So is this confirmed to be by the Nobuyoshi that is Keith Austin?
If so...I would imagine it was one made by him when he was still in Japan?
Does this match the other examples of his mei?
Nice one Anthony..a good find.

Regards,
Brian

Lastly, maybe good news.

It seems that "Ryusen sensei (teacher 龍泉)" who carved the Horimono was Takahashi Sadatsugu (高橋貞次) himself. He had been the teacher of Keith Austin and was a living national treasure.

According to the info on the web page below, Takahashi Sadatsugu inscribed his mei as follows;
"高橋貞次作", "龍王子源貞次", "真鍛龍泉貞次造", "龍泉入道貞次造", etc.
http://www.samurai-nippon.net/V-200/
http://joho.ehime-iinet.or.jp/syogai/ji ... ml/043.htm

Hi Koichi,
Thank you for all the exellent information,i have been reasearching Keith Austin and i believe he was licenced to make swords in 1968 ,as the date on the blade is 1963 does this mean he made this before he was licenced, although some of the dates i have come across seem to make much sense ,he went japan i1961 and worked with Sadatsuga for 2 years ,would this be enough time to learn to make such a good blade .
Anthony

I think it was probable. See the post of Mr. Douglas Louie on the following thread.
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=44763

the find if this was the tanto Dougles Louie says was sold to a japanese collector and papered. Ill be proud to hold it in my hand for submitting to shinsa.

Seriously...how cool is that? Sweet blade with a well-known and interesting history. I'd love to hold such a blade in my hand.

cheers,
/steve

Tanto arived, two scans for your records....very nice work....your blessed Tony

So this one was bought off eBay for $1500?
Looks like we were all sleeping that day
Peter..well recommended to Anthony.

Brian

http://www.ncjsc.org/article_keith_austin.htm

Keith Austin is remembered fondly by many who knew him in
Northern California.
Here is a memorial posted about him.
You are most fortunate to own this piece.
The Sacramento club is putting together a book about him and his work
as a memorial, I believe.

regards
bdgrange

hI,
I am indeed fortunate to own the blade ,the book you refer to is to be published and there are plans being made( Stephen one of the board members in U.S.A) is organising plans to get the blade photographed and then if the blade is definatley Keith Austin published in the book.
I feel very lucky and privaledged to have this blade I am not an American i am from England but i can imagine how proud you must feel about Keith Austin, i will treasure the blade and keep it safe for future generations to enjoy.
regards
Anthony

a update
I have had a nice long talk with a Todd Price who btw works under the name Nobutusgu and was a student of Keith Austin, he is quite confidant of the mei of Nobuyoshi being Keith's. He at his forge now and will post a line or two when he gets back to his house. This also in a letter from Douglas Louie Pre's of the SJSC with the fallowing pix ...the letter in part>

Hello Stephen,

Yes, I have been in contact with Todd and Wayne and we have been discussing this in detail....

We all believe that based on the pictures, this could be the work of Keith Austin, however this was done earlier when he was working with Takahashi Sadatsugu, just before Takahashi became ill. Keith signed Nobuyoshi at this time......Keith then went to finish off his apprenticeship with Miyairi Akihira and his name was changed to Nobuhira. Again this is all based on the pictures, and not actual in-hand study....

Keith completed his apprenticeship and obtained his sword smiths license in 1971.

Though the style of this tanto is different that we we have seen in most of his existing work, we are in agree that this maybe due to the style he was taught from Takahashi.....vs. what style he was taught by Miyairi......

We are still very interested in getting some high quality pictures of the tanto if possible. We would like to study the tanto as much as we can....

Does the owner have any other information on this tanto, other papers, where he obtained the tanto from, other provenance? For most of Keith's blades we have currently, most were obtained directly from Keith...so any information on this tanto would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you would, please forward to the owner, our request to get their permission to possibly include this tanto in the book our club is doing on Keith "Nobuhira" Austin.

Greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks again Stephen!!!

Douglas Louie, President
Sacramento Japanese Sword Club<

Anthony's Nobuyoshi will be photographed next wed. and after approval from Tony ill post a pix here.

Once more we have this board along with Moriyama-sama to thank for bringing this information to light.
Job well done Koichi san

Stay tuned more to come.

Three pieces of Nobuhira's latest works (two tanto and 1 wakizashi)

fallow up, after papering at shinsa it was sent to NCJSC for the show that year, then Todd sent it back to Tony. that is me praying to Nihonto gods to come my way again.

Great thread !!