tokashikibob

Anybody see the X-Files last night? That lawyer had a nice impressive inset set up for his katana collection in the wall's with set back lighting. Too bad he got his head cut off with one by the Voodoo golem.

Super Pick Martin!

Nice file work on the nakago, tsukamaki looks like I wrapped it. You going for it Stephen?

Rob, Here's a picture. Cousin if afraid to take the handle off. Probably nothing special but the price was right. The other thing I left a bid on I won which was a box of 15 & 30 round Mil Surplus M1 carbine magazines with bullets! Super stoked about that as I love my carbine and just have a couple 10 round mags.

Those shodai and nidai Kanewaka blades are really nice blades, also expert horimono too if I remember right. How did the mei match up to references Chris?

Very nice!

Thank you Uwe!

Gents, I left a phone bid in Nov on a Owakazashi at small local auction near my cousin's non internet. Just one picture to look at and it looked good, classic closet queen, very light discoloration in spots, maybe light rust, in shirasaya with Okissaki. They did not take the handle off and neither has my cousin. I'll pic it up on the way to Chicago. Anyway, he did send a pic or what looks like a registration card taped to it. Anyone see anything they can comprehend? Best regards, Bob

Thanks Stephen! And happy new year Marine!

Gents, Having a bit of trouble placing this Kanetada as my Shinshinto reference library is minimal. I saw mentioned on NMB on another thread that there is a KaneTada early 1800's in Hawleys. Can anyone make the match and clue me in? Best regards, Bob

Here is a link to another Pawn Stars recap with a Yasutsugu in the top ten. https://youtu.be/Nq3ssQAsoRo

The hada looks like a Amahide's factory mixed metal special order

From the artilcle "The program only required the blades, but owners who wished to sell the swords complete with Koshirae was paid for the Koshirae as well" A change of thought that I will consider now; is that the so called "Civilian WW2 swords" with edo koshirae were more than likely soldier carried.

Luis, What price did the hammer drop? It looks like a nice blade, I bet very nice to look at in hand.

The samurai really wanted to keep that sword tucked in his obi

Now with the new pics I like to change to a Shitahara guesstimate

My first thought popping the picture open was a mixed metal art blade from Meiji/Taisho. Forgot what the proper term for those are in Nihongo. I reckon I thought that due to the contrast of the picture. Anyway, I love it and those eye popping hada blades are my favorite to collect. Best regards, Bob

Pete, Danny Massy's article is a good easy way to look at the mei. If I remember right Kunisada's boshi and hada have distinctive characteristics. Maybe you can take a good close up of those areas. . The wakazashi shape, length and hamon look like a Oya blade, Post some up close pictures and maybe a pro can give you more info. I'd bring it to Chicago and submit it. Here are couple pics of a possible good mei and reference book pics I have on the puter. Best regards, Bob

Gents, Bought this Hizento a while back. WW2 bring back closet piece. Has the usual nick and blemishes. It sports the high priest "Tosa" mei characteristics of circular tobayaki on one side and half moon on the other, rice grain jihada.. A tad short of the published standard katana length. I find it odd that the first chiseled character was placed so high on the nakago. However during research on this blade I have seen other comparable early Hizento where the first character was also polished over somewhat. Best regards, Bob

Very Nice! I enjoyed very much looking at the blade.

How about some blade pic's Ed! Love to see em!

Very Nice! Great find Ben, let me know when you get tired of it so we can work out a trade or something likewise. Best regards, Bob

Gents, Thank you for the namban links, Cool! Bazza, I agree it sure looks Yasutsugu Eichizen chiselwork. Initially, I thought the horimono work older, but it is not too worn down as much as most koto are. Jean, The sugata looks older but I agree that Nakago does not look old enough. Too bad I cannot see much to describe anything on the hada, or hataraki if any in the hamon. Also, it looks flaw free too, (Utsushi = good tamahagane/forging), Here are a couple pics of a old Oei Nobukuni blade before and after. Rusty blades need love too... sometimes.. I'm sure this will be polished by someone if not myself in the future. Best regards, Bob

Fellas, Enjoyed reading the Fuyuhiro blade Rob recently won at auction. Link below. It made me think about this blade I have that has similar characteristics, condition and questions in my mind about era, school, horimono / atobori. As Ray mentioned in the other post Nakahara's Fundamental's is a pessimistic book when you get these multi character pieces. I did hit the books a bit with it but could not find my notes, but don't remember coming to a educated guess. However it seems to have been a nice sword back in it's heyday. Hoso-suguha looks good all the way, weird namban tsuba too. The guy who did the last polish did not do his best work... Best regards, Bob http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/23663-katana-for-auction-fuyuhiro-saku-w-shaomi-tsuba/page-3

Nice buy Rob! She's going to be a beauty queen when you clean her up. Any story from the auctioneer about how the sword wound up North of the Boarder? Best regards, Bob