simonjbinks

I know we are way off topic and perhaps should move to private email, I always have mine posted and available. Mr Moss, your kin Ian is a fine man. He testified at my MVA trial as to me being one of the top three guitarists in the country. It's a standing joke/banter. I always say he is Australia's best, he says I am. In truth, there can be no 'best,' as there are so many ways to interpret and convey on a musical instrument. I got the impression from you prior email that you are English, yet your reference to convict lineage would seem to imply Australia. But then you would know of Ian Moss. Yet you claim to know of my former self. How could this be? Could it be from our tours of the UK? I am only 1st generation Australian. My mother came from a long, complex line of British aristocracy, Breighton Hall and the Lords of Breighton in England and Calder Castle in Scotland with the equivalent Scot titles to go with them. MY mother was famous for helping the poor and afflicted. A wonderful woman. She was disinherited by my Grandfather's sisters. My Grandfather, though, was purportedly a wonderful man, died eventually in the 1950s from wounds received in WW1. He lived long enough to see his daughter marry a man of whom he clearly approved, as he had him inducted into the Masonic Lodge. My father didn't care about such things but would never divulge the secrets of the Masons to me. I was later to find out through my own research, but that is a long, private email) My father was an intelligent, wonderful man from a working class background, came all the way from England flying torpedo bombers off HMS Glory, sank the Scharnhorst and then accepted the Japanese surrender in Rabaul. I have photos of him on the deck of The Glory with a table supporting a number of swords, the defeating Japanese, Generals and Colonels it would seem, across the other side of the table, looking a little disgruntled. Many a time I had my hand around my father's throat screaming "Why didn't you pick them up, you were an officer on duty standing right there with the Captain of the 'Glory,' with swords of Generals and Colonels right within arm's reach?". With one parent from an 'Aristocratic' background and the other from a working class background, from Stockport near Manchester, I feel I had a very balanced and privelledged childhood. Wonderful people both. Drbvac, I think I have explained my perspective on swords as investment and the conundrum this brings to a lover of that collected, but if you find yourself with no heir to whom you may confidently bequeath your collection, I am available for adoption. I am a wonderfully affectionate and respectful child. I don't collect any other militaria by the way. My love of Japanese swords is purely because of the art. I find all Japanese art of great attraction. Most of it was disposed of by my former wife, but I still have two Sharaku prints, one a later reprint but the other from the National Museum, given to an Australian diplomat during the mutsukashi Jidai (sp?), with the seal of the Tokyo National museum on it as proof. My mother found it in a local antique shop and neither seller or buyer knowing what it was, would have paid very little for it. She only bought it as it is 'The Actor Ichikawa Omezu in the Role of the Servant Yakko Ippei', where Ippei is holding a sword.

Dear Moss, Funny, a guy named Ian Moss and I were voted by Rolling Stone as the best guitarists in the country. I'm not quite sure what you're saying. I have a deep passion for Japanese swords but limited funds at the moment. Having earned two fortunes in my life so far, a car accident in 1995 wiped me out financially, including all of my swords. I made a remarkable recovery from my accident but I have to be realistic, to rejoin the rock music world as a solo artist (I was previously a lead guitarist and song writer) at the age of 53 is a tall order. Impossible, most would say. But they all said that when I took up guitar in the final year of grammar school and pronounced that I was going to be the best guitarist in the country. I'm trying to be financially responsible. I am so tempted to buy this Morimitsu and the Soshu Ju Tsunahiro katana, and could, but then there's the rest of my life to consider. I am in two minds about having Japanese swords as superannuation. True, much more enjoyable in the mean time than super funds, but how would I feel when and I am old and declining to see them all go to pay for perfunctory matters such as a roof over my head and food in my mouth. So the issue of whether swords follow the law of diminishing returns or just a passing faze of the economy, is a significant one for me at this point in my life. UNLESS, I get my career back up and running, in which case I will be wall to wall with swords and vintage guitars again but this time, invest in something safe as well. I am also suing for the accident. I was earning around $250-300,000 pa before the accident, so the payout should be significant. SHOULD. I have no faith in the legal system. I hope that answers your question. With Thanks, Simon

