gtstcactus

I was told this sword was an edo period sword... I've been thru the swordsmith data base and can't quite match a sig to my satisfaction. Could anyone tell me when this norimitsu was making swords? I was told edo, but got the impression from someone it may be from earlier times... any input appreciated!

The database link off this site. The kanji pages button, then under nihonto there is a swordsmith database. The link has been provided in the previous post.

Thanks David, I'm amazed you can read that! Would that be Kanemoto 60,61 or 62 accoding to the kanji pages swordsmith database? I don't have the literature to check on these things yet. I'm still trying to aquire more books!

I can't quite make this one out, not sure if anyone will be able to read from these photos but it's all I have. I'm guessing part of the mei has been lost with the mekugi hole???

Ron, now you've said that it seems so obvious!

I took the photo with the tang end at the bottom. Well that was certainly a dissapointment, lol

I just aquired this WWII police sword. I took the handle off to find 2 characters, not sure if it is a signature, date or what. I've tried but can't translate them even tho they look fairly simple... Would this be an older blade made to fit the police mounts? Thanks Jas

John, You are quite likely right... Being more knowledgeable than I on the subject. It was labeled as orangutan so I went with that but some sort of ape it is for sure!. It fits my tsuba-less wakizashi like a glove! Now I just need a tsuka for it, The photos of the 2nd tsuba didn't come out so good, I'll redo later. I can't quite tell what the menuki are one the handle.... It came with a home made wooden blade. At some stage I'd be keen on getting a blade for the set. Not a madly expensive blade, but something decent, and really just about anything would beat the wooden blade! All in all it was a good outting, I met a nice chap who can do tsuka-maki, and build handles from scratch which is of help to me!

Hey all, I went to a militaria auction yesterday...... Not much in the way of nihonto, but I met a couple of collectors in the area and swapped contact details, which was good. I picked up a couple of items, not national treasures but I like them. The blades all sold to postal bidders unsighted for 3-4 times what I thought they were worth!!! Pic of my finds.... I can't seem to photo the tsuba side on, they are not casts! I got the orangutan tsuba (one face, the silver one has worn off) for a wakizashi I have with no tsuba or tsuka. I got to go out now but will edit post later. Comments / info welcome!

I went to an auction viewing tonight... Not much in the way of Japanese swords but there was one with an average blade but the mei got me curious.. I was not allowed to photo it.... but there was a bit of paper with it with a supposed translation. One side apparenly said Living in Echiczen. The other side (turn sword over) supposedly said Lord of Hohki and Hirotaka Fujiwara. It said the maker was Hirotaka Fujiwara. I'm surpried no date was on there (could have been) I didn't have my books and it wasn't practical for me to try translating it! Now I don't know who did the translation or if they got it right or not.... How does that sound? Would it have been made for the Lord of Hohki?

Hi, I am trying to find out any and all I can about the swordsmith Norimitsu, who signed the mei in the picture. Am I right in thinking it says BISHU OSAFUNE JUNIN NORIMITSU? He is meant to be from sometime during the edo period. Could someone tell me exactly what this says?? I gather osafune is the village in Bizen, Norimitsu being the smith. So what part do Bishu and junin play in this signature? I've searched for the answer but can't find one so I now ask the members. I've been thru the swordsith database and found lots of Norimitsu smiths some with the Bishu but not with Junin in the mei. have I got it wrong? Does it just say Bishu Osafune Norimitsu? If so which one???? I'm told it's "one from the edo period" but thats not to specific!

If anything is sorted to help people unable to attend submit things it would be good to know!

Thank you.... I was way off the mark!

Hey, I've tried and no doubt failed..... Could someone help me out with this one please... it's on blade in army mounts. My effort came up with Atsuhiro.... I think I got it wrong. So maybe someone could correct me.

Thank you very much for the replies! It's become apparent that my literature is seriously lacking in regards to the fittings side of things....

Can fittings be submitted for shinsa at this event?

Ford, Wow that is a very similar styled tsuba, almost looks like they (fuchi and tsuba) belong together!

Hey Folk, Has anyone heard of a blade being signed "number 1 foundry" (In Japanese)??? I'm sorry I don't have pictures of this one, nor have I sighted it, just relying on what's been said. The owner says that means its a "standard issue sword". It's in army officer shin-gunto mounts. Not sure exactly what type. I've not seen or read of that mei before.

David, Thanks for that, gives me a ball park figure to think about. I don't have any friends to submit for me. My sister lives in Sydney but no way would she do it! Be awesome if you can submit for people that can't attend!

Hey Folk, Has anyone heard of a blade being signed "number 1 foundry"??? I'm sorry I don't have pictures of this one, nor have I sighted it, just relying on what's been said. The owner says that means its a "standard issue sword". It's in army officer shin-gunto mounts. Not sure exactly what type. I've not seen or read of that mei before.

I'm just curious about the cost of submitting blades for shinsa at the Sydney event. Also if one is unable to attend is there anyone who can / will submit the blade for you? (and how much is such a service if available)

Brian, thats a good post.... helpful for a newcomer like myself. thanks...

Hi Moss, I realise the boshi continues into the kissaki, perhaps I didn't word things as well as I could have. I was just unsure if it was the images or polish that mean I had a hard time seeing it. I'd enjoy seeing more pics.

Thanks for the advice Jean, but I'm not giving up on nihonto at this stage. My opinion is if the guy likes something and it's for his pleasure then it's worth whatever value he puts on it. That might have nothing to do with market value.... but as they say something is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.... regardless of what anyone else thinks of it's value.

Jean says I'm the least qualified to give an opinion, and he's probably right! Does the hamon continue into the kissaki? I'm not sure if I'm seeing the boshi... Looks like a nice enough piece, but what do I know!