Brian

Hi Kris, I edited and rotated the picture to (mostly) the right way up. This should assist someone to translate for you. With that lower mekugi ana (hole) I would expect this to have been in 1944 pattern shin gunto mounts, but not sure if the rest of the fittings fit this profile. Higher grade of military seppa (spacers) but the age looks to me to be around WW2. We would need a few other pics to get an idea of whether this is a std machine made blade or something better, and which military pattern. I am sure someone will help with the translation shortly. Is there any other markings on the other side of the tang? This is usually where the date is. Regards, Brian

Thanks Pete, Quite an unusual tsuba that, and am I right that sekigane does this way is very unusual? Unusual mei too..what does it say, and can you tell us anything about it? Brian

Just wanted to get clarification on that tsuba. You say the nakago ana is too wide for the blade? If you mean vertically, then sekigane can be fitted to make it fit better at the top and bottom. But if you mean the thickness of the blade is smaller than the ana, ie horizontally across the tsuba, then I am not sure if sekigane would be the right way to go. You see the punchmarks on the tsuba usually to tighten the fit to the tsuba, but these are limited in the amount of gap they can fill. I don't think I have seen copper used often on the sides of the tsuba to tighten the fit, and would think that if this is the case, then this tsuba would be a bad fit for your sword (not to mention that I don't think it is a great tsuba either ) There is a good discussion of punchmarks and sekigane here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... 59&start=0 Brian

Hi Paul, Yes, I see what you mean about the pics on the Fakes page. The link is to the page which is hosted by Rich T on his site. I think he will see this and correct the page shortly. Thanks, Brian

As I can't read Polish, I can't understand the page. But if, as you say, he is a modern sword maker, than I think it more likely this is a sword he made himself, and not a shortened Chen blade. As I said originally, it gave me the impression of a modern blade made by a knifemaker and polished the way they do. Is it possible he made the blade, and put it into original fittings? Brian

Just a friendly reminder to please sign all posts with a name and initial Thanks, Brian

Janusz, Another difficult one (what happened to all the easy ones? :D ) Just my novice opinion of course... The fittings look good, and genuine. Quite nice too. Edo period. The blade. Hmm. The blade looks original to me, although it looks to have been over cleaned and finished to be too bright. What disturbs me is the nakago (tang) as it is just not right. The filemarks, shape, wobbly shinogi line and patina are just off. Doesn't look to have much age on it. Mekugo ana looks drilled too. This makes me think of a longer katana blade that has been broken, and the nakago crudely shaped by someone not experienced in Nihonto. I don't get that feeling of "fake" but more "reshaped" Perhaps it is just that...a katana blade shortened by someone not an expert. I could be way off the mark...but all free advice comes with a money back guarantee The nice fittings and the lack of other damage on the blade might mean there is a fair sword in there waiting for some restoration. What say the others here? Edit to add: Looking at it again, something is niggling at me, and I can't put my finger on it. Could this be a modern blade by one of the custom knife/sword makers in the West, that has been heat treated and put into older fittings? Or maybe it was polished by one of the knife makers. Just gives me that impression for some reason. Hard one to pinpoint. Brian

Not sure if this was posted before, but here is a nice review of the show, with some extra pics: http://rallypointmilitaria.com/?p=9 Regards, Brian

Thanks again, and let's not forget the constant and invaluable help provided by our all vigilant moderator Stephen. Long after I am in bed and dreaming about Kamakura tachi, he is uploading pics for people and policing the forum as he should. Don't think I could keep up without him. Anyone who run a forum will tell you that they can't do it without good moderators Just a public thanks to him here. Regards, Brian

Rich, Sorry to hear about the health issue, and we all wish you the very best. Our thoughts are with you. I assume the wording is a form email that you are sending out, so hopefully when you are eventually able to visit again you will see this. Please take care, and let any of us know if we can assist with anything at all. Regards, Brian

Hi all, I know this is a few days late, but I just wanted to send all of our Japanese members, visitors and their families our sympathies and best thoughts in the aftermath of this large earthquake. We all hope that you were not badly affected by this disaster, and please keep us updated. Our thoughts go out to you all. From all at the NMB. Regards, Brian

My 2c? Since you are asking for opinions, I go with Rich here. The old mountings at least have some history, whereas the new "decorations" would just look cheap IMHO. Gunto mounts may be plentiful, but displayed with tsunagi with the original blade in shirasaya shows its history and preserves it for a day when gunto mounts aren't so plentiful. Brian

Thanks for the comments all, much appreciated. Just out of interest, according to the stats, we have about 24 or more countries regularly visiting here: USA Australia United Kingdom Japan France Germany Canada Poland Netherlands Belgium Italy Denmark US Government Finland Singapore Austria US Military Switzerland Norway US Educational Israel Ireland New Zealand Sweden Brazil South Africa Luxembourg Amazes me too (Good to see some of you are US educational, and I am sure Milt will love the US Military stats too There are some others that are unresolved countries. Thought you might enjoy the stats. Regards, Brian

