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This is inscribed inside the lid of a tsuba box and I'd like to know what it says to see if it actually corresponds to the actual tsuba or whether it's been swapped out. Thank you, Hector

I am biased bc I enjoy sue bizen but there is a papered, signed, dated Sukesada for under 3000 usd in the for sale section if you want muromachi I would never in million years spend $2000+ on a green paperer wak over something like that

Depending on what it's made of, the non-Japanese shirasaya might be a better fit for the climate and temperature you're in. Otherwise, glad to see it found its way back to you in better condition than before. I often try to spot blades I've owned before to see how they've done since passing them on; so far no Juyos but I've seen a couple move from Hozon/unpapered to Tokubetsu Hozon.

Please don't be offended at the directness of some of these replies, Glen - it's just the style of this forum and these are all good guys. The trouble is these obvious Chinese fakes show up on here every week, often with an accompanying story claiming some provenance from WW2. If you were given this sword by your son's friend, I'd advise keeping quiet and accept it as a well intended gift. If, however, you spent good money on it, I would consider having a word about getting reimbursed. Best, Hector

Hi All, It's been a while since I posted this katana (2007). It was in poor shape and to cut a long story short, I moved it on after being offered considerable more then I paid for it. Anyways, this year I noticed a similar sword for sale and guess what, It was the Sadakiyo I once owned. It is in a very much better state than it was when I owned it. Pictures So as an early Christmas present this year, I am now the custodian of the Sadakiyo again, It is a wonderful sword. I don't know of the swords history between 2007 & 2025 apart from the collector I purchased it from, It is housed in a non Japanese shirasaya which I want to replace but being in the UK makes it difficult getting the sword to Japan. All the best

I believe it's 信四郎 Nobushirō. Shinshirō typically uses a different kanji (進 or 慎) as the first character.

That is the famous Swiss TSUBA design:

I'd suggest 葡萄 - budō - grapevine for the second tsuba.

Hi George, Using the best translator I have at my disposal, this is the result I got. Best, Hector

Please remove, thanks

Almost certainly a forgery or another smith that signed Munechika. There were many unremarkable smiths who were simply never recorded in the history books, just like the artist who made that painting of a fruit basket on your auntie's wall

Often to fit the blade to a pre-made / salvaged koshirae where the holes in the tsuka were in a different position

Not sure if I have asked this question before, but can I ask the correct pronunciation of this Tsukamoto Masasakazu personal name. Here is an oshigata of his from 1941 in which he includes his personal name. Can someone tell me whether it is pronounced SHINSHIRO or NOBUSHIRO? I ask as I have seen it quoted both ways in different Japanese sources and as a result am unable to be definite about his name. Regards, George.

I would worry more about robots as was posted in some sources https://www.cnet.com/tech/amazons-big-holiday-plan-replacing-600000-human-workers-with-robots-a-new-report-says/ (New York Times have same article) and competition will follow to be able to compete.

Another Yuletide tsuba I'm mulling over. it's .....well, square. In every sense of the word. I'd like to know whether you think this is as it is because the craftsman just couldn't handle cutting out curves or that it represents some abstract design - whether simple geometric shapes or perhaps a hidden martial philosophy (like the Yagyu school with its triangle)? Best, Hector

Why make new ana closer to nakago jiri?

I drop something

Thank you. I’m very new to this. After a quick search of Munechika, I see that he was a renowned sword smith from the Heain period (Sanjo Munechika). Do you believe this is one of his blades? A forgery? Or a different smith than I’m thinking here? Also, the hole thru the Mei is due to it being shortened at some point…is that correct? Thanks again

Embarrassing AI fail here - a blog written with AI help invents an entirely new line of Soshu master smiths:

ChatGPT is dump like bread. People all over the world loose their jobs because people think A.I. is helpfull. It isn't It steals your income, your prosperity and future. It won't be long before people realize it. But then it will be too late. We're screwed.

Unusual description, Curran, the paper say 二叉車透鐔 but I don't know how to read it (maybe futatsu mataguruma sukashi tsuba). Anyway it should mean something like "two stacked wheel design".

And some of us would love to see photos of the military sword! Please!

For active rust on the Nakago best to stabilise with a light gun oil and GENTLY rub down with a cotton rag until no more red rust appears. Please do not attempt anything more to these, as you will quickly ruin historical value. Depending on where this museum is located there may be someone close by that can provide advice.

To prevent rust from advancing, give the blade a good wipe with a microfibre cloth and isopropyl alcohol (you can get both from your nearest hardware store) and apply a very light coat of mineral oil: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/faq/question/3-how-to-oil-and-maintain-nihonto/ While you're doing that, you can take some photos of the bare blade for identification by the forum - at minimum you'll want the following: Closeup of the right side of the blade tip Closeup of the left side of the blade tip Overall shot of the right side of the entire blade Overall shot of the left side of the entire blade Closeup of the right side of the tang Closup of the left side of the tang