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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/14/2021 in all areas

  1. Don't know if I have put this up before, but it's nice enough to see again, An ICHIMONJI MINAMOTO AMAHIDE KORE KITAERU , no date no stamps, that some officer thought enough about to spend a few extra YEN putting in nice mounts. A tan painted saya, with blue Ito handle wrap, and blackened fittings. It is possible the sarute is gold plated.
    6 points
  2. Dear Joe. Don't worry, it's all a bit confusing to start with and we often forget what that feels like. Your blade is a tanto, a blade of less than 30cms from the tip,(kissaki), to the notch on the back where the habaki, (blade collar), sits. It is in a form called hira zukuri which means that the sides are almost flat, usually Japanese swords have a shinogi, a ridge line running along the blade on both sides. The tang, (nakago), has a signature, (mei,) which reads, Soshu no ju Mashiro, that means Masahiro, (the smith's name) living in Soshu, (the name of an area in Japan). The blade is in shirasaya, (plain wooden mounts), and has an integral habaki, (we know that one now). Most swords have a separate metal habaki. Kirill mentions a Soshu like hamon, that's the pattern of the hardened edge which you can see clearly on the one in the link. Swords are a bit like wine, they have regional variations and each maker adds their own flavour to the work He also points out that the mei, is quite possibly a forgery. This is known as gimei and is much more common than we would all like. Many people only collect swords in traditional Japanese polish with certificates of authentication. You have a way to go before we start getting into that but as Kirill also suggests the shape and size of your sword indicates that it might have been made sometime around 1550 to 1600. Go slow, enjoy the journey and keep looking! All the best.
    4 points
  3. It's amazing! After looking at tsuba, somewhat obsessively, for going on 40 years now I was beginning to think perhaps I'd seen most types and designs....and then this pops up And like buses, not just one. It's a brilliant concept, I can just imagine a Samurai putting on his 'drinking tsuba' before going out on the lash on a well earned night off. I need one now, myself. And how about a matching pair of menuki? https://www.aoijapan.com/menuki-mumei-sake-bottle/
    3 points
  4. Simon, I think that is overly harsh. I for one welcome the new organization. I won't let the "antics" of one member cloud my judgement. Let's give them a chance, it's all about education.
    3 points
  5. Thought this was quite interesting.
    3 points
  6. Hello Florida Japanese Sword enthusiasts, Every once and a while a core group of us meets informally to share our treasures, discuss Nihonto, and learn from each other. Saturday, October 23 at 1:00 -4:00 in Vero Beach we'll meet again. I know of a handful of nice swords (Morisuke, Katsumitsu, Kaneshige, Masamitsu..) will be on display as well as some high end iron tsuba and kinko. If you might be interested in attending, please PM me and I can share more details. Best Regards, Mark
    2 points
  7. Michael, Kyushu is a wonderful place. There’s so much European-Japanese history here. I also forgot to add that de Liefde, the ship which William Adams was aboard, washed ashore at Kuroshima, which is an island just off Usuki in Oita. I’ll try to get a couple of cheeky photos for you. Jussi, I’ve attached the lists for the two displays. I agree, koto Bungo-to can be very elegant indeed. A few months back, I was fortunate enough to be permitted to view several early Bungo tachi in a local shrine which were owned by the Otomo clan.
    2 points
  8. Pm sent. Maybe the Yasuaki and the Tadafusa are meant to stay together. MikeR
    2 points
  9. Well thank you very much Thomas, that image is spot on. Having a second look at the spout of most Saké bottles and the other tsuba image I am now inclined to think the spout is supposed to represent a chipped or cracked top - it may well represent getting a bit merry and breaking the bottle? [the hazards of drink?] Yagu or not is really not that important to me I just love the odd shape.
    2 points
  10. Hi Tony, congrats on your new sword. My one issue is the blade itself, appears to have been set upon by an amateur with sandpaper. Other than that it has alot of character for display.
