by Jim Kurraschfrom the November 1996 Nanka Token Kai NewsletterSam listed the blades shown last month. So now I will talk about the Taikai itself. I am sure that the majority of the readers have never had the opportunity of attending one of the Japanese Taikai. That is too bad, and I hope that sometime…
Norifusa
A kô-Dachi signed Norifusa, and designated Jûyô Bunkasai on May 30th, 1940. It is 1 shaku 9 sun 2 bu long – 58.2 cm. This sword was turned over to the Kofu Police of Yamanashi Prefecture, who turned it over to the 97th Field Artillery Battalion in May, of 1946. It’s JB set # is…
Nobuie Tsûba
By Jim Kurrasch.from the October 1998 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter The three best tsûba makers in history are Kaneie, Nobuie, and Umetada Myôjû. Nobuie’s rustic manliness was considered the best in the times of the samurai. Since then Kaneie has moved to the top. Nobuie tsûba are one of the most confusing areas concerning the…
Nisei Week Display 1995
by Jim Kurraschfrom the September 1995 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter The topic for the LA’s Branch of the NTHK sword display of this years Nisei Week was Swords of Kyushu. It always amazes me when a fairly small group of sword collectors (less than 20) can come up with this kind of display, even after…
Narimune
Tachi signed Narimune. Designated Jūyō Bijūtsū on May 30th 1942, and 2 shaku 3 sun long. JB set # 439, and Yamanaka JB # 11. This blade was turned over to Lt. Col. Ward also. IMAGE LOST. Unfortunately some of the information on this page from Jim Kurrasch’s website has been lost. Please contact me…
Nagamitsu
A Tachi signed Nagamitsu. Designated Jūyō Bijūtsū on December 24th 1937, and 2 shaku 1 sun 7 bu long. JB set # 606, and Yamanaka JB # 5. Submitted by Uesugi Yoshiaki to the Yonezawa Police. Missing Jūyō Bijūtsū by Nagamitsu
Motoshige
A tachi signed Motoshige, and dated Kagen ni nen hachi gatsû hi. It was designated Jûyô Bunkasai on September 27th, 1940, and is 2 shaku 3 sun 3 bu long – 70.6 cm. It was turned into the Minami Police of Kumamoto City on April 21st, 1946. On April 22nd. they turned it over to…
Mitsutada
A tachi signed Mitsutada, and designated Jûyô Bunkasai on September 19th, 1936. It is 2 shaku 2 sun 1 bu long – 67 cm. The owner turned it into the Hitoyoshi Police of Kumamoto Prefecture on April 18th, 1946. That day they turned it over to the Kumamoto Security Police. From there it is not…
Masatsune
Aoe Masatsune, a Kokuhô taken from the Kumano Hayatama Shrine of Shingu Shi in Wakayama Prefecture, on January 17th 1945. It is believe to have been taken by 1st Lieutenant Ward H. Maris of the 390th Infantry Regiment of the 98th Division. He removed 3 other swords at the same time. The Aoe Masatsune is…
Masamune Tanto
by Jim Kurraschfrom the January 1999 Nanka Token Kai Newsletter The Meitô Fushimi Masamune TantôAs I had mentioned earlier when Katsu Fujimoto was visiting him, Kajiwara san had in his possession the Fushimi Masamune tantô. So Katsu was allowed to study it. After talking with him about this Juyo Bunkasai tantô I decided to look…