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Guess I’m late to the party but I’m just discovering the fusion that is Sōden Bizen. Nanbokucho piece around 70cm with a 3cm / 2.65cm width. Morikage’s “Chikakage style”

Hi All, Attended a local military show this weekend and spotted this little beauty. I thought it was a clever way to display a fuchi & Kashira. It would seem a lot of time and effort has gone into this, made out of a hardwood. What do you think? All the best

寄金 (Yosegane) FYI, 寄金 | 木目金美術館 | 杢目金屋

I recently purchased this namban tsuba representing dragons within what I guess being juzu (boudhist rosary). Do you agree with me ? Thank you for your views.

@MauroP please find some pictures of the hakogaki attached, apologies in the delay.

Dear Anthony. Welcome to NMB. You are right, this is not a Shingunto but a civil mounted sword that has had a combat cover added to its existing saya. Forgive me if I state the obvious but the sword is out of polish which means that you will have a hard time seeing much in the blade. Whatever you do, do not attempt to polish this yourself as that will destroy any value the sword might have. Getting this one polished is an expensive and problematic process and may reveal flaws in the blade that could really spoil your day. The nakago/tang looks to have been shortened, something that is quite common but always done at the nakago so that the hardened edge in the kissaki/tip is retained. The auction house photographs really do not show enough to be sure that the blade does not have any fatal damage such as hagire/cracks. I quite understand the urge just to own one and if this is cheap enough then why not? However I think most of us would advise a little caution and perhaps get to know a bit more before you jump in. Feel free to ask any questions and whatever you decide, All the best.

Hi, Let me try and address some of these while I have a gap. Agree. Google adverts is easier under the new software and it will be one of the ways I look to increase funds, but will try and keep it a bit discreet. Again, easy to do and I would like to do that. I could even set up a member category for people who want to be able to post hi res images. BUT, the problem is server space. Can you imaging how fast that would increase if people could upload 5 - 20 meg images? It can be done, but not without significant hosting cost to take server space. If I can be confident in getting in another $100 or so a month, I can do it, but that is quite a few new subscriptions. Agree. But it needs to be policed, there is no automatic way to monitor that. Unless we create a For Sale section that is only postable by Gold members, and another that is for regular members. The advantage is that Gold members are usually vetted by the community or generally well known and are trusted a bit more. But how would people feel about that? Can't think of a practical way to make that happen, with the limitations of the software. I'd have to investigate. Sales and Sellers is usually where people can search for someone's reputation. Maybe I need to have a more dedicated section for Go/No Go sellers and buyers. But that comes with some controversy attached. I have no "IN" with the NBTHK and sometimes wonder if they know we exist or care. If someone has contacts and would like to approach them, I'm all in for it. I'll check this out, it may be worthwhile to look at. Already the search delay for non Gold members is some incentive to take a membership. Would love to do this. Its a bit mean though, and I can see non members just getting the files from Gold members in private. But it really is fair, considering the quality of the downloads we have there. Maybe I should severely restrict the intervals etc of downloads for non Gold members? Again, I would love to do this. Happy to advertise new books and products if authors etc will give a discount to members or Gold members here. But that is up to the museums and authors etc, and I am stuck in SA without access to most of these people. Can you imagine if someone could arrange a DTI entry discount to Gold members or museum entry etc etc? I'd be down for it in any way, and provide promotion, but need people who can assist with contacting them.

Yes, George has the correct date. The signature and kao are Hon'ami Kōson. The other side is a valuation.

Dated to Taisho period, 5th year?, 2nd month? so it might be (can't be sure of my reading) 1916, May 2nd. The rest is even harder to read, sorry. George.

I am excited to announce the release of a document I have been working on: Type 95 Military Sword Variations. It is now available in the download section for anyone who would like to access it. I am pinning this thread in place of the Type 95 Worksheet, of which can be found here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/29722-type-95-gunto-worksheet/#comments My hope is that this monograph helps dispel some of the long standing rumors surrounding these swords and assists collectors in identifying the examples in their own collections. This work is purely educational and is intended to consolidate information from several sources into one comprehensive reference. I would like to acknowledge the late Nick Komiya for the huge amount of documents he shared on the warrelics forum over the years; without his contributions to the study of Japanese Militaria, this document simply could not exist. I'd also like to extend a special thanks to the following Nihonto Message Board members, who either directly, or indirectly through discussions over the years, greatly aided my understanding of this type of Japanese sword. I am forever grateful. @Kiipu @Bruce Pennington @Conway S @John C @drb 1643 Tom Foster, @robinalexander @BANGBANGSAN @Shamsy @Stegel @PNSSHOGUN @rebcannonshooter @Grimmdarkspire @matthewbrice @vajo @Brian . Please see the aknowledgements section in the download, and I hope not to have forgotten anyone... This is Edition #1, and I intend to update the download annually as new revelations arise and as serial number range changes are observed. It is formatted imperfectly, but to the best of my ability with programs at hand (I am an enthusiast and collector, not an experienced writer). Please feel free to let me know if you notice any typos or inconsistencies, and I will address them promptly. Feel free to use this topic to post information or questions about Type 95 Gunto. I hope you find the monograph helpful. Happy Valentine’s Day! -Sam

