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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/04/2022 in all areas

  1. Hi my dear friends, First of all, I want to express my most sincere wishes and a Happy New Year to you all and your families. I know this should be in another section so Brian, please feel free to move it if you feel like it, but I posted it here because some members have contacted me and I want to reach most of them. Not sure they all go to the Izakaya. Then I guess I owe you guys an explanation and an apology for my silence those past few months. I’ve wanted to do that for quite some time but it isn’t always easy to expose your issues in front of everyone, and I know some of you may find those issues triffle or first world problems. Anyway, here’s what has happened to me since my absence. First of all, let me tell you that I’m an animal lover… maybe a little too much ! For years, I have been doing the job of a shelter for distressed cats without help or financing. At some point, I had more than 30 cats. Costly and tiring. That’s roughly three hours of work in addition to my full time job everyday. Those animals I recover are usually starving, some of them sick, all of them scared by very difficult beginnings. I’m used to have animals that don’t live long because of that. I loose some every year. Everytime, its a tragedy for me but I’ve developped some endurance to it. This year was special. I lost ten of them in a row over the space of two months. Causes of death were different but I think that the last straw was probably the last one who was litteraly and voluntarily crushed to pulp by a car and the driver purposefully drove over him with both wheels. I know it as I saw it happen. I guess it taxed me a lot and I entered some kind of a breakdown. I was starting to recover, in September, when the secong blow came. Now, here’s the second part of my life. Ten years ago, my elderly mother suffered a stroke that left her with paralysis on her left side. My father had a hard life working in construction and carrying loads so his back is ruined and he has to use a walker. Being an only child, I took them both in and care for them. Not a light job either, but one I feel I have a duty to accomplish. So, come September, my father has to be hospitalized because he had fallen in the middle of the night. His blood count was well below normal. Diagnosis : Mielodisplastic syndrome. To sum up, a bone marrow cancer that will turn into fatal leukemla in generally something like two years. That was the fatal and final blow to me. Now it’s been three months since that diagnosis and I am starting to digest it and recover. My father is responding to treatment and so far, he is neither better nor worse. There you have it ! All tis has made me depressed and apathetic, with no real interest for anything and some sort of self pitying. So I am sorry and apologize to all those who’ve contacted me and to whom I haven’t replied, I will reply to each and everyone of you. Please just give me some time as things have accumulated and I have some catching up to do. Know that I am feeling better and will do my best to stay around. Best wishes to you all, JP
    10 points
  2. I'm not really a Kinko fan, but these flew to me in the spring of 2021 and have taken up residence.
    7 points
  3. I had so intended to win this even over my budget. Life seems to always throw me a curve ball when ....or maybe just saves my azz. Think ive seen this set up once before. Enjoy https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/k1029473242?
    3 points
  4. Or it is possible that this is a low grade fake; the file marks stop too low on the nakago. Pictures of the rest of the blade might help. Grey
    3 points
  5. Tom and Stephen, thats a beauty, yes May, 1945, thats late. This is a Nagoya, Aichi smith who name was Takeuchi Kinsaburo Kanemasa (his deshi Morita Kanefusa). It is tachi-mei : Bishu Takakura Ji ju Takeuchi Kanemasa saku. Takakura Ji or Tera is a temple in south Nagoya. Around May 1945 Nagoya was under massive bombing raids. He was a RJT, 1941 6th exhibition ranked level 5 of 5, in 1944 army exhibition ranked as Nyusen. he continued making swords post-war and then registered 10 July 1954. Would love to see the hamon. Looks a nice item.
    3 points
  6. Gentle folk, Just stumbled upon this FYI: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/nunome-zogan.html BaZZa.
    2 points
  7. I posted a bit about this over in the military swords forum, because it had a Brass Mekugi. Apparently, those were used. The pin was removed, and it's definitely an interesting maker: HIDEKUNI, active at the turn of the 18th - 19th centuries. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/HID60 The blade is 27.5" / 70cm long, and has a fairly LONG Kissaki, probably the longest I have seen. The blade is also fairly wide compared to most, and there is barely any change to the taper of the edge at the Yokote. It's got some WARE and FUKURE, so it definitely looks to be correct. I've just never seen a kissaki as long as this. It has a TOURAN Hamon, and ITAME hada. The polish is definitely degraded, and there are some nicks and bends on the edge.