    1 point
  11. This is a more than fair price i wouldn’t go any lower if you can help it brother It’s a tough crowd sometimes but keep the faith.
    1 point
  12. Hi Tony, As soon as possible or even sooner, replace the mekugi. Without a mekugi the blade can fall out of the tsuka and badly damage its kissaki or your foot. Whittle a bamboo chopstick. Grey
    1 point
  13. The fuchi/kashira are traditional symbols of good luck and longevity: pine, bamboo, crane, and turtle. Together with the plum on the tsuba, they would all be considered auspicious symbols. The menuki I am not so sure about; something related to the 7 lucky gods? Or, some kind of Daruma theme? Hopefully someone will pitch in with a proper answer.
    1 point
  14. Yes, autocorrect to blame. Thanks Mark.
    1 point
  15. Nanbu Fujiwara Kanenori tsukuru EDIT: Autocorrect error above. Should have read Kanemori.
    1 point
  16. Lol for the same reason you havent...and I. 😆 😂 Broke or other commitments.
    1 point
  17. Man your collection is exquisite Neil
    1 point
  18. Matching menuki would be not only great but I would think very rare! But I have blown all my budget on the tsuba! I think you are right Ford they all come at once - I wish they would pace themselves a bit better. [we need a crying emoji!]
    1 point
  19. Looks like no shortage of fat guys on the bottle - sounds familiar!
    1 point
  20. I recently had my blade shipped from Wisconsin USA to Sydney Australia with EMS USPS EXPRESS . Costs extra though
    1 point
  21. Dale ー I believe you are right ー Daikoku and a sake bottle. Lots of images out there apparently though first time I am seeing a tsuba. I agree no relation to Yagyu, sorry cannot help to place it or the auction house... -t
    1 point
  22. As the above samples, they are mostly made in "sheet brass", if I remember correctly.
    1 point
  23. Dear Joe. Yes, this is a real Japanese tanto. It is in shirasaya, the usual way of keeping a blade when it is out of it's mounts. It is signed Soshu ju Masahiro which is a well known name. However many forgeries exist in that a blade by someone else might well have a famous name added. Soshu swords are highly prized and yours has seen the passing of some years judging by the very much reduced shape just above the nakago or tang. It might easily be several hundred years old. You can compare it to another example here and note the differences. http://sanmei.com/contents/media/A24639_W3214C_PUP_E.html Do nothing to this at the moment except a little light oil and don't clean anything. For what you paid this was an absolute bargain and it might be your introduction to the wonderful world of Japanese swords. Congratulations! All the best.
    1 point
  24. I found another one, serial 695 with no inspection mark. Help with inherited Sword The picture is out of focus but maybe 阪 2205? WW2 Japanese Katana Mystery Additional pictures of 阪 3490. Nagamitsu For Sale
    1 point
  25. Dear Old Friend, Stephen, ... UPS is VERY expensive in Canada. Hell EVERYTHING is expensive in Canada. Our Postal System is on the rocks, our Medical System is on the rocks, our Transportation System is on the rocks, our Governments ( Federal, Provincial, and Municipal ) are on the rocks ( and have been for years ), our IMMIGRATION System is on the rocks, our Education System is on the rocks ( although still better than American ), our Currency is on the rocks, our Climate is on the rocks, my Sex Life is ( almost on the rocks ... I am 74, so I have an excuse ). Our Judicial System is on the rocks. One can trace ALL this trouble back to one common denominator ( BUREAUCRATS .. paper pushers who produce nothing, and whose sole purpose in life is to make someone else's life DIFFICULT !
    1 point
  26. as I say, anyone can start any organization with a friend. but the professional is definitely not. just pulling money out of stupid people. which, and where did they pass the examination authorizing the issuance of opinions?
    1 point
  27. Just a few more pics. I think I'm at a point where it will now have to wait for a professional oneday. But it's all stable. I think these pics came out ok to show how nicely the maker used the horimono to represent the bo hi and soe hi.