Type 97 Kaigunto – Naval Officers Sword Mei: Yabushita YoshiMitsu Saku Seki Stamp Circa 1942 66.7 cm Nagasa & Good Original Polish Togari/Gunome Hamon & Muji Hada Sharkskin Saya and Clasp Hands Sarute Overall Good Original Condition Price $2500 AUD……..approx. $1800 US Plus all associated Fees

It might be “吉岡因幡介” (Yoshioka Inaba no Suke).

前田泰宏 - Maeda Yasuhiro Owner's name?

For comparison:

Might represent an ink stone?

You did measure correctly on the mune. Unfortunately only guess I could dare to make is that to me it would feel like a Kotō naginata like others felt above too. If it would be in polish people who have expertise could make an identifying guesses, focusing on small details is not my forte but of course it would help in general guesses about the age.

The valuation is in the first photo: 代千三百貫　1300 kan.

And, with a reasonable degree of certainty, cast. Getting that exact and uniform degree of "blurriness" in the details would be a heck of a task to carve. Which doesn't mean it isn't a genuine namban tsuba - I've seen others which were cast.

That is the makers name not a valuation

Sadamasa. This appears to be a WWII - era (Showa period) blade. Best regards, Ray

agreed. Like the offspring of a Haguro tsuba and a Namban. Definitely more on the Namban side with that seppa dai and general execution.

Nice tsuba Bruno, I haven't seen a Namban tsuba with this design before but I agree it does look like a rim of Buddist juzu beads

Thank you all for the kind words. I hope the document is useful to collectors and prospective sword buyers. For those interested in further study, I encourage you to explore the bibliography section. It includes several invaluable sources, and the real credit belongs to the authors and contributors whose research and forum discussions made this possible. I put this together for everyone, but also so I could personally more easily digest material from such a large variety of sources. Some hands on study has helped a lot too. I look forward to continuing my study and collection, and updating the document as I learn more. I hope it meets the high standards of this forum and those collectors and scholars before me. Thanks again everyone! I'm excited to have it out there. All the best, -Sam

Hi Ian, I feel pretty confident in saying the piece is from the Edo Period but it does not appear to be particularly high quality work and I'm not sure I could ascribe a particular school... If I had to take a guess it feels like it might have some Nara region influences? Curious to see what others with more knowledge and experience think

Steve, The same sword was posted on NMB recently. Signed Kanetoshi:

“奈良利光” (Nara Toshimitsu + kao).

Ian, looking at the NANAKO-JI, I think it is a bit "random". The general appearance puts more weight on the decoration rather than on the basic work, so I would not exclude the possibility that this one is a better quality NAGOYA-MONO item from the end of the 19th century. More good images might prove me wrong, as so often.

Having some form of required gold membership or one off fee to post sales would at least allow the forum to recover some money on sales. It's only fair you can keep this board running efficiently without worrying about next months bills.

It's funny that the yumi are standing upside down. As a former kyudo practitioner (and still a hunting archer), I'm totally relaxed about the fact that the yumi have been fitted with the tsuru (bowstring) on the wrong side. It would hurt my soul to stress an old yumi in order to string a bowstring. You need someone who knows how to string a powerful combat bow. That's quite different from the light training bows. I wouldn't trust an old, dried-out hemp string either. So you would have to make a synthetic string for a presentation. But that brings us to the next and actually most important problem: modern bows with glass or carbon layers in the bow arms can be left strung. But bows made exclusively from natural materials fatigue considerably when strung and, in the worst case, warp to the point of being unusable.

Hi Can anyone help with this design At the moment I'm thinking of just a box but having the two silver 'dots' and the edges may be significant Look like a black stone

Some of the best Chinese ink stones have 'eyes' in them. 端渓硯石眼 - 検索 画像

Over the years we have had so many threads on Namban. Never sure where to post like that. Liking your juzu dragon Namban, Bruno. I have a giant set of juzu on my armour. It would be nice to have all of the Namban information in one place!

