matthewbrice

Thank you, Ray. Rai would be an unusual name prefix. To explore for a moment--even though the second character looks very clearly to be 'mitsu'--could the second character be also a noun instead of mitsu? ...to form a named sword? Just a thought. Or perhaps, if truly 'Raimitsu', an unlisted smith? Or, even though I agree with Ray that the character appears to be rai, if one considers the possibility of poor handwriting, is this character close to any other possibilities? Thank you again, Ray. Your help is always apppreciated! --Matt

The first kanji is confusing me. ______mitsu. Help! Thank you. --Matt B.

Thank you so much. That is very kind of you to lend your expertise. I really appreciate your help! --Matt

Hello. I could use help with this mei that is written in grass writing. Grass writing is difficult (or impossible) for most of us--including me! Can someone help? Thank you for your help in advance. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

I have posted 6 new swords on the website--please take a look! https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ Thank you. --Matt Brice

Like Fred Geyer noted in his post--here as well is a cheap plug for a hard-to-find late war army nco sword. https://www.ebay.com/itm/113120580776 Thank you. --Matt Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

PM sent.

Ah, cool. Thank you, Steve. --Matt

I have heard from a friend who has translated for me. The side of the nakago that is full of kanji reads 'Taisho nana nen nigatsu (Tisho 7th year 2nd month)Masako (1st name) shyoji (who possess)'. So, this tanto was made in 'February, 1918'. And was Special Order made for '(Mr.) Masako'. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Joe. Like this? --Matt P.S. This tanto has been posted in the 'For Sale' section on the Board.

Thank you, Jean. That is a very helpful link! I appreciate your help, Jean! --Matt

Hello. Could I get some help translation on this gendai tanto by Toshihide? I would very much appreciate your help! --Matt Brice

Whoa John. That was so quick. Thank you so much! Awesome. Awesome. I appreciate your help, John! --Matthew Brice

Hello. I am asking for help from those of you who may read Japanese translating the kanji on both sides of the blade on a sword I own. Any help would be greatly appreciated! --Matt

Super funny though that I seem to be being 'scolded' above for listing a known antique Kanefusa sword--a smith that is documented in at least two Japanese references to have put kikusui crests upon receiving Special/Custom order requests from Japanese Officers--with no claim to being linked to the Minatogowa Shrine. I made no Minatogawa claim. Please read the full thread before trying to 'light me up' guys! --Matt

...after reading the showato/gendai debate above, I re-read my listing--then removed the old 'gendai' text from the first Kanefusa Special Order sword with kikusui crest listing. As I said, missed those words when re-using most of the description I wrote on the original sword--that first sword did not have a Seki stamp. --Matt

Gentleman, there is no claim made by myself that this is a Minatogawa Shrine sword--it most certainly is not a Minatogawa sword. The thread got off track somewhere with a forum member's Minatogawa reference above--not mine, but by a member who hadn't read the entire thread likely. Honest mistake, but off-track. Please read the listing, and the thread above. This sword is only exactly as I have stated--the sword was made by 23rd Generation Kanefusa. It is a Special Order blade--as noted in the online 'Japanese Sword Index', as well as in Jim Dawson's book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 -- Cyclopedia Edition. Swords by 23rd Generation Kanefusa with the kikusui crest were made as Special Order/Custom Order swords. They are known to advanced collectors, and are noted in both refererences mentioned above. Here is the link to my listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/362254859846 As for the showato/gendai debate, I see the Seki stamp, of course. This is the second sword I have owned by Kanefusa with a kikusui crest. I sold the other, and used the description from the first listing and made a few changes--I missed the 'gendai' phrasing in my original listing when listing the current sword. Yes, of course, generally a sword with a Seki stamp is a showato/oil-tempered, semi-traditionally made sword. Sincerely, --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Jason. This is Matthew Brice, the owner of that sword. Take a look at the reference pages provided. 23rd Generation Kanefusa, according to the online Japanese Sword Index as well as Jim Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 -- Cyclopedia Edition, made a few of his swords with a kikusui crest by Special/Custom Order. These swords are difficult to find. Thank you for posting your question, Jason. Good luck with your studies! --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

Shamsy--best not plan on as high as $3000-$4000. The highest sale price on eBay in the past 3 months was $2980. After fees the seller will realize $2625. The koshirae on your sword has more wear than the other sword. So it would be best for you to plan for your sword to have a little lower value than that one. There are other markets for swords, of course. But it's always best to take into account values on one of the most popular platforms. --Matt B www.StCroixBlades.com

David is a trustworthy man. He does wraps and sword-fitting work at prices that are more than fair. He always has an unequivocal endorsement from me. --Matt Brice St. Croix Blades

FletchSan: PM sent...

Thank you, Grey. I appreciate that. Yes, my name is Matt Brice. I not all that familiar yet with the Message Board's posting rules. I visit the site periodically for research, but haven't posted much. Collectors/dealers: Every sword on www.StCroixBlades.com comes with Free Shipping to anywhere in the world. If you ever have a question about a sword on the site, just email or call--anytime (I'll answer or call you back within an hour). A 'Contact Us' link is on the Home Page, and the phone number is there at the bottom of the page. Some of my collector/dealer customers have chosen to receive the St. Croix Blades email Newsletter. It's a great way to keep informed of the new swords that get listed without having to remember to check the site every few days. You can find the sign-up blank at the bottom right of any page. Thank you! --Matt B

Collectors--I have 15 swords currently for sale. Photos and descriptions of the swords can be seen on my website: www.StCroixBlades.com. To see all of the swords, click on 'SHOP', then 'Japanese SWORDS'. I'll have room for a little price negotiation on most swords. I can be reached at mbrice@stcroixblades.com for any questions. Thank you!

This post is for Chris Bowen. Chris, I specialize in military mount swords. How do I get my business's link added to the Commercial/Dealers list on the site? My business name is St. Croix Blades, and the website address is www.stcroixblades.com. Thanks Chris! --Matt

Awesome, Mark. Thank you. Matt