matthewbrice

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

Thank you, Mark! Matt

Hello nihonto members. Could I get some help translating this signature as well? Thank you for any help you can provide! This is a WW2 era sword that has what is likely to be a machine-made blade. The nakago has what looks like a miniature Seki stamp.

Hello. Could I ask nihonto message board members for some translation help, please? Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide. This is a WW2 era sword with what looks like a machine-made blade. There is also what looks to me like a miniature Seki stamp on it.