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Hi everyone, I just wanted to share this easy option for displaying your tsuba on your desk. I got these acrylic glass light boxes for about 15 Euro on amazon and I think they make a pretty neat display. I would love to see how you display your tosogu!

関住兼松一則作 – Seki ju Kanematsu Kazunori saku (Kazunori’s family name is Kanematsu.)

Here you are Time span to 1340, Soshu school Short blades separately and long blades separately

Here is a graph of the ubu Tachi for the Ichimonji school and blades from the time period ca.1200 to 1300 I have kasane data for 46 blades in total, almost all of them are important blades with goverment designation This Tachi is relatively short, so a 6mm kasane is fine in my opinion

Please post the Original Sale Description

Calabrese (Hokke) above, hit the nail on the head.

Hi, for sale is a nice Tachi from the 3rd generation Naohiro. As I am mainly focusing on Shinshinto, I decided with a heavy heart to sell it. The nagasa is about 74,5cm and it comes in Shirasaya and NTHK Papers. Signed: Bushu Musashimachi Junin Naohiro. It is an impressive copy of an early Kamakura Blade. About the smith: NAOHIRO (直弘), 3rd gen., Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Saitama – “Juō Bushū Musashi-machi Takakura-jū Naohiro” (寿王武州武蔵町高倉住直弘), real name Yanagawa Masaki (柳川昌喜), born October 5th 1910, son of Yanagawa Saijirō, he died in September 1994 Price: 6000 Euro for any questions, more/better pictures or offer, please send me a PM I can also bring it Utrecht, thanks Oliver

I think we have a couple photos showing NCOs with officer gunto. If anyone knows where they are, please add to the thread. But what I found today is an officer gunto with a wrapped surrender cloth of a Sergeant Major. Found on this Gunboards Thread. The cloth says: ""243rd Infantry Reg., 5th Co., Army Sgt Maj. Nishikawa Yataro" with the flip side reading "One Nihonto sword including leather scabbard cover and handle cover" - translation by Edokko, Gunboards. The blade is an undated, large Seki stamp, Kanemasa. I mention that because later in the war, the uniform regulations were amended to allow NCOs to carry civil swords. This one is in a leather covered wooden saya, but there's nothing about the blade nor fittings that says "civilian sword refitted for war." The company grade tassel could easily have been added by an owner over the past 80 years, but if original, would be another one of those mysteries. Was the Sgt Major being promoted to officer rank? Who knows. My Army son-in-law said "Sgt Majors are at the top of the food chain, like a General or Admiral. They do whatever the fxxx they want to do."

@klee you can check out the high res on Seiyudo's site here: https://world-seiyudo.com/product/ka-060123/ The only other extra picture I have is the sayagaki (done post-purchase) attached: "備前長船五郎左衛門尉清光 十五字ノ長銘並ビニ天文六年紀有之同工ハ清光ヲ名乗ル鍛冶中最モ上手デ次ヒデ孫右衛門尉がアリ 本作ハ其ノ真面目ナル静謐ナ直刃ヲ焼キ出来宜敷ク鍛錬モ秀デタリ長貳尺二寸三分強" "Bizen Osafune Gorōzaemon no Jō Kiyomitsu This blade bears a long fifteen-character signature together with the date Tenbun 6 (1537). Among the smiths using the name Kiyomitsu, he is regarded as the most accomplished, followed by Magouemon no Jō. This work displays a sincere and tranquil suguha hamon. The workmanship is excellent, and the forging is particularly refined."

It is this JuBi Masamune However, we must realize that the blade is an o-suriage and we do not know its original length, which was also adapted to the kasane.

I believe its Iga no Kami Kinmichi - 伊賀守金道

Yes @Volker62, thanks. A wonderful Hi

Hi @Esaiah1391, I’m going to relocate this to the general Nihonto section for now. Our for sales section is not for discussion, and it’s required by rule to have some specifications and an asking price. Let’s start elsewhere for the discussion for now. Your sword looks strange to my eyes… I’m struggling to make sense of what I’m seeing. Do you have more photos? Particularly of the entire blade without fittings? Regards, -Sam

Even from such a poor quality photo it is clear that the blade is in unusually good condition for a Kamakura blade, which is clearly visible in the shape of the nakago and the moto area Therefore the price also takes into account the exceptional condition of this blade - just my opinion

Wow thats a huge collection 😄 yes these are the exact ones

It's because we're down under Clive

Here You go Seki Kane something

I do like the illuminated cases - they are just not big enough to display a LARGE collection. [300 plus!] Max are the display boxes like these on eBay? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/147150238802

i have a set $95 plus shipping and fees

This seems fairly simple if someone can post a link to the original sale thread. Either the flaws pictured above were clearly stated in the original sales post or they were not….period. This is a contract dispute fellas, either the description of the sword was accurate or it wasn’t, this has NOTHING to do with how anyone “felt”.

