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Hi friends I would like to show my Moriwaka Masataka to the members. Nagasa is 70.2 cm. It has a 2 colored wood saya.

尾州浅井住兼光 – Bishu (Owari) Azai ju Kanemitsu 皇紀二千六百三年大東亜戦必勝祈願刀 – 2603 Imperial year (1943), a prayer sword for victory in the Greater East Asian War

Hi Everyone, I am reducing my tosogu closet to the bare minimum in the next weeks and I found this beautiful Fuchi - which I would suppose to be Ko Mino - with extremely deep and rich carving of blackest shakudo with delicate gold and silver inlays. This piece was bought to use it on a black tanto or aikuchi koshirae, where it will excellently decorate any blade on a simple 16-17th century "field" koshirae, however I sold the blade I bought it for. With Brians permission I want to try something funny and "auction" this piece, with 80% proceeds going to a medical charity project in Botswana and 20% to the NMB. "EDIT: The program pays eye operations and parasite medications for children. Every 7 Euro is a full parasite cure, every 20 a child gaining eyesight again. A pharmacist friend of mine worked there for one year and said its helping the future and development of these children a lot." The starting price is 50 Euro, tracked shipping in envelope will be covered by me worldwide. Please bid until april 30, 8PM GMT here in the thread or contact me via PM. It really is a beauty, feeling very elegant, aged, and "rich but simple" in your hands. Please have a look at the video below, showing especially the deep carving (Sorry for the bad video quality, my good objective was borrowed to a friend). Please contact me with any questions regarding this little auction try. Other items will follow, if you're seriously interested in Ishiguro / Ichinomiya/High quality Ko-Kinko,just write me a PM as I will not list everything. Best, Marco

Just finished some maintenence on saya covers and blades, given our recently extreme humidity here in coastal New South Wales ( thats OZ not South Wales UK 😉) Happy with my work, love this small group of my lot. Thought I would take a picture (and share view 🙂) before I turned the lights out tonight. 95's, nihonto, showato....no discrimination....love em all! As I said, no agenda ....just sharing a nice view. Rob PS....Stephen @Stephencan you pick the Hiromasa?

some of you saw this Tsukamoto Okimsasa on another member many years ago. I am happy that this beautiful sword has found its way to me. Oite Fujita Shi (no) Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa Saku. a lucky day in December 1942"

The sori alone on this blade speaks volumes. Fine early example of a true tachi

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So I will start with 80 Euro!

Might also work with this idea, https://www.nihonto.com/8-12-21/ Perhaps a bit less intrusive than the buttons? All the best.

Last summer as part of a sword exhibition at Hayashibara Museum of Art.

Notice to my readers: I saw Barnes and Noble sell the hardcover version of "Study of Japanese Swords" on their website. But my hardcover version is not done yet. The one on the Barnes and Nobel is the one I rejected last year. I did not know they are selling until somebody mentioned. As you can see on their site, the front cover is off-centered. Contents are the same but paper is not what I specified. Other than off-centered front cover and the paper is slightly thinner, nothing is wrong. But I rejected this version. The book have to be better than that with the price the publishing company's minimum price. I am trying very hard to work with the publishing company but they are taking for ever. Thank you Yurie

大道 (Daidō). Real name is Higashitani Tōkichi (東谷藤吉)

Yep. As Jon stated stated we dont hear about the blades that are imported with no issue at all in the UK. But there is also something else that needs to be added to this conversation and that's sword dealers who import Chinese made blades by the hundred. These are websites such as blades uk, nine circles, oriental weaponry, ect who sell Chinese made katana swords by the dozens at cheap 100 quid prices. And the op gets a visit by police telling him its illegal to import or own antique swords, shows how bonkers the system is. Surley these websites and businesses seem to be doing fine with replicas, yet the real stuff is getting seized. Regards

