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  1. Stephen, Excellent endeavour and thank you! These photos are much better to grasp what this is about (even if we cannot see the detail of the sword). It looks like a great and precious package - the koshirae itself seems very elegant and precious and the sword per these records belonged to the renowned Matsudaira family. So, what a great provenance! Brian commented about gimei; however, the sword is not signed with a Masamune mei chiselled by the smith, so cannot be gimei in that sense. It has an attribution mei by a Honami. Well, it is a different matter if the Honami over-appraised a nice Soshu blade (eg a Shizu etc) as a Masamune…Thorough, in-hand inspection could shed some light (eg, elegance and finesse of the hada, presence of chikei and type of chikei, the vibrancy of kinsuji, sunagashi and inazuma). For those who have a chance to view it in person and take a look at the nakago, below is an excerpt from M Sesko’s Honami book about this particular Honami, Kokyu; please take a look and compare the mei. Again - kudos to Stephen for digging deeper.
    5 points
  2. So, Brian, what I have heard from some experienced sources is that the NBTHK could still paper something but on the setsumei they will say they disagree with the attribution. For example, here below with the Sa blade the Honami attributed it to Sa, meaning O-Sa, but the NBTHK Shinsa in the setsumei said ‘definitely not O-Sa’ and gave it to Sue Sa. on the front, in brackets they say “後代”, which means later generation, ie Sue Sa. Below with the Masamune blade, they papered it but: - on the front they say “to kinzogan mei ga aru”, which means “there is a gold inlay signature”, and generally this could be a red flag (NB this is an advanced topic as such a “to mei……” attribution might disappear from Juyo to TokuJu) - on the back, in the setsumei they say it is definitely a high-end Soshu blade - they go as far as to say the blade looks more like Sadamune and could not go as far as attributing it to Masamune Now, the above are rare instances but comprise an excellent learning resource. However, in most cases, especially if the Honami is very reputable, they will uphold it.
    4 points
  3. In case im not around later his contact info. When they do open later i may plan a trip to the museum. I would welcome anyone in the area to accompany me but remember we can only look we can't touch. Good Evening Mr. Christianson, Attached below is some of the information you asked about during our telephone conversation. Once we get back into the Library on a regular basis, I can look into photographing the tang and getting a better image of the hamon. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. Kind regards, John Miller Museum Registrar Harry S. Truman Presidential Library 500 W. US Highway 24 Independence, MO 64050-1798 816-268-8204
    4 points
  4. For me, I couldn't part with my gunto that was giving to Flight Engineer 2/Lt Willam Warburton from Flying tiger by the Chinese Communist new 4th army 4th division, which saves him from the Japanese army. Warburton was on B29 from 40th Bomb Group plane #237. It was shot down on November 11, 1944, on the mission to bombing target in Nanking.It's no a pretty sword but the story behind it is priceless. The group photo is NOT 2/Lt Willam's crew but other flying tiger pilots rescued by N4A.
    4 points
  5. A Mr John Miller was kind enough to respond to my inquiry. recived this just now. More to come when they open back up, he promised a nakago shot. Photograph and Digital Image © Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum Object Name: Sword Classification: T & E for Science and Technology-Armament - Edged Maker: Masamune Date Label: circa 1291 Medium: (a-d) hand wrought steel; bronze; gold; lacquered wood; cloth (e) wood Description: (a-b) Japanese short sword (wakizashi) made by Masamune of Kamakura circa 1291 A.D. Blade is in formal mounts with a simple, black lacquered scabbard (saya). The tang has gold inlay characters which indicate the sword was authenticated by the Zoganmei of Kokyu (Tadaoki) circa 1774-1789. The hilt (tsuka) is wrapped with black braid and is fitted with matching "tsuba, fuchi, kashira and menuki" made by Kamada Joju in the late Edo period. The "kurigata" on the scabbard are by the same maker. These fittings have a deep black, pebbled finish and are decorated with gold chrysanthemums, each encircled by three butterflies. The (c) small utility knife (kozuka) and (d) skewer (kogai) carried in the scabbard are of equal quality with a brushed gold uttori surface and raised gold fans for design. Both are signed by Sonobe Yoshihide. The kozuka blade is signed by the early 19th century swordsmith, Sukemori, Bizen Osafune. (e) Stand for displaying sword and scabbard in a horizontal position is made of brown stained and lacquered wood. Note: See also (#163 a-b) "White Scabbard" specifically made for shipping the Masamune short sword (#568 a-d). This wooden shipping scabbard is described in the original correspondence sent by (donor information removed) to General Walter Krueger in 1946. Dimensions: Overall: 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm) Overall: 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm) Overall: 29 in. (73.7 cm) Historical Attributions: History: This sword was presented to President Truman on March 4, 1946 in the Oval Office of the White House by General Walter Krueger. Krueger served as Commanding General of the U.S. 6th Army occupation forces in Japan and originally received the sword as a gift from (donor information removed). The sword, recorded by the Himeji Occupational Force, was originally acquired from Viscount Matsudaira of Tokyo. Matsudaira was a descendant of Matsudaira Idzu-No-Kami, a Feudal Lord. The sword itself was made by Masamune of Kamakura circa 1291 A.D. It is a short sword (wakizashi) with an overall length of 29 inches in its scabbard (saya). The scabbard was restored by Kiyoharu Omino in 1975. The tsuba, fuchi, kashira, menuki and kurigata were made in the late Edo period by Kamada Joju. The kozuka and kogai are attributed to Sonobe Yoshihide and the kozuka blade is signed by Sukemori, Bizen Osafune (circa 1800).
