mihara Masaie 70 points * Signed ubu tanto Mino Kanemachi 73 points * Mumei ubu kiriba wakizashi, Higo Daigo Sadakuni 70 points * Signed ubu tachi, Fujishima Tomoshige 70 points * Signed ubu katana , Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Kunishige 72 points * Signed ubu wakizashi, Rai Kinmichi (3rd) 70 points * Signed ubu wakizashi later generation Bizen Iesuke 70 points * Signed ubu katana Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi 73 points * Signed and dated tanto Mino Kanehide 72 points * Signed ubu katana Echigo no Kami Kanesada (2nd) 73 points * Signed ubu katana nagamei Dotanuki 72 points * Mumei katana Den Higo Daigo Kuniyasu 78 points ( a beauty) * Signed and dated ubu katana Ishido Korekazu (7th) 72 points * Signed ubu wakizashi Iyo Kanenaga 72 points * Signed ubu wakizashi Etchu no Kami Masatoshi (3rd) 72 points) * Signed and dated ubu katana Gendai Ikansai Shigetsugu 72 points * Signed nagamei ubu katana Gendai Kanemitsu 70 points * Signed and dated ubu katana Gendai Fukushima Masakazu 70 points * Signed ubu katana Gendai Kanenonu (1st) 70 points * Signed and dated ubu katana Gendai Suguhara Kagemori 72 points * Signed ubu Tanto Gendai Takase Hideyake 72 points Many other nice swords, fittings and koshirae. Overall a splendid selection. regards, Adrian Schlemmer

G'day Mike and all, Actually it is all about the swords. All the volunteers worked hard for nothing, the presenters came here and paid for their trips out of their own pockets. The NTHK , after expenses make much less money than if you get the origami done in Japan and what little they do make goes towards publishing and research of their magazine. The organiser (yours truely) lost nearly $3000 on the deal. If we all didn't love the swords, it just wouldn't happen. One more thank you again to all who put their hands in their pockets to make this event a success. You guys are the best . regards, Adrian Schlemmer

Hello all, I was so busy during the Sydney Token Kai show weekend I neglected to get my own pictures of the displays. Could anyone who took some pictures please contact me and send me copies at info@sydneytokenkai.com greatly appreciated, Adrian Schlemmer

Hi everyone, Well.. its done and dusted, Sydney NTHK Shinsa and Taikai turned out to be great sword fun for all. I am still getting over it, catching up on sleep and sorting out but I wanted to take the time to send out my thank yous. The shinsa team was a pleasure to work with, approachable, down to earth and professional. I was extremely impressed with the standard. Gordon especially worked like a demon. All the shinsa volunteers were exceptional, we all had fun, learned a great deal and ran a slick operation, thanks guys. The presenter did a great job, even with a few last minute hic ups getting the swords through customs and making it hard. It all turned out in the end, thank you for your generous time and effort. A very special thank you to Roger Robertshaw, you did the most unbelievable job mate, way above and beyond what any organiser would ask for. I'd jump on a plane and return the favour anytime mate, thanks. To the contributors, we loved seeing your swords, thank you for being so generous. to the Taikai volunteers, thank you for your help too. To the dealers who flew in from overseas. Your support was greatly appreciated, I'm glad you did a few good deals and I hope you made some long term contacts and friends. I'm beat, so if you will excuse me I'll do a shinsa run down in a day or two. What I can say is that the standard was very high and the pass rate was much better than average. If Gordon gets to it before me he would be far more informed to fill you guys in on the shinsa results. Now for the big news!! We had a huge demand to do it all again, so I am happy to announce that the Sydney Token Kai will conduct another NTHK shinsa and Taikai early 2011. If you missed out this time, it will be even better next time, so start saving for your ticket and shinsa fees! Now a little sleep. regards, Adrian Schlemmer

Hello All, Thank you Richard for posting Gordon's announcement here and for your support. When we first calculated the fees we were working with an Australian dollar that was buying 100 yen, now we are barely getting 60 yen, unfortunately the economics of the situation must be faced. We can not expect the NTHK to come here at their own expense and loose money to boot. I will update the website shortly with the new prices. As stated, this Shinsa is still a great deal even at the new prices and is an opportunity not to be missed. For those of you that have made bookings, I will be emailing, writing and calling you personally very soon in regards to deposits already taken. Please be patient as it will take a few days. regards, Adrian Schlemmer info@sydneytokenkai.com

Hi guys, Just an update for those interested in the Sydney NTHK Shinsa and Taikai. The shinsa has officially booked out, seven months in advance! :D We will be putting together a stand-by list for those that missed out, a few slots may open up, but at this stage it is looking pretty tight. I also have 4 dealers tables still available, it will be a small show. Please send me an email if you are thinking of putting something together. I will update the website shortly with new information on the Taikai and educational events. regards, Adrian S info@sydneytokenkai.com

G'day all, We have just updated the http://www.sydneytokenkai.com website with new information and details for the March 2009 Sydney NTHK Shinsa reservations, Taikai and Hotel room details. Please take a look :D The slots are already filling fast, I have been talking to many senior collectors in Australia and from the feedback I estimate that over 75% have been spoken for. Email shinsa@sydneytokenkai.com for a Reservation Form and extra Shinsa information. Don't be shy to reserve your slots early, we will hold all unpaid slots until 1st of January 2008. Feel free to cut and paste this information to other forums and websites regards to all, Adrian S

