Drago

I know that sometimes stamps are found on the Nakago of swords, be they aresenal stamps, Crysanthemum, factory stamps or hot stamps by the smith. I found this in an eBay offer: http://www.iconicjapanimages.com/ebay/j ... -84029.jpg (eBay offer http://www.ebay.com/itm/120902864200) Due to the condition of the rest of the I can't judge if the sword is authentic, but if we assume it is: What does the stamp mean? Why would you add the Tokugawa mom to the Nakago of the sword? According to the item description this was perhaps made during the Bakumatsu, so does this mean "taking their side"? Or was this made for someone of the Tokugawa? Or... If you judge this sword to be fake, please close/delete this thread. Thanks.

Hmm... So it looks bad, huh? Is there at least a photo of him?

I can't really help you, sorry. But doesn't this look more like 源あ之 - although this doesn't really make sense...

Hi, I found this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251041513179 Short yari (Nagasa 11cm), signed and dated 1857. Polish looks reasonable. But I'm not that experienced when it comes to yari... What is your opinion? Authentic? Quality? Price? (price is of course "worth what you're willing to pay", but is it generally speaking too expensive or too cheap?) Thanks.

Hmm... Just wanted to know if there is any new information concerning that question.

Hi, I'm looking for someone who can do the following: 1. repair a split saya (mine is split about 1/3 from the bottom and the kuchi has some cracks too) - just repair of the wood, no paint etc. 2. make a completely new tsuka (wooden core, same, wrapping, mekugi-ana) - fittings are present, but if better ones are available... 3. repair an old wooden tsuka core (reglueing and refitting) In my case, this is about a Type 1944 Gunto (Nagamitsu). The guy in Nuremberg that often works for Juwelier Strebel recommended http://www.katachi-art.com in Hamburg to me, saying that they have experience/are specialized in Gunto swords. Does anyone know their work? Or can you recommend other ones? I don't wanna waste a lot of money for train tickets across the whole country and repairs just get a bad result. Thanls.

I see, thanks. But I'll bid anyway. The Meoto-Iwa theme is rare (and the details seem good). And it might be usefull later when I have finally built my dream wakizashi (with village theme fuchi-kashira and Meoto-Iwa theme menuki that I already have).

Hi, http://www.ebay.com/itm/160773915812 - Are those menuki? Three pieces, made from stamped brass, each with two pins on the end. I asked the seller for the size, but only recently, so I haven't gotten an answer yet. Well, I'm bidding on them anyway, but I'd still like to know. Thanks.

Ah, I see. Thank you very much.

Hi, I hope this is the right place... What I'd like to know is: Military sword belts have that strap that has the clip or loop at the end to hook your sword to. But that strap usually also has a hook at the top (where it it fixed to the belt). What purpose does that hook serve? Sample of a replica: http://hikishop.net/wwii-Japanese-ija-s ... p-136.html Thanks.

Very very interesting! I've seen that film too... @Keith If you have the time, could you please post some pictures of that ana-less blade and koshirae? Also perhaps a translation of the inscription and a short description of how you got your hand on it? Thanks.

Hi, I'm not really interested in buying. I found this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/230762741680 This claims to be an Ichihara Nagamitsu blade. BUT the signature looks odd, the kisaki look odd and it's a wakizashi... What is your opinion on the blade and signature? And I have never ever seen a Nagamitsu wakizashi. Has he ever made some? (If so, can you post an example?) Thanks.

Very interesting George. Do you just collect the text (write it down) or do you take photos? I'd be really interested to see some photos of the gendaito "made to be carried by my husband (name)"! Thanks and keep it up!

I see... How do I find out if it is kinko or not? Sekigane? I'm afraid that is beyond my level of skill. Just filing is no problem... So if I decided to have that one I'd have to have someone do the skigane fitting.

Hi, I found this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250989406793 What do you think? Genuine? Age? Worth the price? Quality? And a beginner question: If I bought a genuine tsuba to fit on my blade, is it acceptable to modify that tsuba (e.g. enlarge the nakago ana so the blade fits)? Or should one only buy tsubas that fit from the beginning? Or only tsubas with too large holes so when making the hole smaller (by hammering the edges) you don't lose material? Thanks.

Hi, I found this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/320852685726 Take a look at all the pictures showing the tip. Is this considered a fatal flaw? Thanks.

Hi Ernst, very interesting, thanks. I have a couple of questions and I'd be happy if you could answer them. 1. Is this a traditionally made blade? (I mean, even machined blades can be made with a hard egde and soft core) 2. Is the edge sharp? 3. Did you get the other part of the blade as well? If so, can you post a picture? Thanks.

Haha. My first thought after seeing the solution was: It's gonna cause a hell of a lot of trouble if you forget that in your hand luggage at the airport.

Ah, very funny. :x Why would one single smith use different signatures to sign the blades he himself made???

Hi, I just read the "Why Mumei?" post (http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopi ... =1&t=12164) - very interesting. I thought of highjacking this but then decided to open a new thread instead. Admins: If there already has been a similar question, please point me to it. I did use the search but didn't find anything. If there already is, feel free to merge/close/delete this thread. Last year, I bought an Ichihara Nagamitsu sword that is signed "ichihara ichiryushi nagamitsu saku". Recently, I say another blade with the same signature on eBay that that a very very similar Hamon. Other Nagamitsu blades that I have seen had different Hamon and were only signed "nagamitsu saku" for example. So my question is: Why do smiths sign their blades differently. Does that indicate anything and what kind of signature indicates what? (I'll rephrase that: Why does one smith use different signatures for his own blades? Just like in my example...) Thanks.

Hi, I might be interested in this Wakizashi. At least for now the price is still acceptable :D http://www.ebay.com/itm/230743921113 The polish looks good, hamon is visible, I don't see any obvious flaws and it doesn't seem to be too tired. It is signed, but I can't really make it out, it looks like "Bushu Osafune *mitsu" What is your opnion? Is it worth buying? What is the signature? Any estimate on the age? Thanks.

Hi, I found this on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/270905140057 The kashira of this Tsuka does have some kind of hook or whatever. Is there a special purpose for that? Is this an authentic piece or a modern fantasy invention? Thanks!

Awesome! I heard and read that this is what happens, but this is the first time I've seen it.

The list you provided almost only contains the maker of the swords and who they belonged to. What I am looking for are swords that have names. In your list that is called "nicknamed".

Hi, I've been looking all over for a list of named Nihonto. But try as I might, I can't find any. What comes to mind so far: There are of course the legendary swords like Kusanagi no Tsurugi and others, then there's Kogarasu Maru and some Masamune blades that have destinctive names. Does anyone of you know a list or can provide one themselves? (if you have, please include translations)