Indeed it does Alex. Although its frustrating as hell (and a misunderstanding of the law by those entrusted with upholding it), the fact that no one else has reported having had anything seized suggests that Tony's situation is unique. Pretty much all imports go smoothly, without the need for society membership cards or a pint of blood on account; we only focus here on the ones that don't go well. Tony's misfortune is so outrageous and unique, it's got all our attention, and rightly so. Paz - I don't think that multiple items in one parcel is the problem, because (IIRC) Tony's first parcel just had the one blade. By the way although we have our problems in the UK and they annoy people, if we broaden our horizons a bit wider than swords and the ability for the public to own guns, I'm sure it'll become clear that other countries have their own problems. Choose where you want (or don't want) to live, but I like it here, thanks! And Yes, that was a very British way of defending my country, without doing a patriotic rant, quoting my military service, or slagging-off places where other folks choose to live ..... or even using the word "quid" again! Jon

Thats a neat one - Bishu Sakai? ju Kanemitsu 2603 years from the founding of the nation - made this for certain victory in the Great East Asian War? The last is something sword, so maybe auspicious? can't see but I am sure someone with better eyes will... cool. -tch

Last Thursday (8th April) Michael S and I were able to attend the opening of this excellent exhibition. Set in three rooms of the Queens Gallery in Buckingham palace there are over 150 pieces from the Royal collection. The majority are gifts given to members of the Royal family by the Japanese imperial court. The earliest being one of the two armours given to James I in 1613 by the Tokugawa Shogun. Many of these works have never been on public exhibition. As one might imaging the quality is outstanding and there are examples of arms and armour, metal work ceramics and prints all of the very highest quality and many with an intriguing history. For any members who may have reason to be in London in the next 12 months I would strongly recommend taking the time to visit this exceptional and unique exhibition. detals can be found on the attached link https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/Japan-courts-and-culture/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace

On the seams? Id send to John T...to have them split and re glued. He would clean inside and you'd have like new shirasaya but with nice aged patina.

@Okan - any chance of gettting a link to the original sale pages?

I have the same dream David, as I have huge love for ōdachi. Unfortunately for me it most likely will be 10 years from now before I might be able to get one. And I would be bit picky even on the few surviving opportunities. This upcoming auction in May seem to be one that Grev hinted above: Unfortunately they only have two very basic pictures so can't say much about it. I still remember missing this one in 2013: https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-mumei-kanefusa-2/ At the time that was not possible for me no matter how hard I tried. This has been my favorite one I have ever seen sold online. Very rare late Muromachi sword. Fellow member Ed at Yakiba had this ōdachi around 2007: https://web.archive.org/web/20071019153358/http://yakiba.com/O-dachi_tadamitsu.htm Unfortunately pics don't work through the link. It was Shinshintō but still very rare. There are occasionally some that are listed at Yahoo JP. Last month there happened to be a Shimada attributed one for sale. https://www.jauce.com/auction/c1042250145 I must confess that if I hadn't have purchased a naginata bit earlier I would have contacted fellow member Kelly Schmidt and tried to get this one. Trying to get swords from Japanese auctions can be bit problematic as you would need an agent and there is also the time difference and some auctions only run for a short time. I think maybe few older swords around 100 cm per year would appear on Yahoo JP. I would also suggest contacting fellow member Robert Hughes of Keichodo, as he is licensed dealer residing in Japan, he has chances to get some interesting inventory that would be difficult outside of Japan. There are few bit over 90 cm katana from Edo period that are currently for sale if that would be ok for you. I am always scouting for pre-Edo swords for fun, so I will let you know if I find an ōdachi.

