- Topics Covered by the Education Center
- Topics commonly discussed during the weekly
and monthly meetings of the SFNS
Our Sensei is a true teacher, as he can answer questions
based on these topics, involving the details of how,
when, where, and why.
Each post on this page will discuss 1 topic.
|
posted Nov 1, 2009 8:17 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Nov 8, 2009 10:13 PM
]
This Tanto ( Dagger ) was restored by our Sensei and one of the SFNS members during the 1st & 2nd week of October, 2009. After the restoration work was done, we found a Ha-gire near the Habaki-moto. The Ha-gire is one of the fatal Kizu ( Flaws and blemishes ) among others.
In order to save this genuinely signed Tanto, the following restoration work were completed:
1. Relocation of 2 notches ( Machi-Okuri )
2. Adjusting of newly constructed Habaki-gane
3. Adding of the new Mekugi-ana ( Peg hole )
4. Sabi-zuke ( Add the rust on the Nakago ) accordingly
5. A brand new Tsuka was constructed with the Ho-no-ki ( Japanese magnolia wood )
Now, this Tanto is qualified to receive the Kanteisho ( Sword certificate of authenticity ) by Dr. Takamatsu, one of the 3 best sword appraisers in Japan or in the world.
Our Sensei briefly appraised this Tanto and gave a current owner the basic information of the Tanto producer on October, 2009, which was the day of delivery. This was after the 3 basic restoration work were completed on the blade.
------------------------------------------------------------
The close-up photos descriptions:
The Ha-gire on the Omote side is approximately 7mm long.
The Ha-gire on the Ura side is approximately 3.5mm long.
A new Mekugi-Ana ( Peg hole ) location
A new Mine-machi ( Notch ) location
A new Ha-machi ( Notch ) location
A brand new Tsuka constructed with the
Ho-no-ki ( Japanese magnolia wood ).
The Sabi-zuke ( Patina added )
A newly adjusted Habaki-gane
|
posted Oct 25, 2009 6:41 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Nov 8, 2009 10:16 PM
]
One of our SFNS members, Jimmy San, brought a Tanto in the middle of September for our Sensei to perform the 3 basic restoration work. Jimmy San bought this Tanto from the E-bay a few years ago. After the 3 basic restoration work completion, we noticed that there was the Ha-gire on both side of the blade. The actual location of the Ha-gire is near the Habaki-moto area.
The 3 basic restoration work:
1. Kenma ( Polish )
2. Dou-gane Habaki-gane construction
3. New Shira-saya construction with the genuine Ho-no-ki
This Tanto was genuinely signed by Iwami no Kami Kunisuke. The previous owner curved his name, along with the purchased location and year as New York and 1923.
The current owner, Jimmy San, received the Tanto with the 3 basic restoration work on October 20th, 2009. Our Sensei suggested to relocate the notch and alter the Tanto's Nakago accordingly. The total cost of new restoration work was quoted for $150, therefore, Jimmy San decided to have our Sensei perform the alteration immediately.
We have taken some photos of before & after the Kenma ( Polish ) for this Tanto, along with the photos of foundation Kenma was completed for your inspection.
|
posted Oct 9, 2009 9:40 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Oct 9, 2009 10:44 AM
]
One of our SFNS members, Fred San, bought this Naginata after restoration work was done in the late September, 2009. This Naginata originally came from the Texas area in the mid 1980's. Our Sensei purchased the 3 Naginana and 3 Yari in 1985. This piece was one of those. All the Ishizuki, shaft and Saya were intact. Some were not polished.
This Naginata's Kenma ( Polish ) was completed in September, 2009. The Mei reading is Sadatsugu and signed in the Tachi style. The Nakago has been shortened, however, it was mounted in the long shaft, including the antique Ishizuki. Finally, this lightly rusty Naginata was polished and has found a good home in Pittsburg, California.
|
posted Oct 9, 2009 9:34 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Oct 12, 2009 10:06 AM
]
One of our SFNS students, James San, bought this Naginata in 2008. Our Sensei and Steve San did the restoration work accordingly. It was completed in the 3rd week of September, 2009. At the time of purchase, this Naginata was very rusty, heavily pitted, having Hineri, Uneri and Magari (twists and bends) in the blade. We have some photos before the restoration work, however, they are not presentable at this time. Hopefully, we will be posting the photos during the 1st week of November, 2009.
Some photos of the post-restoration work have been taken and are here for your inspection.
The restoration work details as the following:
1. A brand new Habaki-gane was constructed and silver-plated.
2. The shaft was constructed, however, we did not mount the Ishizuki since James San was not able to obtain the Ishizuki.
3. The Kenma ( Polish ) has been completed. We have removed a little more than 3% of the blade total metal since it was heavily pitted.
