matthewbrice

Hello.  Could I get some help with this signature?  I get Shigemichi...I think.  But I can't read the rest.

Thank you!

--Matt

Just a heads up—I just listed a Special Work by Yasunori in the ‘For Sale’ section of the nmb forum.  Take a look.  It’s a rare one!

—Matthew Brice

www.StCroixBlades.com

For Sale:  $8750 (plus shipping and PayPal or credit card fee of 4.4%)

1 antique Japanese WW2 Yasukuni Shrine sword by Kagiyama Yasunori available.  Yasunori was one of the founders of the Yasukuni Shrine Forge.  This is a Special Order katana by Yasunori.  This rare Special Order Yasukuni Shrine sword would make a fine acquisition for any collection.    

This sword is of special importance.  The ura/inscription on the nakago reads ‘Commemorating the 2600th year of the founding of the Empire for the Aihara family and their succeeding generations’.  This sword was made on a 'Lucky Day in January 1940'.  

This sword is of an unusual length for Yasukuni Shrine swords.  This sword measures 27 9/16” from blade tip to the notch (mune) in the blade spine.  

A Yasukuni Shrine sword with these features is very rare among Yasukuni blades.  

The kabutogane has the mon of the Asano Samurai clan.  

The hamon is more complex than suguha—there are waved features within the hamon.  The tsuba has the harp stamp associated with Yasukuni-to.  The saya has been protected by the leather combat cover—the saya lacquer looks to be quite perfect under the cover.  

CONDITION:

The blade is in original Japanese polish.  There are no nicks.  The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy.  The scabbard lock functions perfectly, and the silk sarute is still intact.    

This is an exceptional and rare Yasukuni Shrine sword.

It is authentic, yes.  World War 2.  Looks to be signed ‘Yoshimitsu’.  
 

—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

Looks like it was made by ‘Teruhide’.  It is signed Ishido Teruhide saku.  
 

—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

They should both be fine.  I have owned many of each.  Different manufacturers produce slightly different works. 




—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

A selection of Japanese Colonial/Territorial Swords to enjoy.  
 

—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

Ah, thank you ‘Kiipu’!  Very kind of you to identify the stamp.  
 

Thanks again!  
 

—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

Here are photos of the nakago as requested.  As mentioned the arsenal blade has an acid-etched yakiba.  Normally I don’t find anything on the nakago on an arsenal blade, but this one looks to have a Seki stamp.  
 

Thanks guys!

BTW—I am listing a General Grade Police Superintendent’s sword in the For Sale section this afternoon.  
 

—Matt Brice

www.StCroixBlades.com

www.StCroixBlades.com has been updated with new listings. 

https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/

—Matthew Brice

Signed Tenzoshan Naval Forge sword, dated January 1943.  
 

Sharkskin saya.  

EXCEPTIONAL condition.  $3500

Postage & Paypal fee charged.  

Ship anywhere in the world.  
 

Thank you!

—Matthew Brice

www.StCroixBlades.com

dkirkpatricks prices are more in line with the market —and more the higher end of his range estimate.  

Yes, you are always free to consider my listings.  www.StCroixBlades.com

Let me know if you have any questions.  I have so many more not listed yet, so I can likely fill any request.  
 

—Matt

Ah.  Could fit really.  Early Naval Sword with part of the inscription reading Katsuki.  I wonder if the rest of the inscription will give more definition.  Thanks John.  👍🏻
 

—Matt

Nice Ray.  Progress!  Very kind of you, Ray.  
 

—Matt

Yes, all good.  
 

—Matt

www.StCroixBlades.com

Oh boy.  I had that wrong, Ray.  Thank you!  
 

Now to the reference books.  
 

Interested to hear what the Presentation says.  This might prove to be as difficult as my grass writing requests!

Thanks again, Ray!

—Matt

I am looking for help translating a Presentation on a sword I have.  
 

I suppose I might as well ask for comments on the Mei as well.  I have it as Fujiwara Kuni Tadamichi.  The gentleman who read it commented that the Fujiwara should not be before kuni, and the michi kanji is nonstandard.

Those who can help, I kindly thank you in advance! 
 

—Matt

Hello!  I have posted 3 Japanese swords for sale on eBay.  
 

Here are the links as well as a few photos.  
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115006782324
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115006782321
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363553455027
 

Thanks for taking a look!  
 

—Matt Brice

www.StCroixBlades.com

Everyone knows Ikkansai Kunimori swords to be gendai.  Everyone who offers one for sale—all the names in the business state they are gendai.  
 

Here are even just a very few examples:

http://www.nihonto.us/IKANSAI KUNIMORI TACHI JP.htm

http://swordsworld.blogspot.com/2009/02/gendai-swordsmiths-papered-by-nbthk-or.html?m=1
 

https://japanesesword.com/archived-pages/2017/7/28/gendaito-bymiyaguchi-kunimori
 

—Matt

I’ll compare to the signature references you dug up too, Matt.  I appreciate your doing that digging.  Those signature references will be very helpful!

—Matt Brice

I hear you, Ian.  I haven’t checked the signature with Fujishiro yet.  Haven’t had a chance to photograph the sword to post yet either.  I’ll get to it soon.  Thanks Ian!

—Matt

Thank you Matt and Thomas!  Thomas—yes, I’ll post photos of the sword and horimono tomorrow!

Thanks again, gentlemen!

—Matt

Hello.  I could use some help translating this signature.  Seems to be more on the nakago than usual. 

Thank you to anyone that can help!

—Matt

Thank you Steve and Morita-san!