100 Euro!

Here's Ray's discussion on this sort of knotwork on Japanese swords https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27285-decorative-knottery/

Edo period or earlier and budget of around 15,000 euros but can stretch to more for the "right" example. I also have stuff to trade

Thats like saying christmas presents arent nice! Anticipations half the fun of it! Promise to post some pics be they good or bad 😉

Hi Bruce, He and his brother Akihisa were important RJT smiths in Niigata, but I can't say if they were "super special" as all RJT had the same resources and presumably, the same output? Phil said the tip had been ground off, so maybe not a primo price here? Regards,

Never seen a skin saya cover like that! Can even seen the hair dimples. Everything about this matches what we are seeing in the island-made swords. Same lower quality steel, with no polish, flat look; typical nakago. Tsuka wrap is unique, and like you said, Brian, could have been a returning G.I./sailor, but it looks like someone was imitating a ratan look fitting of the Philippines or somewhere in SE Asia.

Quite an interesting collection Rob. Each one different in it's own way. I've done that with mine. I wanted representatives of the main types and some of the major variations. So none of them are look-alikes.

Bloody awful auction house with their continual postponing and poor listings as they failed to point out that the blade wasnt " in good condition with slightly rounded point" as per description. Condition was actually full edge ground off/removed. Breaks your heart. Whoever they paid to to their final listing did a crap job.

Here are two examples of wide Yamato Shizu with large kissaki. I should have lot more of them in books. Nagasa: 71,4 cm Moto: 3,0 cm Saki: 2,6 cm Kissaki: 10,5 cm Nagasa: 64,7 cm Moto: 3,0 cm Saki: 2,5 cm Kissaki: 8,0 cm Regarding scarcity, shortened Nanbokuchō blades, while relatively rare are still in thousands and thousands (if that is what the sword is). They will get various attributions and some are more common than others. It is bit crazy but lot of the assumed value and rarity hangs on the attribution by experts.

Interesting advert. Nice sponsor too! Wonder why they never incorporated any tamahagane into a limited edition. Probably due to the rust possibility I guess.

Would help if you would give some approximation of your budget, and does the age be a factor for you? Are you only looking for pre-Edo, will you accept Edo period work, and how about modern work?

Tsuka was likely re-wrapped and incorrect Menuki added.

Agreed. I once mentioned that I have been trying to convince US Customs about the same issue - no progress. It's been over 17 yrs now.. Still nothing 🤔 I'm sure they are much more concerned with other imports.. Yet, here we are.. sucks for our dear forumite or anyone that has to be subjected to extra headaches besides all the sleepless nights waiting for a blade to show up.. 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️🙏 Cheers J.

Hi Brian, You can have new sharasaya made for your blades but you can't buy off the shelf shirasaya; each is custom made for the blade. However, cracks can be simply repaired if the repairer knows what he is up to and no one who doesn't know has tried already. Grey

Piers, My bad, I thought you were talking about how the tsuba were being pictured, not a tsuba display stand to hold tsuba in the "blade down" position. I apologize - I don't think I've seen an old display stand like that either. Most of the time when I display them I used the box bottom and its trivial to just turn it upside down or have peg in the exhibition display made blade down. Of course, since this display stuff/"box thing" is for the most part a modern phenomenon anyway. They started showing up with the nifty boxes with hakogaki in ~Meiji and later to spiff the kodogu up for sale/as a gift/etc... If you look at old Daimyo collections, kodogu they cared about were usually just wrapped in several of pieces of washi, one of which was often the description of what it was/Goto origami/etc (if they were lucky) - often tsuba were just strung like beads on rope or stacked up on a spike in the kura - or just stuffed/klanked together in a bag and left in the bottom of the strong box part of a tansu. Best, rkg (Richard George)

I would look at Kanewaka and consider the mei an homage... -t

Koto Katana Osuriage - Oei jidai ( 1394-1428 ) with Honami attribution to Bizen Smith of this period with modern Hozon paper to same Smith. I wanted to post this because of the Chidori bird theme. Samurai respected these birds because they migrated for long distance across the ocean and many would perish in the process. Because of this they became symbols of perseverance. Edo period Koshirae in silver all of Chidori bird and waves theme.

