Nihonto Compendium

[Markus]

I compiled upon request a little compendium. Its for free and Brian, you can add the PDF to the NMB links if you want.

Check out my blog for details:

 

https://markussesko.wordpress.com/

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

[Fuuten]

Thank you for sharing it! Its surely going to come handy for me if I'm struggling with a signature. +1

[Brian]

Fantastic Markus!

A must have for everyone. Just like a miniature (free!) encyclopedia.

I have added it to the research links above.

 

Brian

[Curran]

We need to buy Markus S.

a Superman shirt.

[Jamie]

I agree Curran

 

Thanks Markus.

[Markus]

We need to buy Markus S.

a Superman shirt.

 

XXL please

[Gilles]

Thank you very much Markus,

[Jean]

We should rather either kidnap him or buy him :-)

[Clement]

Thank you so much for this !

[Kronos]

As the person who requested this I must say it is a lot more thorough and encompassing than I had imagined and Markus has done a terrific job, especially offering it for free.

 

My original thought was that when I'm off at auctions/shows/antique shops etc I have my phone on me and maybe a single book if it's planned and I can carry one around, however on my phone (tablet works better) I have Markus' Index for looking up smiths if signed, his Meikans for checking signatures and the Kantei Zenshu's for checking workmanship of the top smiths, if not giving a better idea of schools I'm not familiar with. The book would be Connoisseur's which is excellent for Kantei of mumei blades in particular but works on everything (I should really scan my copy to a PDF to take with me as well tbh). If I'm fortunate enough to have an internet signal I can then look up stuff like Wazomono, fujishiro ratings and maybe find some examples online.

 

However you'll notice the one thing missing is reading signatures/cutting tests and whatnot in the first place which this fills the gap of perfectly and seems superior to all the websites I was using before and I cannot thank Markus enough.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Mahalo nui loa, Markus!

 

Ken

[cisco-san]

many thanks Markus!!

[Brian]

Surprised more haven't posted. This is really like finding a gold nugget!

 

Brian

[SAS]

Great site, thank you very much Markus!

[Brian]

Since the Compendium link is no longer the main article on the blog, here is the direct link:

https://markussesko.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/nihontocompendium-e1.pdf

 

Brian

[Jean]

Concerning Wazamono ranking, Jinsoon Kim has a total listing: http://www.jp-sword.com, look at "sworsmiths ranking" including some Kamakura swordsmiths.

[Jim P]

 

Thanks Markus, Great work! and also thanks for the kantei work we all benefit from your generosity