    3 points
  6. For me its my katana made by Shigetsugu in 1938
    3 points
  7. Draw on powerless the outline of the blade. Send the cutout to the person who owns the saya. If he removes the screws holding the koiguchi (end cap), he can gently pull the wood insert out. The two halves usually come apart easily. He then can try to see it the fit is close. Some owners would not do this with their saya. Here is a more modern option. Get a 3D print of the blade and send that to him to try it out.
    2 points
  8. Copper wool is much softer than steel wool. It is softer than the steel you are cleaning, yet harder than the dirt it's meant to remove. I don't know it's affect on bluing, if the blade was blued, maybe one of the guys knowledgeable about that can comment.
    2 points
  9. Thank you Moriyama for correcting the reading. I think very little features can be seen on the pictures and trying to identify based on them would be incredibly difficult. The signatures have good pictures and they can be the start of conversation. I feel we have been getting nice discussion in this thread overall, and I feel it is nice for the forum in general. We haven't even yet really touched on the koshirae (fittings) yet. That will be an interesting subject too as it is paired and themed koshirae. Maybe because of the current situation as I haven't seen swords live in long long time, I feel there are many very interesting items for researching popping up lately in the forum.
    2 points
  10. I think the first three are 傅駿州 - den Sunshū (Suruga province) and followed by Shimada Yoshisuke. NTHK tends to always use den in their attributions for mumei swords.
    2 points
  11. Dale, I has the exact same experience with having to contact one of the "Japanese ebay seller crew" to let him know that the tsuba he had listed was already in my possession. The best part was he had made me a private offer with a "reduced price". I said "thanks and told him he'd have a hard time selling me something I already owned" and sent him a picture of the tsuba on top of that day's newspaper. Couldn't resist It really feels like there's some sort of organized consortium of tsuba peddlers using the "three price strategy" on ebay. It really is frustrating...
    2 points
  12. I think the design on the fuchi/kashira is "Bukan" (Fenggan in Chinese), who was a buddhist monk that is said to have tamed tigers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenggan You probably already know the bug is a cicada. Very common in Japan, and associated with summer. For what its worth, I think the ensemble is probably Meiji, and may have been assembled to appeal to the export market. The sword is early Edo. The fuchi/kashira is probably Edo as well. The cicada menuki...they look a bit big and not so refined, and for this reason they feel like Meiji works. The odd buddha kojiri also feels like a Meji addition. The tsuba is maybe iron cast from a mold?
    2 points
  13. I must be getting old (in fact I certainly am old) but it is disturbing to see posts that become personal or unpleasant. Playful is fun but aggressive isn't pretty to see or read. Just my thoughts. Roger j
    2 points
  14. That would be it! Either way, I can’t see anything that would cause me concern.
    2 points
  15. Not too long ago I lost an auction on a naked RJT Seki smith blade on Ebay. The seller told me the winner was SHOWA22 (he knew him). One week later, the RJT blade was totally refited in Type 98 koshirae, nakago cleaned, blade acid cleaned and up for sale at SHOWA 22 Ebay's store. I was double pissed off for having lost the auction and to see what he did with the nice blade after.
    2 points
  16. I'm back from a lengthy trip. Sorry for the delay. Here's more pictures. I can't get a good image of the hamon. I understand how to do it. I've had 100% failure on getting any image that shows anything. I'm sorry. There is no combination of light source and skill here that will yield one. Two members here have called dibs on this one. Mor information is appreciated. I see additional material scarf welded to the tang behind the mei.
