Henry Wilson

Hi Mr Nagamaki The question marks are a bit distracting. Sorry about that. They were put in to indicate my surprised at what I think is a good price. I think for a Kamakura era blade the price is excellent, regardless of the school. For what it is worth, it is papered Hozon too and the koshirae is quite nice. I love old stuff and not many swords or sword items in general get the Kamakura period call. I think whether in polish or not, speaking personally I would not mind and only wish that that I had the money lying around on the floor somewhere to go down the road and buy it.

Late Kamakura period?????? JPY 560,000- or US$ 5,894.00???? With a nice koshirae????? What are you waiting for????? http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/08744.html

Could the depth of the brown from a black lacquer be an indication of age?

You can call me "tripod" if you like!!!

Actually all the way from Saitama to Musashino, in the Kanto area. Would love to see your Kagami.

Thanks everyone for their thoughts. If anyone is interested, it is part of a koshirae that I bought a few weeks back. http://www.yamabushiantiques.com/KOSHIRAE6.htm

Thank you Markus for your reply. My thinking is that the kozuka could read either way depending on who is reading it and what side of the sword they are standing. The owner can understand what you put forward but the opposition can read my humble suggestion. Just an idea off course as what I have learnt from Japanese language is that sometimes the context can be vague and unclear and on occasions individual interpretations are expected and necessary. Just food for thought and trying to generate discussion.

Hey Brian Take care of yourself and get well soon Best

absolutely indeed. I need to agree with Carlo. A most excellent response and thank you again Markus. Just the two characters 走生 where beyond me and my "kanji reading" wife. How about "run for your life" as another way of interpreting the meaning of the characters?

Thank you so much Markus. There is a lot there to research.

Hi everyone I have a kozuka with some old kanji on it. I can't translate it . Can anyone help me out? Cheers

I don't know. I hope none.

Just an observation but if you were to print with them would the characters not be the wrong way round and a mirror needed to read them with ease?

Very nice. I think just leave them be....

Is what I heard a young man from Germany tell the waitress in a Scottish B and B last summer in Perth (Scotland). Funniest thing I had heard in my life....

The plate makes me think early to mid Edo period. It is nice but quite flat and does not appear folded or worked that much. Are there any folds in the mimi? (a sign of folding) Also I have the same feeling as Brian: "Not sure if this is an udenuki hole, or just part of the design." It could be the moon amongst the stars? and the hitsu-ana could represent the black empty vastness of of the cosmos...... Just Sunday night thoughts.....

I assume "bujinkan" is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujinkan

Was it made by Ford?

Look before you leap :lol: Couldn't resist. Don't fall out with me Mr. Schiller.

BANZAI Sorry couldn't resist and thank you Paul for the information. I might go twice then

Looks good. Might pop in this week. How much is it? Or is it free :lol:

If he wants something ASAP then how about here: http://www.aoi-art.com/gunto/main.html The first one Yasuhiro is nice

The fittings might not be WW2 military fittings. The tsuba and possibly the menuki could well be civilian as they do not follow the typical military patterns. I have a wakizashi with fittings that look military at a glance however the koshirae was probably made in the 1930s for a civilian who might have been involved with home defense or just fancied the militaristic style. With the koshirae above in question, the tsuba sakura and the the flowers in the tsuka look quite similar which make think some one intended a match so a battle field repair job is unlikely. Just my opinion.

I am pretty sure that it is a copy / fake. The quality of the metal is not right, the mei looks bad and I think it is on the wrong side too!

:lol: