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I like this one quite a bit...

Glad you guys liked this set. These 2 pics really exemplify the master level work... like George said, the katakiribori is superb, and check out the inlay work on Raijin. The silver teeth, anklets and bracelets, and of course the eyes. I love the bold mei also, along with it being dated. The Taikan has a sketch and an imprint, and the box lid inlay is original from his shop. Photographic credit goes to Ted Tenold.

昭和二十年 - Showa 20th year 兼丈 - Kanetake

And a better pic of the kashira...

Here is a picture of Mittens when he first came to live with me. I believe he could hold a pint glass with those thumbs.

There is a presumption that any blade displaying folding and forging lines in going to be eastern or even Japanese in origin. In fact until cast steel became common in the mid 19th century folding, layering and forging was universally the only way of producing a steel blade. In many places they made a feature of it, pattern welding in western swords, twist core in Turkish and Filipino blades and pamor in Indonesia. This is why I posted the link to the other rapier with a watered steel pattern blade.The same for inserted edges and edge hardening

Just One More!!!

A friends film won best documentary “My documentary 'The Art of Imono' gets nominated for 3 top categories at the Shorties Film Festival: Update: Won Best Documentary! You can watch it here: http://vimeo.com/edwinlee/imono

Is it possible the K is for Kaneshiro Sakuganki Seizo 金城鑿岩機製造 same as the company made Type 30 bayonet?

I don’t know if it would sell, but I know I would never have bought it before I finally got to buy one. It’s truly extraordinary to look at a sword in its prime. It made me change my mind completely about Shinsakuto.

Looks like someone applied the Yagyu test! All the best.

Please ask the seller for the dimensions - I promise you this is no more than 50 cm high...

The title is Soshu Den Meisaku Shu. Grey

Kyle has been put in touch with a highly esteemed Board member who lives close to his area. We may await more news with bated breath... BaZZa.

Yup, that is truly high class tosogu. I was afraid the thread had really deteriorated to “my favourite piece” as opposed to high class, but that Juyo Natsuo F/K of Fujin and Raijin is something else..... thanks for sharing

Since posting, I have learned that the word leatherette could just mean "fake leather." Artificial leather However, in the context of World War II, the 2014 post could also be referring to what is called presstoff (also preßstoff or pressstoff). Presstoff The Japanese developed a saya (scabbard) cover made out of paper during the war too. Pressed-paper Saya Cover Hopefully, BangBangSan will also look into what the Chinese character(s) are and see if something like this was used in China during Word War II.

Okay, I'm back. Please forgive any incorrect terms I may use now or in the future, I have only a passing understanding of katana terminology. The sori is near exactly 70cm. I removed the habaki and could find no discernible inscriptions on any part of the tang. I found what looks like kanji on the spine and front of the habaki but can't make anything out due to the gunk. I wiped the blade and tang down with a small amount of gunoil, hopefully I didn't go overboard. I'm gonna include a few more photos for reference. Thanks to everyone for their help so far.

So sorry to hear that, Robert. Prednisone is cortisone. Cortisone has good and bad effects. On the plus side, it dulls the pain and slows down the disease. However, it slowly destroys the kidneys function. As I’ve said earlier, I’ve seen many of my little friends go. Many have died either from liver or kidney failure and trust me, they suffer a lot. I know it is painful but my advice would be to do what is right at the right moment. If you see Mittens stop eating for more than three days, then the time has surely come. One of my cat had FLV. I was able to keep her with me for six more months by slowly raising the cortisone doses with veterinary supervision, but sadly, cancer is faster. When you hesitate, think about Mittens first. But it’s always a hard decision to make...

It's your opinion but it's not the truth Hada is already quite dense, too dense for koto I wonder how you can say that based on pictures which show nothing about hada... And some koto hada are very dense (Kuniyoshi for example)

Hi Michael, try to search with “雲竜子” (unryushi) for the time being... “源” (Minamoto) should be clear, as the smith’s name “正儔” (Masatomo).

