Bazza Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 Dear Folk, I happened quite incidentally upon this notice of Christian's death October 14th, 2019: Chaffee , Christian T. 07/23/1958 - 10/14/2019 CAFunerALT.com Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Oct. 20, 2019 Christian started 10 threads over 2007 - 2017 including this one: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15734-rare-tanto-published-in-1935-was-discovered-in-my-collection/ I wonder what happened to the famous tantou?? R.I.P Christian. BaZZa. Quote
Brian Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 RIP. He was quite a character. Told me once he was big in the antiques business, and all the antiques guys in San Fran (was it?) brought Japanese swords to him when they came across them. Had a lot of unusual antiques, but could never pry a decent deal from him. Sold a lot on eBay, most project blades.Sad to hear. Quote
Ed Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 Yes he was a character. A bit full of himself, but really a nice guy. I have known him for many years and am sad to hear he has passed. From the day we met he always called me Eddie. Only person to ever call me that, I will miss speaking with him. He had a lot of stuff, lots of swords and fittings but most of it was mediocre quality. Earlier this year he contacted me about selling all of his fittings, sent me a gazillion photos of everything. I bought a few I wanted, but never worked out all the details for them all. RIP my friend. Quote
Gakusee Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 Well, never knew the guy. May he rest in peace. I somehow missed (or ignored) the 2014 thread about the Yamato tanto. Yamato is not my thing, even though lately I have come to appreciate more the Hosho and Taema skill levels. Brian had a question about what happened to the tanto. I did a bit of digging and hey, presto: it passed Juyo in the 2018 shinsa. So Christian was right it was special. Of course, Tanobe sensei has flagged on the sayagaki that it was an important reference piece and that should be enough for anyone to sit up and pay attention. The setsumei speaks highly of it and reiterates its importance and I think uses language such as “invaluable reference material” or something along these lines. Christian’s fondness of it was vindicated. 7 Quote
b.hennick Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 He was indeed a character. I will miss him. Thinking of him brings a smile to my face. RIP Quote
Fuuten Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 My condolences to his family, friends and acquaintances. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 2, 2020 Report Posted January 2, 2020 Wondered why he hadn't responded to an offer I made him. Thanks for finding that, BaZZa. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 2, 2020 Report Posted January 2, 2020 Michael, do you have a photo of the setsumei that you mention above? Quote
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