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突然のコメント失礼致します。そうですね、わたくしも五か七か大変悩んでいましたが、確かに五のほうに見えてきました。ご訂正ありがとうございます。 To Nguyen San: Yes, a second look at this and it's more of a 5 to me now, sorry for the confusion.

You can see both sides of the hole?

I would like a very big "kantei table" with one row for every known school and characteristics in the (many) columns. And maybe examples of how kantei was done for specific blades. For a bonus I would love to see one blade go through multiple independent kantei sessions and see a comparison of the results.

G'day David, The NTHK attribute it to the first generation. The sword was captured in New Guinea by an Australian army officer. There is a video of him online describing his encounter with the sword's former owner in the "Australians at war film archive". The Japanese officer (apparently a Major) was attempting to infiltrate an Australian position at night. Cheers, Bryce

I think the date is 天明五年八月日 (August 1785).

Decades ago I saw an Army Shinguntou with full length brown ray skin saya. Sadly, the blade had been badly mistreated and I passed on it, though I hesitated, nearly buying it for the koshirae alone... BaZZa.

I recently purchased a modern (made in 2013) nihonto wakazashi from AOI art Japan. It had just been delivered when I had a family tragedy that I had to go home for, so I never even opened the package. About a month later of taking care of family stuff I finally got home and took out the wakazashi to clean and oil it. It has a very small fleck of brown rust (maybe red) just above the habaki. The blade was nicely oiled, on shirasaya, and tightly wrapped in bubble wrap in a sealed package. It makes me wonder if it was there before, during, or after transit. I guess this is more of a question type of post, but do any of you ever have a feeling of failure or shame if something similar has happened to you? I just feel sick that it was probably me not opening the package in time that caused a flake of rust, like I don't deserve the responsibility of caring for these swords. I have 4 other nihonto and have had them for almost 2 years. I have always maintained them and they are as beautiful now as when I got them. But this one speck of rust just makes me feel so bad. Anyway, I appreciate all of the information and input on this forum. I don't post often but love this forum. I attached some pics of the blade for reference.

Oh, there's a date on the back! That will be 天明七年八月日(August 1987).

The Mei says 水心子正秀(Suishinshi Masahide) with a Kao, and the Sayagaki says 出羽山形住水心子藤原正秀(Dewa Yamagata-Jyu Suishinshi Fujiwara Masahide), 長貳尺三寸(69.69cm).

Many thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it appears backordered and only ships to the US (assuming more are printed). None of the other retailers listed are actively carrying, so it seems the quest continues. Thank you very much for the help though, it is much appreciated!

This is 兼光（Kanemitsu） and 皇紀二千六百年（1940）. My rice cooker just went off, I will have to check on that before I provide more information.

This will be my second post. Any help and all help, with identification of the maker, year and location would be greatly appreciated! N

Tangs actually quite bumpy on this but never cleaned it in the 7 years I've owned and 2nd time I've had the handle off, nice fittings but blade very tired, assistance sort with translation please.

Well, good feedback Bruce and I see you've already found Ogawa Kanekuni. I think this may play out as being a long, patient search for where/when/who owned, used the TAN stamp. So far (am I correct?) it seems that the users were all? in Gifu / Seki? I think this is a BRUCE job (with help from keen-eyed members)...I know I'll keep my eyes open. Regards,

Which Gen? 2nd Gen not worth as much as Ist Gen.

G'day Guys, I was recently tempted by this nice gunto. The type 94 koshirae has a sakura, chuso release button and mon on the menuki. The blade is mumei, shinshinto and attributed by the NTHK to Chounsai Tsunatoshi. The blade is a little unusual in that the nagasa is only 63.6cm, but it is very stout at the machi and tapers down to normal dimensions at the yokote. Cheers, Bryce

For your reading pleasure - numerous books in Japanese, some with English captions. [Please note: not all are about tsuba] https://www.jauce.com/user/boa_sorte_0011 I can recommend a beautiful 'heavy' book with English captions https://www.jauce.com/auction/o1136453416 Also https://www.jauce.com/auction/w1136452129 a 'double boxed' collection but all in Japanese.

Appears to be actively listed at link below for US$39.95. https://www.penguinr...linkid=PRHB7BD76FBDB

Though not much hataraki may be seen on the "Java sword", good news is that it doesn't appear to be all that pitted. Looks like a prime candidate for a "power uchiko" treatment (just don't ride up and over the shinogi). An hour or two should reveal whatever activity is present, though the Seki stamp advises keeping your expectations modest.

I have a few.... And it think this is the same one John just posted

The above photos look to be sharkskin, rather than Samegawa, or are they from different ray species? The second one is brown, many of these tend to have a reddish hue like the examples above. Paul those mounts look fantastic, does it have the extended drag as well?

Yes, both crappers I'm afraid.

The first sword is a Type 95 (1935) used by the lower ranks while the second sword is a Type 94 (1934) Military Sword used by officers. Alas, both are reproductions that came from China.

Bumping to $100.

A chapter on "interpreting listings" e.g. what may not have been accurately describe, what is missing, incredibly bad photos and masterful bullshit descriptions etc