Hello all, I found this Rai-school blade with a kinpun-mei over at e-sword.jp, and am puzzling over the curious windows cut into the handle. Why was this done? All I can think of is that this was intended to keep the kinpun-mei from rubbing off when the tsuka is removed/replaced—but It seems like there would be simpler solutions, like recessing the interior portions that might make contact with the mei. Is this a common modification? Regards, Richard (https://www.e-sword.jp/katana/2210-1040.htm)

Good question, Alex. I’ll have a look when I get a chance, and report back. 13 hours l8r With the benefit of handling. The edges of the round aperture are softer, less sharp overall than the edges of the Nakago ana. The rust on the walls is of a similar darkness to the walls of the butterfly sukashi.

Just as a taster of what we saw: - a dainty tanto described to be by Rai Kunitoshi in splendid koshirae (all the blades were in visually flamboyant and richly decorated koshirae) but unfortunately we could not fully evaluate it due to angle /lighting and tsuka being on. Notwithstanding, the uchizori and overall sugata and what little we could see of the hamon were all indicators in the right direction. - a daisho, in which the daito is reportedly by Rai Kinimitsu (but the blades were sheathed). - gensuito (“field Marshall) sword which is the only one outside of Japan. - there are 4 Edo period armours and the James I gift is by an Iwai armourer. All in excellent state of preservation. - there are several ceremonial yari with long raden poles and apparently the small sample on display was from a much larger lot of 30-40, which had been painstakingly restored by RCT team. - naginata, tachi, etc The quality of the lacquerware is sublime. There are scrolls, screens, letters, Komai metalware, beautiful bronzes - all of superior workmanship as it behoves presents from one royal family to another. The exhibition is definitely a must-see and ardently recommended.

Very nice John, Never seen a mon there before but it seems more fitting to be on the side. Looks to be quite a fine (maybe light) blade? Rob

My sense about tsuba like these is that the thinner they are, the older they are, and 3mm is fairly thin. Also, the carvings get a certain amount of wear to them so that the cuts are very much rounded off.

Hey George, no worries. I personally prefer to see the better stuff in fresh pro polish than rushed wartime polish and 75 years of neglect. To each his own. I still have plenty of excellent blades in wartime polish that I most likely won't have polished. Just trying to get the special ones done. Here are 2 Yasunori (Top - 1940, Bottom - 1934) I had done, but both badly needed saving. One had been used for martial arts by a previous owner for years and was quite beat up. Seems a lot of the activity is lost in the heavy hadori in the top blade. The activity in the bottom blade is much easier to see and enjoy.

Hello chaps, Bit of an odd one , just wondering if someone could help with characters on what ive been told is part of a ww2 Japanese fuselage. cheers, Phil

Yes! Well spotted, of the The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (飛燕, "flying swallow") Thankyou

Wow good eyes but sadly when cleaning that area first with fine brush then needle to remove that section of paint it turned out to be crinkled paint. Blades ww2 with hot stamp and handles civilian so didnt think tsuba was old just what chap had at hand when off to war . thanks for your help gents.

Hello , any idea on maker/ date on this tsuba , iron with wheat sheaf's and foliage in gilt and possibly silver accents - bird of prey hovering with gilt beak, obversestream with gilt accented foliage. Copper habaki (is it wind or clouds & rain/ catscratch?) Any help appreciated

OK , Im terrible at this , managed SHOWA and some numbers and now my eyes are going blurry . Help please

Thankyou SteveM and Bruce , Yes mine , did you want some more photos . What I understand of the Koa Isshin swords was that they were a "Asian" patriotic blade and the steel was from the asian mainland and shipped back to Japan to produce these swords(probably got it wrong , ill sit down tonight and look up). Im such a dope , ive another of these Koa Isshin Mantetsu sword , ill pull it apart and flick you photos on weekend as may be another for your survey.

Hi gents , have 2 swords with surrender tags , translation help please, theres english writing on one tag seems to say "military sub officer "and possibly officers name

2nd WW2 sword with surrender tag. Thanks gentlemen.