MichaelW

Carlo, Grazia! I e-mailed the guy on Bidders selling his menuki and he said it was "Showa" (hopefully it dates closer to 1926 than 1989). Also, maybe this kintaro/spider story would be a good theme for a menuki on a Boy's Day sword? (warming up to this theory). Michael

Hi, One more question about menuki...those menuki from Antiques are absolutely the same as mine (except mine are painted and look "box new"). Were original menuki all one-of-a-kind hand made? Does that mean both mine and the ones on that auction site are modern repros? Or copies of an old design? or? Michael

First off, thank you to everyone for your posts! I must say that I'm as much confused as enlightened about my sword (thank goodness for Google...just so I could figure out the difference between gimei, zaimei, and mumei and decipher what you guys are talking about; I also just ordered Sato's "The Japanese Sword" from Amazon so I can get more up to speed). Even though I'm totally new to this, I kind of got the feeling that it was a mumei with a gimei added (because it's my understanding that the mei should look as crafted as the sword and not shoddy?), especially considering how famous Sadamune is...seemed suspect. As for the fuchi, wouldn't that be quite a coincidence that that signature is famous too? (incidentally, attached are pics of the fuchi and the tsuka..the kashiri looks like it matches the fuchi with a design on it that looks like a pissed off dragon). So perhaps I have a real blade that someone tried to dress up for a higher sale? Or do most of you think Stephen is correct about this being a Boy's Day sword? If it is...what lead you to believe it is from the 20's or 30's, Stephen? Finally, if it is an older blade with a fake signature and new repro fittings...any idea as to the monetary value (if any?)? Thanks again. Michael

a couple more pics.

Brian, Attached are some more pics, including some measurement pics. When I got the sword the wooden peg was sticking halfway out of it (the guy who sold it to me did a botched job of putting it back together). I had no problem disassembling it, but getting the peg back in correctly wasn't easy (I could hear it flexing the handle and didn't want to damage it). Anyway...I don't plan on taking it apart again anytime soon. Now that I'm looking at my measurement pics, I realize that I should have used a string to gauge the actual length of it because the blade is curved (anybody good at calculus? ), or are the curves not taken into account went talking about blade length? . So it's approx. 84c x 2.6c (or a little over 32in x 1in). You've got a great message board Brian! Thanks everyone. Michael

Stephen, As I said, this is my only sword and I'm very ignorant. So what identifies this as a Boy's Day sword? Was it common to give full sized and sharp katana on this holiday? Thanks.

John and Koichi, Thank you for your prompt replies! Domo arigatou gozaimashita! My digital camera sucks. I had a hard time trying to capture a decent close-up of the hamon and the jihada. I don't think the attached photo helps much. Any suggestions of best photo/lighting techniques? I thought too maybe the fittings had been added later because the blade wiggles a bit in the collar and is not tight (this is the only samurai sword I've ever handled, so I don't know much...is this common...can this happen with age?) So when did other swordsmiths named Sadamune live? Any idea as to the age of this sword? Thanks again, Michael

Here are some more pics of the sword and fittings. Do these look authentic? I bought this sword years ago off the 'net from someone in California who claimed they got it at an estate sale from a soldier who brought it back from the war.

Hi, I own a samurai sword. Not sure if it's real or not. I think this Mei reads "Sadamune"? But obviously couldn't be THE Sadamune. Does that mean it's a fake? (was there another Sadamune? could the mei have been added to an unsigned sword?). Also, the fuchi is signed too...can anyone translate this and does anyone have any info on the maker? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.