Anyone have a favorite contemporary tosho?

[piryohae3]

Who are your modern day favorites? For what reasons?

[SAS]

Well, I like mine  ...and Kawachi Kunihiro  his because his Hamon rock, ....

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hard to go past Gassan Sadatoshi, his work outside of forging is quite remarkable as well.

[16k]

Ono Yoshimitsu and Gassan Sadatoshi. I think the reasons are obvious.

[Alex A]

The late Enomoto Sadayoshi. I was never one for collecting modern swords, always had to be Edo or earlier. Watching modern smiths like Sadatoshi online and looking at their work and seeing items in the for sale department mainly from Joe inspired some interest. 

 

I stumbled across a tanto for sale by Enomoto Sadayoshi and looked into his work and extremely long career. He worked in different styles from Soshu to Gassan. A good amount of information available, online and in books, he was rated Mukansa and worked well into old age. 

 

Anyways, I bought the tanto, which is an honour to own, I love its elegance, perfect hada and rich nie. What makes it even more special is that his son Enomoto Sadahito wrote Sayagaki for the tanto. As someone that has never had a sword commissioned, this was the next best thing, and I was very grateful. By the way, he also made a small letter opener fully signed

 

There is never any connection to earlier smiths, but this purchase was special, thanks to Chris Bowen..

[Greg F]

Ever since I first got the art of the Japanese sword book Yoshindo Yoshihara is a smith I'd love to have a sword by and hard not to mention Gassan Sadatoshi for that famous hada.

 

Greg

[piryohae3]

Hard to go past Gassan Sadatoshi, his work outside of forging is quite remarkable as well.

 

I know he carves his own horimono which are outstanding. Is that what you were referring to?

[w.y.chan]

Out of the swordsmiths that are still alive blades by Ono Yoshimitsu seems to command the highest price. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

I know he carves his own horimono which are outstanding. Is that what you were referring to?

His involvement in the NBTHK and other efforts in furthering the appreciation and preservation of Japanese swords.