    1 point
  28. KATO JUMYO made some nice traditionally made Gendai swords. One of mine with the mei, KATO JUMYO, and probably a special order, with a poem by Rai San'Yo . Rough translation ... "Even when you are in the deepest swamp, you are obliged to your country". In '98 mounts. Nice hada and hamon.
    1 point
  29. Ah! It's the "year" kanji. I thought so, but I'm not used to seeing that on a Mantetsu. But there's not much "normal" about this nakago anyway!
    1 point
  30. 昭和己卯年(Showa 14),1939.No season on this one.
    1 point
  31. For this exceptional, godly project creator, he is the only one, unique, the best, the wisest, the most capable, the best of the best .............. the best of the best ...... sorry , it was already ........ you already know the rest
    1 point
  32. The most silly thing is that they took over the wannabe "evaluation documents" . In fact, you can make your own. Isn't that nice ?
    1 point
  33. @3rd Wave It is hard for me to tell from the pictures, but is the scabbard painted black? Also, is the scabbard matching to the blade serial number?
    1 point
  34. Nice 95, Thomas. Get a nice uchiko kit and some 90% alcohol and that blade will start looking better.
    1 point
  35. Welcome Thomas Thanks for the nice intro and background story. Did your Dad actually have a type 95 or was it the type 98? The one you have shown would have been made by the sub contractor Kobe for the Tokyo Arsenal and would have used the earlier logo of a 'K' in a cherry blossom. The Steel collar did not lend itself well to Stampings like the Copper ones , so it is rare to see any on these. Here's a pic of what yours could have looked like if it didn't use the steel fitting.
    1 point
  36. Mario, Have you heard of online translators? Here's one I like: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=dutch+to+english&atb=v275-1&ia=web I am posting on a Russian sword forum, and I use it a lot. I don't expect the Russians to read my English, I translate first.
    1 point
  37. An EMURA in black Saya.
    1 point
  38. I had an opportunity to visit my local mentor again last weekend. This is one of the swords he showed me. He recently received it back from Japan where it was papered. I really enjoyed holding this sword and seeing the beauty of it close-up!
    1 point
  39. Mint naval kyu Gunto , Shinto blade
    1 point
  40. Beautiful rare Shin Shinto long Katana with Name "Mikazuki Maru" made by Etchu no kuni Takagawa kore o tsukuru Naritomo dated Genji gannen hachigatsu kichijitsu (Aug. 1864Jh)
    1 point
  41. There are no other markings. A delicate hamon is présent.
    1 point
  42. Thank you so much, Mike! Looking forward to perusing these
    1 point
  43. As always, a beauty, Neil! And in one gunto, it has items for three files - Showa stamped blade, Dot on Nakago, and Patented sayajiri. Thanks!
    1 point
  44. 1 point
  45. Well, Hamfish, 96 people looked at this post and you were the only one who said anything. I am not sure that this is worth the valuable time and space of the NMB, but... This looks like a USN dress sword The blade is "engraved" withe the name of an officer who entered service in 1942 and retired as a Lt Commander. The sword must be post WWII, Korean vintage mebbe. The blade is very nice, with the scabbard leather not at all good, but it looks like the handle is wrap with real same. I think the role and importance of Inami Hakusui is not fully appreciated, His 1948 book was very important as a guide and encouragement for lots of GI's. The fact that his company also got in the sword business AFTER the War is further evidence that he was a player. I can't see very much "nipponto" in this sword, but it is possible that his business provided support for some of the Wartime sword craftsmen. And the crest on the blade featured a bit of Kanji! Peter
    1 point
  46. Submitting a sword to shinsa, that has the older paper! Could the blade be entered without giving sight of the old paper? Would that be an advantage or a disadvantage? Would the panel if it had the paper, decide its job was only to approve or disapprove the attribution?. Or conversely without previous information treat the blade to a more comprehensive examination?. Denis.
    1 point
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