simonjbinks

I'd be happy to take professional photos for you, if you could leave the blades with me for 20 years or so.

Are these blades still available? I am in the market right now and looking at a number of blades. Andrew Ickeringill is an extremely talented Togishi. Sone of the work I have seen that he has done for Barry Thomas is exceptional. Just his polish adds to the value of a blade, regardless of period or school. I don't know if this site has rules regarding personal contact details but if this passes through, I can be contacted at simon@simon-binks.com. I am also in Melbourne. I think I buggered up a prior attempt to respond to this listing. Look forward to a reply, Simon Binks

Do you have any information on Seishu Ju Fujiwara Motomichi? I see your comment that he is an interesting topic but nothing qualifying that. Shinsaku Kaji are an area outside conventional databases. I would appreciate any information. With thanks, SB

SwordGuyJoe made a joke, I responded with my own style of humour (it's the only style I have), then WW3. If there is no room for humour, or lateral stories such as my father receiving the swords of Generals and Colonels at Rabaul, I am probably in the wrong place. With respect, good swords can be found on eBay. I missed and am kicking myself about it, a superb San-Dai Sashu Ju Masayoshi in full polish and superb koshirae for $5000. YES, I should have bought it but I'm new to eBay and keep screwing it up. I tried but it was the log-in-when-your-name-is-already-on-the-screen-thing, so by the time I had logged in, I had missed it. As soon as my new phone arrives (went swimming with the old on December 29th and its taken the insurance company this long), I will advertise like I used to. Good swords can be found in the strangest places. One of my best came from my Aikido class. I have been collecting for 30 years, longer than most here I would imagine, have explained my experience and experiences before, and I can articulate myself as precisely as I wish on paper or screen. Without insult such as Moss and Sanjuro. Many of the members here have been kind and helpful but I don't need nor should I have to justify myself anymore. I amassed a great collection without this site, I can do it again. It was just very convenient as all my books are in storage and I deeply thank those who helped me with translations that are yet to rise from my subconscious. The politics of justifying a little humour is tedious. And as for the latest post by Moss: "OK Simon. For the record: I dont have a private grammar school education. I have two University degrees. I dont drive a BMW. I drive a Porsche (A new one) I dont have a dead end job. I own my own businesses. I live where I want to live and move when I want to move because I can afford it. So much for your pathetic assumptions! Keith" Does not even deserve a reply. I'm outta here. Thanks for those who were polite, intelligent and helpful. I wish you the best.

There are some really decent people on this site and some who really just don't get it so I'm just going to explain it as to a 5 y/o. It was a poignant issue entwined with a trifle; a response to whom I believe was be the Moderator, advising me to not walk, but run away from this addiction. Who would possibly take offering myself for tameshigiri as being serious. I did not once mention anything about success, merely my former collection, which I sold as a business decision to invest in something else, which is nobody else's business so I didn't mention it. I have been criticised for being arrogant and now maudlin. I live in a three story house, just one of my many guitars is worth $100,000 and drive a BMW 535i so have nothing to complain about. So which is it; maudlin or arrogant? I consider myself to have led a very fortunate life but I daren't mention anything of it. I am not wallowing in anything. I make jokes that are sometimes misunderstood by simple people who do not have the benefit of a private grammar school education, basic wisdom or the simple life experience to read between the lines. I have had enough feedback from people who enjoy the fact that I entwine a little life into my posts and I think the question of the values of Japanese swords is one of qualitative and quantitate interest; investment issues aside. I'm just curious and the sort of person who seeks answers. The language of both critiques has been clearly Australian, whilst it is more than likely that no international member has ever heard of me. Moss and Sanjuro, if you are stuck in dead-end jobs with limited understanding and find this an opportunity to assume the Australian tall-poppy opportunity you have been waiting for, you are misinformed, seriously off-target and, I would hope, embarrassing yourself in front of the other members. Since this is the second abusive post I have received in a mere few days, I leave it up to the moderator to decide as to whether I should remain a member of this board. I have been keeping my posts as on-topic as possible but will find it difficult to write dry, concise, humourless and lifeless posts and I don't want to justify everything I say here. My former knowledge is coming back by the day, which is what I was referring to, but I enjoy talking swords and will always be learning. Some members have helped me greatly. I do not understand the problem with Moss and Sanjuro. Actually, I think I do. There is a world beyond swords. I don't see the problem of it seeping in here and there. If the Moderator wishes me to leave, I will. I just will not be able to be dull. Simon Binks

