Chicago sword Show April 25-27 2014

[Ron STL]

Just to point out what treasures might be waiting for buyers to find them -- Arnold's possible Heian blade is one example -- the most exciting discovery shown to me by it's lucky buyer was a fantastic in polish and papered tanto by Awataguchi Kuniyoshi, no less. Playing the kantei game, my first impression was Rai Kunimitsu. Told to think earlier in the Yamashiro smiths, I recognized the absolutely incredible jigane and the two short hi on one side, ken on the other as typical Awataguchi. That was good enough! How could I miss that Awataguchi hada!!! I find it totally amazing how a "little piece of steel" can bring one to his knees...but that it did. Equally wonderful is that it found an appreciative and deserving owner who will admire and preserve it, and share it, for many decades to come. Reportedly, the tanto was offered on a dealer's table. It took a good eye and knowledge to immediately recognize the importance of the wonderful tanto. This just shows the importance of attending the shows; treasures do surface from time to time. The only negative comment...I was not that "lucky buyer."

Ron STL

[Pete Klein]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah -- that was special. Someday I will have an early tanto such as that one.

[Brian]

A kind attendee sent me these pics from the show. I think anyone with even the remote chance of attending these shows, needs to do so.

You can only benefit.

On another note, I have heard from more than one source that the Awataguchi Kuniyoshi tanto was mindblowingly good, and a significant find. Perhaps someone knows the new owner and can organize some pics?

Did the seller not know exactly what he had, or was it just a well priced bargain? Since it had papers, did it just slip past unnoticed by most?

 

Brian

[Brian]

More..

[b.hennick]

Here is a list of image numbers and the people in the pictures. Sorry for misspelling some names. I did not put anything for images without people. My list is in the order that they appear.

3 NIck Nakamura and Ron Hartman

4. Nick Koleck

5. Bob Benson and Daughter

1 Cyrus Chan

7 Craig Harris and Grey Doffin

9 Andy Quirt and David McDonald

10 Sylvia and Barry Hennick

11. Fred Geyer and Brian Tschernaga

12. Kit

[mdiddy]

I will pile on a few days late and just reiterate what others have said: outstanding show!

 

The exhibitions were really over the top - every flavor of Jiro Taro Naokatsu you could imagine, some really rare and incredible tsuba belonging to the most famous of the samurai class, and the NBTHK-AB had some very very fine blades to look at and kantei.