patrick7813

Grey is always the best and a great source for difficult to find books!.

Many thanks to all that have commented. I've enjoyed the research (glad I'm retired with the time) even if without the results (so far) that I was hoping. I've learned a lot about related subjects but I'm running out of sources available to me, so................ Cheers,

Hi Stephen I'd be the first to admit that my lesser trained/experienced eyes wouldn't likely see something that you would. I'm having difficulty placing this Tadaaki. Other than a Tsuneyasu who initially signed as Tadaaki (but with a different Aki kanji), I’m having no luck. I'm beginning to think George may be on the right track in that we have a sword without any detailed recorded information relative to the smith. Cheers,

Chris: Thank you for the hint. It's taken me down many rabbit holes without any success so far. Morita san: Thank you for the oshigata. I placed it beside the mei on my sword and they both match exactly. So there's no (little) question they're swords of the same smith. Do you have any historical information about this Ishii Tadaaaki that you could share?

George: In an online index of the Gendai Toko Meikan (Dr. Stein’s site), it shows an Ishii Harumoto in Chikuzen province in a list of additional deceased swordsmith with those entries (name and province only) specifically beginning on page 204 of this Meikan. Secondly, this same index lists Tadaaki as being on page 38 of this Meikan. Unfortunately, I don’t have the Gendai Toko Meikan (and probably couldn’t read it anyway since Japanese isn’t my strong suit). If anyone has this Meikan, the Tadaaki on page 38 may shed some more light on his biography. Chris: This is a project in which I would greatly enjoy participating. Unfortunately, I struggle translating the mei and date on most nakago. Therefore (and regrettably for me), I doubt I’d be of much assistance. Cheers all,

Hello George Thank you for the additional information, very insightful as always. I'm going to see if I can locate any information about a Ishii Harumoto. I feel the smith story is slowly coming together. Regrettably, the blade is not signed. Since the gunto mounts are near mint (and that would be very, very, very near), it's possible they could be a newer addition than the date of the blade. Cheers,

Gabriel – Thank you for the translation confirmation. Morita San – Thank you for affirming the Ishii Tadaaki reference. I’m curious if you know of other reference materials that provide more information about this smith. I’d like to research more but am at a loss for references defining this smith. The blade/nakago appears machi-okuri to me, which may explain the 2 mekugi-ana (e.g., forged for Iaito purposes and shortened for military usage/mounts). The blade and type 98 gunto mounts are in near mint condition (see pictures). Cheers,

I have a WW2 gunto mounted blade with a mei that I’ve translated as Hizen Kuni TadaAki Saku (see picture). I’ve found a reference to a Tadaaki in Slough’s (no oshigata but references to 4th seat in forging and 2nd seat in cutting test at the 1941 Sword Exhibition). I did find a reference on this forum to an Ishii Tadaaki in Hizen who was a gendaito smith during the Showa era. Otherwise, the only reference is to a Yamamoto Tadaaki (1865-68) in both Hawley’s and Markus’ books (nothing in F&G’s oshigata books either). Have I translated correctly? If yes, does anyone have any additional info on this Hizen (Ishii) Tadaaki? Thanks for any help or additional information. Cheers,

Good for you. Glad you had a good experiennce. Read the posts. Bought two swords from him ok. Send him/her questions on a third sword and got blocked from bidding. If you see the posts you will see the same has happened before. It is a free country if you are comfortable buying from this seller go for it. Like I said, never, never again. It's been several years since I purchased from him so I have no current experience. FWIW, I did ask questions during the bidding process, got answers and didn't get blocked.

A valid point about the photos, Chris. I’ll repeat that I’m not interested in purchasing but rather expanding my knowledge about a blade’s value which seems improbable to determine for this blade based upon what’s in front of us.

You’ll find the whole gamut of buyer experiences. I’ve purchased from him in the past. Three swords were exactly as described and keepers. Another I returned without issue and received a full refund. I am interested in the validity of the sword listed and nothing related to its purchase. Unfortunately, it seems I've stirred a hornet's nest about the seller. That was certainly not my intent.

