Here you will be able to view
a few of the Japanese pieces
that the SFNS has available
to its members for hands-on inspection.
These are the select pieces that our Sensei
has personally chosen to be displayed
to the public, on this site.
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posted Nov 20, 2009 5:13 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Nov 26, 2009 2:57 PM
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The special designed Habaki-gane was constructed by our Sensei for the recently found Shinto on November 16th, 2009. Judging from the Nakago and Najago-jiri shape, this Shinto was made in the Kaga Clan ( The Northern part of Japan and north of the Mino Province ). Therefore, according to the Okite ( Rules and regulations ), our Sensei constructed the Kashu style Habaki-gane in the design of Higaki ( Criss-cross ) shape with the material of Gin-Muku ( Solid silver ).
We have taken some photos of this special designed Habaki-gane for your inspection. Also, there was a Wakizashi purchased by our Sensei in 2006 from the E-Bay Auction site. This Wakizashi and the recently found Shnto Era Katana will become the true Dai-sho pair of Nipponto in the near future. Most likely the Dai-sho Koshirae Kanagu will be mounted after the construction of Tsuka and Saya.
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posted Nov 14, 2009 8:44 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Nov 20, 2009 5:08 PM
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The Shitaji-Kenma ( Foundation polish ) for a Hori-dashi mono Mumei Katana has been completed (November 12th, 2009) after the Magari repair. We took some photos on November 13th, 2009 for your inspection.
While our Sensei was polishing the Mumei Katana, he has noticed that the Ji-gane on this Katana was very dark. Especially when the Kaisei natural stone was applied, a lot of darker metal started coming out as he polished. This means that the Mumei Katana was made in one of the many provinces of Japan near the Japan Sea side. Their Tama-hagane has darker pigment within it.
The next restoration procedure is the construction of Habaki-gane. A special designed Habaki-gane will be constructed within a few days. We will be posting some photos of this restoration stage once it is complete.
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posted Nov 9, 2009 10:34 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Nov 10, 2009 7:53 PM
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During the 2-day Cow Palace gun show held in Daly City, California, ( Saturday & Sunday / November 7th & 8th, 2009 ) our Sensei found a Hori-dashi mono ( Treasure hunt item ) Katana. It was more accurately brought to his information booth without searching. One of the table holders found this early Shinto Mumei Katana somewhere else in October, 2009. There was only a Navy Gunso Tsuka intact and the rayskin Saya was missing. A few military assembly numeric codes were inscribed on the Seppa, Dai-Seppa and Tsuba surface.
The blade was in decent condition, having a few nicks and chips, including some blood stains around the Kiri-saki area. Steve San got rid of blood stains with some foundation polish done immediately on Saturday morning. The Kiri-saki was a little longer than the majority of the blade made during the Shinto Era. It had the Keicho Era Shinto influence and design type. Although it was a Mumei Katana, our Sensei acknowledged the production year, Katana-kaji (swordsmith) group, and the birth location immediately after a brief examination. There was a small Magari (bend/twist) found in the blade, needless to say, it was in the Mono-uchi area. Our Sensei will repair the Magari and the Shitaji Kenma will be performed soon.
On the morning of Sunday, November 8th, 2009, our Sensei made a deal with the owner, and the Shinto Era Mumei Katana became his possession. He left the copper Habaki-gane and Navy Gunso with the owner. The newly arrived totally naked blade will be polished and the specially designed solid silver Habaki-gane will be constructed in the near future.
During the afternoon of Sunday, our Sensei has shown this naked blade to several of the SFNS members and associates. One of them, Al San, amazingly deduced this Mumei Katana's birthplace and mentioned the Katana-kaji's specific name. Our Sensei smiled and told him more information about the Katana-kaji, and the blade itself.