Hey, if the seller is able and willing to comply with the buyers cross checking his details then I don't have a problem either. If you check his feedback, his only previous sale of a nihonto is to a Chinese buyer romexx(9) which dosn't inspire me with confidence. Buyers have a right to be wary on Ebay. It's not a matter of "innocent until proven guilty", more "suspicious until shown to be trustworthy" . Considering the seller not being a known person in the nihonto community, his problem with his bank account, not having the sword in hand, not supplying his personal name or details on the listing, lack of verifiable feedback, use of downloaded photos.... . Don't be surprised if he decided he can't accept Paypal either and asks the buyer to send the funds to a Chinese bank account. Adrian S (twice burnt, three times shy )

G'day all, Four of his swords were previously on the JSA website and the photos are from there. The tsuba looks like Posservice's photos. Besides maybe the wak, no original photos that I can see. I would suggest to anyone considering bidding that they require original photos of the swords, beside his open passport page. I would also get his bank details, address and phone number. I would call him, ask for a reference from his University and confirm his address. I would be interested if he is willing to comply with these conditions. I think this is a scam, and a particularly low one considering using charity to gain profit. Adrian S

G'day Craig and all, I'm the co-ordinator for the Sydney NTHK shinsa here in Oz. What Franco said is prettty much how it works. I will have booking details up very soon on the website http://www.sydneytokenkai.com . Check on it around the end of the month. It is also correct that you can not get a kanteisho paper on a sword by a living smith. cheers, Adrian S

looks like he ripped this straight off a posserve listing. I could be wrong, but if it quacks like a duck..... http://cgi.ebay.com/2116-JP-Samurai-Swo ... dZViewItem Adrian S

i'll let you know when it arrives Adrian S ( aka fast fingered freddie)

Hello Ford, Could you email me regarding your Munetsugu naginata, I have one and I would like to compare oshigata. Thank you, Adrian S nihonto@bigpond.net.au

Hello all, I'm not sure which section to post this too. I would like to contact Ford Hallam regarding his Munetsugu naginata. If Ford is available, is it possible to email to me a clear photo of the mei on your Munetsugu naginata? I have one I would like to compare it too. My email is nihonto@bigpond.net.au , sorry to disturb the rest of you guys with this. Adrian S

Hello all, A quick update and to answer some questions. A front page has been added to http://www.sydneytokenkai.com with some current information. The Shinsa and Taikai pages will not be updated until all details are finalised. We are still in negotiation with operators of the chosen hotel and venue. We are also discussing a possible coinciding special exhibition at a major Sydney Museum. Whether or not this goes ahead will determine the final choice of hotel, as we would like to chose a hotel near to this Museum. The Asian Art curator is very keen, but we still need to get the final OK from the head curator. Bookings for Shinsa spots will be open in June. Gordon's seminar will be on early fittings with a focus on Ko-Mino. Sydeny Token Kai is a small casual group of sword collector friends who get together regulary for sword study and show and tell. Although we are all serious and studiuos, we do not run a fulltime sword club. Any other inquiries and questions please contact me directly on info@sydneytokenkai.com , i will be glad to help. regards, Adrian S

G'day Stephen and Brian, Thank you both for your encouragement. Brian, It's a short flight to Oz from SA you know, didn't you always want to see Sydney?? :D We are very excited here and just from conversations with the serious collectors around the country I can say that over 50% of the slots were tentatively spoken for before we announced. I do have to thank Gordon Robson, Michral Cummins and Richard Turner among others for giving this project a huge push along to get it approved. I'm sure the Sydney guys will do an excellent job and it will be a great success. Adrian S

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT NTHK SHINSA Sydney Australia 20TH to 22ND March 2009 The Sydney Token Kai study group is pleased to announce a NTHK Shinsa and Japanese Sword and Kodogu Show (taikai) to be held at Darling Harbour, Sydney Australia, 20th to 22nd March 2009. The NTHK shinsa fee structure has been finalized and will be Swords: submission A$100, pass A$100 Koshirae: submission A$100, pass A$100 Fittings: submission A$50 , pass A$100 Volunteers are presenting the taikai from the Sydney Token Kai with help from other collectors from Australia and New Zealand. The taikai will consist of educational events, dealer’s room and an auction for Legacy. Legacy is a charity that raises funds to support the widows and children of deceased Australian war veterans. In addition all proceeds above the running cost of the taikai will be donated to Legacy. At this time we are preparing the educational content and would like to hear from those amongst the nihonto scholarly community who would like to be involved and share their knowledge. The organizers can be contacted on info@sydneytokenkai.com . So far we are grateful for the commitment from some eminent members of the nihonto community. Dr. Gordon Robson, director of the NTHK will be presenting a seminar and display on Ko-Kinko and Ko-Goto fittings as well as a display of important koshirae. Sword polisher and acknowledged expert on nihonto for over 50 year, Bob Benson will be presenting the development of the Tanto from Heian to late Edo period. The Sydney Token Kai will be presenting important swords and fittings from Australian and New Zealand collections and will host a Sword etiquette class. We are looking at adding more content to fill two full days of education. Once all the details have been finalized, including hotel location and booking procedures the website will be finished and uploaded to http://www.sydneytokenkai.com . A further announcement will be made at that time. Please feel free to copy and paste this announcement to other message boards and forums where the members may find this of interest. Adrian S

Hello John, Nice work on the restoration. I notice you are in Australia too, are you in Sydney? I would like to see your work, please contact me privately on nihonto@bigpond.net.au Adrian S

A couple of questions for those more knowlegable on the board. Does the NTHK have a separate paper for Yushu saku? If not, is a notation on the standard papers stating Yushu? Does seven stamps have any special significance on a old (prior the split) NTHK? thanks in advance, Adrian S

Thank you for this information. I had assumed that the Japanese text offered more information. Any more information from the text would be very much appreciated. Thank you again. :D Adrian S