    2 points
  8. I have no sources at all, but maybe one of the long time members (my gut says @Dave R) will remember something about swords being painted gold for the Emperors birthday? I can't even remember if it was literal or figurative and have no idea the source, just that it was raised years ago. My gut is that it was a wartime article from Japan and goes to the effect of 'soldiers raising golden swords in salute' or something similar. Another idea was post war repaint for theatres, so swords would stand out. From my own experience, I spoke to a lady at a military show who told me about her father bringing back a Japanese sword and painting it sky blue. Because he liked the colour. So could be that. Here is a picture of my own golden sword. The original paint is perfect underneath and acetone barely did a thing to the gold.
    2 points
  9. As says Stephen, JP, this to shall pass, time will soothen wounds, we have all suffered from «slings and arrows of outrageous fortune » but have overcome them. Take time for crying, it helps and come back to us any time you need help.
    2 points
  10. I think the question of gold paint can be answered in the same manner as to why some car guys "chrome out" their rides -- "Why not?!".
    2 points
  11. Hello all and Happy New Year, my name is John and I am based in the U.K. I have had a vague interest in Japanese swords for awhile but only very recently, after acquiring a couple of swords, have I started looking into the subject in more detail and realising what a huge subject it is. I have found this forum very educational and I have enjoyed reading the discussions, hence deciding it was time to create an account. I am very new to this subject so please excuse me if I am still getting to grips with some of the terminology. All the best, John
    2 points
  12. Hello JP, It's great to see you here again. There are some truly vile people out there and then there are some people like you who shoulder a great burden and, at great personal cost, work tirelessly to redress the balance. I had a French teacher many years ago who had emigrated to England after her third cat in a year had been killed by someone leaving out bait for it containing crushed glass. Please edit to remove any and all apologies. You've done nothing wrong and should take great pride in what you're doing. To apologise is to deny your own honour, virtue and agency. You didn't delay response because you were being inconsiderate; you delayed response because you didn't want to transfer any portion of your suffering to your friends. You are not acting in bad faith (mauvaise foi as Sartre would say), you are not a victim, you are not playing a role, refusing to make a choice or denying your own freedom. Quite the contrary; you made your choice; you chose to do your duty, and accept the pain that comes along with it, rather than seeking your own pleasure. You're not a victim, you're a hero. Kant argued that all morality must stem from duties: and that consequences such as pain or pleasure are irrelevant. You're living by the Kantian ideal. I went quite abstract there, I don't know how else to respond.
    2 points
  13. And now for something REALLY different - my TEPPOU acquisition for 2021. More photos and detail will appear in the TEPPOU thread by-and-by. BaZZa.
    2 points
  14. My Dear JP, I'm sure many of our fellows here know your life situation only too well and feel for you in your travail. It is good you have 'opened up' for that in itself is a part-healing process. The good members of this Board will support you in your troubled times, no apology necessary. For myself I am glad to see you back amongst this fine fellowship and sincerely hope that you will, indeed, 'stay around'. The best people I know in my life are my fellow collectors and so I have always realised that collecting is so much more than merely acquiring 'things', as beautiful as they are. The people are the great joy. Welcome home and come often. Best regards, BaZZa. aka Barry Thomas (Melbourne, Australia)
    2 points
  15. Greetings everyone, My name is Khalid and my username/gamer-tag is Cookie4Monstah. I'm from the Boston area in the United States where I currently reside. I can't wait to discuss the nature of the Japanese art sword with you. As a currator by hobby I come across a variety of militaria including nihonto and have decided to delve into the world of the Japanese sword. I have been fortunate enough to come across many edged weapons yet nothing compares to the masterful forgings and polishings of Japan. I do like Damascus steel too but not as much! Please feel free to reach out at anytime, especially if I can be of assistance to you. Take care, Khalid
    2 points
  16. A week has passed since this was posted, so I have to ask....what happened to this thread? Not another peep out of anyone. I thought this would be an interesting topic...the FIRST? pre-gendaito/showato blade seen in RS mounts (look how straight it is!). I thought this would get members digging through their collections to show us other examples of undated, one hole, pre-WWII blades. I know this is the first one I have seen in RS...but I could be wrong...I thought this would be something we would discuss? Regards
    2 points
  17. Yep, congrats on that one; the yasurime looks nice, signature looks nice, and the late date is great. I often wonder with dates like that what the maker was thinking. The handwriting was pretty clearly on the wall when that one was made. I suspect he might have wondered if it would be the last sword he'd ever make.