Thank you Sam! I have been trying to find this one for a while now, unfortunately no luck so far. Hopefully one day I can get a copy.

It is more of a hoso-suguha and has fine kinsuji running through, ashi and yo. Jigane is moist with chikei and the bo-utsuri can really give a blackish depth to the steel. Really intentional, quiet and beautiful and this is why Kiyomitsu is loved. I found out that Mori Motonari had Kiyomitsu forge his Jin Tachi for the Battle of Itsukushima.

Yes, written in a kind of off-the shelf "Times New Roman" kind of font. I believe this is machine-inscribed. Maybe some kind of souvenir sword.

And the translation... Token Bijutsu 587.pdf

Great data and presentation, thank you for that. Worth noting that because many Soshu smiths had Yamato-den influence (e.g. Go, Norishige, Shizu and their various followers) the data points don't necessarily give a true picture of the actual health of the blades, due to some having significantly high shinogi compared to the mune width.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HQANyBwQf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Motohaba is also a narrower at 2.65cm.

Just as an example JuBun Fukuoka-Ichimonji Tachi ubu nagasa 77.1cm and motokasane 0.6 / Sakikasane 0.3 I would take it without a second thought

Double anchor stamp, did We had it already? It’s hard to memorize 23 pages https://www.antique-swords.com/zw52-ww2-Japanese-naval-officers-kai-gunto-gendaito-belts/ Could this blade have been replaced?

beautiful Tachi Oli not unimportant in my opinion, equipped with a beautiful Bohi that is beautiful crafted, with "kaku dome" end finish good luck with your sale!

The habaki didn't fit to the blade. Its not original.

Here is a Yoshimochi just listed on Iida Koendo, formerly of the Walter A. Compton collection: https://iidakoendo.com/16843/ In addition to also being signed and ubu, the listing specifically notes that it has seen very little material lost from polishing, and that the jigane, hamon and boshi remain very bright and healthy. A good contrast to the earlier blade being discussed; sadly the original listing is no longer available to compare the two. Also notice the price compared to the other Yoshimochi (almost ten times the final bid at 33 million yen!). There's also a little note in the listing that explains another reason why the specific branch of the Ichimonji is not listed on Yoshimochi attributions - there's disagreement over whether he counts as Fukuoka Ichimonji or Yoshioka Ichimonji, with sword scholars theorizing that he may have been one of the transitional smiths.

I just wanted to share this unusual sword I just stumbled upon: https://www.samuraishokai.jp/sword/26123.html I have never seen anything like this, thought it might be interesting...

Yes, inspired by the sakabatō ("reverse-blade sword") used by the eponymous protagonist of that series. It's a common build among Chinese and Western katana makers (e.g. https://www.swordcn.com/Sakabato-Katana-Advanced-Version-p1379508.html) but every now and then a Japanese fan will request one from a modern tōshō. Incidentally, the character of Kenshin is loosely based on a real-life historical figure, Kawakami Gensai (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawakami_Gensai) who most definitely did not use a reverse-bladed sword.

Sword museums in Nagoya and Toyama are top grade, TNM in Tokyo has good but small and rarely updated display, and selection at Tokugawa museum in Nagoya is ok. Otherwise it has to be tied to an exhibit. Castles, most historical museums by default have subpar selection. Swords in shrines on display rotate and one might end up watching a blade in zero polish. NBTHK runs exhibits quite often, there are collections like Kurokawa institute of ancient cultures which constantly travel and can be seen somewhere (its a good one). There are many places which have a few interesting pieces like Kasugataisha in Nara, museum of Art Neuveu in Kyoto, but its like three or four pieces of primal interest. To the point I would not normally look online and check "oh, this place has swords, I'll visit". In Nagoya I would go to sword museum, Tokugawa, possibly Atsuta and if one likes castles - travel to Inuyama. Its small but has character. There are clubs which have very strong showings though - kokuho and such.

城州 住 國重 Joshu Ju Kunishige

I believe informational materials, including books, are exempt if properly categorized (HTS 9903.01.31). But I have heard of others having this same problem when Fedex is the carrier. If the package was properly categorized, I’d file a dispute with Fedex. The Supreme Court ruling was as to the IEEPA tariffs, not the tariffs under the US-Japan trade agreement (which probably would not have been in place without the illegal IEEPA tariffs).

Hey all! After reading a few beginner books, I am looking to expand my knowledge into more specific topics of Nihonto and would like to start with Mino (my favorite). If anyone has book recommendations (Preferably in english, but Japanese is also okay) I would be truly grateful. All the best Erik

Thank you @mecox! I somehow overlooked this article. Location would be in Munich, Germany.