Dear Jacques/Moriyama-San, It is very hard to pick O-ei from Ei-kyo from Ko-ei, it's great to get a Japanese perspective on this. O-ei + 13 puts this sword at 1407, right in the middle of Shuri-no-Suke's career. The signature looks different to examples I have, but each looks different to the other anyway. We all get paranoid with big signatures. We hope them to be correct, but expect them not to be. This mei seems to fit the nakago in terms of wear and patina. The left side of Mori shows wear that first had me confused, as the left stroke doesn't seem to be there. But blowing up the photo, I can see it worn away, consistent with what one would expect of a sword that age. Thanks guys. Simon

Thanks Jacques. I did finally work it out with Koichi's help. This should make this THE Ni-Dai Bizen Morimitsu, the big one. I found it on eBay but Koichi-San directed me to the same sword being sold on this site for $1500. An absurdly low sum for such a smith. Then we have a local dealer selling a Go-Dai Sashu Ju Tsunehiro katana for $5,000.00. I'd be really interested in the general opinion. Is the sword market going to pick up or is it the law of diminishing returns? For collectors such as we, its like being a child in a toyshop with dad's Amex card, but my comments on retirement and investments are poignant. Any opinion would be welcomed. As would an opinion as to the verification of this mei. The seller seems convinced, and this seems a site of honest, helpful people. With Thanks Simon Binks

Dear Koichi-San, Thanks. I missed the link somehow. $1500 for a ni-dai Bizen Morimitsu. This is what I mean. Do you think this genuine? The mei looks worn and contemporary with the wear on the nakago, but there are some differences between this sword and the examples in Koto Hen. I just wish I had all my other books at hand. Thanks again Koichi-San. Sorry to keep bugging you, but this Nihonto thing is the strongest drug I know of. I don't know what it is but since the age of around 10, I've always been fascinated by all things Japanese. The sword personifies all those, so I guess it's just a carry-on from there. All the best, Simon

Dear Koichi-San, So do I but I've fallen on hard times since a car accident in 1995. I used to be a rock star and earned a lot of money, had many fine swords with no intention to sell, but unless I can get my career up again (at 53!!), I have to be wiser with my money. Right now I'm thinking, would I put my money in a super fund or in Japanese swords, which I can enjoy as the appreciate (if they appreciate)? While I hope to get my career going again, they are there as a back up. But then again, I don't want to go through the pain (as in limitations, dementia, etc; I'm still fit and healthy at 53) of old age AND having to sell off prized, much loved items of a labour of love. I just put up another mei that has me confused. It's Morimitsu but I can't read the first few kanji. I'm about to put up the date as well, which looks to me to be Kaei something something san gatsu, which would make it Sho Dai. There is an exact same signature on page 537 of Koto Hen, but I can find no mach in Hawley for the precise mei and all my other books are in storage. It looks to be a very fine wakazashi, but I don't know if it's a match for Sho-Dai Bizen Morimitsu. I have never been into swords for the money. In fact, I'm completely hopeless with money. Despite having earned two fortunes in my life, I have very little left. So I have to be realistic and intelligent with my financial choices. Thanks Koichi-San. Simon

HI Guys, Sorry to keep bugging you with these questions but it's been 15 years since I was last collecting and a lot of terminology and kanji have buried themselves deep within my neurological network. This is a good very wakzashi signed Morimitsu, but I can't get the first few characters to ascertain as to whether it is one on of the high-ranking Morimitsu. I have found a similar signature - same kanji but not so sure about the authenticity (of the sword I'm comparing), on page 537 of Koto-Hen. I can't find a match in Hawley and all my other books are in storage. Again, really appreciate any help here. Thanks guys. Simon Binks