Hi Yas , found this one listed today - https://www.jauce.com/auction/g500246208 it is another well made 'reproduction' and I suppose if you don't have a spare $9363.85 US. [ that is the exchange rate on the £] you could buy a copy for considerably less! The same design was mentioned on Christmas Quiz. Someone is doing pretty good fakes out there! [they need to do some work with the colours though!]

Hi Mike, Nice sword. Signed UNRYUSHI MINAMOTO MASATOMO. In fact, it hasn't changed since you last asked on June 15. 2018 (Ww2 Sword- Need help by Psychomantis95). I'd look up the answers...especially from Stephen post #5. That's about all I have. Regards,

The very first photo in this thread shows the business card he gave me, complete with address and phone number.

Hi Chuck, Do you have this book? Barrie.

G'day Kyle, Your photos are good enough to show you may have a good, old blade in restorable condition. Do nothing to the blade at present except to wipe it with a cloth or tissue using sewing machine oil, then clean off the excess. As for the mekugi, don't worry about it all at all as it is replaceable with a bamboo chopstick whittled to shape. Get it out as carefully as you can and let us see the tang photographed from both sides with the habaki off. The tsuba appears to be an old one and the whole rig looks as if it has had a hard life in the back of a shed. The blade is the very most important thing that should capture our care and attention. A close up photo of the kissaki (point) would be good, both sides. With the habaki off also p[ease give the length measured from the back notch in a straight line to the point. Fingers crossed for you. Best regards, BaZZa, aka Barry Thomas Melbourne, Australia.

I hope you know this is a Boys Day item... -t

Late Sue Koto. Sugata is neither Kanbun, Keicho, Keian, Genroku or what so ever. The nakago is sligjtly machi okuri, please see the nakogo funbari by example. Hamon, Looks like the typical Sue-Mino mixture, but not the typical Kanemoto-Style.

also here is some more i found. micah

here ya go.Micah

Rivkin, Pay attention at boshi, both are sugu and these swords are koto while you arge sugu boshi = Shinto....

Also, worth noting that insurance values/appraisals often are/should generally be ABOVE what the retail market will bear, and are not the right barometer for deal making or negotiation. To clarify what others mean to say re: the current attribution, they are trying to confirm if the blade has gone through an actual NTHK shinsa, which is not the same as having an opinion from a member of the committee. In any case, for “ubu/signed” Koto work I’d much prefer a NBTHK kanteisho. And ubu at 71cm seems short to me for the time period you hope for. And I agree with Brian 100%. But photos will be helpful!

I have very few tsuba and like them all, but my favorite is this iron work by Tosho Sadayuki depicting natto in warazuto (I think). There is one very similar in the Ashmolean.

Hello all, I was not sure whether there is continued interest to post here, but I thought I’d share my favourite kozuka. Hirata shippo Mt Fuji with Tokubetsu Hozon. Very colorful as you can see. best regards, John L.

I just wanted to add this. I just picked up a gunto with this wrap. I do believe it is sharkskin. The skin is like little Barb's if you go against the grain.

Never seen it before, I was hoping YOU knew!

A friend of mine has suggested that some stuff goes onto Jauce as a result of wifely nagging, and is then deliberately overpriced so as not to sell..... It's a theory!

Sheez! Matt I am impressed with the box, let alone the contents!

The oncologist did biopsies and the results were the worst possible news. Mittens has carcinoma in his kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, and stomach. No chance for treatment due to the aggressive nature of the cancer. Now I have to decide when his quality of life is low enough to euthanize the poor guy. He has medication that stimulates his appetite and another that keeps the nausea away. He is on Prednisone and it seems to keep some of the inflammation down, but I think his pain will get worse. He is still enjoying catnip, but I figure we only have a matter of days. Thank you all for your words of support. Darrel, I am glad the sword arrived undamaged. She is a hefty and healthy blade. Robert Housley

The kuwagata are mounted in the ‘Rio de Janeiro’ style :-)

I’ll pray for him, I lost Pretty Woman 10 years ago from a cancer, I am still shedding a few tears when I think of her