k morita

Mauro, Your translation is right. Axel, A theme on this tsuba is the story Chinese ancient strategist Zhang Liang/Chang Liang and immortal Huang Shigong met on the bridge. The scllol on the brige means a scroll book of military strategy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Liang_(Western_Han)

Hi, 正 阿 弥 包 矩 Shoami Kanenori

Hi George san, He's talking about a book of Jinsoo's [Dai nippon token shoko meikan]. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Samurai-Sword-IJA-IJN-WW-II-Rikugun-Kaigun-Gunto-Book-/161599951682 There are no English translation editions on this book yet.

Hi, Maybe,"Aiya Shirobei Kiyoie +kao". 藍屋四郎兵衛 清家 with kao

Thank you for your reply.

The back of the lid, English translation: There are tsubas called Heianjo-hira-zogan-tsuba(Flat inlaid tsuba) in the world,but it are almost unsigend tsubas. But,this tsuba is signed as Heianjo ju Tadanaga, and will be good reference item of signature of his work. February,1940 An appraiser of Chuo tokenkai. Kuwabara Sōa(so-u-a) (Sōa is Kuwabara Yōjirō's pen name) ------------------------------------- Japanese: 世上平安城平象嵌鍔と 称するものあれども殆ど全 部無銘なり。本品は平安 城住忠長と在銘品にて 最も宜き参考品なり。 昭和十五年二月 　中央刀剣会審査員 桑原雙蛙 with stamp

Hi, The mei says "forged by Sato Yukihira". Seki smith,WWII period

Hi, 播 磨 國 明 石 住 埋 忠 義 次 作 Made by Umetada Yoshitsugu,living in Akashi,Harima province. 籠 目 藻 平 象 嵌 透 鍔 Open work tsuba with woven-bamboo pattern(bamboo basket),and inlaid flat hirazogan of algae/waterweed.

Hi, R: 鶴 鳴 齋 (Kakumei-sai) his Go L: 宮 田 信 清 +kao (Miyata Nobukiyo) and kao

Hi, The fuchi mei says "Umetada Naritaka" 埋 忠 就 孝

Moriyama san, I can understand your opinion about 4 letters.But you did wrong interpretation. Mark, This four letter is the nickname which proves the sharpness of this sword. Not a poem. 柳風　means "When cutting it with this sword, there are no feelings/response".(good cuting taste). 袖雪　means "When it snows on sleeves,when waving a sleeve,snow falls right now." This means "When cutting it with this sword, everything will be cut immediately, and it falls."

Hi, Before about one week, Mr.W.Y.Chan introduced following link to this forum. Thanks Mr.Chan. http://www.inkan-j.com/blog/archives/289 I searched and got the grafic magazine on which a picture of Tsukamoto Okimasa appears. English title: [international Graphic] pub 1957,January.　 Japanese title [国際写真情報] The article which explained the making process of swords to beginner. This article doesn't provide a study with useful information so much, but this magazine is introducing many unusual pictures of Okimasa. A back cover was a color picture of Okimasa. An author of the article was Sato Kanzan.

Hi, The paper says: Unsigned tsuba (Aizu Syoami). Tsuba with design of Tekkai Sennin.

Chris san, Even if there are no records in a shrine, don't worry about it. The tang inscription of this sword is "the record" and It is "the evidence".

Chris san, Today,I called to the Shinto priest of Asakakunitsuko-jinja in Koriyama,Fukushima prefecture. I asked the priest whether a list of dedicated swords existed? The answer is "There is no list". He was saying that Shrine's swords ware carried away by the occupation army after the war2.

Great find !!! Moreover,very healthy blade and Prefectural shrine,Asakakunitsuko-jinja Shrine's Treasure sword.

Maybe Chinese stamp. 大 方 天 外

Hi, " Chōbei Kanetsugu saku ". Chōbei is his first name.

Hi, I got the book [ 刀剣実證鑑定法/Token jisho kanteiho] by Shimizu,pub 1934. Tang 0shigata of this Tanto appears on page 309. This author(Shimizu) didn't trust the signature of the Tanto. The author was guessing this tanto as Senjuin school,not Tegai school.(?)

Hi, Your decipherment of the cursive script is completely wrong. Cursive script of the tsuba says 青 虯 軒　(Seikyuken/Shokyuken),this is an art name "Go". 虯 reads "mizuchi",same as 蛟

Hi, The sword signature says "Sato(family name) Kanesumi", WWII period Seki smith(RJT). 佐 藤 兼 住

Hi, 藤原住安友 Fijiwara ju Yasutomo. Fujiwara is a place name in Yamato (Nara) province. now Fujiwara town in Nara city. Other example: Fujiwara ju Noriyasu　則安　in Yamato. http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/0810_1116syousai.htm

Hi, Gōshusai Katsura Sōrin

Hi, Might be Hasegawa Sukemune(長谷川　祐宗),WWII period smith in Shimane prefecture. Any blade pics? Blade length? Tang length?

Hi, The mei says "Daidōji Mitsushige saku". 大 道 寺 光 重 作