by Jim Kurrasch Another thing that John P. and I were discussing by E-mail, was boshi . His comment on lot # 777, the Heian tachi set me to thinking. He had rightly pointed out that it had a chû-kissaki, which is not right for it’s period. Well I started to add 2 + 2.…

by Jim Kurrasch The following are a list of books and information that may help the collector. I have tried to give a short explanation of each. Basic Books The Samurai Sword, a Handbook by John Yumoto, published by Charles E. Tuttle Company. This is a widely available book, that was first published in 1958.…

by Jim Kurrasch Ô-Kanemitsu the son of Bizen Osafune Kagemitsu, and grandson of Nagamitsu, lived and worked from the end of the Kamakura to mid-Nambokuchô. As one of the 10 Students of Masamune , he is considered to have started the Sô-den Bizen (Bizen blades following the Sôshû style). This in and of itself is…

by Jim Kurraschfrom the December 1996 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter There were several Bizen Norimitsu. All were from Osafune, and their working periods ranged from about 1300, to 1600. There were also many kuwana uchi made to imitate the blades of Norimitsu. So when we are appraising a blade we must take many possibilities into…

by Jim Kurraschfrom the December 1996 Nanak Token Kai Newsletter I am writing this article because I have been informed that the owner of the blade shown is one of our members (I really should review the membership list one of these days). I was going to write about it later along with the article…

Mumei katana attributed to Aoe. Designated Jūyō Bijūtsū on September 6th 1939, and 2 shaku 3 sun 1 bu long. Jūyō Bijūtsū set # 769, and Yamanaka JB # 10. This blade also was turned over to Lt. Col. Ward. Mumei katana attributed to Aoe. Designated Jūyō Bijūtsū on September 6th 1939, and 2 shaku…

by Jim Kurrasch Japanese Kuni Chinese Shû Road System Map #Aki Geishû Sanyôdô 59Awa Ashû Nankaidô 56Awa Bôshû Tôkaidô 17Awaji Island Tanshû Nankaidô 50Bingo Bishu Sanyôdô 57Bitchu Bishu Sanyôdô 54Bizen Bishu Sanyôdô 52Bungo Hôshû Saikaidô 65Buzen Hôshû Saikaidô 64Chikugo Chikushû Saikaidô 68Chikuzen Chikushû Saikaidô 67Echigo Esshû Hokurokudô 12Echizen Esshû Hokurokudô 30Etchû Esshû Hokurokudô 22Ezo Hokkaidô…

by Jim Kurrasch A Ô-tantô signed Sôshû ju Akihiro designated Jûyô Bunkasai on September 24th, 1941. It is 1 shaku 2 sun 2 bu long – 37 cm. It was turned into the police in Kosegaya / Ochigaya Machi, Kitauonuma Gun, Niigata Prefecture on October 5th, 1945. These police turned it over to 1st Lieutenant…

by Jim Kurrasch By activities in the steel we are talking about things such as sunagashi, kinsuji, inazuma, and chikei. But here I am also going to include things such as utsuri, and chirimen hada. These are various things or extras to look for. Their mere presents tends to tell you that this is a…

by Jim Kurrasch from an article started in the October 1996 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter, with additions by Adrian Schlemmer and others At the end of W.W.II there was a very unfortunate situation which resulted in the loss of quite a few Important Nihontô, as well as the lesser ones. These were both Kokuho (National…