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Happy New year folks! Here is a project of mine that I think some might enjoy. This PDF should have all sword related National Treasures (Kokuhō - 122 items), Important Cultural Properties (Jūyō Bunkazai - 792 Items) and former designation Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin - 1096 items + 5 EX blades). I have written all of the names in Latin alphabets but I have always included all of the kanji, so you will find lots of signatures in this one. There can be an error or two in the mix as I wrote all of them in by hand and there are thousands of characters to type in. However while doing so I got to check for errors like if years actually are correct, etc. So I kinda did checkup at the same time. There should be 137 Named swords - for which I used term Meitō in this index. There are probably some more in there but for these I have 100% confirmity as I have them in reputable books or online sources from Japan, as well I have the Japanese characters to all of these named swords. How does this work. Well you have 86 pages of swords & items indexed. At first it might seem that there is logic and there is not. First we start with National Tresures, followed by Important Cultural Properties and last the Important Art Objects. This part is logical but the actual placement of items in first two categories are not. As you can see the number in front and you will most likely wonder what it is, here is the explanation for that. I have checked all my data entries to database of Agency for Cultural Affairs. You can find the said database in HERE. They have assigned a number to each item, and I have gone through all the items in crafts section and added them in number by number to make sure there are no duplicates in. The database is only for current designations and as a former category Jūyō Bijutsuhin items are not featured. However I have the old set of books that feature all of the sword related Jūyō Bijutsuhin items, and I have typed them in numerically as they appear in the books. Just note that this is just an index. However you can find some info per item from the database I linked above. Likewise I should have extra information for I guess at least 90% of the swords. But this is just an index and I do have some far superior work in progress to this going on for multiple years. The format is very simple and this should be extremely easy to use. Item number - Item type - Maker - Signature. Few notes, I did not transliterate fitting or koshirae themes as I didn't feel I would get them correct, similarily I didn't type in kinzōgan or kiritsuke mei etc. However for those that I have the data I typed in the kanji so items that you might find interesting you can use the kanji. Same goes for long signatures on the swords. The format is simple, there is just maker and possible year. Signatures are typed in kanji so you can research more on your own. Check it out and I hope it is a fun one, might be totally boring to some. Kokuho & Bunkazai Index.pdf

Welcome to Nihonto Australia's Nihonto Message Board page. To those of you who I haven’t yet had the pleasure to meet or discuss Japanese swords with my name is John Grasso. Here I thought that I would briefly introduce myself, Nihonto Australia and Samurai Gallery Australia. After studying and collecting Japanese swords for over 15 years I launched what would become the first version of Nihonto Australia in 2006. At the time Nihonto Australia was one of the first Australian websites totally dedicated to Japanese swords and their related artefacts. Now after having collected Japanese swords for over 30 years I still find the subject fascinating and enjoy sharing my passion with other collectors and enthusiasts in Australia and across the globe. In 2014, I opened Samurai Gallery Australia to further continue sharing my passion for the subject. Samurai Gallery Australia is a gallery located in Cairns, dedicated to all aspects of historical Japanese works of art and particularly Samurai swords, armour and artefacts. I travel to Japan frequently in order to further my study and knowledge in Japanese swords. This regular travel gives me the opportunity to acquire special pieces for my clients as well as my gallery in Cairns. Many of my clients have now built expansive, wonderful collections of specifically hand-picked swords and artefacts. If you are looking for a special piece for your collection, as a gift or to exhibit in a museum or art gallery I can assist you to make the right decision in acquiring the perfect work of art. We are members of the the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai or Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords), the Great Britain Token Society, the Australian Society for the preservation of Japanese art swords and the Australian Heritage and Arms Society. We are always looking to purchase high quality Japanese Swords, Artefacts and Artworks. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in any of our Japanese Swords or Artefacts. If you’re ever in Cairns, Australia don’t forget to stop by Samurai Gallery Australia to see our collection. We take bookings by appointment. John Grasso https://nihonto.com.au/

Shared this on FB and forgot to post here before the busy weekend, my apologies, enjoy! Acquired this katana by Enomoto Sadayoshi(Mukansa) this past spring but has been in Japan until now for fresh shirasaya before having the honor to receive sayagaki by Tanobe. With a 74.2cm nagasa this blade was commissioned in 1986 for iaido master Sekiguchi to his exact specifications and was also a commemoration for ascending to 7th dan. Enomoto Sadayoshi (1908-2000) began his studies under Gassan Sadakatsu becoming one of the most prolific and active smiths of the century later receiving Mukansa. He worked in the styles of Soshu Den, Yamato Den and Gassan Den. Due to attachment limitations il attach a couple teasers, the rest can be found at the link below: https://imgur.com/gallery/YH8Pbls

Hello, of course I know that this is the sword of Matsuba Kunimasa I bought it 5 years ago in Japan. Unfortunately, I just don't know Japanese and I'm interested in what I wrote on Saya. Regards Jiri

It certainly reminded me of that earlier one, Bruce. Better stamps and more true, but still the same issues we see in almost all of the fake 95s. The patina is the typical hurried affair and sloppy too. Which I'm quite grateful for, honestly. I don't like the idea that one day my historical swords will be indistinguishable from some cheap crap thrown out of a factory that day. I don't think the patina is something that they will ever get right though. Copied the pictures because I like to consolidate them in one thread.

$2500 for a decent wakizashi should be do-able. maybe even papered and in polish. Post a WTB in that section and also check out some of our featured dealers and also sellers in the For Sale section. For a little bit more, look at this: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/34319-sweet-wakizashi-by-yokoyama-sukekane/

Hello All, This katana is made by Izumi Dai jo Masamitsu Edo period. He was a Shin Shinto blacksmith from Aki today Hiroshima province (correct me if I am wrong) I want comments about the blacksmith and the sword. Was he a famous blacksmith or a moderate blacksmith What can one appreciate the value of this sword (on the pictures only). Old polishing but in good condition. Grateful for any answers. // Robert

I wouldn't worry about damaging the habaki, Steve, as it's the least of your worries. It looks like the wakizashi was put away while it was still wet, because there's a lot more rust than I'd expect, otherwise. I would learn what you can from the blade, & not worry about trying to restore it. Welcome to NMB.

It was not uncommon for blades to be made as gifts for the imperial household, but a lot of those blades never even got to the emperor's hands. This one appears to have all the correct paperwork and provenance, but with anything asking for so much money, a lot of research is merited. $70,000 might be a steal... or more likely, just insane.. I think this blade has been floating around for awhile on eBay. I would avoid out of principle. You're really buying the provenance here.. which can always be falsified. But I am no expert in the subject, that price alone is pretty scary.

If find if difficult to have no visible prices

Thanks to all for your comments. It seems reasonable to accept that many members see a certain hataraki in different ways, and are inclined to describe it with some 'variation'. This is Fine with me...it means I can see and describe hataraki 'my' way. So, for me, my blade has sunagashi. Great. Regards to all,

Beginning the new year with the latest version of the Stamps Document, v. 7.3. I'm starting to feel like it's final phase. Barring any major new discoveries, or uncovering some of the "unknowns", we've all hit this pretty good, and I want to thank everyone who has participated in creating it. 7.3 includes some grammatical fixes, a couple of added kakihan, and a small intro to "Kamon (Family Crests) on blades" with 2 examples. My favorite update is the discovery by Thomas (Kiipu) with an assist by Nick Komiya of a probable shop name for a navy dirk that has a Tosho script kanji on the guard. Tohso mei are also seen on flags as shrine stamps. I've recently seen the Emperor's stamp, and it was written in Tosho script. Thomas found a shop named "Echizen’ya Tazaki Shōten" whose first kanji "越 is pretty darn close, close enough to list it as "likely". That discussion can be found HERE at Warrelics. Another Buddhist "flaming jewel" was added, for a total of 3. Two are on Kanemune and Amahide blades, which is significant because Kanemune worked for Amahide at his forge (thanks Mal Cox!). So this mark could be something they did, rather than something requested by a customer, or at least an "option" offered by the forge to customers. on a Amahide blade 7.3 can be found HERE

I see a lot of NCO swords popping up on Facebook militaria forums and folks tell the owner to examine tang for signatures .... !! Goodness . (Nice copper BTW!)