The blade description as of Monday, November 9th, 2009:
1. Boushi / Ko-maru
2. Hamon / Hoso-Suguha
3. Kei-cho / 7 & 1/2 inches
4. Ha-cho / 26 & 1/4 inches
5. Jimon / Unknown due to the out of polish condition
We have taken some photos of the blade,
pre-restoration, for your inspection.
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posted May 6, 2009 3:23 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Nov 9, 2009 10:06 PM
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Our Sensei polished a few swords in April, 2009. One of them came from Japan and it was supposed to be polished professionally. However, when he performed the Hada-okoshi ( Bringing out or heightening of the texture ) skill on the blade, there were 7 scratches on the Ura side of the blade found with our Sensei's eagle eyes.
Since this blade was polished in the Keshou-Kenma ( Cosmetic polish ) style, the tiny scratches were not visible until the finer polish is done by our Sensei. Definitely, the previous polisher cheated on this Kenma ( Polish ). Now the new owner wanted to have the Sashi-komi Kenma done to his newly purchased Katana, our Sensei polished with this old style of Kenma.
Do you know why the scratches were not visible ? This is our question for you. If you would like to know the answer to this question, you can become the official member of our SFNS and talk with our Sensei. He can provide you the exact cause and the detailed information.
Our Sensei also polished the Naginata-Naoshi Wakizashi recently. This has the Mokume-Hada and Itame-Hada combination. The Nugui was applied, followed by the Ha-dori ( Whitening of the edge ) application. Of course, no acid was used during the Ha-dori procedure.
The complete restoration work procedure:
Habaki-gane construction before the polish
1. Shitaji-Kenma ( Foundation polish )
Shira-saya construction after the foundation polish
2. Shiage-Kenma ( Final polish )
3. Hada-okoshi ( Heightening of texture )
4. Nugui ( Iron oxide ) application
5. Ha-dori application
6. Migaki-bo ( Burnishing needle ) application
Our Sensei knows the true identity of this Naginata since he can see the Hamon, Jimon & Hataraki. We have photographed this Naginata for your inspection.
Enjoy looking at the photo of Mokume Jimon especially !!
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posted Apr 29, 2009 4:32 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Oct 17, 2009 12:18 PM
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The translation:
Gunto ( Military sword )
Gunso ( Military mount )
Kaigun ( Navy or ocean military )
Rikugun ( Army or land military )
Shin-Gunto ( New military sword )
Shin-Gunso ( New military mount )
Kyu-Gunto ( Old military sword )
Kyu-Gunso ( Old military mount )
This is a collection of several blades,
all in the military mount style of World War II.
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posted Apr 24, 2009 4:22 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Nov 9, 2009 9:59 PM
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The Kashu Kiyomitsu is a Shinto made during the Kanbun Era ( 1661 - 1673 ). The usual Mei is Hari ma Dai jou Fuji wara no Kiyo mitsu, known as the Naga-Mei ( Long inscription ).
The Kaga Clan's Kiyomitsu signed swords are extremely rare to find his workmanship both in the US and in Japan. There are currently very few swords made by him in Japan. Our Sensei and the SFNS members possess the 3 Kashu Kiyomitsu blades. We have seen a few in the E-Bay auction site in the past decade.
The Kashu ( Kaga Clan ) Nakago ( Tang ) is very unique in shape. They are the Sogi-otoshi ( Shaved off ) type. Therefore, even though the Mei is not in the Nakago, we still can deduce the Mumei swords by judging from the Nakago-jiri ( The end of Tang ) shape only.
Our Sensei bought this Wakizashi with the genuine signature of Kashu ju Kiyomitsu in the E-Bay Auction site a few years ago. The first thing he did was to construct the brand new Habaki-gane. The unique design of Kashu Habaki-gane style was added accordingly. He also polished this lightly rusty blade to the full polish. The fine formation of Yokote-suji was created at the end of the polishing process. The Saya & Tsuka were painted with the Urushi ( Special Japanese lacquer paint ), known as the Kuro-Saya. The Hamon is Suguha basically, however, if we closely examine the blade, we see a lot of Hataraki by the Ha-buchi. The Boushi is Midare-komi, which is the Koto influence style. The patina on the Nakago is extremely beautiful and well aged condition.
