I have uploaded info regarding sword (making, maintenance,
appraisal, parts etc) at
http://www.streamload.com/secretarytocapt3
folder "GENERAL SWORD INFO (making, appraising, parts, maintenance) "
password makoto
again, this file is pdf and citations will be right at the
beginning...for those of you who may use the info for school reports
please notice that I took the time to include page numbers which you
can use in direct quotes...
This is the good stuff folks ^_^ complete with pictures and diagrams
People like members of the Shinsengumi and SAitou Hajime especially
obsessed about this stuff...please download and just skim the
info...its mind-boggling how technical this field can be....keep in
mind that Japanese and non-Japanese sword collectors today do not
necessarily practice martial arts at all...so sometimes their
understanding of weaponry is limited to a degree and based on modern
standards (and there are complex established standards some derived
from old records ofcourse). Again, I use Saitou as an example, the
way he appraises swords would be a very personal because he is
totally looking at the blade as a weapon first and foremost.
It's just fun to take a glimpse into what hobbies these guys had...