matthewbrice

It's confirmed. Ray Singer confirmed that Moriyama Koichi's reading is correct. Thank you to both Ray Singer and Moriyama Koichi! --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Hi Brian! It is the earliest of Japanese Naval swords--circa 1873. So hard to find--almost impossible. Could anyone else help with the translation? Moriyama Koichi took a stab at it above, but related that he wasn't certain he had read it 100% correctly. Thank you to anyone that can read what they see! --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Here's the photo cropped, and with a slight color edit to bring out the kanji.

Thank you Dan!!

New sword listings from St. Croix Blades: https://stcroixblade...hop/Japanese-swords/

The nmb appears to be having difficulty allowing the uploading of photos at the moment. So until that is fixed, the photos of this sword can be found here: https://stcroixblade...ce-aritomo-yamagata/

A rare and historic sword owned by Gensui Prince Aritomo Yamagata, who led the new modernized Imperial Japanese Army in their defeat of the Satsuma Rebellion--ending the era of the Samurai. An historic Presentation sword to Japanese Field Marshall and twice-elected Prime Minister Aritomo Yamagata. Yamagata led the new modern Japanese Army in their defeat of the Satsuma Rebellion led by samurai Saigo Takamori of Satsuma in 1877 (as detailed in the movie The Last Samurai). A sword of special interest to historians and to those that collect items from historical figures featured in famed Hollywood movies. This sword is a U.S. model 1852 Navy Sword modified for Presentation to Field Marshall Yamagata. This sword is published on pages 246 & 247 of Jim Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945--a Cyclopedia. The sword is etched on the blade 'T.A. Yamagata'. A quick historical search of Aritomo Yamagata shows that he was born Tatsunosuke Yamagata. He changed his name to Aritomo Yamagata at the start of the Meiji Restoration. Thus the 'T. (Tatsunosuke) A. (Aritomo) Yamagata' inscription. Yamagata held innumerous positions of the highest levels--both in the Japanese Military and in the Japanese Government. Among his many positions: --Chief of the General Staff of the Imperial Japanese Army for three different terms. 1878-1882, 1884-1885, and 1904-1905. --Awarded the level of Field Marshall in 1898, also referred to as Gensui or Gensui Prince (5-Star General). --Served two terms as the Prime Minister of Empire of Japan. 1889-1891, and 1898-1900. --President of the Japanese Privy Council for three terms. 1893, 1905-1909, and 1909-1922. --Acting War Minister and Commanding General during the First Sino-Japanese War. --Commanding General of the Japanese First Army, Russo-Japanese War. Also, among his most notable achievements: --Yamagata succeeded in urging Emperor Meiji to write the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors in 1882. This document was the moral code of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy until Japan's defeat in World War 2. --As noted above, Yamagata led the new modern Japanese Army in their defeat of the Satsuma Rebellion led by samurai Saigo Takamori of Satsuma (as detailed in the movie The Last Samurai). CONDITION: This historic sword is in exceptional condition. Some of the original gold gilt is still present on the blade. There is no scabbard as the original leather scabbard with brass fittings (assuming it had one) did not survive the last 146 years. $35,000 obo (If paying via Paypal or credit card, add 4% fee) --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

1 fine Japanese display collection of 26 Edo period (1603-1867 A.D.) Samurai arrow points. These 26 yanone are of various shapes. The back of this large display describes these yanone. The translation is as follows: This is a very rare set of 26 pieces made by Yoshinaga (of the Sanjo region of Kyoto). Truly valuable collection Everything is authentic and dates back to the mid-Edo period (written on an) Auspicious day in June 1981 Muneaki Taki (wrote this) A museum quality display for any fine den or boardroom. $5200 More photos available here: https://stcroixblade...-yanone-yajiri-rare/ --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

Those items that did not sell at auction are back up for sale. Here's the link: https://www.ebay.com..._oac=1&_nkw=Japanese Thank you. --Matthew Brice https://stcroixblade...hop/Japanese-swords/

You're right Conway. I realized that only after I started getting notices that my items had ended. I had quite the day yesterday apparently! --Matt

Thank you Brian! Ugh, I should have double-checked that the link worked. Oh boy. --Matt

St. Croix Blades has 9 auctions on eBay ENDING SUNDAY NIGHT. If you like to pick up items for your collection only at careful prices, this is one of those times to do so. Each item is listed at cost! Here is the link: https://www.ebay.com...&LH_SpecificSeller=1 If you don't have an eBay account, reach us at our website http://www.StCroixBlades.com. We may still have time to pull a listing for you so you can buy it direct! Thank you. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

St. Croix Blades has 9 auctions on eBay ENDING SUNDAY NIGHT. If you like to pick up items for your collection only at careful prices, this is one of those times to do so. Each items is listed at cost! Here is the link: https://www.ebay.com...&LH_SpecificSeller=1 If you don't have an eBay account, reach us at our website http://www.StCroixBlades.com. We may still have time to pull a listing for you so you can buy it direct! Thank you. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

This is a late 19th Century artillery sword. --Matt www.StCroixBlades.com

And Ray is the first to it again. Thank you Ray! I'll check the signature against genuine oshigata. I appreciate your help Ray. Talk to you soon. --Matt

Looking for help with the translation. This second sword is an older wakizashi. The signature looks pretty 'chippy' to me (makes me suspect gimei). I think Kunihiro--but I have difficulty with the rest. The koshirae has a signed shakudo fuchi, a shakudo tsuba, a gold foil habaki, and fine lacquer work on the saya. Thank you in advance for your help! --Matt

Thank you so much Ray as always! Very kind of you to help me. I am just about to post a request for another translation Ray. That one is an older wakizashi. The signature looks pretty 'chippy' to me (make me suspect gimei). I think Kunihiro--but I have difficulty with the rest. Thanks again Ray. --Matt

Hello. I would appreciate anyone's help with the translation of this katana. Thank you in advance. --Matt

St. Croix Blades currently has 50 Japanese swords, tosogu, etc. in its eBay Store listed. You don't have to have an eBay account to purchase. I will pull any item that you wish to buy. Prices are often negotiable. Trades can even be an option (I'll be converting your trade items into cash by reselling them, so the value of your trade items needs to be higher than the negotiated purchase price--I need to take time to photograph and list any trade items, wait for their sale, then ship, etc.). Contact me here to let me know what you would like to negotiate on. https://www.ebay.com...&LH_SpecificSeller=1 Thank you! --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

Exceedingly rare Japanese WW2 Admiral's Dress Sword for sale. This is a 'book sword'. See pages 263 and 264 of Jim Dawson's book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition. This is THE sword photographed on those pages. $5500 or best offer. https://www.ebay.com/itm/364513345151 You don't have to have an eBay account to purchase. Just contact me here, and I will pull the listing once we have a purchase agreement. --Matthew Brice St. Croix Blades

Piers, Morita san, John, Bruce--thank you!!! I really appreciate your help!! --Matt

This is the second personal dirk of an Admiral I have owned. --Matt

Looking for blade kanji translation help on a dirk owned by Admiral Nishizo Tsukahara. I can see the kanji for 'gift' as the third character. Asking for help with the first two kanji. Thank you! --Matt

I forgot to mention--trades are invited towards these dirks as well! Thank you~ --Matt St. Croix Blades