downunder

I have been lucky enough to collect a few Nihonto now. I am having a glass display cabinet with adjustable glass shelving especially made to display my katanas in my home. What is the best way to put a katana on display. Do you leave it in its saya? Is it wise to leave the blade out of the saya on display? If you have koshirae and shirasaya, would you display the blade in shirasaya, the koshirae in the saya, or would you not bother with the shirasaya on display at all? Not all of my Nihonto have shirasaya but all have koshirae. All are in full polish. I have never seen katanas displayed in a museum. I would appreciate any advice. Glenn

Thankyou everyone for your help, your assistance is much appreciated. It is a beautiful katana, but as the owner I am somewhat biased. Glenn

I have a mumei katana that at Shinsa this year was attributed to a swordsmith by the name of Ietada from Kaga. I can't seem to find much in the literature about this swordsmith. I have recently bought a couple of books searching for information about him (I am still reading them - "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" by Kokan Nagayama and " The Japanese Sword - A Comprehensive Guide" by Kanzan Sato) but have had no luck so far. I would appreciate any advice or direction where to find information about Ietada.

Searching over the web I have found that his name was Takashima Kunihide from the Fushima District (in Kyoto) and was a known Rikugun Jumei Tosho Swordsmith. I would love to know more about him if possible.

I have just purchased a katana with the mei "Fushimi Ju Takashima Kunihide" made in August 1944 that comes with NBTHK papers. I have not been able to find information on this Swordsmith and was wondering if someone knew any of his details.