4. The Saya was constructed with the Ho-no-ki, imported from Japan in the 1970's. This Ho-no-ki was kept in our Sensei residence since the mid 1980's. The size of the Ho-no-ki before construction was 2 x 5 x 20.
Our Sensei performed the 5 items of Naginata restoration work in August and September, 2009.
|
posted Aug 13, 2009 9:29 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Oct 12, 2009 3:22 PM
]
Recently we were contacted with some sword owners at our Dojo in San Francisco. They brought some Gunto for our Sensei's complimentary sword appraisals. The majority of the sword owners did not know what they had in their collections. It usually takes a long time for the sword owners to realize what they have. Sometime they were told the wrong stories about their swords. 90% of them seem to believe that they had the excellent swords, such as the Emperor's swords, generals' swords, museum quality swords.
Some brought the recently-made mainland China swords. These China swords were made from 1998 to 2003 and started to appeared heavily in the E-Bay Auction site. The lousy Non Japanese sword's production might not be ended in 2003. Possibly thye are still in production nowadays somewhere in mainland China. It is a crime to sell the psuedo-Japanese or non-Japanese swords as the genuine Nipponto. Many swords enthusiasts and serious collectors were fooled by these non-Japanese swords. The so-called experts of Japanese swords in the US were also fooled by these China made swords. The Chinese sellers used the words, such as genuine, authentic, vintage or antique when they sell their junk swords in the E-Bay Auction site. Be aware and study the Nipponto well and not to be victimised by the unscrupulous sword dealers !!
The Gunto are the military swords used during the WWII by the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy. Some of the Gunto were made in the late 1930's. Some of the Manshuto were made a little earlier.
Our Sensei has a exceptionally clean Manshuto in his collection. He bought this clean Manshuto in 1982 and paid $175 for this Manshuto. We have seen many Manshuto in the US, however, we strongly believe that this is the cleanest Manshuto in the US. The production year was Showa Mizunoto-Hitsuji or 1943. Occasionally, we see some Manshuto with Kizu and rust for sale in the E-Bay auction site. A very rusty Manshuto was sold in the E-Bay Auction site for $1,604 in October, 2008.
Our Sensei used to own the 2nd cleanest Manshuto in the mid 1990's. He sold it to Steve San for $425, which was the price he actually paid to obtain the Manshuto from a local Japanese sword dealer in the San Francisco Bay Area. The production year was Showa Kinoe-Saru or 1944.
There are 3 major Gunto found in the US:
1. Hantanto Gunto ( 1/2 machine-made military swords ) / Oil quenched / Also known as the Sunobe-to or Abura-Yaki-gatana.
2. Manshuto ( Manchuarian iron swords ) Gunto / Signed as Mantetsu Saku, Mantetsu Saku kore, Mantetsu Kin Saku, Mantetsu Kitae Tsukuru Kore. Other Mei: Koua Isshin
3. Kikai-zukuri Gunto ( 100% machine-made military swords ) / Aluminum handles with numerals inscribed by the Habaki-gane area.
It is very hard to determine the price on these Gunto. We have seen all kinds of prices and heard many stories justifying the stated values. However, the following are the facts:
1. These above-mentioned 3 swords cannot be brought to Japan from the US or other foreign countries for any reason.
2. They are illegal in Japan, since they are not considered to be genuine Japanese swords for the following reasons.
3. They are not made with the Koshiki-Tanrenho ( Folding and forging system ) like the Koto, Shinto, Shinshinto and Gendaito.
4. The materials are not the Tama-hagane, therefore, there is no Hada (Texture) appearing on the surface of the blades.
5. They were oil quenched and not immersed in the water.
6. The antiques swords are considered to be older than 100 years in Japan
The majority of the swords found in the US are these 3 types of Gunto, the Imperial Japanese Army or Navy military swords used during the WWII.
The complete information of Gunto and Gunso are available when you become an official member of the SFNS ( San Francisco Nipponto Society ).
Our Sensei has examined the 6 unusual Gunto in the past 2 decades in the US. He will be glad to provide the 6 unusual Gunto information when you attend our monthly sword study meeting at our Dojo in San Francisco.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 4 genuine & true Nipponto ( Japanese swords ):
1. Koto ( Old swords ) made prior to 1596
2. Shinto ( New swords ) made from 1596 to 1764
3. Shin-shinto ( Neo new swords ) made from 1765 to 1867
4. Gendaito ( Modern-day swords ) made from 1868 to present
|
posted Aug 13, 2009 9:18 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Oct 9, 2009 10:32 AM
]
Our Sensei started to participate in the 4-day Pamona gun shows in the early 1990's. There were 4 gun shows held in the Pamona area annually. He participated twice in the 4-day gun shows in May and October. He did not sell any gun at his tables but he has established the Japanese sword restoration service through these gun shows. Many sword enthusiasts & collectors from the Los Angeles area visited him. He performed a lot of free appraisals & translation service during the 4-day Pomona gun shows.