Scott, One of the top lines of smiths, and one of the most faked signatures too. You only have to do a google search for Hizen Tadayoshi to get more info than you can handle There are already entire books devoted to this line. Brian

Old posts remain on the forum and are valuable info, and can be searched for anytime. The problem with dredging up old posts is that sometimes there are interesting new and current posts, and "bumping" an old and dead topic only to add something totally off topic moves those new posts down the list where they can be easily missed, and serves no real purpose. If there is valid and interesting (not to mention on topic) info, then I don't mind how old the post is, feel free to add to it. This has not always been the case though, and when the banter gets out of hand, it is me who has to field the complaint emails, so I am asking nicely that we keep on topic please. I am not banning the occasional funny comment or banter at all. Logic will tell you when it has gone on long enough. Some threads get back on track and provide excellent info. 6 posts one after the other about nothing relevant is obviously too much though. Just asking that everyone use their own discression, or don't mind when me or the moderators use theirs As for a general discussion forum, I did ask about that a long time ago, and the overwhelming member views were against it. This isn't about me...I go with what is good for Nihonto and what the members want. As was said "there are enough other forums for that sort of thing" This tries to be a serious educational forum, and if you compare it with other non-Nihonto forums (of which I am on many) we are really not that strict comparatively. It also has to be fun, hence the allowance for occasional banter. I think we all love to see Rich T getting un-serious for a second and posting a wisecrack, and would hate to lose Milt's sense of humor :D I made the offer of setting up a general discussion forum that is totally invisible to anyone who does not choose to view it. Only added members would see it, by their own request. The offer did not interest many people. If there is enough request for it, I can make it happen. Input is always welcome, and thanks for the comments. Brian

Your guess is as good as mine :D :lol: No idea...but it is interesting. It's one for the guys who want a one-of-a-kind piece I guess. Brian

Hi Christian, have you ever thought about giving up sales and going into advertising? :D Just kidding..a good introdution. Let me know via email when the site goes live, and I will be glad to add it to the links section. I have communicated quite a bit with Christian in the past, and his only major flaw is to keep sending amazing pics of stunning swords that he acquired for bargain prices through his business (Where is that jealousy smiley?) Brian

Ok, with all due respect guys, 'nuff is enough? One or 2 witty comments is all in fun, but dragging it out just bumps up the post with nothing relevant to add. I will be deleting excessive "spam" posts if they have nothing to add to the Nihonto discussion. I have said before that one or 2 "light banter" posts is fine, but after that, take it to pm or email please. KM...dredging up weeks-old posts just to add nothing relevant is also rather pointless, no? (as seen on other posts) Brian

Hi .. (Please sign with a name) The best to just preserve is to pick up some light machine oil, the type sold for sewing machines. A few drops on a clean and soft cloth, lightly wiped over the blade when it has been handled should do the trick. In climates that are not humid, cleaning does not even have to be done monthly. Less is more when it comes to Nihonto. Uchiko an cleaning kits should be reserved for blades heavily out of polish,and even then sparingly. Search the forum, there is a lot of info posted about cleaning. Try here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... aintenance and http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... aintenance amongst others. Dr Stein also has a great page on care and cleaning at http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/care.htm and that NBTHK sword care guide is still very much valid. Regards, Brian

Just to clarify: There is a smaller and less in-depth book called Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945. This is usually found in a soft cover version, but there is a hard cover version floating around (I have both) This is climbing in price, but should be found for under $100. The HC is scarcer than the SC version. A good book but not as comprehensive as the larger book called Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. I have only seen this as a hard cover, and is the one going for outrageous prices (over $1000!) Both are by Fuller and Gregory. Although not dealing with Nihonto as such, they are excellent books, and since so many family blades are found in Shin Gunto mounts, have a definite place in the collection. Brian

:lol: We like to be thorough here :D (For those wondering, Bill has a pic posted somewhere on the 'net with a possum? on his shoulder) ..At least I hope that was you Bill? Brian

The sword is a nice one. Just wanted to point out though, that the book is the smaller one by F&G, and not the larger and more sought after Military and Civil Swords and Dirks. This thinner one has been climbing in price too. The hard cover version is much scarcer than the soft cover, but the soft cover version can still be had for under $150. This one is a bargain: http://www.maremagnum.com/index.php?opt ... m=42348881 Brian

W.Y... I think the answer to that is that it was Bill's question that prompted the enquiry in the first post Bill, welcome to the forum, hopefully we will see more from you and perhaps an introduction Regards, Brian

Sorry for the late reply folks. Having major internet problems at work. I have no problems with you posting the pic here. Unless Aoi specifically request for their pics not to be used, I am sure they wouldn't mind in this case, and since they were posted publicly on the website anyways, I don't see a problem. If anyone objects to the posting of any of their own pics under copyright, they just have to mention to me, and they will be gladly removed. Regards, Brian

This might explain it a bit more: http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... php?t=1367 On the other hand..reading that..it may just confuse you more :D I think some people don't want anyone to see when they are online at the time, but have registered so that they can post when they need to. Guests can't post. Hmm..there is logic in there to it I guess. Still looking though :lol: Brian