The next sword that I have information on is the National Treasure tachi by Iesuke. The Tamashima Shrine, Tamashima Mura, Matsuura Gun, of Saga Prefecture turned this sword into theKaratsu Police, who in turn, gave it to the Occupational Forces on February 27th 1946. This tachi is signed Bishû Osafune Iesuke / Ôei Ni-ju ichi…

Mumei naginata attributed to Ichimonji Norifusa. Designated Jûyô Bijûtsû on December 24th 1937 and 2 shaku 8 sun 1 bu long. JB set # 435, and Yamanaka JB # 6. Submitted by Uesugi Yoshiaki to the Yonezawa Police. Mumei naginata attributed to Osafune Mitsutada. Designated Jûyô Bijûtsû on December 24th 1937, and 2 shaku 5…

by Jim Kurraschfrom the December 1997 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter. Hôjôji Kunimitsu worked during the Nambôkuchô jidae. He was the only sword smith who worked in Tajima – ?? during the Kôtô period. There was also a nidai who worked in the Oei jidae. Kunimitsu has long been considered one of Sôshû Sadamune’s Santetsû –…

by Jim Kurrasch Another section that I figure will help us as Collector of the Sword is various hints or tips that we have figured out over the years. So why don’t you send in some of those that you use or know about. The number above the section is to let you know which…

by Jim KurraschThis article shows the sometimes long and winding road that some of us students of nihontô must go through to kantei our blades. I do not view it as a slight upon me. After all I am only a student of nihontô, and hopefully I will remain such until the day I die.…

by C.U. Guido Schiller A topic that comes up on the various internet forums regularly is the question “is this sword worth buying?” or “is this signature genuine?”, usually followed by some blurry pictures of a rust-covered blade in battered guntō mounts. The answer is pretty simple: it’s worth every penny you’re willing and able…

Clubs and Newsletters Here is a list of clubs and organizations devoted to the study of nihontô. You might want to join several to test the waters out. If you have any major complaints about one please let me know. I probably will do little if there is just one small complaint from one individual.…

by Jim Kurrasch I have a new blade (to me) that was picking up some staining near the mune. So it inspired me to clean the saya. I figured that I should mention the process, in case someone else has a similar problem. And I am sure that some of you do. Since I was…

by Jim Kurrasch The following article by me actually promotes 2 opinions. While this seems somewhat schizophrenic it has more to do with the fact that very little is “black and white”. Everything is a shade of gray. And to make matters worse which shade of gray varies as one gains more experience. OK, since…

by Jim Kurrasch This is definitely one of those areas where the more you know the better off you are. Here I am talking about really knowing and not just thinking that you know. Really knowing can allow one to buy a $10,000 sword for $1,000. Thinking that you know can allow one to buy…