jason_mazzy

sweet I picked tada LOL

the only one I post working around that time died in 1927 at 97 years old. Don't think it is him. I have so far 1st: Taka 2nd: I 3rd: hatsu or katsu or tame? 4th: mitsu? or a messed up tada

No arsenal stamps or tang marks, very healthy ko maru boshi. solid suguha hamon, nie running the hamon and a signature: I'm thinking gendai......

Curious how under water he would really be taking into account 1: that it was a gift, and 2: it probably has historical and sentimental value. If a blade that he is going to keep could be restored so he would enjoy it more, wouldn't the cost be far less than the sentimental value?

Any one know the answer to my last question?

What are these mounts here: http://www.nihontoantiques.com/fso256.htm They are different than standard shin gunto mounts, mostly with the leaves missing. ???????

Welcome! best damn site on the internet!

I was asked today about these tsuba, and what information I could give the gentlman. As most of you here would have figured out by now, I don't know much about tsuba. I am confident these are real, the sukashi maybe cast but i have not seen it in hand. He was gonna flea market them or sell them on ebay, but didn't know what they really were or why the signature. I thought I would share them here, and perhaps get some info or maybe someone here would like one of these I really don't know. But I do know I am curious about these now as well.

The mekugi ana is one of the things that makes me think this has been reshaped in the nakago. The machi has been moved at least 2.5 inches, and if you look farther down it may have been moved previously before that. There are 2 different file marks on the nakago. Some much lower are different and in different pattern than the ones higher, which are finer and far more sloppy. Makes me wonder if this was much longer at one point. The same wrap is also not cloth, it has tight rough scales, looks and feels like sharkskin. I have used and tanned sharkskin thats why I am so sure it is. (if the mekugi ana is original to the blade, than it was perhaps a special order for an officer?) Perhaps I should mention I have this sword in my possesion. Want to get it studied, then off it goes to make way for another. I was hoping to get one WW2 piece in my collection, so I will take some study on it before it goes for another ww2 piece.

rediculously horrible pictures I know:

I think after studying the nakago the machi has been moved forward a few inches. There is a change in width and file marks and a small bump that indicates this whole piece was moved up 2 1/2 inches. The nakago is a bit long and there appears to be old full dress yasurime, and fresher file marks above it.. Maybe to accomadate the tachi type gunto handle. boshi looks ko maru hamon is hiro-suguha perhaps nioi deki, nie is present but harder to find (but the old polish and stainings do not help) fine jihada now in the temper it seems you will find masame hada, but in the ji it seems to be muji-hada, is this known to happen? or possbly just obscured polish? (edit: I have found more masame hada, I think the polish is obscurring the details) I'm thinking shin shinto or gendai? edit* more measurements: Nagasa is 21 and 7/8 inches Nakago is 7 1/4 inches

The handle looks like sharkskin not rayskin. And all the fittings including the brass tsuba have gold urushi laquer on them. though it has worn off signifigantly exposing the brass in many areas. The nakago is well finished and shaped and has a blacker patina.

is this a seki smith wartime blade?

With the Dollar so weak these days the euro scares me lol. I was thinking of this one, but I think it is a bit big. appears to be 3x3 inches, that seems to be katana size and I am looking for something wak size. Though it may be nice incase I come across another larger set for a daisho................

I think he was reffering as a way to attract clientale, offering a less detailed piece to get you to think about getting a few real ones done.

Thats why it was easy for me to know what you were talking about................... lol Your post makes alot of sense to me. A loyalty tsuba perhaps.................

It may be helpful to post the tsuba and the question or thread that started this line of thought, or others may have no idea what you are talking about.

I like your logic..... but they look a bit more aggresive than sparrows. The overall shape suggests crows.... and was sold to me as crows from Japan LOL. sure my logic isn't as educated sounding, but I'm stubborn. LOL! perhaps the common black bird? Which are known for massive migratory flocks.

Bamboo and sparrows, or heavy bamboo theme would be great!!!! You have a spare one Mark?

I know alot of people would be interested in having one for sure. The problem I see is who is going to send you their blades?

Yes Mark. He is doing a handle rebraid and koshirae repair. Also mounting the tsuba. The whole shebang. Very happy. Sanjuro, I thought this was either ravens or crows, possibly Plovers are sparrows.

Lol, yes I have. I am building and polishing 3-5 swords and I am trying to tiethem all in with a bird/bamboo/moon/cloud theme. Each koshirae must have at least 2 of the features so they all compliment eachother while being different and in different styles.

These will be added to my koshirae being built, so I will be shipping them off in the morrow.... So I snapped a couple pictures before I do; anyone have any school ideas?

I am now looking for a kogai, kozuka, and a tsuba to complete this set. I need all the help I can get from my fellow collectors. Thank you and enjoy! These give me that Nara feeling. What say you? and that is lint and tissue fuzz on the pieces from the wrapping I had protecting them.