Thank you John. I knew that I knew that I knew it. I can't find a reference to an Ikeda Kanetsune. Anybody? This seems to be very healthy and clean, but I can't see enough from the one picture of the blade to determine if it's worth getting. Thanks again. Simon

It's complex. Let's merely say that I am attempting to do something I really can't afford now; well can, but can't justify. Thank god my wife has left me or I'd never hear the end of it. Or maybe I should have listened more. I seem to have luck with swords. There is an old Samurai saying: "The Samurai doesn't find the sword, the sword finds the Samurai". Whilst I don't profess to be a Samurai, I seem to have great luck in finding good blades, but lost them all due to trusting the wrong people and a few stupid mistakes. And a car accident. Without getting too existential, my luck seems to had left me when I sold my swords, but that can't be a reason in a rational world. I just need to get one good sword but as they are so cheap now, I am justifying it by considering that I'd much rather have my money invested in swords than a super fund. But for this to work, swords have to appreciate again. Then we get to the problem of angst in having to sell them in my declining years if I don't get my career back up and running, but that is another apple. Thanks for the advice guys. Anyone have a good Satsuma katana they want to get rid of? With Thanks, Simon

Guys, This is another sword I'm looking at. I get the ...ta Kanetsuna, but not the first kanji. Does anybody recognise kanji and or mei. It looks like seki work. In faxt the nakago looks like a sowa nakago but it has two holes. Any help would be appreciated. Anybody know this smith (not personally)? Simon

That's what I got but I can find no reference to such a smith. All my books are in storage except Hawley and Fujishiro. Thanks for your help. Simon

Again, my apologies. I have to unpack all my books. This seems to be Yasushige and is supposedly dated between 1800-1849, but I can find no Yasushige that fit those references. Would appreciate any help. Simon

I've been there before, 120 swords at one stage, including Nagasone Okisato Kotetsu with Horimono by Kotetsu and Tameshigiri by Yamano Kuemon Nagahisa, Sho-Dai Soshu Tsunehiro, Sashu Ju Masayoshi (San-Dai), Miyoshi Nagamitsu, etc, all genuine. ALSO all those that never got to togi/shinsa that I'll never know. I can't even think about that. There was one...no, I can't think about that one. AND I'M StARTING AGAIN. Anybody want to use me for tameshigiri? I think that will be a cure-all, as it would be a close-encounter with a good Nihonto (must be Juyo or above) and get the Nihonto thing out of me head. Don't walk, but run away before you find yourself with over $20K in swords (all lovely)! This is one of the most beautiful addictions I could think of and I too have the bug.

Thanks guys. I thought a rebadged Showa-To also. Does anybody have a good katana for sale, in or out of polish, Gi-Mei is OK if the sword is good, plenty of activity (ie: Satsuma) around 68-70 cm, preferably with Hi or some sort of Horimono, preferably in Gunto or damaged Buke-Zukuri mounts (so I can mount it up the way I want), not too thin, to put me out of my misery? I NEED a Nihonto. I don't know why, I just can't function without one. Thanks again guys. Simon

As I said, but I'm trying to find a decent sword amidst a pile of rubbish and since it's 17 years since I last bought a sword, everything is rusty. I know the first two kanji (town/province) of this one but I just can't place it. It's Nagasomething, but doesn't look like Mitsu and there is no Nagamitsu with the accompanying details. Again, the rust in the mei looks to new but it's so cheap, I may be willing to give it a go. Any help would be greatly appreciated. With Thanks Simon

Amon, It seems to be all there. What are you referring to? With Thanks Simon

Thanks all. This is a difficult one, as it still is a wonderful sword, looking more Satsuma work than anything else, and I love good Satsuma work. It's all coming back to me no. My closest sword-friend has a Gassan Sadakatsu. I've been out of collecting so long that it's taking a while to fire up the boilers. Tough one, love this sword, but always suspect the mei was false. The rust in the mei is newer than the rest of the nakago. Thanks for your help. I'll find a good katana yet. To think, I had 120 of them, sold them for next to nothing as I was never in it for the money and deep down, though I understand his reasoning, I don't believe MacArthur should have confiscated all swords. Certainly not shovelled them into furnaces and dumped them into Tokyo Bay. And most certainly not from Shrines, museums and family homes. Simon

Actually, here is the date. I thinkit reads Gen-Ji ku, which would be 1873. This would rule out Gassan Sadayoshi and I know there was a later generation right up to the 20th Century, but can't find a reference. Again, this is a nice sword I'd like to have so any assistance would be welcomed. Simon

