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Geraint

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Posts posted by Geraint

  1. Dear Jeremy.

     

    While I too would have guessed that this is a wakizashi at a glance, the tape alongside the blade in the first image suggests a nagasa of something like 27.5 inches.  Not so short as it seems!

    Thomas, assuming your tape is in inches then this makes it a katana.

     

    Looking forward to some more images.

     

    All the best.

    • Thanks 1
  2. Dear Joseph.

     

    It might just be me but with your blue additions I can't see any yasurime, perhaps that's why nobody has chipped in.  If what you can see does not correspond to kesho in any meaningful sense then it may be that the sloping lines are not yasurime at all, lines caused by polishing perhaps?  Can't see much but it does look from this as of the tanto has seen some polishes.

     

    If in doubt call it kiri.

     

    All the best.

    • Thanks 1
  3. Dear Tom.

     

    You have missed the point, the transcription you were given is exactly correct.  The information that Oli has given you is the more extensive data that is available regarding his history.  You have a signed wakizashi with quite nice mountings and a history in the Bungo Takada school.  Lots of information available about the school.  It seems to be out of polish and so the detail you will be able to pick up might be limited.  Look carefully at the kissaki and work out what you are seeing.

     

    All the best.

  4. Dear Steve.

     

    Confusing, isn't it?  Hannin is one of three levels of official in the colonial administration that Japan set up in territories that it acquired in the early 20th century.  In common with many such colonial powers these were quasi military in that they had swords assigned to them.  Hanin is a junior rank, Sonin is Emperor approved and Chokunin is an Imperial appointment, so the suggestion is that yours is the lowest of these ranks.

     

    The pattern is very similar to the Navy dress sabre of around the same time, hence the comment, but Navy swords have different scabbard mounts, yours does look like  a colonial type.

     

    European style is because post Meiji restoration Japan modelled its armed forces on what were seen to be successful European militaries and this included uniform and sword styles.  

     

    Early years is because these European styles were essentially in use up to the 1930s when more traditionally Japanese style swords were introduced.

     

    Hope that helps.  Yours does not have any of the usual decorations on the ears of the hilt strap.

     

    All the best.

     

     

    • Thanks 1
  5. Dear Joseph.

     

    If the crack is sharply defined, almost geometric then be concerned.  If it meanders then it might well be a forging lamination that you are seeing and no cause for concern.

     

    All the best.

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
  6. Dear Colin and Dan.

    Well thank you for the enthusiasm, not much else to see but here goes.

    Kenkissaki.thumb.JPG.45e19ac9a3ddc57d00d66a8e47aef828.JPG

     

     

    The tsuba is hardwood, the remainder fairly light.  At least you can see some hada and the groove down the ridge is quite good.

     

    All the best.

     

     

     

    Ken4.JPG

    • Like 1
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  7. Realy like the koshirae on that one Dan.  Here's mine, nagasa 415mms and mumei.  The koshirae is carved and stained wood.  A late tourist piece I'm sure but I couldn't resist it.

     

      

    Ken3.thumb.JPG.8988bf2564075370847a58f13a691a53.JPG

     

    All the best.

    • Like 1
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  8. Dear Hannah.

     

    I love this assignment, it opens so many doors!  Here is a link to a well known collection of tsuba which might be of interest, http://jameelcentre....ection/7/10237/10373

     

    There are many others available but this is a good start.

     

    I would not say that family mon were very common as tsuba or tsuba decoration, as you will see if you browse the collection in the link.  The mon on your tsuba is of the Tokugawa family, (I see that Piers has done that bit of research for you), a name you will quickly recognise as you study Japanese history, however it is also widely dotted around on all sorts of goods made at the end of the Edo period, and indeed later,  for export so you should not place too much emphasis on this.  

     

    There is one other possibility which I will try to find for you.  In a collection, I believe in Germany, is a complete mount for a sword that is European but made in the style of an enameled short sword.  This is a very long shot but I will see if I can find the photograph.

     

    All the best.

    • Like 2
  9. Dear Yves.

     

    Usually the kogatana/kozuka fits into the saya on the opposite side to the kurigata, the kogai, when present is the one that fits underneath the kurigata.

     

    And there are usually two fittings, one sliver of horn or other materials just underneath the saya opening so that the back of the kodzuka does not rub and a horn or sometimes metal fitting across the saya at the mouth,  Have a look here, https://www.rockisla...th-saya-and-kogatana

     

    I see that Matsunoki has beaten me to it.

     

    All the best.

    • Like 1
  10. Quote

    I have had a goal of getting a nanbokucho soshu work if I can. Its part of the reason why age is important to me. 

    So do many others which is why gimei is such a strong possibility.  

     

    Options:

    Would you be happy with something that you can tell yourself is Nambokucho Soshu but deep down you know that everyone you share it with will give you that sympathetic glance?  If so then this is the one!

    Would you rather put in the hard hours so that you recognise Soshu  and don't need to ask ?  Then this is not the one.

    Would you like to spend the money and buy into Nambokucho Soshu with certainty by buying a polished and papered example?  Then this is not the one.

     

    Do your studies tell you that this is a Nambokucho period tanto?  Is it coming from Japan and if so why does it not have papers when the simplest thing to do would be to submit and confirm?

     

    Enjoy the journey!

     

    All the best.

     

    • Like 3
  11. Dear Jason.

     

    As always there will be several opinions but I have seen one or two of this type of koshirae and they are what I would call late Meiji export work, in other words made specifically for Western consumers.  

     

    Your example has a nice sageo and a kurikata which makes it a little unusual so perhaps a closer image of the saya would show more.

     

    All the best.

    • Like 3
  12. Dear Bruce.

     

    I realise that your interest in the sword is probably from the military point of view but can I just say that the Hamabe school from Inaba produced some very nice blades.  Plenty of detail on the link that Jean posted.  I've had an interest in the swords of Inaba for a while and have yet to find a Hamabe blade that I didn't like.  Obviously condition is a key issue but if you get the chance then go for it!

     

    All the best.

     

     

    • Thanks 1
  13. Dear Mya.

     

    There is a real tension between the rules of conservation as applied by most museums to most of their collections and the way that Japanese swords are treated.  For what it is worth the British Museum carried out a programme of conservation on some of its holdings of Japanese arms and armour, the results are available in their publication: 'Cutting Edge: Japanese Swords in the British Museum'  Paperback – 20 Dec. 2004  The book is readily available and not expensive, quite a good introduction to the subject. 

     

    The programme involved a sizeable donation of funds and the swords were sent to Japan for traditional conservation by craftsmen whose training was fully traditional.

     

    Let us know how your journey goes.

     

    All the best.

     

     

     

    • Like 5
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