    2 points
  18. Some of the early copper-handled Type 95s had brass/gold painted scabbards. See this thread started by @IJASWORDS back in November 2020 for more details. Brass Scabbard NCO Copper Handle Below are two links to another example, serial number 1227, that show remnants of the brass paint. Copper Handle Type 95,low Number 1227 Excellent Condition Coppper Handle Type 95 Nco #1227, Excellent Condition
    2 points
  19. Wak in type 98 mounts are less common than standard length Katanas, however not horrible uncommon in my experience. I have found that shorter Wak, that measure less than 60cm to be "rare". I think this has to do with the measurement regulations for acceptable lengths. I believe it is discussed in another thread, but I am not sure what one. As for the Waks in non military mounts, but still had a combat saya on them, these were used mostly by non military personal that were contracted to work for the military, and if their contract position was similar to an officer rank, they would be permitted to carry. I have found many Waks in full type 98 mounts often are fancier than their full length counterparts, however this might just be due to fewer examples of waks than full length. Here are some pictures of Waks in my collection. The general tassel is not original to the sword, I have 2 more Wak gunto, however, they are just mounts, no blades.
    2 points
  20. I've been hijacking @Shamsy's Type 95 Black Saya thread for too long, so I'm starting a Gold-painted gunto thread to track the gold ones. I considered labeling it "Painted Gunto" to gather all the colors, but the discussions of each can get quite lengthy, so I'll keep this one just on the gold. But for reference, Steve's thread also has several examples of officer gunto painted black as well. And we have the thread on Mottled Green paint on Type 95s. I've had examples of all 3 colors and regret stripping the 2 gold-painted 95s and the mottled-green 95. I still have one black-painted 95. But back to the gold! My interest started with the acquisition of 2 Type 95s, one totally painted gold (even the blade) and a late-war 95 painted black and gold: I believe this one might have been post war as the paint come off relatively easy using acetone, and the blade, once cleaned, had lots of scratches and marks as if used plenty prior to painting. Also, there was no original paint underneath. It had been completely stripped before re-painting with gold. The late war 95: In hindsight, I now believe this one to be a wartime personalization. The paint was hard to get off with acetone, and the original color was underneath. The following are other examples that I've filed, beginning with a primo one just posted by @Arty A on this thread HERE. The paint is old and abused from use, and is covered with patina inline with the rest of the gunto: (out of time for now. Will update and continue later)
    1 point
  21. Perhaps less obvious is the change in appearance of a blade. When newly made and given its first polish, the smith would examine it for defects before passing it to its first owner. What they saw would be lost after the next polish which cut away the original surface. Subsequent polishes would gradually reveal what had initially been the interior of the blade. In other words when we gaze in admiration at the activity in a koto blade, it is a bit sobering to think that we, and the last polisher, are the only people who have seen that incarnation of the blade that probably differs considerably from what its maker saw. Ian Bottomley
    1 point
  22. The original post was on this Sword Forum International thread but he didn't know the context. I thought I had a copy of the actual book page, but cannot find it for the moment. If memory serves me, it was the coronation of the Showa emperor in 1926, and the observer reported "a large gathering of Japanese with silver blades held high and gold sheaths glistening in the sun . sure it was rallying for a final last stand.."
    1 point
  23. Taking care of your parents can be the toughest job in the world and don't get me started on Cats! Just know you have a family here and we're happy to do what little we can for you... -t
    1 point
  24. If we could all share a little piece of your heartache be sure we would brighten your life. I am impressed by your spirit, something I am often by some board members time after time and by the compassion shown. Bravo Jean Pierre and people. John
    1 point
  25. Great stuff Bruce. I sure would like Matt to provide clearer blade OA and other photos as, like you say, I too think this is the first old family blade seen in RS mounts. Be good to hear from members also...have I/we got this wrong?...any more out there? Regards,
    1 point
  26. https://blog.yuhindo.com/daisho/ If you want truly matched swords, go for Shinto, or more likely - ShinShinto or Gendaito. If it is the koshirae only - it has been discussed in the referenced links.
    1 point
  27. A pristine Type 98 example found by @Stephen on a Yahoo auction:
    1 point
  28. Here's my thoughts on it, Trystan - When SMR started, according to Ohmura, they were making 400 blades per month, or 4,800 per year. The chart found by Nick Komiya for 1944 production showed that SMR made 6,000 blades that year. If they were just numbering the blades from 1 to 6,000 there would be numbered blades found each year in that full range. But they were breaking them up with the Iroha lettering series, and each year had anywhere from 6 to 14 "series". Let's just say a year used 10 katakana. With 6,000 blades, divided evenly (we don't know that they were), we wouldn't see any numbers over 600. 1942 only used 6 katakana, so it would be normal to see a number over 1,000, and we do have a couple. 1943 used 15 katakana, so I'm surprised to see some over 1,000 (this may mean the numbers for each kanji weren't uniform in distribution). 1944 only used 5 kanji, so I'd expect to see numbers over 1,000, and we have plenty. What is surprising is to see numbers that year over 2,000 (again suggesting the distribution of numbers wasn't uniform). And finally, 1945 used only 1 kanji. With fiscal year beginning April 14, there were only 4 months of production, but at 550 per month, that still should put numbers over 2,000 and we have 1 in the 1,000 range.