Dear Koichi-San, Thank you for your comments and I'm sorry for me delay getting back to you. I lot of things taking up my time. I missed out on the Sanemori. I was sure I had it but could not wait up any longer for the auction to complete. I set the eBay account on automatic to outbid anybody, so I thought. I missed by £15. I'm at the bottom of the world in Australia, the Southern most point of the mainland, so when it's daytime in the major parts of the world, it's the middle of the night here. One thing I would like to ask your opinion on, if I may. Swords are going so cheaply at the moment. They seemed to drop after the sale of the Compton Collection in 1991, as I believe that so many great swords saw the light of day, that those in it just for the money saw most of what they were looking for go out the door at very high prices. But the International recession has obviously played a big part. The question is, do you believe the sword market will bounce back when the economy stabilises, as it must? I have a chance to get a good Go-Dai Soshu Ju Tsunahiro katana for Au $5000.00. I had a Sho-Dai Tsunehiro tanto in excellent mounts that I sold to a dealer for $5000 in 1986. I've been buying swords again as I thought it a good time to buy, and it is, but if dealers are selling items like a honto Go-Dai Tsunehiro katana with Horimono for $5,000.00, I'm wondering if it will ever bounce back to what it used to be. Which would be good for collectors but bad for those who have chosen Japanese swords as their choice of Superannuation instead of the traditional funds. I would very much like to hear your opinion on this. And thank you once more for you help with the 'Sanemori'. I didn't think it to be a genuine signature either, as eluded in my post, but it was an outstanding sword in new polish, displaying some exceptional work in the hamon and hada. But I missed it, so be it. With Thanks, Simon

I've just bought this wakazashi but the purported mei doesn't look rght to me. It is supposed to be Ohara Sanemori. The Ohara is right but Sane looks more like Sada but not, and the Mori doesn't look right to me either. Would appreciate any help. This is a fine ubu wakazashi in full, vibrant polish and any information from anybody who does recognise the mei would be gratly appreciated. Thaks guys. Simon Binks

David, I amassed a fine collection of swords here. Yes, there are goods swords to be had. It is a mere statement of fact that the vast majority of the Occupational Forces were US servicemen, and they took most of the swords back to America. This is well established. Douglass MacArthur sat in virtual rule over Japan and our troops were outnumbered manyfold. I was the founding member and lead guitarist with rock band Australian Crawl, so wherever we went, I put ads in the papers, checked out all the pawn and second-hand stores, really beat the bushes; in Australia (ALL over Australia countless times) America, New Zealand and the US. I have outlined some of the swords I have had so yes, there are good swords to be had, or have been, and I have gained my fair share. But it's just numbers. The US military outmanned us by some absurd proportion, was in charge of collecting swords and weapons of all kinds, so it is only logical that they got the lion's share. I don't hold a grudge against the US. I love it there, lived with movie stars, collected vintage guitars, Japanese swords and vintage American cars. As stated, I would rather be in San Francisco right now (and may be soon). It's just numbers. Simon

Dear George and all, Thank you for your opinions. You raise an interesting point. Please allow me to raise a counter-point. This is a contentious matter but an important one, so I see no point in skirting around it. We are discussing various war mountings as important historical records of the history of the swords in question. I collect Nihonto for the art involved, nothing to do with wars or militaria. Whilst such topics are important from an historical point of view; ie: war is absurd and nobody really wins; governments or dictators send young men away to die over points of greed, arrogance or in the case of WW1; fundamentally a family feud between the Royal families of Germany and England, for which 8,556,315 people died, almost as many missing or POW's. It appalls me to think that over 2 million Japanese were killed during world war two, 350,000 of them civilians, woman, children, the old. I don't want to be reminded of that whilst enjoying the art of such cultured people I am the greatest fan of Japanese culture but an unfortunate byproduct of the feudal system was what caused the crazed few who led the military into a war that they couldn't possibly have won. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who did his duty as he saw it, sighed upon the return of the planes that bombed Pearl Harbour and stated "I fear all we have done is wake a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible rage". Yamamoto was a student of Morihei Ueshiba, Japan's most celebrated martial artist of the time and founder of the gentle art of Aikido. Osensei Ueshiba stopped teaching officers and was vocal in his objection to the war, the rising death toll causing him physical illness. Only someone of his stature and respect could have taken such a stand in the Japan of 1938-45, a country of gentle people run by crazed, arrogant military leaders. Emperor Hirohito tried to surrender through the Russians, but Stalin being the brutal dictator that he was, never delivered the message to the Allies. Then we have Manchuko and the horrendous bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima: Hiroshima Nagasaki Pre-raid population 255,000 195,000 Dead 66,000 39,000 Injured 69,000 25,000 Total Casualties 135,000 64,000 Total Japanese deaths, military and civillian, is estimated at 2,700,000, 3.78% of the population, according to my research. I have never been to Hiroshima or Nagasaki. I look at Japanese children and can't allow myself to think of what occurred. The Japanese feudal system was not an ideal political model, but one must ask what would have happened had Commodore Matthew Perry not forced Japan into International trade through gunship diplomacy. As a rule, the Japanese psyche doesn't forget, even generations later. All military mounts were factory made, no art was involved except on the drawing board. So when I decide to polish or remount a sword, I choose not to remember what Shin Gunto and Sino/Russo Japanese mounts represent. I throw the mountings away, as did the Japanese for many years when swords were sent for polish in Gunto mounts. I see nothing to celebrate in the reminders of wars begun by the few, that led to the death of many. Most swords before ShinShinto we find have been mounted many times. They were mounted again for the wars discussed. I choose not to keep reminders of these atrocities around. I mount my swords, when I can, in Buke-Zukuri mounts, hand made using old Kodugu, reminiscent of the more peaceful era of Japan's turbulent history. We all know what happened, in varying degrees of interest. My father accepted the Japanese surrender at Rabaul. I have pictures of the Japanese officers handing their swords over of the deck of Dad's Aircraft Carrier. I taunted him for years about not bringing some back. I choose to not surround myself with memories of it. Rather, the beauty of Japanese art. I got both swords by the way, the beefy 28 1/2" Nagasa blade with Bo Hi on one side and Futatsu Hi on the other, and the much more slender blade of 29" Nagasa with Bo Hi, a gold habaki and the Mon as previously pictured. I paid a relatively high price for the second, considering it was Ebay and I can see very little of it in the photographs (some of which I will attempt to upload), but I just had to have it. I'm in the interesting position where I have two Russo Japanese war swords. Obviously I can't tell anything until I see them but from the shape of the #2 katana, it seems slender with little sori and I get the feeling Koto. The shallow sori and beefy nature of the 1st sword with Futatsu Hi on one side and Bo Hi on the other, tends to point to ShinShinto, but again, I get the feeling that it is Koto. I had a nice old Osuriage Koto blade reminiscent of what I can see of this blade. Having had the nakago's totally reshaped makes placing Jidai really difficult. Just my opinion. Now for a polish. Sincerely, Simon.

