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Its carved in a more cursive style which makes interpretation more difficult for non native speakers.

Thanks for that, annoyingly I cannot see how you read the Mei that way but happily bow to your knowledge. It is early days for me trying to read kanji I will add the translation to my growing list of references to help in the future. Thanks again Regards Mike

天池正恒 - Amachi Masatsune Ref.

Gents Could anybody help me to translate the attached. I think the sword is probably a second world war Katana. I cannot find any armoury marks on the tang. . I think the first character is Ryo but the rest are beyond my ability. Grateful for any help Regards Mike

Not enough trees? Wouldn't take much twisting of my arm to let this go

Dear Jens. Check the alignment between the grip and the blade. All the best.

Yes, looks like the upper image is the ha. Thought it was the mune. The lower one is a different kirikomi. If not for the boshi this would be a very valuable and desirable sword.

This is not a manufacturing defect but just wear and tear due to numerous polishings. It is therefore accepted by NBTHK but only for the hozon, which I repeat is in no way a guarantee of quality. There's only one, but photographied from different angles Obviously suriage.

There are 3 kirikomi pictured. This blade has seen some serious action, both on and off the battlefield. Nice long, survivor tachi with lots to appreciate so I can see how a buyer might be attracted. From a purests perspective though its got problems. Any idea what this could be. A welded repair patch? And whats going on with the nakago? Would this be a very poor effort to remove gimei carving? Only one side so can't be habaki wear. Biggest issue for me is the boshi running off the kissaki. I thought this was a fatal flaw, yet it gets Hozon. Case of age trumping condition?

Aye, missed that. To add, very old blade so i guess a lot of folks will forgive.

The kissaki

To some people i would bet that's the main attraction to buy.

Perhaps photograph Aoi arts certificate and show that here instead. Its too small to read. Cheers

Musashi by Yoshikawa Eiji also features battlefield looting at the start.

Ok, thei I was right. Thank you!

The plotline of the 1964 film Onibaba depicts two women scavenging weapons and armour:

Thanks Steve! Damn, you're good at that. Will be bringing to the SF show.

Modern replica.

Hello, I found this sword in an eastern Europe auction house- but I have some problems with the blossoms on the grip. They do not look as they should. Is it Japanese? Chinese or an Copy?

五瓜に根笹 Goka ni nezasa (bamboo with roots inside five-lobed gourd shape) https://www.kamon18.com/cart/shop/07111.html Looks like an excellent piece, even if it is a bit distressed..

Wasn't there a part in Akira Kurosawa's "Shichinin no samurai" about collecting dead soldiers weapons?

Could you post more photos of mountings? Looks like cast made for crest.

An egg with a cracked shell will start to stink. Enough material for 2 tanto.

You meant that?