    1 point
  29. Matt, We neglected to fully discuss the style sword you have, in our chasing down the smith. Your fittings are from a contingency modification to the Type 98 Japanese officer sword. Type 98s were fairly expensive, and officers had to buy their own swords. So the contingency model, or Rinji seishiki (RS), or for years incorrectly called the 1944 model (designed in 1938 and produced in numbers by 1940), and Type 3 (Type designations were ordered by the Emperor, and this was never established as a "Type") was created to be cheaper, yet had modifications that made it a hardier sword. The lacquered ito (handle wrap) and simpler fittings made it able to "take a licking and keep on ticking". Not popular until around '43/'44, then we see a lot of higher-end, upgraded RS like yours with fully traditionally made blades. Most blades in the RS fittings weren't traditionally made, called showato, but the blades in the upgraded fittings are almost always traditional, called nihonto. Many officers brought family blades to the war and had them refitted in military koshirae, and many were donated to the war, or bought up by the military and sold in markets and/or private shops. Yours is the first old/family blade we've seen in the RS fittings. So it's pretty unique. You can read about the history of these here: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/deflating-another-myth-type-3-army-officer-s-sword-expanded-version-584796/ and http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/unveiling-rinjiseishiki-sword-1940-a-793016/ This one discusses the program to get family blades for the military and the sword shortage that made it necessary: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/family-short-blades-gunto-688110/
    1 point
  30. JP, Nothing to apologize for. I feel your pain. There isn't much I can say to make things better. So instead I can just tell you that you are free to vent here anytime, and I can guarantee an audience that will listen and support you. I feel more for animals than people, so I know how you feel. You are helping both humans and animals, and that takes a lot out of a person. Just continue what you are doing, take time when you need it, and take heart in the fact that I am sure ALL those cats are/were MUCH better off with you in their lives. Let us know if you need any sort of support when it comes to that, I am sure some of us would be glad to help. I do think this should be in the Izakaya, and will move it there a bit later. Stay strong, you are making a difference
    1 point
  31. Yes, shorter blades in full size regulation mounts are far more common to find.
    1 point
  32. Seen a few, own one or 2. I don't think they are rare at all. Remember all those stories of how dealers sold blades at dept stores etc, to people going off to war, and then would have it mounted to your specifications? And how the govt appealed for cheap swords and wakizashi for the war effort? Most of those would have gone into regular military fittings. The ones I have seen, the saya is regular length but the blade is short.
    1 point
  33. Once upon a time I had a Tamba no kami Kanemichi with Type 98 mounting. I think it was about 50cm. Wish I still had it. Got a photo of it somewhere. If I ever run across it, I'll see if I can digitize it.
    1 point
  34. Thank you very much Stephen and Mal. I really appreciate your fast responses. I’ll get some pictures of the blade posted in a few days when I get a chance. Tom
    1 point
  35. I have considered this. I don’t believe the gold is random or insignificant. It is normally a sign of royalty, wealth, respect, worship. I don’t want to speculate yet, even though that is some thing I do regularly! Ha! But I think it is intentional. In our culture today, it represents the highest of prosperity.
    1 point
  36. More gold gunto: Many of these show clear wear and tear. This one is black with gold, whereas mine was gold with black trim: This one is like mine, but the tsuka wasn't painted like mine was:
    1 point
  37. Dear Dan. I would respectfully suggest that you are thinking of collecting swords from a particular smith or school, a perfectly valid collecting goal, rather than assembling a daisho. I confess that I get the same urge when I see another sword by a smith whose work I already own and admire though I do not have the means to pursue that idea in any meaningful way. It has all been said above but two swords by the same maker are not in any real sense a daisho unless specific evidence points to the fact that they were made that way. The same is true for tsuba, with some of the more commonplace designs it is relatively easy to find two very similar examples and, voila, they are a daisho. At that level the concept is meaningless, find a pair of kinko tsuba whose design might not be identical but were clearly made as a daisho pair from the start and we are talking a different ball game. If you like the work of the smith in question then buying the wakizashi will give you a basis for comparative study and a chance to start to get under the skin of the maker, who knows, perhaps that will start a collecting journey. Let us know how this turns out for you. All the best.