Dear Ed, Re: "In regards to your statement, "we are, by and large, starved for good pieces in Australia". Just my worthless opinion but, I would recommend venues other than E-bay as the place to find good swords. Not to say there are never good swords offered there, but there are many cons, scams, rip-offs and just plain dumb asses to sort through." Earlier on you make reference that you sense some hostility towards America. Nothing could be further from the truth. I most certainly have no hostility toward America. I lived there for a year, have been many other times, made two records there (as in music CD's, I was a rock 'star') and want to get back as soon as possible. I find America's generally positive attitude refreshing and invigorating. Regarding looking outside eBay, I have been collecting for thirty years, must have owned around 120 swords over that period, including a genuine Kotetsu with Horimono by Kotetsu and Tameshigiri by Yamano Kuemon Nagahisa, Sho-Dai Soshu Ju Tsunehiro, San-Dai Sashu Ju Masayoshi, Miyoshi Nagamichi, Sho-Dai Yamato Daijo Masanori, etc, etc. Then there are the great mumei or o-suriage blades that I never had a chance to have polished. At least one Juyo class blade there I would imagine. All of my swords were gained by placing advertisements in papers as I toured the world, travelling sometimes hours to see what may be a jeep spring, may be a Masamune. I found a Masamune tanto, all by hard and expensive slogging, not merely trolling through eBay with a coffee in hand. I have only started buying on eBay as of yesterday. It hasn't arrived yet but looks to be a good, beefy blade of 29" nagasa, with well cut futatsu hi on one side and bo hi on the other. But until I see the sword in my hands, I can't know if I bought well. It may have hagiri. I have also been dealing with eBay to try to police the Chinese fakes and reproductions and attempt to get them into a category of their own, so that collectors without 30 years experience will not be fooled into thinking that a painted and acid etched NCO sword is a National Treasure. I have been invited into the catacombs of the National Museum at Ueno Park by Nobuo Ogasawara and held National Treasures, such as Okada Giri and more. I have been invited by master Togi into their homes where I have held magnificent a Masamune Katana. I could go on, but no, I am not some neophyte relying on a computer to do my work for me. I have lived in Japan twice and again, been many more times. No, I have absolutely no hostility towards America. Envy perhaps, but I would rather be in San Francisco right now. Simon Binks

