Katana feedback

[Katran]

What do you guys think about this katana?  Is it of high quality?  Is it overpriced?  What about this store?  thanks,

 

https://nihontoantiques.com/project/korekazu-fss-850/

[SAS]

Nice sword but seems overpriced, certainly it is unique and desirable.

[Jacques]

The swordsmith is a big name rated jojo saku. 

 

 

I never talk about price,  

[Jussi Ekholm]

Looks high quality and very interesting item. I do not focus on items of this period but I do know Korekazu and he is highly appreciated smith in general.

 

Like Jacques I don't in general like discussing price all that much as the items are worth different amounts to various people. I can put in links to few Korekazu blades currently listed for sale in Japan so you can look them as a reference.

http://hyozaemon.jp/product/korekazu/

https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-070420.htm

[vajo]

Beautifull blade and a very nice koshirae. The shop is trustfull.

[Geraint]

Dear Katran.

 

Do please add your name to your posts as we all do, you can do that automatically in your profile.  I have purchase from this site and was very pleased with the transaction if that is your question.

Jussi has just offered two comparators, the sword in question has everything going for it, good polish, shirasaya, good papers, nice koshirae and an interesting signature as well as being by a very good smith.  What's not to like?

 

All the best.

[16k]

Very nice blade but too flashy for my tastes (I don’t like horimono) and certainly in a price range I can never afford, but, big name, good seller. If you like it, why hesitate?

[Katran]

Cool.  Thanks for the feedback.  I just bought it.  I'll post pictures when I get it.  What's the best source to learn about katana's?  (maybe a book)

 

thanks again,

 

 

[16k]

Oh, you’ll find plenty of books, Mike. Here’s a reply I gave to another Mike in another thread, but I think it fits your question too:

 

"First, the books. There are many very good books and some are compulsory. I started with John Yumoto's book and it is still the one I’d recommend as a starter even though it is very dated. Why? Because it’s a good read, not boring and it will give you all the primers. Virtually, when you’ve read that book, you think you know everything there is to know about Japanese swords... which, of course, couldn’t be further from the truth! 

Still, it’s great because you’ll get all the minimum vocabulary required and will know to make the difference between The different forms of Hamon and Hada. Trouble is it will also give you some prejudice about swords quality (for him Koto = masterpiece, Shinto =crap, Gunto being the mother of all crap), so just forget that part.

 

Then, I’d go with "Fact and Fundamentals". It’s not the one experts recommend but I do for two reasons. First, once again, it’s a good, entertaining read and second, he somehow makes you comfortable, insisting on the fact that many things are just opinions. For example, if you have trouble making Mokume from Itame, he’ll comfort you saying that they’re virtually the same (they’re not exactly) and, for sure You can read some sources that will state such and such swordsmith uses Itame while another will call it Mokume. I’ve seen it plenty of time. All this to insist on the fact that some sources are to be taken with a grain of salt and you have to forge your own opinion.

 

Finally, the next compulsory read is "The Connoisseur's book..." That one is necessary but I don’t think you need to read it in one go. Too much information there. Pick a school, read about it, look at the diagrams and find pictures on the net t see some actual examples and how they conform to the description. It’s a long term work and will take years.

 

Other than books, you have pictures, this site and the opportunities I never had: in the USA, you have sword shows. Go to them! Nothing beats seeing a sword in person. Once you’ve seen a sword by a particular smith or school, chances are you will know one the next time you see one.

 

And of course, I never had the opportunity to have a mentor. If you can find someone near you knowledgeable, do it. There’s nothing like it! He’ll point to you things that took me years to find out by myself!"

 

Other than that, you also have great sites like:

 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com

https://markussesko.com  all of Markus' books are a must if you ask me

http://www.sho-shin.com
http://ohmura-study.net/900.html  If you’re interested in military swords

http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/

 

There are ,any others and, of course, NMB!

 

 

[Katran]

I got it.  It's very beautiful.  Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

 

[envocat]

Beautiful, glad it's gone to a good home. Looking forward to seeing it around on the forums.

[mtexter]

Congrats Mike, it's gorgeous!

[PietroParis]

I’m a bit surprised nobody pointed out yet that you are not supposed to lay a bare blade on a hard surface, as you risk scratching it. Maybe someone can point to a good link for sword care and maintenance? There is a document in “Nihonto info” -> “Research” -> “Japanese sword care and etiquette”, but I suppose that one can find something more detailed.

[Katran]

Okie, I'll keep that in mind.  Thanks

[PietroParis]

Also, don't touch the blade as your fingerprints will generate rust, keep it oiled (with the right amount of the right oil), clean it only with a microfiber cloth, and so on and so on. I don't own a sword, but I see these recommendations repeated again and again in this forum. I am sure that some of the helpful sword-lovers here can point you to an adequate source of information.

[Surfson]

Congratulations Mike.  Is this your first blade?  If so, you started at a top level maker and sword.  I have a blade by this guy that was discussed a couple of years ago.  Please do take proper care of it.  It is very easy to scratch these by improper care or to allow them to rust by not keeping them oiled.  Enjoy!

 

 

[tokashikibob]

Mike, store it horizontally vice vertically, helps to keep the oil from pooling and oil very lightly you don't need much just a light wipe with a clean microfiber cloth with a bit of oil on it..

[Ken-Hawaii]

Follow http://www.nbthk-ab.org/swordcare.pdf & you should be okay, Mike. Nice blade.