    2 points
  17. A special order Tomita Sukehiro made in 1944 for Mr. Nishisaka Takashi in shirasaya and shingunto mounts.
    2 points
  18. I'm home now after my first sword show at the San Francisco Token-Kai. I had an incredible time, learned so much, made a few purchases, met some great people, and can't wait to attend another show. For those that missed it, here's a few photos and a video I took of the event. My camera is just an older iPhone, so I imagine there are better photos out there, but here's what I've got. Me up and ready bright and early for the day. My wife tagged along for the morning, but I was left free rein for the afternoon I went back and looked at this BEAUTIFUL sword several times. A Hizento by the second generation, the owner had just completed a daisho by the first generation Tadayoshi and was selling this example from the same school: One of the best attendees was this little friend: A MASSIVE o-dachi: A Yoroi-dōshi (edited for spelling, thanks Piers D!). I had been hoping to see one! Ha ha ha, I'm not quite sure about the science here, but a great way to build community, and the dealer was incredibly nice! Very few kyu gunto present. I had been hoping to study more, but honestly, I think there were perhaps 3 total. Of course, I was foolish and didn't get a good photo of this display, which was several Juyo works, and the most expensive was $175,000. Beautiful!!
    1 point
  19. If the length and sori fit the outer shell, and the liner can be removed, you can shave what you need for your blade, once you get the saya. However, in my attempt to remove the liners from all my saya for cleaning, I've found about half that I could not get out. Don't know why or how their stuck, but some of them are.
    1 point
  20. Two more Tōkyō 1st Army Arsenal swords to report, serial numbers 105 and 218. Serial number 105 looks to have two star stamps. Special thanks to @Jim Manley and @Bencld for providing the information linked to below. Kuniie’s
    1 point
  21. Only use rice glue. You can order Nori brand rice glue very cheaply. It is uniform and very easy to use. Make sure you poplar is bone dry. Namikawa Hibei honoki is dried for 10 years as I recall.
    1 point
  22. Need more info. The first three are normally a name, or part of a given name: Jibei The last is normally part of a rank or title ~丞 (~no jō). Japanese is a language for which context can completely change the meaning of the text, so it really depends on what comes before it - but it looks like "name + title".
    1 point
  23. No offense taken, but I based my pricing off of recent GunBroker sales. This one sold for 150$ in very good condition. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/902841541 This one sold for 82$ in similar condition(but cleaned) to OP https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906021364 I could see 300$ for a type 30 bayonet if it was a Toyoda Loom in excellent condition but not a Mukden blade unless it was being sold by a retailer then prices don't matter. I don't think you did bad, I just don't think you got a deal. Side note: Mukden arsenal was not technically a real arsenal and it wasn't even located in Japan but in China, Manchuria
    1 point
  24. With all respect to Marc, I believe his personal valuation is significantly lower than market price. That is his subjective opinion of value to him so it isn't wrong by any means. I believe you did well with the price. This is a nice bayonet. A little love and attention as detailed above will go a long way.
    1 point
  25. First off, that Menuki is also winking. It has plans.... I've noticed that there are way too many seller accounts that are sometimes even up to 8 years or older with thousands of reviews that do nothing but list items from other dealers, both current and old listings. They especially seem to be in Japanese antiques, yoroi and things of the like. They don't really seem around as much in the nihonto listings with the "antique Japanese swords" search. But these sellers somehow stay around for a long time without getting shut down. I've "told on them" to ebay and other sellers whose listings they've duplicated to no avail. I've picked up on a few telltale signs, biggest/most obvious of which is all the items listed are presented differently on different backgrounds/surfaces/lighting etc...
    1 point
  26. I wouldn't use any sand paper, only bronze wool or a rag and oil. Nothing else! You'll know when it's enough when there is no longer improvement. It takes time, don't think of it as polishing but just cleaning
    1 point
  27. Infinite, description says Fujiwara Morimichi circa Kanbun 1661. Here is a pic of the Hozon paper.
    1 point
  28. I had to use Microsoft Edge browser to view the webpage and it took awhile to load. Upon downloading the pictures, there is no star stamp.
    1 point
  29. Roger, i wont honor a response, hes digging his own hole. Thank you for yours
    1 point
  30. Couple closer shots of its parts and one blade pic just to make this post possibly more useful to someone down the line.
    1 point
  31. Not to put words in your mouth John but did you mean wear from the tsuba above the habaki? Thanks for sharing Ken. All the best.