The complete information for the Kashu Kiyomitsu & related information are available upon joining the SFNS.
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posted Apr 16, 2009 6:55 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Sep 30, 2009 9:07 AM
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Dear SFNS students and associates,
We would like to inform you that one of our SFNS members, James San, found the true Kaifu Group Katana-kaji made Wakizashi ( Mid-size sword ) in the E-Bay and became the new proud owner of this extremely rare blade. He bid 10 seconds before the ending time at 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 and became the winner. Amazing !!
After the purchase, our Sensei and his colleague from Japan performed the 3 basic restoration work:
1. Habaki-gane construction
2. Kenma ( Polish ) after the Kiri-saki repair
3. Shira-Saya ( Storage scabbard and handle ) construction
Our Sensei has seen only a few Kaifu Group Katana-kaji made Wakizashi in the past 2 decades in the US. The very 1st one appeared in the Australian Museum book, which was published in 1980. This book had too many Do-Shirouto ( Pure amateur ) mistakes in the contents & displaying the Dai-sho swords on the cover wrongly as you probably know by now. In 1991, he was about to toss this book in the garbage can, but he found an interesting Kaifu Group Katana-kaji made Wakizashi on Page 63. One side of the Tsukuri-komi ( Production appearance or body type ) is the Hira-zukuri and the other side of the Tsukluri-komi is Kata-Kiriha-zukuri. However, the picture of Australian book showed the Hira-zukuri side only and clearly showing the Mei signed on the blade above the Mune-machi area.
The Kaifu Group Kaji are not the only swordsmiths who made the Ura-Omote sides different swords but also some Bizen-den style Katana-kaji during the Sue-Koto Era.
According to our Sensei, very strange-looking swords were made by the Kyushu area swordsmiths also. He has a Uchi-ganata made by the Sue Bizen Kaji in the 1560's or 1570's. The Omote side is the Hira-zukuri and the Ura side is Shinogi-zukuri. Judging from the Nakago-jiri shape, it is a product of Bizen Osafune Sukesada or Bizen Osafune Katsumitsu or one of the Kaifu Group Katana-kaji. Our Sensei also has a Naginata & 3 Fukuro Yari ( Socket type spears ) made by the Kyushu Katana-kaji.
There were 2 Kaifu Group Katana-Kaji made Wakizashi appeared in the E-Bay during the late 1990's. Nobody purchased them. One of our SFNS students was interested but he did not pursue the purchase. It was sold for $1,350. Our Sensei remembers that the Koshirae was decent. We have seen the short Katana made by the Kaifu Group Katana-Kaji in February, 2009 for sale by the Historian333 ( The E-Bay sellers' name ).
We have 3 Kaifu swords in our collection now. The 2 of our Kaifu swords have the similar Koshirae, Tsuka-maki and Saya paint. Our Sensei purchased the longer blade from the sword dealer from the Las Vegas area in 1992. There was a huge Sabi ( Rust ) spot by the Kiri-saki area but our Sensei polished it completely off. He purchased the short one from the E-Bay auction in the fall of 2006. Their Tsuka-ito have the same style, the black and red combination color. So are the Saya & Sageo cords as the black and red. Most likely, you may not find the Kaifu Group swordsmith made swords in the future.
A message from the SFNS
PS. We still believe that the E-Bay auction site is the best place to find the rare Nipponto. It is a fair to anyone with proper fund and education. However, we must know what we are doing in the buying and selling of this Japanese sword market. We strongly recommend that the constant study through our weekly and monthly meeting to have successful purchases in the E-Bay auction.