I am presntly seriously considering a sowrd that looks as though it could e good. It is in Russo-Japanese mounts, but has a Mon and a good gold foil habaki. I have just purchased another Russo katana, very long and beefy blade with bo hi on one side and futatsu-hi on the other, both seemingly well cut. Unquestionable hand made in suguha, but all else is obscure. Amongst my many swords over the years, I have only had on Russo-Japanese war sword, and that was an average sword I quickly sold, so I don't recall the special treatment that these swords must have had. They were cavalry swords for use with only one hand, so it would seem logical that a long nakago, intended for a two-handed tsuka, must be cut down to fit in a one-handed mounting. It's a fair size blade, 28 1/2 inch Nagasa. The one I have already bought is 29" Nagasa but much wider, thicker with the bo hi and futatsu hi. So my questions seems to have an obvious answer. These katanas must have had the Nakago shortened to fit into a single-handed Russo-Japanese handle, correct? Does anybody think that this would devalue the blade, as to have it mounted properly again, one must move the machi up and therefore loose some of the polished blade? I would like to get these mounted up. Having been out of the game for so long, I will put up questions about you could be recommended when the time is right. The one I have already bought (but not yet received) looks particularly interesting. I have never seen a blade with bo hi on one side and futatsu hi on the other, at least not in a katana of 29" Nagasa. Thanks guys. Simon

Thanks guys. Much appreciated. I guess I had it all along but it just didn't sound right. Thanks once more. Simon

Guys, Could anybody help with the Mei on the JPG I will attach. I just can't get it. It's Like Ama, could be Dai, could be Roku or whatever but I'm pretty sure the last Kanji is Hide or Fusa. None of the above fit together. It's so stylised. There are similarities with Suishinshi Masahide. There is a simple Kakihan on the Ura. Sword looks to be Gendai or Shinshinto, but I've seen very little of it in emailed photos. Having trouble attaching the JPG of the Mei, but will try again. Thanks guys. Simon Binks

I have only just joined this group. I have been collecting swords since 1981, but not for many years. This subject may already have been covered and forgive me if so, but I just felt an urge to pay homage to something we probably all take for granted. The vast majority of Western collectors reply heavily upon Hawley's vast tome, without which so many of us would be lost. Exceptions to those who have put the time and effort in to be fluent in Kanji and kana beyond mere province, mei and date, but the majority may not even start collecting beyond an occasional chance encounter without Hawley's exceptional work. I purchased my edition of 'Japanese Swordsmiths - Revised', to replace the two smaller prior publications, off Willis Hawley personally. One time in LA, I merely called his number, he answered, and asked me over to his home, a vast yet elegant mansion in the Hollywood Hills. A true gentleman, he was a fine host over a number of hours, showing me a vast Chinese wall hanging he claimed to be "Worth more than the house" and of particular interest to him was a blade that had been damaged beyond repair that he had chosen to test to the limits of Nihonto steel. Over cups of tea, he showed me how he had battered and chizelled away at this sword and though his work was obvious in the deep gauges he had caused, he was truly fascinated at how resilliant the blade had been. I must admit to being less impressed with the resilliance of the blade than I was with his passionate curiosity. Being a successful musician myself, I have met many famous people; actors, musicians and politicians. Few impressed me as much as Willis Hawley. Actually, few have impressed me at all. His generosity of spirit, as much as the enormity of his work that we all so heavily rely upon, compelled me to post this so that we may all hope he is having first-hand banter with some of the great men he had so arduosly catalogued. I'm not saying that I firmly believe in life after death, though I do share Einstein's view on the issue, merely that it is men like Willis Hawley that make me think, or perhaps hope, that man can be greater than what we have been. I would like to have met Sir Edmund Burke and Albert Einstein, but feel sufficiently lucky to have met, sat and enjoyed the hospitality, intellect and generosity of spirit that was Willis Hawley. My thanks also to Nobuo Ogasawara, who was also generous to show me through the bowels of the National Museum at Ueno Park, where he allowed me to hold and enjoy priceless National Treasures that few ever see from a distance. I must thank John Bowhay for that honour, and also for introducing me to a master polisher whose name escapes me, but also showed me many fine blades in expert polish, the most impressive by far being a large Masamune katana in full, expert polish. Here was my discovery that there are togi and there are togi. Breathtaking. To the generosity of spirit of Willis Hawley and the few.