We had similar type before. It was described as inspired by Rurouni kenshin anime or sth.] Check this masakatsu

I can't clearly take side here. But I as buyer demand only one thing from seller - exact dimensions. I bought here from many of You guys, from many countries and I had claims only for measurements - and Yes couple cm shorter or nagasa measured from tip to tsuba is an obvious fault. Kizu are easy to miss. I would like to know If this rust spot is only at one side or is this already structural through entire blade. I bought from Mason already, all was good. maybe restoration of original offer would be helpful here? Marcin

Yes, you can see on the zoom: It looks to me as if the habaki is just misaligned, shifted upward too much.

There will be lots to see around various parts of Japan at any given time. I think trying to get most accurate info 1-2 months before trip would be my recommendation. I planned my June trip way ahead of that schedule but when I was planning I didnt know the exact items that I would see at many locations. But now when the exhibitions are ongoing or getting closer to start date many places will put out list of items on display to their website. For me this is very important and I have been able to cut some places out and add some more interesting ones in. Here are for example some interesting things you could see in Nagoya & Kyoto in about 3 weeks. (Unfortunately I will skip Nagoya this year) Nagoya Tōken World will have koshirae special exhibition (their permanent exhibition is most likely largest in the world) https://www.meihaku.jp/event-koshiraeten/ Tokugawa Art Museum will have special NHK exhibition Hideyoshi & Hidenaga https://toyotomi2026.jp/ Atsuta Jingū will have their tachi on display rotation https://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/houmotukan_kusanagi/schedule/index02.html Kyoto Kyoto National Museum will have Kitano Tenjin special exhibition https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/jp/exhibitions/special/2026_kitano/ Kitano Tenmangu will have special exhibition https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/◎sp_exhA401_fr.pdf Honno-ji will have Yamato swords special exhibition https://nihontonobi.jimdosite.com/ As you wrote the timing on exhibitions can be crucial. I know I will miss few amazing ones as I cannot fit everything I want to my schedule as it is just impossible. There can be some very short exhibitions popping up too. For example this summer there is one amazing event bit over 1 week in length popping up in Nara. I just couldn't fit it in as that time I am in other part of country. There are lots of museums and places in Japan that have very interesting swords. I have few places I check when searching information and Brett has been doing amazing job adding things to NMB event calendar.

Ken, in that condition, it will be very difficult even for a professional photographer to show more of the features. The blade would need a professional (= traditional) restoration first. Please do not try this yourself! What can be found online about HIZEN TADAYKI is not much: In the Hizen Tadayoshi lineage, Tadayuki is a historically significant figure during the late Edo period. When the 6th and 7th generations of the main Tadayoshi line passed away prematurely, Tadayuki (a senior disciple) took over the forge, managed the school, and successfully mentored the 8th generation of Tadayoshi (Hachidai Tadayoshi) until he reached adulthood. Notable Characteristics of Tadayuki Blades Steel and Grain: Hizen blades are renowned for their highly refined Jigane (surface steel) and often display Konuka-hada (fine "rice bran" grain). Quench Lines: Tadayuki blades frequently feature elegant notare (wavy) or suguha (straight) temper lines. Signature: Signatures will typically translate to "Sesshu Ju Fujiwara Tadayuki" (for the Osaka lineage) or "Hizen Koku Tadayuki". For a comparison of an authenticated example: https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-tadayuki-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/?srsltid=AfmBOoryBB8LXnS2Kd3kM4r8Eh__2DDliIlbbIU8-jv6KstOCvXelvCq Roger Robertshaw is an expert on HIZEN swords: https://www.hizento.com/author-book-roger-robertshaw-tadayoshi.php I believe he is a member here.

With that many sales listings you would hope for a gold membership to support the forum.....

Sudden resurrection :D Nice T98 with crest. Habaki rising sun pattern. Looks neat. Don't ask for mei it's like 95% fake.

入隊時の中隊長殿（十九年四月一日） - The company commander when he enlisted (1944, 4th month, 1st day). 陸軍中尉　堀米昇殿 – Army lieutenant, Mr. Horigome Noboru

The Toronto Tōken Kai will be hosting a display of Japanese Swords and other items of interest as part of Toronto Doors Open at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre this Saturday and Sunday (May 23 and 24) from 10 am until 5 pm. This event is open to all and is free of charge. Come by and see us! The JCCC is located at 6 Sakura Way in Toronto, Ontario. Take the Wynford Drive exit from the DVP and go west to Sakura Way. Some map software may still list Sakura Way as Garamond Court.

There is an effect, it's the tsuba on the image of the book 😂.

Luke: I agree with Conway that the tanto has likely been mistreated rather than combat damaged. On the issue of historical weight of WW2 objects, some real heartbreaking stories can be read through the Oban Society. This group repatriates yosegaki hinomaru ("writing flags"), which every Japanese soldier carried and were a prized souvenir by allied forces. John C.