Oh, I'm not interested in purchasing. Just curious what others thought (and I should have made that more clear). Not to mention, I shouldn't be asking about open auctions either. Perhaps Brian should delete post!

Gassan Sadakatsu on eBay for $9K (http://www.ebay.com/itm/360958039302?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) Is this gimei or have swords come down this much?

I’m with the majority of views to leave the nakago in its current state. While I find chasing down the 9th Nobufusa for any possible restoration intriguing, I’ve concluded it’s an effort I’m unwilling to undertake. Perhaps the next owner may be more inclined to do so. As many, both here and elsewhere, have advised, the nakago, although rusted, has wartime provenance as is, the mei remains visible and its know history combine to impart character to the sword. My thanks to all that have chimed in with thoughts. Cheers,

All While the rust is stabilized and I'm content with leaving it "as is", I was intrigued by Ed's suggestion of contacting Nobufusa's son to address the nakago condition. For the sake of discussion, I would likely need some help in brokering a contact with his son and returning the blade to have the work performed (if it could be returned due to its weapon status). Regardless, the final expense may not be worth the effort but am interested in knowing more. Cheers,

Thank you Chris and Ed. Although torn, I was leaning towards leaving the nakago as is for fear of doing more harm than any good in attempting to remove any rust. Given the mei is only somewhat discernible, I wouldn’t want to do anything that would result in its further diminishment. The blade itself is very fine and attractive. I was drawn to this sword because of its history and the quality of the smith’s work. Ed’s information, much more than I gained from the person from whom I acquired it, is very helpful supporting the blade’s provenance and in reinforcing my decision to have acquired the sword and now leave as is. Cheers gentlemen,

Need an opinion. I have an 8th generation Nobufusa. The nakago is heavily rusted, yet his mei (Hokke Saburo Nobufusa) remains visible. I’m torn about removing most of the rust or leaving as is. If the rust is removed, I’d like some advice on how to approach. The blade was polished (don’t know by whom) because, I'm told, it had been allowed to deteriorate (probably the same reason for the heavily rusted nakago as well) and is now stored in shirasaya mounts. The original Type 98 shin gunto mounts were retained but are in so-so condition and no longer suitable for housing the blade. There is documentation about the sword from the vet who was the navigator on Gen. Stilwell’s plane and received it from the surrender ceremonies held on Okinawa. Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Cheers, Patrick

Hi John I can clearly see that now with your help. Thanks so much. Cheers,

Guys I have a 2 character family name (I think) kamon on a WW2 shin gunto kobutogane that I’m struggling to translate. See picture. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all. Cheers, Patrick

Hi Chad I too have had several tsuka rewrapped with new Ito and same' by David McDonald. The result, in all cases, was excellent. You won't be disappointed. Cheers, Patrick

Hi Julian Sorry for the late reply but I’ve been away from home (and my collection). I’m also familiar with this other sword you’ve just purchased. Attached is a rather inelegant picture of my remaining mint (or near mint) type 98 shin gunto collection. Top to bottom are: Kunimori, Emura, Koto mumei, Teruhide, Masayasu and Kanefusa. I’ve cleaned the fittings and/or the same’/ito on several. I also have a kai gunto mounted blade by Yasumitsu but that koshirae has been completely restored (tsuka same’/ito, saya, all fittings either new gold wash and/or new shakudo finished. That didn’t seem to fit this category so I didn’t include any picture. Cheers,

Looks exactly like the one I sold to a dealer here in the States several weeks ago. The blade was forged by Kiyoharu. The koshirae is outstanding and what caused me the most angst in parting with it. Enjoy!

Hi Martin Thank you. Yes, I now "see" to what you're referring, the kage being "cut off" due to suriage. I've now highlighted the Mune kanji as shown in this picture. Now to determine whuch MuneKage.

Hi Martin You are obviously more skilled at this than I. ½ kanji is beyond my skills so the answer must be dumb luck versus simple coincidence. You must strongly believe it to be Munekage and if you could highlight the Mune in the mei, perhaps I can learn from that to do better translations the next time around. Thanks for all help. Cheers,

Hi I’m not sure what you’re asking but I think I’m seeing this [shige (重) Kage (景)], not this [Mune (宗) ………] in the mei.