I understand eBay rules, and that the seller has a right to stipulate where he is willing to ship, but this instance makes no sense to me. If the seller has already received the money, it is no longer his sword. It is the buyer's sword now (eBay legal transgressions notwithstanding), so whilst I may understand concern about shipping preferences in an abstract, "concern for what is now the buyer's property" sense; surely, practically, once the money has been transfered and collected, this must be the buyer's concern/decision? Shipping anywhere internationally is the same amount of effort, certainly within English-speaking nations, so why the concern as to shipping to Australia? Technically, yes, the buyer did not read the seller's eBay stipulation, and the seller has the right not to proceed with the transaction, but as stated above, this makes no practical sense to me. There are lot of sellers that stipulate a US only policy. I guess this is their right, but I don't really understand it. Most of the swords went back to the US after the Occupation, as the US military formed the vast majority of the occupational forces, so though I have made some great finds, we are, by and large, starved for good pieces in Australia. In a country as vast and sparsely populated as Australia, it can cost us as much in gas to travel to see a sword as to buy it, if it even turns out to be worth buying. The Web has made transferring files, photo's and general information much easier, but it is still easy to hide/miss hagiri in a lo-res Jpeg. Access to the US market would be of great benefit to America's allies in four wars. Of much greater concern are the 99.9% of Chinese fake and mismatched junk, fooling the neophytes. We all have to start somewhere and the obvious place is now eBay, but it is also the most dangerous. I just flip past anything from China, but there may be an occasional good blade underneath the Chinese-decorated fake or butchered mounts. This profiteering is ruining what would otherwise be a great way for us to buy and sell, transparently, with no middle-man giving us a pittance for our swords and marking them up by outrageous proportions. Simon Binks

I was wondering if anybody could recommend any contact in Japan who could fit a blade with supplied kodugu, including making a nice, ribbed saya with real urushi. I realize we are talking different disciplines here: tsuka maki, whatever the Japanese is for actually making a snug saya to a supplied blade, and the urushi specialist. I was hoping to find a good up-and-coming artisan or group thereof, who hasn't had the recognition to justify charging too much but whose work is tried, tested and recommended. A pot-of-gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow thing. I've been out of collecting for a long while and just about to hit the road with Hawley, Fujishiro and as much cash as I can justify. It's been over twenty years since I last had this done. Does anybody know a ball-park figure for how much this would cost these days? I know this to be a how long is a piece of string question, but any indication would help. I am always hoping to find a nice katana in original civilian koshirae, but chances are more likely that I will find a nice blade in military mounts. If i find anything. Appreciate any recommendations. Simon Binks simon@simon-binks.com

I have lived my life by the immortal words of Sir Edmund Burke. He would be turning in his grave at the sight of what Bush did to a great country.

