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Can't comment on the first one... sorry. The second one with the egg shaped form is typical of an early Chinese guard (which I'm pretty sure are called "Hushu"), but has none of the typical "Nanban" aesthetic, so probably made in China and probably never exported to Japan. The third one you posted is definitely not Japanese made or modified to fit a Japanese blade. Likely made in China for a Chinese blade. Here are some more egg shapes made in China for Chinese blades (worn blade edge down like a tachi), with a more typical "nanban" aesthetic. Both were modified in Japan to have a hitsu-ana: Here's one that is unmodified and mounted on a Chinese Dao sword: Here are some unmodified Chinese guards (except maybe the nakago-ana): and these three Chinese guards had the design cut through later, to make 2 hitsu-ana to fit a Japanese koshirae:

Also very traditional, though usually on Tanto rather than Katana. I had one of the two piece screw type turn up in an order from Japan of sarute barrels.

Gents got around to looking at it today with my kanji sheet and Steve M is correct, definitely SukeShige. Might have even been a tsuku there at one time. You don't find these really old blades often in military koshirae that is for sure.

i don't recommend removing the handle of an NCO sword. there is nothing on the nakago that will help and too much chance of damaging the sword. the handle looks like it is brass. if so the only NCO swords i know with brass handles are post war copies

Ron, how long is the blade, measured from the MUNEMACHI (rear notch) to the KISSAKI (tip)? If more than 303 mm it will be called WAKIZASHI.

This is what Tsuruta replied. "I think this place must be fixed as umegane." He did not answer with specifics on how this repair was done.

This is a public forum of opinions, I encourage you to challenge every single member and their opinions if they offend you or differ from your reality. It is quite remarkable the things not disclosed in listings that are then clarified here later, to the benefit of everyone involved.

Hi Malcolm, It could be a 2 piece pressure fit (tapered male & female join) but the slot in one side suggests a 2 piece threaded join. When you apply gentle persuasion, keep in mind that it can be either a right or left hand thread. Grey

Piers, the structures on your hex brass TSUBA are probably caused by segregation, not by a treatment after the production process. I read this can occur naturally as an effect of casting, and it may show different forms. Aging can enhance this.

A lot of these terms sit at the intersection of linguistics, metallurgy, and history, and dealers aren't always faithful linguists or metallurgists. It doesn't help that there are multiple, often confusing, ways of naming metals. I'm sure Ford and Markus have already spent many hours unravelling these linguistic knots. I think the tsuba in this thread was probably described reasonably accurately as yamagane (山銅), or unrefined copper. I can't imagine it being unrefined gold unless it comes with a hefty price tag. It could have been treated with something to make the color pop. Sentoku (宣徳) and shinchū (真鍮) both refer to brass. Sentoku is a kind of brass that was imported from China into Japan during China's "Sentoku Era" (1426-1435). The era name was stamped on brass bowls and such, so the Japanese started referring to all imported brass as "sentoku". The word "shinchū" starts showing up in the 1500s, again from Chinese imports. Shinchū was a brighter, more refined brass, with a higher zinc content. Looking at a few websites though, you find there is little consensus on the exact amount of zinc used in shinchū. It seems to refer to anything over 20% zinc, but there are dissenting opinions on this. Anyway, I leave some Japanese references here for yamagane, shinchū, and sentoku in case anyone wants to dive deeper. Or, if anyone has any contradicting info, I would be interested in that as well. Might be interesting to start a thread for Japanese metallurgic terms, if there already isn't one. All of these terms can drive a translator nuts. all in Japanese https://mitsu-ri.net/articles/brass (overview) https://www.dandorie.com/c10110103/39_cont_shintyuu.html (very readable account) https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-18H03591/ (current academic research) https://sot-web.com/column/brass/ (another overview)

Perhaps because it is 750$'s.

Hi Damon, Welcome and nice tsuba. I have a couple of comments/questions regarding your post. 1. A very common linking element in sukashi tsuba is karigane (geese). I’m Ok when they form part of the design (see Kyo-sukashi mokko tsuba with 24 karigane), but in tsuba #2 (saddle, whip and bit, by Hidemitsu) there is a single karigane at the 1 o/clock position, which has no apparent association with riding equipment. Why were karigane so popular when they have no apparent connection with the design? 2. I particularly like your Echizen ju Kinai saku tsuba with the broken pot and waves. I have recently been trying to find out more about this design. The RB Caldwell masterpieces collection had an almost identical one attributed to Yagyu (see pic of tsuba and catalogue description). Not papered and does not look Yagyu workmanship to me. The second is on sale at Aoi Art (see pic) and has a NBTHK Hozon attribution to Kyo-Shoami, which looks right to me. Its interesting how three similar tsuba can be attributed to three differing Schools. Also I’m intrigued by the design, a broken pot and waves, which does look like it might be Yagyu originated. What does it actually signify? There is a Torigoe reference to a Japanese legend (see pic) on the RBC tsuba, but I don’t have access to this. It is also reminiscent of the Kurasawa film Kagemusha in which Takeda Shingen is buried at sea in a giant pot. Anyone got more info? Best regards, John (just a guy making observations, asking questions, trying to learn)

[drum-roll................] and the nakago!?!?

i appreciate you taking a look. thanks!