When the gun law has changed in California, as a result, the 4-day Pomona gun shows and many gun shows held throughout the California State were banned. When the Pamona gun show was relocated to the Las Vegas area, our Sensei hesitated to go, and finally decided not to participate. His main reason was simply that the gun show location was too far away from his home. It will take 7 hours by car from San Francisco to the Pomona gun show, however, it will take 10 to 12 hours to reach the Las Vegas area. A few of his friends attended the Las Vegas gun show in May, 2000, and they told our Sensei stories of disappointment when they met him at the 2-day Cow Palace gun show in San Francisco. They had some tables but they were not visited by many people. There were 2 locations of gun shows and some of the visitors did not go to the 2nd location where their tables were located. They told him that they were treated unfairly during the Las Vegas gun show.
Our Sensei became an US citizen in October, 1995. He really enjoys having hand guns around his house for protection. He definitely knows that the guns will not kill people. Besides, he does not believe in any accidental firing. As you may know, you must pull the trigger to discharge guns. If we have proper knowledge and education about the guns, they are the best weapons and equalizers in existence. He has many police officers and Federal Police officers as his sword restoration clients & friends. They always tell the different stories about the guns compared to the views shown on television. Many politicians and the media definitely mislead the public about hand guns.
During the 4-day Pomona gun shows, our Sensei bought many Nipponto, which considered to be extremely rare and very valuable. In the mid or late 1990's, some of his purchased Nipponto were sent to Japan for certification issued by Dr. Kazuo Tokuno, the number one sword appraiser in the world. He often visited the tables of Tsuba and Kodougu seller from the San Diego area during the Pomona gun shows. Some single Fuchi and Kashira were matched up with his merchandises. Also, he found some Tsuba with the same design and color, which became the true Dai-sho Tsuba, Menuki and Fuchi-Kashira. Sometimes the rare Handachi-Koshirae were located during the 4-day Pomona gun show. Our Sensei truly misses the 4-day Pomona gun show.
|
posted Jul 14, 2009 5:57 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Sep 30, 2009 8:02 AM
]
It took for our Sensei 6 hours to complete the Shiage-Kenma ( Final polish ) of this blade, since it had a decent foundation and final polish. This short Naginata ( Japanese halberd ) was brought by one of our SFNS students in late June, 2009. At this time, there were no major Kizu or Hike on this short Shinto Era made Naginata. The Taihai is the U-no-kubi Zukuri, the most common body shape of the Naginata. It is very hard to find the Naginata with the Ubu-Nakago & genuine Mei ( Inscriptions ) nowadays. Many of the Naginata were converted to Wakizashi during the mid & late Edo Era ( 1624 - 1867 ) and they were mounted with the Buke-zukuri Koshirae. The converted or altered Naginata are officially known as the Naginata-Naoshi.
There are basically 2 kinds of Naginata:
1. Onna-Naginata ( Female Naginata ) / Ha-cho from 10 to 14 inches
2. Otoko-Naginata ( Male Naginata ) / Ha-cho over 15 inches
The final Kenma procedures:
1. Hada-okoshi ( Bringing out or heightening of the texture ) with Chu-Nagura, Koma-Nagura & Jizuya stones / 3 hours for both Omote and Ura sides
2. Application of Nugui ( Iron oxide ) and Ha-dori ( Whitening of the edge ) with Ura-uchi Hazuya stones / 1 hour for both Omote and Ura sides
3. Migaki-bo ( Burnishing needle ) application / 2 hours for both Omote and Ura sides
We have photographed the Naginata before & after the Shiage-Kenma completion, including the adding of Shu ( Red color inside the Hi or Groove ) for your inspection. Thus, you can compare the differences between the 2 conditions.
|
posted Jun 30, 2009 4:09 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Jul 14, 2009 5:54 PM
]
The person who performs the Tsuka-maki is officially called the Tsuka-maki-shi. There are many ways to perform the cord wrapping. The cord wrapping materials are called Tsuka-ito ( Thread literally ) or Tsuka-himo ( Braising cord literally ). The Tsuka was constructed with the Ho-no-ki ( Japanese magnolia wood ), which were being used widely in Japan since the Kofun-Jidai ( Literally means old Tumb Era: Between the 3rd & 7th Centrury ).
The construction of Tsuka require the 3 different kinds of Saya-Nomi ( Special chisels for scabbard and handle construction ).