We all have to start somewhere. Mine was a Bali-made jeep spring I bought in...Bali, in 1981. Luckily, in an attempt to show off my new-found Masamune (whom I had not heard of at the time), I made first contact with a very reputable local collector in Victoria, Australia (where I usually live) and he helped me greatly over almost thirty years to this day. My second purchase was a fine mumei (no signature) suriage (shortened) blade with a Habaki made of Shakudo engraved "Yoshioka". It was a very fine blade I found in a pawn-shop in Broken Hill (country town on the edge of the Australian desert - I was touring as a rock musician). I thought Yoshioka might be the prior owner's name, but then read of the famous Yoshioka kenjutsu (sword-fighting) school, against which Miyamoto Musashi had three famous battles. Musashi challenged Yoshioka Seijūrō, Master of the Yoshioka School, to a duel. Seijūrō lost. Yoshioka Denshichirōr then became Master of the Yoshioka school and challenged Musashi to a dual, which he also lost. Then the entire Yoshioka School challenged Musashi, who met the mass of skilled swordsmen alone at one-pine plane near Ichijoji Temple. Musashi won. Maybe this belonged to one of the Samurai involved in that famous clash. My long-winded point is, find yourself a mentor, as I did with the famous (in Australia at least) Barry Thomas, a wonderful, generous and intensely knowledgeable collector of many years, owning many fine blades. There is no better way. Books are great and necessary, but without reference to what sunagashi is, and someone who has a blade in polish who can point it out, it would be a long, expensive haul. Of equal importance, many of Barry;s swords were in new polish, so Barry took the time to show me all the fine details you can read about but rarely recognize without extensive, expensive experience. Find that mentor and READ, save your money until you have at least a working knowledge, but don't beat yourself up. We all have to start somewhere, and I would say that chances are, the first purchase is unlikely to be anything worth keeping. But you never know, until you put the time and effort in. Grab a Barry Thomas, and cherish his intellect, experience and generosity, if you're as lucky as I was. Put the time in, glean what you can, and you will find a Barry Thomas. Then, the enchanting world of the Japanese ART sword will slowly reveal itself to you. Oh, learn to read Japanese; critical and not that difficult. AND...Hawley (A laudable accomplishment researching, listing and translating into English, all known swordsmiths from Amakuni - the considered founder of the Samurai sword as we know it, to smiths working into the 1970's) and Fujishiro (two books, one on the Koto {old sword} Period - 800 AD - 1596 and another on the Shinto {new Sword} Period - 1596 to 1781, but also includes the Shinshinto Period 1781-1876). These three books are the Bibles of sword-collectors. Absolutely necessary. Get them. Have fun, be excited by the hunt, enjoy the great finds, expect some false signatures (which may turn out to be good swords anyway, sometimes even better than the smith the forgery proclaimed). Look past the fittings. Fine blades are often in subtle fittings, and visa versa. I turned down a mumei Masamune. A man who knew nothing about Japanese swords somehow gathered a collection of ten or fifteen swords. I had a collection of about 50 at the time, so was getting selective. I decided to buy only the best, and one tanto was mounted in what traditional Japanese would generally consider bad taste, an elaborate elephant koshirae. I bought about six swords, including a genuine Soshu Tsunehiro (1st Generation), a Heianjo Nagayoshi and an excellent tanto in Ebi Koshirae (lobster mounts - ribbed, red urushi (Japanese lacquer) saya and tsuka as one, with en suite shakudo kodugu including a kodzuka and kogai; all fine, matching by a famous artisan, well executed and not over-stated) The best of Japanese art is usually considered what the Japanese call Shibui (beauty in simplicity - http://shibui.com/whatis.html) or Koroi (not sure of English spelling, means "just right"). This elephant monstrosity was neither, but the blade WAS a Masamune, I found out some time later, just before I threw myself off Sydney Harbour Bridge, into a garbage barge which contained a discarded Muramasa, edge up. I slide right past, so much for the legend. There is an exception to every rule in the world of Nihonto, but once the hurdle of comprehension and appreciation is bridged; it is a fascinating and exciting world.

Hi Guys, I've just joined. I was a touring rock musician which enabled me to travel the world and be a Nihonto collector since 1981, but two unforeseen events forced the sale of two collections I had established. The first collection was about 80 swords, though at one stage I had 102. THe second collection was only five swords, as I had learned quality over quantity. I have lived in Japan twice, been taken into the catacombs of the National Museum at Ueno Park by Nobuo Ogasawara, held Okada Giri and a superb Masamune katana, met Willis Hawley (a wonderful gentleman) in his Hollywood mansion before his unfortunate but inevitable death, and now that I am recovered from a severe car accident that nearly took my own life (and forced the sale of the second collection)... I'm back at swords. What is it with these things? I first remember playing The Samurai with a very fine wooden long-bow I had broken in half to be a make-shift katana. It seems I can't live without a sword. I have felt empty since I sold my last, very fine Handachi katana (mumei, exceptionally fine work, circa 14th-15th C). Just a background. I live at the bottom of the world, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. Not much life below me but found some wonderful swords in Tasmania (Errol Flynn's home-the DEEP south), including a genuine Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu, with cutting test by Yamano Kuemon Nagahisa, an Echizen Masanori, etc. So that is a background, from a time when one could find swords in abundance and the mistakes weren't too expensive. My current concern is the misuse of eBay, which could be a wonderful way for us to buy and sell swords without traders giving us a pittance for our prizes and selling them for 300% mark up, only to be discovered years later when the sword crosses ones path again. I have written eBay many times, informing them that some sellers they have listed as Power Sellers, are crooks selling Chinese forgeries, or semi-forgeries. I am thinking of offering my services to run through the listings every week to just somehow mark "Junk" next to the vast majority that are. I thought some pressure from this group might help us all create an honest seller/buyer's market on eBay without undisclosed massive mark-ups. Thoughts? Simon Binks