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I have this filed as Kanefusa, but it doesn't seem to match any of the others I find on NMB, nor Sesko's list. Can I get a full translation of this, please?

The certificate says "katana" and nagasa 2 shaku, so 60.6 cm About Echizen Rai and Chiyozuru, i'm doing some research lately on Rai Kuniyasu since i recently bought one. Rai Kuniyasu (来国安) was a Yamashiro Rai swordsmith, said to be son or grandson of Rai Kunisue (来国末), he then moved to the village of Awaji (淡路) in Settsu´s Nakajima fief, therefore he is also referred to as Awaji-Rai (淡路来). Then he (or his homonymous son, sources are not alligned on this) moved to Echizen, where he founded the Echizen Rai ha, that then became the Chiyozuru school. From what i found if NBTHK attributes to Rai Kuniyasu means when he was in Yamashiro or Awaji (end of Kamakura/early Nanbokucho), if Echizen Rai it's his son work in Echizen (early to mid Nanbokucho), if Chiyorozu is the students of Echizen Rai (late Nanbokucho to Muromachi).

This one in Kishu no Tosogu is described as being the flight of a waterbird. Which ties in nicely with the geese of the OP. Could this be the same design, albeit a lot more stylistic in approach?

I found that the movie was made in 1981. せたがやeカレッジ講座｜「文化財記録映画「野鍛冶一代」」 (setagaya-ecollege.com) Ref. 220_文化財「野鍛冶一代」.pdf (setagaya-ecollege.com)

Thanks Conway, i have some nice British swords here also Mike

On a Type 94:

Hope your sorted, sent a pm but no reply. Cheers

HiSean, Really sorry but I cant use the imgur link? Get the opening pic and then rubbish? Maybe there are more like me- canf see it so cant buy! Sad to see you broke up a pair- think that was a wrong move- waks dont sell aswell either. Better links to pics please. Cheers Mike

Clever idea to have a space to answer questions about the upcoming NTHK shinsa at the Orlando Show on June 21-23, 2024. I will be submitting one sword to this upcoming shinsa and attending the show all three days.

Does anyone know how we can import antique swords into the U.K.Plus What’s going to happen on the so called banning of swords in the U.K.?regards.

Actually, 60.6cm

Hey Chris, I remember you showing this piece (and several other nice blades) to me in person during the Chicago Sword Show. It was great to meet you and hear you passionately talk about your new acquisition.

60+ cm nagasa makes it a katana, anytime.

Shinshinto but I would not completely discount Showa.

i think its a good purchase, but nagasa is very short, into wakizashi range. It would be ok for late Muromachi piece, but an older blade thus shortened... A waki. Generally there are about 4-5 attributions related to Echizen Rai with slightly different styles...

A Ken in late Edo and in this length! This is such a rare and intriguing piece, thank you for sharing its pictures. It definitely looks like Shinshinto IMHO. The current polishing is already good enough albeit a little old, but I'm very excited to see how Mr. Benson would work his magic to awaken this Ken with a new polishing. Thank you again for letting me see this marvelous Ken!

Thanks Jussi. Yes, just a tad slow with modernization! I will try and contact the American Branch.

The repros and the fakes are usually cast in one piece. This one shows the typical 2-piece fabricated construction and some age, so looks to be period correct.

Why don’t we run this by Akira Komiya over on Warrelics and see if he has any insight.

I believe Adrian bought the sword, from a collector in Tassie. It came in a Gunto mount.

Are there any links to the story of the "discovery" and process of papering this blade? This is amazing and I'd love to hear more about the process. Wow!

In my opinion, it's really nice! Dan K

Oh, sorry Mark. I have been member of NBTHK for 10+ years but I haven't realized they do not have an email on their website... The organization is so slow in their modernization. I think I have never contacted HQ in Japan by email, I think I should have an email somewhere for them as I did an online registaration of some sort few years back but couldn't find it anywhere... As you live in Australia, perhaps you could try to contact the American Branch: https://nbthk-ab2.org/ or the European Branch: https://www.nbthk.ne...opean_branch_english if they would have an email for the Japanese NBTHK. It is bit comical how difficult it seems to be to find an email... I will be visiting the HQ in probably c. 3-4 weeks time when I get to Japan. If you haven't gotten the email by then I can try to ask about it when I buy some of the books for myself.

Any opinions out there? Much appreciated!

@Bruce Pennington Bruce: Did you notice during the sword making video (at about 16 minutes) they were talking about the Yamato-den (school) and showing three dots in the shape of a triangle? They were on a variety of tools. Hmmmmm.. John C.