    1 point
  38. Item No. 178 Iron Tsuba 8.73 cm x 8.65 cm x 0.29 cm Subject of - Signal Boards ? or Monkey Toys ? or Temple Bells ? ' Hozon Katchushi ( unban ) ' Any opinions ? Thin Plate almost circular with carved sunbursts and nicely forged rim. Apparently mounted several times , also featuring good ' face of stone ' texturing together with deep brown consistent patina. Item No. 179 Kozuka in shakudo , gold , silver and copper Subject of decorative present wrap cords and holder ? Unsigned , acquired as part of an auction lot about twelve years ago.
    1 point
  39. Not many additions for me. But a few that are worth sharing: Iron Khorin tsuba, which in itself is rare, seeing he usually worked in soft metal. Ingenious way to depict grasses in combination with the gold inlay. A Muromachi Ko-Mino tsuba (TH), these are hard to come by, so pounced when I had the chance. Very nice early nanako, nice floral theme, nice detailing in the ana, what's not to like?
    1 point
  40. I have looked at Andy's sword and hopefully helped him out some...... My impression is: Blade appears Muromachi, it is signed katana mei not tachi mei but we could see that from the pictures. The blade looks to be medium quality, i don't see any visible fatal flaws, there are some small carbon inclusions and/or small pits or ware', some nicks (polish should take out), some coarse hada (maybe core steel), habaki was tight and i didn't want to damage it so left it as is so didn't see the machi. I think it was originally signed Fujishima_______ and the smiths name has been lost. All in all the blade is an honest Koto sword, not a treasure but not junk, just mediocre. The tsuka and saya were redone probably Meiji for export (sale to foreigners), you can see the 2 hangers were not original, they were added to the saya. The tsuba is ok, nothing special my guess is Meiji, same for fuchi kashira and menuki. The hangers have dragons (one is missing on one side) and Tigers (the tigers seem to be maybe tobacco pouch ornaments, the dragons look like they were made as part of the hanger but they must of been added as you can see the spot where the missing one was attached). Probably the sword had samurai mounts and then they were tarted up in Meiji. I gave some suggestions about how to care for the sword and preserve the koshirae as it will deteriorate if left as is or mishandled. He will probably post his thoughts.
    1 point
  41. and just for grins two more that seem to be crowd pleasers: 11. pretty generic mei, but... 12 and last but not least, an oh-no: Happy Holidays, rkg (Richard George)
    1 point
  42. Just a quick post to send Season's Greetings to all contributors to and viewers of this thread. Can't believe it's been ten months since we started . Lots more to come ! Best Regards to all. Bob
    1 point
  43. Item No. 176 Kozuka in Copper with gold and shakudo details. Subject of two immortals - the Taoist sage Laozi ( Roshi ) and Tekkai Sennin . Signed on reverse Hamano Naoyuki and kao. Roshi is reading a scroll and wearing a robe. Both characters have teeth and eyes detailed in gold , while Tekkai Sennin has a staff shown in shakudo. Some fine work on this piece. Item No. 177 Tsuba in Iron with lead plugs 8.82 cm x 8.37 cm x 0.40 cm Tsuba with morning glory, wheel, and hexagonal patterns engraved . Myochin Nobuie ? Early to Mid 19th cent. ? Heavy piece showing some evidence of mounting and wear - could this be earlier than 19th cent. ?
    1 point
  44. I just checked, and though I have posted this before, on another thread, I think it has a place here. Bought from a Japanese vendor and sold as a full koshirae, I think it was actually a collection of pieces put together for sale.... The black paint/lacquer on the gilded tsuba is the bit I see as relevant to this thread. Not really clear in the pic's but the gilding is in good bright condition.
    1 point
  45. Brian's post #7 finally puts the last nail in the coffin of the so called "crew or tanker or pilot" sword. If a short crew sword was required, then they would have been made by an arsenal for standard issue or sale to officers during the war. They are all old blades remounted when the standard length for family blades sold to the war effort was reduced to 21 inches. And yes, you will find short blades in full size koshirae as well .
    1 point
  46. I would second Steves thoughts. Even though I do not know the climate of Hawaii that well (I have a basic understanding) having oshigata framed under glass is a long lasting option and it is not affected by elements. I had small bunch of them framed and I really like the results. The art gallery made passepartout cut outs and I think the end result looks really classy. Can't wait to see that big oshigata.
    1 point
  47. Teimei tsuba have a very strong kaku mimi, fine granular surface (probably remnant of the Nobuiye influence) and a slight "flattish" shape for the faces. They are very consistant in these points. The NBTHK article states how they are under appreciated, even though they were working for the Kii Tokugawa directly, and from the Nobuiye School.
    1 point
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