Side by side comparison. I don’t think the sword is a real Kotetsu. I’m not that lucky

Nagasone okisato nyudo Kotetsu . A much faked maker

I see some beautiful stuff there including what (I think) are some pieces with Hamano school influences... (Tiger could also be sekibun as Curran said). The tiger kozuka and the Nioh kozuka next to it both have what look like Hamano style influences with the gold eyes and striking colour contrasts... Are either of them signed on the reverse? If so, please post images of the signatures. It wouldn't be hard to find a buyer for many of these pieces if you're looking to sell. (Hell, I'd probably make an offer on these two myself! Possibly for the tiger menuki too...) As others have said though, take your time evaluating each individual piece, even if it means extra work. Posting images of any signatures here would be a good start.

Not exactly multi-stacked but this tsuba of mine by Marukawa Hiroyoshi (Mito school) has sekigane resized so small that the centrepiece of a tsuba box will not fit... I had to make my own (kinda dodgy) box for it out of a ring box... I think it might have been re-used on a mamori-tanto gifted to a child. (Image below is in the original box, not my dodgy self-made one)

This one of my favourites - it shows actors Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Rai Kunitoshi (Right), Ichikawa Danzô VI as Gorō Nyūdō Masamune (Centre) and Onoe Waichi II as his fictional son (Segare) Dankurô (Left). It is by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III) for the play Date Moyô Somete Kisaragi at the Nakamura Theatre in 1858.

Couple more images I have on the same theme. The Kutani bowls is mine, picked up at auction. BaZZa.

Ian, Mick, thank you both for the great input! Ian, it's definitely is the plot depicted in the picture! Mick, thank you for the picture from the book! The piece is indeed a papier-mache as it is made of brown paper and it indeed seems to belong to "Japonaise and Chinoiserie (Orientalism) decorative style made popular by the Empress Eugeniea, wife of Louis-Napoloen, last Emperor of France." And in this case it is even more curious that the legend made its way from Japan to France in the XIX century.

I have written to Kavanagh Auctions of Montreal CA .. hopefully they will do something about their listing so as to avoid grief for all concerned! Wwii Japanese Imperial Naval Katana Presentation Sword Auction Titled .......WWII Japanese Imperial Naval Katana Presentation Sword Description Naval Japanese imperial katana, note the anchor and waves pattern engraved on both sides of the blade, so probably a presentation sword or gift for an officer, aluminum grip which imitates the wooden tsuka with silk-cord wrapping, so a late war production (42-45). The numbers 198631 can be seen on the Habaki. Overall length is 39 inches, with a 30.5 inches blade. Heavy and very tight sword, very nice patina. No saya or scabbard.

Apologies for poor picture but I can't use a camera at the moment. This is the picture that Ian refers to. The other is a panel, screen really, that was sold at auction last year, that definitely originated in Japan. I've come across countless panels similar to yours depicting Japanese life, always on paper mache. I've assumed that these were a form of chinoiserie and probably French in origin. However, my knowledge is very limited and I too would like to learn more and will defer to others.

I met Brian at the 2025 Chicago Show. He had an inquisitive interest, a keen eye, and took a good amount of time to talk to me and examine my blades. He was going to buy a blade from me but was distracted by his wife needing him for something. He felt guilty about it and reached out to me after the show to arrange the purchase. We were about to finish the transaction when he found out about some things that changed his priorities. Its sad that I just found out now why those priorities changed. He and I shared an interest in Bungo Den and I think my collection of ken intrigued him. Gone from this world too soon. Rest in peace, friend.

I didn't know Brian personally, but I had warm regard and I felt a connection, with Winchester. He often popped into my posts with an emoji and he was always understanding and encouraging.....never changed. Maybe (selfishly), he fitted my narrative, I don't know, but for someone I have never met or messaged, I just felt a connection.....he was a real gentleman. Thankyou Sarah for sharing this....thinking of you and Brian's extended family. We will miss him. Rob

That's absolutely heartbreaking, prayers going out to his wife and family.

Gone too soon. I was very familiar with the name and photo associated with the account, although our areas of interest didn't overlap. But he was clearly passionate about his hobbies and that enthusiasm affected those close to him, as demonstrated by his widow reaching out at this very difficult time. His last contribution was in Jan so this must have happened very quickly. Condolences to his friends and family.

I remember seeing the handle name Winchester, but had no direct contact as far as I can remember. So brave of his wife and parents, and so much is left unsaid...

General In 1944 it was realized that the decisive battle of the mainland of Japan was soon to be fought. There was a call for complete national armament and because of the shortage of weapons the study and development of simple weapons began. The purpose was to arm everyone in Japan both military and civilian, with some type of fighting weapon. Research was started in the summer of 1944 and was nearly completed by the summer of 1945. WRF Simple Weapons. Pistol Included among the simple weapons was a pistol. An example of which can be seen below. RARE Japanese Civilian Defense Pistol

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Rare Rifle ;)

Servus Tobi: „Lempertz Berlin Auktion 886, 27.“ (Lempertz) – Buch gebraucht kaufen – A02nhLcJ01ZZD See you Uwe