January 18, 2026
Owari Crashing Waves Tsuba: Owari Tsuba are highly coveted by collectors for their function first esthetic. Made of high quality iron of the Owari Province. We see Owari Den works starting in the Muromachi Period. These guards were outfitted Read more…
August 2, 2023
Many people ask the experts to translate sword signatures (mei) for them. Many want to do it themselves for obvious reasons. This is a general guide of how you can translate most sword mei and perhaps even compare authentic (sho-shin) Read more…
July 27, 2023
I was recently asked by a new Japanese Sword tyro what determines value. Since we have many new collectors here I thought it would be a good topic. Age, attribution, condition, and provenance are all factors. Age: Older is not Read more…
September 15, 2019
An interesting account of a real Samurai Fight as told by Sakujiro Yokoyama: This anecdote was recorded by western judo pioneer E. J. Harrison in his book, The Fighting Spirit of Japan, published in 1913. The speaker is Sakujiro Read more…
Reisen Sadamori A Rare Smith, a Common History. A sword smith of the Kongobyoe school in the Chikuzen province, active during the Nambokuchu period, works of Reisen Sadamori, and in general of this school, are quite rare. Named after Read more…