On the kozuka; 清乗 - Seijo

I can see a frog and these guys below, but still can't see a duck .... or Winnie the Pooh!

Good morning Gentlemen, I've removed the Brass pin which is actually two tapering pins of slightly different diameter and, it was remarkably simple. The mouth of the Mekugi ana shows evidence of a whitish glue like substance, which may be rice starch. There are also traces of this on the “barrel” of the slightly larger pin. I’m drawn to the theory of a field repair, as the barrels of both parts show much filing and angling to get a tight fit.

Hi James. Welcome to NMB. For information about this smith see here, http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mishina.html As you will see he is well documented but just a word of caution, the signatures on ko gatana, i.e. the blade, are usually held lightly as many of them are clearly not made by the person whose signature they bear. Enjoy the journey! All the best.

I've also learnt that the veteran who brought it back in our family, he took care of the sword even though the war scarred him physically and mentally. That's why it's in good condition thankfully.

The paper itself is from December 2021, so my gut feeling is that this repair job was done before it got papered. There would be no need, and no financial incentive to do this after it had gotten papered. So presumably it got TH despite these blemishes, which, considering its age I don't think is out of the question. But that is as high as its going to go.

Add ALL the administrative time on top of those numbers. organization, documentation, etc, etc.

Besides the hybrids, the Japanese built from scratch a Type 95 lookalike parade sword version that was sold on the commercial market. Several exist and one is depicted on pages 192-193 of Dawson's book. Oddly enough Trystan, both lack a habaki so they will be in good company with your Type 32! Very Rare Prototype NCO Sword A Very Rare Prototype Imperial Japanese NCO Sword @Stegel also ran into one of these and posted some pictures in a related thread back in 2017. Puzzling Type 95 Nco, Post #22

The appeal has been successful for the second set of items. once I have received them I will share with the community! I will be posting a new article in the forum that includes all the issues and steps I had to take for reference, maybe it can be pinned to the board for others to see if they have the same issue. I have been warned though that all future imports will now come under the same scrutiny, so once you have a seizure or two you will have more issues. Tony

Ok guys, points made. Let's get back on topic. And I do agree that we need to be careful about making absolute statements when they are not proven facts. Opinions are fine. But statements of facts that are not if they can't be backed up. Done now...let's move on.

OK - Yahoo Auction in Japan has the same set, and it looks like the complete set sold for 223,000 yen in May (2022). https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e1051112815

Here is the second one https://museumcollection.tokyo/en/works/6249389/ Its hard to value these without knowing more about them and viewing them. As woodblock prints, they are, by nature, produced in volume. They look like recently reproduced prints, so their value is more sentimental than collectible. But as a set, it may be interesting to a collector, especially if it is in good condition.

Your first one https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/174914

That's a tough ask, Thomas! It could be as simple as: "Type 97 Kaigunto for sale; Description: As is" More elaborate description: "As brought back by original owner from the war. Mumei, undated blade. Upgraded fittings with sharkskin saya. Company grade tassel is Army, as is the fuchi. Whether original or not, unknown."

Hi Malcolm, it is reported that after combat experience in China the fragility of inferior quality Tsuka and Mekugi materials became immediately apparent. Among the recommendations to improve strength included use of brass Mekugi, so there is a precedent for this. Whether this is the case with yours will literally remain to be seen!

Item No. 63 Iron tsuba with gold inlay - 8.13 cm x 72.4 cm x 0.47 cm Modern made tsuba by Ford Hallam , about 14 years ago , subject of Orchids against a textured background , reminiscent of Natsuo style. A few views under different lighting conditions.

No. 10 - Sukashi Iron tsuba 7.3 x 7.0 cm of plum blossom and branches . Hayashi School - attributed to Hayashi Matahei , fifth Hayashi Master. Gold double scroll nunome appears almost completely intact.

No. 7 - a modern piece ...

quak...quak

For some weird reason I see Winnie the Pooh

No, this is not about being offended, this is about members that are passing questionable, unresearched, and/or under-informed opinions off as fact, particularly about others' live sales. And those members should be held accountable for the quality of their assertions just as you strive to hold seller's accountable to the quality of theirs, no?