O koumori

Was thinking about the legend that Daruma's intense stare bored holes in the wall of the cave...

Interesting point! You can see two 'holes' on the bottom left of the obverse side.

Wakizashi tsuba with Wheel of Dharma and Vajra

You are correct - it is mitsu. My bad

Hi Susan, Nice quilt, but Grey is right about using a dark background for photos. The sword appears to be signed with a two-character mei. Unfortunately in the picture the top kanji is partially obscured by the seppa (washer) and tsuba (guard) and I can't make it out. The second character is "yoshi." The blade is signed tachi mei. It is in "handachi" mounts. The blade would need to be carefully examined for flaws and condition before being able to estimate a value. Your best bet would be to locate a study group or experienced collector and have it looked at. If you are not too far, check out the Indiana Token Kai; we meet monthly and would be happy to help out. Dan

Ah, so likely gi-mei. Thanks Ray! Dan

Hello, I could use some help with the last character of this mei on a small tanto. I believe that the first two are 'Minamoto Kiyo__' - but I could be wrong Thanks! Dan

Crickets...

$20 for the Shibata Mitsuo

Not collectable for me.

Hi Christopher, Depending on where you are located in Illinois, if you care to make the trip, the Indiana Token Kai meets the third Saturday of most months at the public library in Martinsville IN. Feel free to bring your sword; we will be happy to examine it and offer opinions and advice. We meet at 10:00 AM EST - but will be in Chicago this month

I have a daisho that has papers for each by Karabu Kantei organization, a group headed by Shibata. Although printed in Japanese, Shibata was a prolific author of books on nihonto and tsuba. Also see

Ghosts must exist too...

My concern is that more shipments would be questioned and opened for "inspection."

Could this mean trouble ahead for Nihonto shipments labeled as 'art' or "antiques?" Facebook post: Know Your Planet osprSdntoe3tM71 9011arcafc7745f4lhtc4M0P:l15 ii7 u a3i8a31ht · A routine cargo inspection at the Port of Philadelphia turned into a remarkable archaeological discovery. In February 2026, officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection noticed unusual shapes during an X-ray scan of a shipment labeled simply as “metal decoration articles.” When the boxes were opened, the contents told a very different story. Inside were 36 copper-alloy short swords and about 50 arrowheads, dating back to the Bronze Age, roughly between 1600 and 1000 BCE. Experts studying the artifacts believe they likely originated near the Talish Mountains, a region along the Caspian Sea that today lies within parts of modern Iran. According to officials, the shipment had been sent from the United Arab Emirates and was destined for Jacksonville. The problem was not just the weapons themselves, but how they were described. Ancient artifacts often carry critical historical information tied to the places where they are found. When such items are removed from archaeological sites and sold privately, the context that helps historians understand past cultures can be permanently lost. What appeared to be an ordinary package moving through global trade turned out to be a fragment of ancient warfare and craftsmanship from nearly four thousand years ago. Sometimes protecting history begins with something simple, a customs officer noticing that a label does not quite match what lies inside the box.

All I can say is Thank You!!!!

“…the shingane appearing is a distinctive feature throughout all of middle Aoe as the sumi hada of Aoe.” From Fujishiro Koto hen A couple of pictures from my mu-mei blade attributed to Chu Aoe Yoshitsugu by NTHK-NPO

Back to the katana... The nakago looks dry and flakey to me - could it have been in a fire?

two more?

Hawley

Difficult to say from this photo,

Thanks for the images - beautiful!

Yes, it's real. It is a Hozon paper - not likely to be forged.

Rest in peace Guido.