I created an album under Fake Japanese Swords, called Fake NCO Swords. Anyone with Gold Status can upload images and use the comment section to describe what we are looking for in the pic. Suggest using it sparingly, to highlight some of the most important indicators of fakes.

Hi Robert, hope this will help.. https://to-ken.uk/onewebmedia/Reg Masamitsu.pdf Best

Cross-posting is to be expected, as many use one or the other platform. I've seen something similar on my bids, Bruno, but not as far apart as yours, & always in Euro.

Not very often we get to see one with the tsuka off. This one - NCO shin gunto fake? - shows the ignorance of the fakers. All that trouble to get a better copy of a Type 95 and they put junk kanji on the nakago! I noticed the "TO" inspector marks reminded me of one of the examples earlier in this thread, so I compared them. Very similar. The Kokura cannon balls are different, but similar Suya and TO.

i lived in Toronto when i was young. You are fortunate there is a active group there. Maybe Barry H can let you know when things open up

Hi all, Please see the URL link to Nihonto Australia and Samurai Gallery Australia below. Nihonto Australia: https://nihonto.com.au/ I can also be reached at info@nihonto.com.au and 0417 642 921. If you are visiting Cairns please contact me to see our permanent collection at Samurai Gallery Australia. John Grasso

where are you located in CA? There are some groups north of the border and a number of NMB members. Maybe some opportunity to meet (after covid)?

Sage advice Sham!

Ha ha! Do you have now gone through all three choices that I was considering too!

Thanks Uwe for clarifying that. There is a third mon on the scabbard which I will try to get a shot of. Roger j

I narrow my search to North America and Europe. That takes it from 5000 items to about 500. Too many arbitragers and dealer posts from Japan listing large amounts of rusty junk, or cross posting things from Yahoo!Japan.

It looks like 濃州住良光鍛之

Bruce His sword made by 藤原兼直(Fujiwara Kanenao) instead of 石原兼直(Ishihara Kanenao)

Listen to the people here, steer well clear of that collectors advice and you'll do well!

Perhaps "Noshu ju Toshmitsu Kitau kore." Dave M.

Hopefully a someone will get this for you, but I'm leaning toward 敏光 (Toshimitsu) The mei style is different, but seems to be the same name. During the war, there were often more than one guy using the same name.

There is no signature on the tang of the NCO sword.

Brian, Sorry. I did see your advice above, but I put this here for a reason. No one has mentioned it before, but to me this photo of Andi's illustrates hotsureba (a hamon in its own right) rather than sunagashi.(a feature additional to a hamon proper). BaZZa.

Probably well discussed already, but I wanted to give a positive update on a tsuba that was shipped to me from Tokyo on December 28 via Fedex. It arrived here in the US (Florida) in 3 days, just an hour past it's estimated arrival time. Here are some helpful hints: 1. Be sure your contact info (phone, or email) is on the shipping address. Fed ex used it to contact me ahead of arrival at customs. 2. If merchandise value is above $2500. Fedex will ask you to complete a CPD 5106 document with your EIN or SS# - a registration via docusign. 3. Although the seller had stated "antique over 100 years old" Fedex has an Antiques Declaration Form" asking for a). a "circa" i.e. 17th c... and b). whether for resale or personal use. They also ask for confirmation of material (to make sure no ray skin, ivory...). Otherwise it's off to the Dept. of Wildlife at a big cost (A friend was billed $165. upon arrival for his tsuka examination) 4. Once Fedex has your email or phone they communicate fast, and have 24/7 communications in place to back up their agents' schedule. 5. Fedex had text'd me delivery updates, eliminating the need for me to inquiry tracking. There you have it. You have to be prompt in your response as once Fedex contacts you as your item is less than 24 hours away from US customs, and Fedex's goal is to pre clear your item. I also can confirm that this fast shipping was not an anomaly. A friend has confirmed similar lead times. BTW I understand that Fedex will not ship swords out of Japan, and UPS has had a number of cost and delivery issues. Best, Mark

Buy a lighter blade.

Become quite the grave digger Bruce...lol