The 3 procedures of Tsuka construction or Mokudai:
1. Ara-kezuri ( Rough shave )
2. Naka-kezuri ( Middle shave )
3. Shiage-kezuri ( Final shave )
After the wooden foundation of handle ( Mokudai ) is made, the next step is to construct the Tsuka ( Sword handle ):
1. Make an compartment for the Ei-gawa ( Stingray skin )
2. Place the Ei-gawa inside the compartment
3. Place the Menuki ( Grip ornements ) after making a small compartment over Ei-gawa
4. Cord wrapping over the Ei-gawa including the special rice paper for cushioning purpose
There are over 25 different kind of Tsuka-maki techniques in the Japanese swords:
1. Tsumami-maki
2. Hineri-maki
3. Jabara-maki
4. Kake-maki
5. Nejiri-maki
and much much more !
The beginning of the Tsuka-maki is known as the Maki-dashi or Ichimonji. The ending of the Tsuka-maki is Tome ( Stopping ).
The standard materials for the Tsuka-maki are the following:
1. Kinu ( Silk )
2. Men ( Cotton )
3. Gyu-kawa ( Cow skin )
4. Tanuki no kawa ( Badger's skin )
If the cord wrapping materials are loose, we can tighten them by rewrapping. The cord wrapping material lasts a little over 100 years.
|
posted Jun 24, 2009 10:47 AM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Sep 30, 2009 8:05 AM
]
During the monthly Kenma class on June 21st, 2009, our Sensei performed the Shitaji-Kenma ( Foundation polish ) for the Gendaito, which was recently purchased by one of our SFNS students. The Gendaito was purchased from one of the E-Bay sellers. Then, it was brought to our monthly meeting for other SFNS students' inspection, study & education, also for our Sensei's appraisal.
The condition of this Gendaito ( Modern-day sword ) as the following:
1. No deep rust
2. No major Kizu
3. No Hamon visible
4. Both sides of the Shinogi-suji appeared to have been rounded off by a buffing wheel and some kind of sand paper.
5. There was a Habaki-gane intact; however, it was borrowed from an unknown other sword.
Approximately after a 1/2 hour of foundation polish, the Shinogi-suji started to become crisp, and easily visible. The Shitaji-Kenma was completed within 2 & 1/2 hours. Our Sensei will be constructing a Habaki-gane for this blade during the next Habaki-gane construction class.
We have taken some photos of the blade, before and after the Shitaji-Kenma, for your inspection. We have taken photos of both stages at the same locations on the blade, so that you may inspect the specific changes that have been made.
|
posted Jun 18, 2009 5:10 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
[
updated Sep 30, 2009 8:11 AM
]
We have received this Gendaito made by the Hizen ju Hiromasa on May 29th, 2009. Our Sensei and the Migaki-bo expert Steve San completed the restoration work by June 8th, 2009. At the time of delivery, we have noticed a lot of Ho-kobore and stains on the blade. There was no Kizu, however, this blade was lightly rusted. All the rust spots, stains and the Ha-kobore were completely gone after the Shitaji-Kenma ( Foundation polish ) performance.
The owner of this Gendaito was a serious Japanese sword collector from the Southern California area. Our Sensei appraised approximately 20 swords brought by the father and son Japanese sword collectors in the mid May, 2009. There are 5 swords among others were worth spending some money for the restoration work, which can bring the sword value up tremendously. They have listened to our Sensei's advice, therefore, they have decided to restore several swords from us. The 5 swords are qualified to receive Dr. Takamatsu's Kanteisho ( Sword certificate of authenticity ).
Our Sensei took some sword photos upon receiving the genuinely signed Gendaito made in the late 1930's or early 1940's. The Gunso had a solid Tsuba and the 8 Seppa all together. All other Gunso Kanagu were intact. The Saya condition was very good and the locking mechanism was still working. The Tsunagi was made and inserted in the existing Shin-gunso. After the polishing was completed, the new Shira-saya ( Sacabbard and handle ) were constructed. The Habaki-gane was still good condition.
The detailed of this Gendaito:
1. Ha-cho / 27 inches
2. Hamon / Chu-Suguha
3. Boushi / Ko-Maru with Haki-kake
4. Hada / Tight Ko-itame with partial Itame
5. The Chuumon-uchi Mei included as read as Hiroo Asai no Konomi ni yotte.
There are at least 4 significant characters in the Hizento. What are they ? If you do not kow, join our SFNS and find out the information of Hizento from our Sensei by attending our weekly and monthly sword study meetings.
1. The majority of the Hizento have ............................
2. More than 99% of the Hizento are .................................
3. The Hizento are well known as having ...............................
4. The Hizento ................................................................................
|
|
