It arrived!

[Avidmark]

My first Nihonto. It’s nothing special but I’m proud to be its custodian. 
I purchased it from Aoi Art in Japan. 

Im just a baby in the world of Nihonto and thought I’d jump in and buy early in my journey to learn from a blade in hand. 
Open to comments and opinions. 

[ChrisW]

Congrats on your new custodianship!

[cluckdaddy76]

Not shabby at all for your first piece, enjoy!!!! If it does not have koshaire , you could start on a next project and get a set put together. I am newer here too, my suggestion is to get a few books and start reading. It will save you headaches and lost money down the road. 

[Avidmark]

  On 3/15/2024 at 8:52 PM, cluckdaddy76 said:

Not shabby at all for your first piece, enjoy!!!! If it does not have koshaire , you could start on a next project and get a set put together. I am newer here too, my suggestion is to get a few books and start reading. It will save you headaches and lost money down the road. 

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Been buying a bunch! And reading a bunch. Koshirae is what I was originally thinking but didn’t realize how big of a project it will be. Maybe in the future though. 

[Jon]

Well done, nice first blade, very wise to purchase a signed blade in Polish. Did it come papered ?
 

 

[Avidmark]

  On 3/24/2024 at 11:21 PM, Jon said:

Well done, nice first blade, very wise to purchase a signed blade in Polish. Did it come papered ?
 

 

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It did! Tokubetsu hozon. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Congratulations! Looks like a lovely blade. 

 

Apparently the 2nd generation Nobuyoshi, according to Tsuruta San at Aoi Art, later changed his title (affiliation?) from 藤原 Fujiwara to 源 Minamoto.

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 2:09 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

Congratulations! Looks like a lovely blade. 

 

Apparently the 2nd generation Nobuyoshi, according to Tsuruta San at Aoi Art, later changed his title (affiliation?) from 藤原 Fujiwara to 源 Minamoto.

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Yes I read that in the initial description. Do you know if it was common for smiths to change names? And for what reason?

[John C]

  On 3/25/2024 at 2:15 AM, Avidmark said:

Do you know if it was common for smiths to change names?

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Mark:

Is your blade read as shinano no kami? If so, I believe that is 1st gen Nobuyoshi. Smiths would change mei when an honorific title was bestowed upon them.

 

John C.

[The Blacksmith]

Congratulations on acquiring your first nihonto.  A far more imposing piece than my first one that is certain! Well done. As has been mentioned, if you haven't already done so, then start acquiring a good library, this is essential, and imensely rewarding.

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 3:52 AM, John C said:

Mark:

Is your blade read as shinano no kami? If so, I believe that is 1st gen Nobuyoshi. Smiths would change mei when an honorific title was bestowed upon them.

 

John C.

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Documentation from Aoi Art states “Shinano Kami Fujiwara Nobuyoshi (2nd generation).” However I can’t translate the signature on the Nakago yet. At some point I’ll give a go at learning that but may need to get assistance. Documentation also states “his real name is Takai Kinsaburou, and later changed his mei to Minamoto”. 

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 8:40 AM, The Blacksmith said:

Congratulations on acquiring your first nihonto.  A far more imposing piece than my first one that is certain! Well done. As has been mentioned, if you haven't already done so, then start acquiring a good library, this is essential, and imensely rewarding.

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Thank you! I’ve been heavily investing in beginner books. 

[cisco-san]

from Markus book:

NOBUYOSHI (信吉), 2 nd gen., Enpō (延宝, 1673-1681), Yamashiro – “Shinano no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyoshi” (信濃守藤原信吉), “Rakuyō Shinano no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi” (洛陽信濃守源信吉), according to a theory it was the 2nd gen. who bore the real name Takai Kinzaburō (高井金三郎), he lived in Kyōto´s Aburanokōji (油小路), we know blades from the Enpō to the Genroku era (元禄, 1688-1704) and he also worked in Ōsaka, chūjō-saku

[John C]

The whole page from Sesko notes 1st gen as Takai Kinzaburo but a theory that it was second gen. So the jury is still out.

John C.

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 2:47 PM, cisco-san said:

from Markus book:

NOBUYOSHI (信吉), 2 nd gen., Enpō (延宝, 1673-1681), Yamashiro – “Shinano no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyoshi” (信濃守藤原信吉), “Rakuyō Shinano no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi” (洛陽信濃守源信吉), according to a theory it was the 2nd gen. who bore the real name Takai Kinzaburō (高井金三郎), he lived in Kyōto´s Aburanokōji (油小路), we know blades from the Enpō to the Genroku era (元禄, 1688-1704) and he also worked in Ōsaka, chūjō-saku

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Thanks for the info. What book is this from?

[cisco-san]

eBook from Markus Sesko - very useful!

https://markussesko....wordsmiths-of-Japan/

https://www.lulu.com...an&page=1&pageSize=4

[The Blacksmith]

A book that cannot be recommended highly enough...........

 

 

Unfortunately, no photographs, but a superb book nevertheless!

 

Another book that I would recommend, and one that does have many beautiful photo illustrations is......

 

 

It is a stunning book and extremely well explained. Not blades that we are likely to be able to acquire, but extremely informative.

[Mister Gunto]

Congrats on a great first purchase! You did better than I did with my first. 

[John C]

  On 3/25/2024 at 4:17 PM, Avidmark said:

Thanks for the info. What book is this from?

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Mark:

For a reference, the page I posted for you is from that book. The last paragraph on that page is the one you and others highlighted. Take a look at the paragraph just prior listed as Nobuyoshi 1st gen. This may give you additional information.

John C.

p.s. I also own a 2nd gen papered Nobuyoshi and have an extensive file of research. if there is something specific you are looking for, let me know. 

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 7:29 PM, John C said:

Mark:

For a reference, the page I posted for you is from that book. The last paragraph on that page is the one you and others highlighted. Take a look at the paragraph just prior listed as Nobuyoshi 1st gen. This may give you additional information.

John C.

p.s. I also own a 2nd gen papered Nobuyoshi and have an extensive file of research. if there is something specific you are looking for, let me know. 

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You’ve been very helpful, thank you. I’ll keep that in mind. 

[Avidmark]

  On 3/25/2024 at 6:19 PM, The Blacksmith said:

A book that cannot be recommended highly enough...........

 

 

Unfortunately, no photographs, but a superb book nevertheless!

 

Another book that I would recommend, and one that does have many beautiful photo illustrations is......

 

 

It is a stunning book and extremely well explained. Not blades that we are likely to be able to acquire, but extremely informative.

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I’m 3/4 through “Connoisseurs”, finished “The Japanese sword a comprehensive guide”, “The Samurai Sword”, and have been considering Cutting Edge. I’ll have to find a copy based on your recommendation. 

[Jon]

  On 3/25/2024 at 9:39 PM, Avidmark said:

I’m 3/4 through “Connoisseurs”, finished “The Japanese sword a comprehensive guide”, “The Samurai Sword”, and have been considering Cutting Edge. I’ll have to find a copy based on your recommendation. 

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cutting edge is a great book and can now be picked up in soft back for little money…not sure if it’s as good picture wise as the hard back editions ?

[Avidmark]

  On 3/27/2024 at 12:17 AM, Jon said:

cutting edge is a great book and can now be picked up in soft back for little money…not sure if it’s as good picture wise as the hard back editions ?

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Just ordered it online!