Close to buy this gem....

[AndreasU]

Hi memebers,

 

I am close to buy this Item:

 

 

The funny thing with this sword is that the length of the Ha is exactly the length of the year I was born in and that double "66"

 

They already setted the Item on hold for me and I just would like to have a slight push from all of you to fall in the "transfer money" direction :D

 

The only thing I am a bit worried about is the shape of the tang!

This is quite unusual isn't it?

 

And there are plenty of Kanenaga's around. Someone knows something specific about the one who is mentioned here?

 

Otherwise for this money it seems a fair deal?!

 

Andreas[/img]

[Ken-Hawaii]

The only thing I don't like about Aoi is that they never make quite clear exactly what they mean by "blade length." Blade length to me means the nagasa, whereas sometimes Aoi means the entire length of the sword. If they don't mean the nagasa length, just how are you supposed to tell how long the cutting edge is, or, conversely, the total length of the sword??

 

Andreas, your choice seems to be a good one for the money. But I'm a tad confused when you mention the length of the ha, which is the area between the actual cutting edge & the top of the hamon. Am I missing something, or did you really mean the nagasa length (66.66 cm), or whatever they mean by "blade length" here?

[Brian]

Ken,

 

Ha is the cutting edge. Hence Ha-machi and Mune-machi etc.

I think it is used correctly here. Nagasa is the length of the ha.

 

Brian

[James]

That hamon looks like the 'Yahazu' hamon shown on Richard Stein's sword blade terminology page:

 

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/terms/terms.htm

 

The hamon looks aggressive, I like it.

[Martin]

The only thing I don't like about Aoi is that they never make quite clear exactly what they mean by "blade length."

 

Hi Ken,

 

as far as I experienced they always mean the length of the cutting edge (Nagasa).

 

cheers,

[Guido]

For the terminologically challenged, a look at the Japanese page brings all the enlightenment you're seeking so desperately: 刃長, commonly translated as "blade length". Revealing even more secrets , it actually means the length from the Munemachi to the very tip of the sword in a straight line. Amazing, isn't it?

[Martin]

I wish I could understand Japanese or at least had the time to learn it...

[Guido]

I wish I could understand Japanese or at least had the time to learn it...

That's not really neccessary, although it does help now and then . Anyhow, my reply was not really directed at you ...

[Martin]

Anyhow, my reply was not really directed at you ...

 

Guido,

I did not feel adressed actually - it´s just that I wish that I could understand all those great Japanese Language Nihonto sources

BTW how was your Kölsch/BAP evening ? :D

 

Alaaf!

[AndreasU]

Hi,

 

it seems that you are more concerned to the length of the blade then to the tang, which I count for me as : There is nothing weared.

 

So I will pay tonight!

 

For the german speakers here:

Ich denke das ist ein gutes Paket was AOI dort bietet. Frisch poliert und als Anfängerschwert genug zum betrachten. Ausserdem mag ich das wilde Hamon. Ich weis, ein Hamon im Suguha Stil ist was für "Kenner" aber Schönheit liegt im Auge des Betrachters :D

[Stephen]

in the same price range.

 

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... dc3c#10935

[Henry Wilson]

Frisch poliert und als Anfängerschwert genug zum betracht

 

My only concern about Aoi Arts is what is meant by a "polish". I have seen nice swords there that were described as in polish which to me and my grubby glasses were anything but in polish. If you are buying over the net and not getting a hands-on look before buying I would ask a bit more about the polish to avoid a surprise. It is a nice sword buy the way especially for the price.

 

Just my 2 yen

[Ken-Hawaii]

Hi, Guido. I also don't read Japanese, & so wasn't able to interpret how Aoi defined as their blade length. But I also want to know the entire length of the sword = nagasa + nakago, not just one of the two, especially if I'm shelling out a few thousand dollars.

[AndreasU]

OK Paid it. Will take three weeks now to receive it until all paperwork is done.

 

I believe my eyes and the pictures AOI are doing on their page are one of the best if you look on other Webpages. So I believe that the polish is exactly as described.

 

I also asked for a complete koshirae but they asked US$ 2.000,-- for it......

So thats above my budget at the moment.

 

Is someone willing to sell a complete WWII mounting to me? I am sure that the wooden scabbard can be replaced by one that will fit to my sword.

 

I have an offer for a good quality WWII koshirae for US$ 400,--

 

Someone able to beat this?

[Guido]

... I also don't read Japanese, & so wasn't able to interpret how Aoi defined as their blade length. But I also want to know the entire length of the sword = nagasa + nakago, not just one of the two ...

Aoi Art - Mr. Tsuruta - defines it like anyone else who's familiar with the terminology; *all* Japanese dealers / museums / collectors / books etc. use the following terms:

 

Hachô 刃長, Nagasa 長さ, Hanagasa 刃長さ, Uwami no Nagasa 上身の長さ = length measured from the Munemachi to the Kissakisaki in a straight line. In English translations usually referred to as "blade length".

