Geraint

Dear Taylor. First warning, the phrase, 'authentic to the style of the smith', could mean as little as the same shape more or less. Next, and I suspect you have already done this, does this look like the signature of an excellent smith in full command of his powers? I would say it looks more like someone hesitantly working at making a passable copy, wouldn't you? Have a look at this thread and scroll down to the last illustration, looking at the flow of the strokes and the ends of each stroke in particular. https://markussesko....8/kantei-1-sugata-4/ Add the yasurime and perhaps the rather red colour of the nakago, but that could just be the photograph. I would say that about wraps it up and your instinct is correct, however others with much better knowledge of this smith will chime in I'm sure. All the best.

Dear Christopher. Nice sword. The blade decoration is not etched but carved and is called a horimono. This particular one is a sankozuka ken, for more information see here, https://markussesko....8/kantei-1-sugata-4/ You will need to scroll down a bit to find this one. All the best.

By the way Robert. I would be surprised if the first sword was a katana given the proportions of the nakago. If you are thinking of buying this then check the length against the description to be sure. All the best.

Ah well! I do live in Cornwall! I'd post pictures but it would upset people. All the best

Dear Robert. The first one is Hoshu Takada ju Fujiwara Yukinaga. The second perhaps Sukemune? All the best.

Wow Piers, thank you once again, I had a few of the kanji but missed quite a bit of that however the information about the wrapping is new to me altogether. Looking forward to the book, any idea when it will be coming out? All the best.

Dear Piers. I only have three and they are the result of a distinct lack of focus in my collecting, primarily swords but some armour, more recently tsuba and fittings and, as I came across them these three. One which I bought last year and you were kind enough to help me with on this thread, And just one more that I have had for some time. Pictures attached . I think that for me they are just one more aspect of a fascinating culture. All the best.

Awww, proper job, me ansum! Well if you ever get back home you de knaw wher wee'm to! I might pop that bit in the translation section and see if anyone can throw some light on it. Thank you for all your help Piers. All the best.

Well that bit gets more and more interesting, I had no idea that Chinese craftsmen were employed to do this. So looking forward to pictures of the pistol, perhaps after it has been exposed to the searching gaze in your exhibition? As ro making, well I have returned to my first love, have a look here if you care to. https://www.instagram.com/geraintwilton/ Thank you again for all your help with this little fellow, he is rather a nice change to my Sakai guns. All the best.

Thank you Piers, that's interesting as just about the only trace of decoration left is this mei and a few tiny traces elsewhere. I'm sure your restoration will pass the test of all but the keenest eye, have you posted pictures of your pistol? As a maker I have found that most people don't look with educated eyes and the ones who do are to be treasured. All the best.

Hi Piers. Was hoping you'd pass by. Thank you very much for the information, I found most of the kanji but struggle to make sense of the reading. The 'white' writing on top of the breech is silver nunome zogan so they would take a bit of rubbing off. Can you make anything of it? Hi Barry, taking my theme from a t shirt I saw, 'When a man says that he will do something then he will, there's really no need to remind him every six months.' All the best.

Thanks Brian, and yes, one or two bits to make but the slots for the flash guard are in very good order so that will help. Another thing on the 'to do' list! All the best.

Dear All. Well I saw this in some rather mediocre photographs but liked it and pulled the trigger, (sorry, pun fully intended). So today it arrived and as is often the case it turns out to be rather better than I had expected. Barrel length is 585 mms with a bore of 13mms at the muzzle, I haven't even tried to remove the bisen yet. Internal spring lock.. Silver nunome key fret pattern around the muzzle and silver nunome inscription near the breach. Signed as well and rather clear, I'm working on the kanji but with tanegashima I am rather reduced to transliterating so any help would be appreciated. Anyway,here it is. All the best.

Dear Fred. Saku means made by, so, ' in Bizen province, Osafune town Kiyomitsu made this.' All the best.

Dear Piers. I think Mark might have been hoping that he had translated the mei successfully..........? All the best.