PPS. The Kaifu Group Katana-kaji made a lot of Wakizashi for the Kaizoku ( Pirates ) during the late Koto and early Shinto Era. All the Kaizoku Clans were abolished by the mid-Edo Era ( 1624 - 1867 ). If you find the Kaifu Group Katana-Kaji made swords, we strongly suggest to buy them immediately for your collection.
An additional information form our Sensei: When you see the blades with maker's signature appeared on the blades, we must think about the 3 things. We tell you the 2 things as the following.
1. The Kaifu swords
2. Kozuka blades with Fukuro ( Cases )
The 3rd information is not well-known. If you join our SFNS, our Sensei can provide the information exclusively for you.
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posted Apr 16, 2009 6:36 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Sep 30, 2009 9:16 AM
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This Wakizashi came from Japan in October, 2008. Originally, our Sensei's Japanese friend bought it from Japan for $200. The Kiri-saki was broken approximately 1/4 inch from the tip. The body was very rusty and there was no furniture or Habaki-gane intact. It was around middle of November, 2008, our Sensei bought this Wakizashi from his friend for $250 and completed the restoration work by December 4th, 2008.
It took 3 weeks to perform the 3 basic restoration work:
1. Habaki-gane construction with soild silver material
2. Kenma ( Polish ) after Kiri-saki repair
3. Shira-saya construction
This Wakizashi has an Ubu Nakago and Mumei ( No signature ) in the Nakago, however, our Sensei can tell a lot of things since the Hada, Hataraki and Hamon are visible after the proper Kenma ( Polish ) completed.
1. Judging from the Hamon, it was made in the Bushu ( Warrior State literally ) or Edo area.
2. Judging from the Hataraki, such as Suna-nagashi, Niju-ba and a few location of Kin-suji visible by the Habuchi area, it is a Soshuden blade.
3. Judging from the Taihai, Sugata or Katachi, it is a Kanbun Era ( 1661 - 1673 ) Wakizashi.
4. Most likely, this Wakizashi was made by one of the Shitahara Group of Katana-kaji from the Bushu ( Warrior State ) area, namely Yasushige, the Nidai ( 2nd generation ).
Although a few of our SFNS members wanted to buy this Wakizashi from our Sensei, this Wakizashi is not for sale, of course. Our Sensei is displaying this Wakizashi as the Kenma sample blade at the 2-day local gun shows, antiques shows, annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April, etc.
Additionally, we have the photos of arriving time, before and after the Kenma ( Polish ) for our SFNS members' study and educational purposes.
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posted Apr 15, 2009 4:32 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
The Sode-garami was the police apprehending device used during the Edo Era ( 1624 - 1867 ). The other police apprehending devices are the Tsuku-Bo and Sasu-mata. The Sasu-mata were also used by the firemen during the late Edo Era.
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posted Apr 15, 2009 4:26 PM by Website Administrator of SFNS
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updated Apr 16, 2009 7:03 PM
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The Hachi-wari is also known as the Kabuto-wari or sometimes as known as the Katana-wari. The majority of them have some Mei ( Insccription ) in the top portion as the following: Kusunoki Masashige Shoji ( Owned by Masashige Kusunoki ) Genkou Gannen Shougatsu Kichi-jitsu ( The Happy Day in the 1st year of Genkou Era or 1331 ) Gorou Masamune Nyudo Tsukuru Kore ( The Priest Gorou-Masamune produced this blade )
Masashige Kusunoki was a Samurai warrior who lived during the 14th Century. The birth year is unknown, however, he died in 1336.
The translation:
1. Hachi = the top portion of Kabuto ( Helmet )
2. Kabuto = Helmet
3. -wari = crack or break
It is a fallacy that this item was made in the mid-14th Century. The Hachi-wari was the product of Edo Era ( 1624 - 1867 ) and used for the self defense purpose. The similar items are the Jitte ( The police apprehending device ). The Jitte was used as the identification for the Edo-Doushin ( Tokyo Police officers ).
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