 

Zenchô 全長 = overall (entire) length, hardly ever used.

 

Nakago no Nagasa 茎の長さ, the length of the tang, is almost never mentioned since it's of no real concern. What *is* important is its shape and length in relation to the blade itself.

 

If the length of the Nakago is, for whatever reason, really important to you, print out a pic of the entire blade, and use a ruler to calculate it. Or simply shoot the seller an e-mail.

[AndreasU]

Hmm,

 

now someone made me nervous. he said I have a 95% chance that the sword is not made from Tamahagane but of Railway Steel!

 

I don't want to believe this! What's your Opinion?

[Ken-Hawaii]

Guido, thanks for the clarification on blade length terminology. I'll admit never having heard of zencho, but of the 20 or so Nihonto I own, every one had the overall length and nagasa length specified. I thus thought it was fairly standard, even in Japan where I bought about half my collection.

 

As an iaidoka long before I started collecting, the length of the tsuka (& underlying nakago) is a major factor in choosing a weapon to swing. So please forgive me if that practical interest has made its way over to Nihonto. :D

[AndreasU]

Huhu,

 

soem opinions if this blade isnt't hand forged??

Railway Steel???

[Martin]

Andreas,

 

I think the best way would be to ask Tsuruta-San about this - at least he is the one that sold the blade to you and you.

Sometimes the descriptions are a bit short and therefore you should ask EVERYTHING you want to know about this blade in advance...

 

just my 2 cents of experience

 

cheers,

[Guest Simon Rowson]

I think poor Andreas was trying to get as much info as possible on this smith and blade before committing himself to buy but the entire thread seemed to get completely side-tracked into a discussion about the finer points of Nihonto terminology.......not very helpful for the poor guy.

 

Just my take on it as a pure observer.

 

Simon

[Stephen]

a common occurrence lately, I for one am glad you brought it out. Members if we would like to talk about something a thread brings up please start a thread on that subject, Andy I'd like to know how the person knows or think he/she knows that its rail steel?

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Thanks Stephen, for understanding where I'm coming from about this.

 

Andreas, it's a beautiful blade but why on earth do you want to shove it down a replacement gunto koshirae that stands a 98% chance of not fitting?

 

Whatever steel it's made from, it's major selling point is that it's in a good polish - kiss that goodbye if you try to get it to fit into a koshirae that wasn't made for it.

 

Simon

[AndreasU]

Hi,

 

thanks to point oiut that the original question had nothing to do with the length....... different to lots of other discussions

 

So, the idea to get a gunto is gone!

I will let AOI Art do the koshirae I posted the pictures of. They accept parttime payment and thats fine for me.

 

Also I asked them to give it to shinsa before delivery. Let's see what pops out

[Jean]

Andreas,

 

Concerning the blade polish, ask directly Tsuruta san. The pictures are oustanding and give a clear picture of the polish :

 

There are a few scratches (not many) at least one blemish on the Shinogi ji (perhaps oil stain).

 

The kissaki has few scatches (often happen) and probably some rust at the tip.

[AndreasU]

Finally today the sword arrived and what shall I say??

 

Wuoahhh, wow yipppppppeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

 

The sword is better than expected and in respect to the pricve I paid for it I can say that I bought a polish and the sword was for free. Did not know how a blade can look like.... I love the boshi and the Hamon and the hada and.......

 

This is a real Nihonto to study and train my eyes and I can only say that it was the best decision to buy it at AOI Art! The transaction was very smooth and Tsuruta san didn`t get tired to answer my questions.

 

I would ever buy again from him! No I am heading for a gunto mounting because the sword was made that time and to be authentic I would love to have it in original condition.

 

 

P.S. The sowrd was packed the way I sended my wakizashi away for the guys who followed the other discussion........

[kusunokimasahige]

so this is a gendai i presume.......?

 

according to the photos it looks lovely!

 

KM

[AndreasU]

yes it is a gendai but in a lovely polish. I believe the sword must have had massive rust. The tang is partialy rusted off right on the end. Sad but with respect to the price I can easy live with that.

 

As I said the sword is exactly like on the photos. AOI Art did not "modifie" them I cannot do better pictures.

 

Do anyone know how to clen the silver foiled habaki a bit. The silver is a bit black in some areas. I don`t want to use "silver polish" but would like to have it a bit cleaned. Useful or a bad "patina remove" idea?

[kusunokimasahige]

I do use silver polish (silvo) on my gendai habaki however i use a minimum, and i believe you can dilute it too...

 

KM

[Mark]

I like a natural patina on a silver habaki, if cleaned they look unnatural. you might want to leave it as is or just use a little soap and water.

[Martin]

Hi Andreas,

 

congratulations to your sword!

 

P.S. The sowrd was packed the way I sended my wakizashi away for the guys who followed the other discussion........

 

I don´t want to continue that "other discussion" - but I guess your recent sword was in a Shirasaya as opposed to the other one. Correct?

 

cheers and enjoy your sword!

Martin