    1 point
  32. this is modern junk, with some extra parts slapped on it to fool peaple. what pisses me off, is peaple keep trying to comfirm this as a genuine ww2 relic. there is no real age or patina to the steel or evan the tang to indicate this EVER spend a year in the tropics. the same hasnt evan sent onto the handle. no sign of mekugi holes or placement. the idea of them getting Japanese parts, and fill in the gapes with 'SO CALLED" island parts. pffft please. these are at every gunshow in town prior to covid. FAKE FAKE FAKE.
    1 point
  33. I posted the first draft over at WRF. Any comments or corrections welcomed on this end. Attention Mantetsu Owners: A Survey/Study, Post #84
    1 point
  34. Thank you Sir. I only have a mobile phone to take photos and it can be hit and miss. This is a video of it and it shows the blade in pretty decent detail. The sarute looks rough but is made from the same brass as the rivit and I believe is shop made. Anyways, if you would like further close ups of anything let me know. This phone seems to upload to the forum much better than my old one did. Tim Blackburne
    1 point
  35. Here is the response to a letter of inquiry that I sent in 2019: *** Hello, Thank you for your interest in the collections at the Truman Presidential Library and Museum. We do have a Masamune sword in the collection. Unfortunately, it is not currently on display. You can schedule a viewing of the sword between 9am and 3pm Monday-Friday. Please give me two days notice and let me know how many people will be in your party. I'm afraid you will not be allowed to touch the sword. Attached below is some information you might find interesting about the sword in the Library's museum collection. Kind regards, John Miller Museum Registrar Harry S. Truman Presidential Library 500 W. US Highway 24 Independence, MO 64050-1798 816-268-8204 *** Dan K
    1 point
  36. Congratulations on your new purchases and thank you for sharing MikeR
    1 point
  37. Definitely, this is very high-end formal Daimyo koshirae. As to the sword, the photos are not detailed enough to say anything. But I think I heard that it was suriage (in response to Jacques valid comment)
    1 point
  38. In any case very nice Koshirae.
    1 point
  39. Must be this sword. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photograph-records/64-131 I have heard from friends having seen it that it is indeed high-end Soshu. I hope it is better handled and cared for these days than back when the general had it.
    1 point
  40. I believe the sayagaki puts this towards Nōshū Seki jū Kanemichi - 濃州関住兼道 and dates this sword around Eiroku 永禄 (1558-1570). Thanks for posting this and it seems like a very nice sword. It is always very fun to participate in these and it gives a reason to tackle books.
    1 point
  41. Johan, the straight , komaru boshi is likely at best Shinto (the straight hamon line in the kissaki). Another indication is that there is plenty of boshi (also on the balance of things, more likely Shinto) as there is simply too much of it. Kissaki usually gets chipped, reworked, boshi decreases etc. Here you have too much boshi, ceteris paribus. Furthermore, as Thomas said, the relatively straight, almost stick-like but not overly long (65-69cm) also normally indicates Kanbun. That shape is the most widely recognised on average, after the Koto koshizori of Bizen. Please do not overrely on existing sugata to tell the age of a sword. A lot of fakers rely on exactly that approach to pass off forgeries with multiple ana or “artificially shortened” (while in fact ubu) nakago. Sugata is useful when you have a definitely ubu nakago or a nakago with a genuine mei, even if overall shortened, so that you can estimate what the original sugata was like. So, by all means look at the sugata first as the books say, but then consider the hada (old hada tends to have a distinct, intricate look, irregularity in its own charming way) and boshi and kasane (how frequently polished the sword has been especially vis-à-vis the nakago). Also, in the Shinto shinogi, the hada also was often masame (albeit not always).
    1 point
  42. Johan - I think you have the answer already - it is Shinto, so between 1600 and 1868 - the shallow sori suggests Kanbun so 1640 to 1680, could be later but not earlier... -t
    1 point
  43. Thomas, to you my sincere thanks. I would wholeheartedly agree to your notion as you expressed it: "If shape/era are the only questions, you have provided us with enough information." I think it best if I confine my questions to shape/era, and get what information I can from the contribution of all you knowledgeable guys out there! So please, what can be said about the shape/era of my katana sword? (Look, I know I'm doting on this sword of mine, like a proud dad over his rather unattractive baby, but with my pensioner budget, this is the only Nihonto katana I possess. I have not even séén another nihonto katana in my 75 years, outside of pictures. That is how isolated I am here in my coastal town. I realise the energy I'm spending on this sword is wasted (in a sense). But this is the only one I have to enthuse over.) Thanks, guys. Please let your info to me be forthcoming! Johan
    1 point
  44. Hi all. Lovely swords. My brother has a nobutake. Star stamped and the number 105.
    1 point
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