Sorry to keep bugging you guys but I can't live without a Nihonto and I've scrounged a few up. All just photos though. This purports to be Gassan Sadayoshi, but the rust in the mei seems newer that that on the Nakago. However, the work in the blade is spectacular from what little I've seen (again, just photos). I only have one example of Gassan Sadayoshi's mei and it's close but... Also, the date on this sword is 1861, a year after Sadayoshi is supposed to have stoppped working. I know it's still possible but any opinion would help. Thanks again guys. Simon

I don't have the sword in hand. I'm just going by the same pictures I posted. It looked like a good Gendai, but without Slough or sword in hand, too much of a risk. I can't even check if this Kanetsugu is a good Gendai smith, and I imagine that there would be many Kanetsugu Gendai. I don't think the fuchi is a replacement. It just looks like silver, which would be the obvious choice to upmarket any standard Gunto mountings at the time. It looks all original from what I can see. Thanks to all. Simon

I changed it around in PhotoShop to get a clear picture of the mei with chisel marks. I think that is what you're probably seeing. I change the Saturation, Hue, colour, Temperature (?), etc, to get it as clear as possible. I did look at that Naokuni but the beauty of the mei suggested someone of greater renown. He is not a highly rated smith, but this wouldn't be the first time a really good sword has come out of a poor to moderate rating in Hawley. I just wish I had all my other books out of storage. Thanks guys, Simon

This mei is so deeply stylised that it is hard to read. That makes me think that it is indicative of somebody good, given that they are so artistic with their mei. I'm pretty sure the last two kanji are highly stylised and beautifully carved Naokuni, but would love an opinion. With Thanks Simon

I think the 'Shige' is a right, but I don't know about 'Tsugu'. It doesn't look like any manipulation of that kanji that I've ever seen. I get the sense that this is a well known Gendai smith. Does anybody out there recognise this mei and have Slough to check out his status? I'm waiting on my copy of Slough. And to think, 25 years ago, we'd pass up anything with a stamp on it, or anything Gendai at all. I sold a superb Gendai katana by one of the best Gendai smiths, in mint condition to a guy for a couple of hundred dollars. I had at least three others in mint condition that I'd just bought out of curiosity. Can't even remember what I did with them, as I had my Kotetsu polished, delighted in my San-Dai Sashu Ju Masayoshi, Soshu Tsunehiro (Sho-Dai), etc. Sigh.

Thanks David. What about the silver in the fuchi? I've never seen this. Simon

Guys again, Doesn't the brown and blue tassel represent General grade? Also, I've never seen a Gunto fuchi with what appears to be silver in it, or is my enthusiasm preceding me? Appreciate any help. Gendai smiths and war mounts are not my thing, but I've ordered Slough and intend to get up to speed. Thanks Guys. Simon

This looks to be a good Gendai blade but I don't have Slough and all my other books are in storage, save Hawley and Fujishiro. I can't nail this one. The first looks like Kane, but the second has me scrambling. Appreciate any help. Simon

I did not take offence at your original reply to my post as you thought but responded in kind, admitted to being off topic but curious as to the matters discussed. I do take exception to suggestions of self-importance (arrogance is the height of ignorance) and being told to drop the FIGJAM, whatever that acronym means. I merely relate the story of a touring musician, of whom I doubt very few on this site will have heard, as an anecdotal tale of the unusual circumstances that allowed me to tour around the world collecting swords whilst getting paid for it. Being somewhat confused as to how you can know of me and yet not the more famous Ian Moss, who shares your name, seemed a polite aside "We all know who you are, what you had, and who you know, so lets drop the FIGJAM and proceed with the business at hand." I find offensive and uncalled for. As stated, I doubt any but a few on this site would know of me. There must be some latitude for related asides, particularly when admitted to being off topic but having been led to that point by pertinent sword discussion. I think the story of my father accepting the surrender at Rabaul, with the photos of Japanese Generals and Colonels handing over the swords in pictures I have, of interest to members on this board and entirely pertinent. I am a writer. I enjoy writing, so if my sword-related tales are embellished by my whims as a story-teller, I would have thought it all the more interesting to the board. Please feel free to not reply to any more of my posts. I would be happy to post the photos I speak of if other members wish, if I can find them. They are extraordinary first-hand visuals of how we all came to be collecting in the first place, in the West at least. My heart does go out to those Japanese officers handing over possible family heirlooms never to be seen again, but I wonder how many collectors feel the same sense of loss/gain/responsibility when purchasing such swords. How many have tried to return a sword to the family from which it came? I have but to no avail. It is extraordinarily difficult. Simon Binks