Geraint

Hi Peter. No one seems keen to comment so here goes. You are right, tanegashima on sword fittings seem rare, I can recall one tsuba and a few fuchi that I have seen. Your eyesight must be good to see that as a tanegashima, given the blurred detail. No disrespect to Pablo but I note that he does not mention the tsuba in his description of the sword and while I am conscious that it is too easy to call "cast" from a photo the quality, or lack of it, of this tsuba and the feeling of the seppa dai make me wonder. If I can remember where I saw the others I will scan them for you later. All the best.

Hi Stephen. It is correctly identified as a lead dresser, used by plumbers when working sheet lead to shape for roofing purposes. If it is Lignum it would be a beut, most these days are beech and very light for the purpose. If used to remove tsuka then you wouldn't need to worry about taking out the mekugi first! All the best.

Apologies, delivery arrived and I was rushing. :D

Hi Giuseppe. For a lengthy discussion see here. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8618&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=fist

Dear Klaus, There is a saying in this country about putting a broom in a certain place which is usually a protest against too much work. Modesty suggests that I let you work that one out for yourself. All the best.

Bryan. The sword is papered and offered by a respected dealer, the description states that the boshi is all there. In one image it does look as thought he boshi runs out, which would be a problem but in the case of this seller you would be quite safe. The line you mention appears to be the yokote, which defines the length of the boshi, the polish above this line is treated differently on any sword polished properly. The sugata is unusual but not beyond the bounds of possibility, indeed some would really appreciate this. The way in which the reply from the dealer in question was worded does sound abrupt, but then perhaps as the images clearly delineate the kissaki he may have thought you were asking ill informed questions and hence recommended that you study a little more before investing quite a serious sum of money in such a blade. It is of course your money and your call, if you like the blade and feel it would repay study then you could easily buy this one. If you don't like it or have any doubts then walk away. Either way have fun and enjoy the learning curve.

Hi Jonas. Late to the party but here goes. The tsuka is not of any value as is so perhaps time to regard it as scrap. Hot air will only work if the glue/gunk is going to soften with heat and many things won't. Might be worth trying wrapping the tsuka in a damp rag for a while, protect the blade and tsuba of course. If the glue is animal based chances are this will soften and then you can start by peeling off the same. It should be possible to see a seam in the edge of the tsuka which might be possible to split. Careful but have fun. I do hope for your sake that after all this the results will be exciting. All the best.

Hi Brain. I think they look gorgeous! However, though I can't speak for the ones inside the case I think you might find you have a problem with the two on top unless you keep them safely in shirasaya. All I can tell you is that it wouldn't work where I am. Love the ken by the way. All the best.

Right so far, there are several variations on the way the kuni kanji s used. What two characters are likely to precede the mei on the kogatana? All the best.

John is giving it away a bit at a time :D I think I can make the mei on the tsuba read Kunihiro, not an uncommon mei on a plain iron tsuba like this. Al ltthe best

Sorry Brian, my suggestion, my fault.

Hi Ken. First image is the smith signature and the second is the date. Have a look here; http://www.jssus.org/nkp/common_kanji.html First two kanji of the signature are the province, scroll down the page and you will find a mei that will really get you in the right direction. All the best. (By the way, the tsuba images are upside down.)

Hi Ken. Welcome to NMB. Not all flaws are fatal, I can see at least some grain openings so far but not much else. The ones to beware of are hagiri which ususally are hard to spot but are cracks, often very thin, extending from the edge into the blade. I can't see any but then the photos are not going to show them. Can I suggest at least a shot of the full nakago, both sides, with the habaki removed? In hand can you see the hamon all the way around the boshi? It looks as though it might be quite wide and there is a possibility that the blade is not past hope. How about some images of the mounts in the tosogu section? Enjoy. All the best

Hi Gwyn. Kyu gunto are the earlier style. There is a range in quality of mounts in both kaigunto and shingunto. The treatment of the saya and the quality of the mounts themselves can vary quite a bit. I am sure others will have examples of all sorts. The example that Hoanh shows is very nice, the silver mon on the menuki is a nice touch, as is the lacquered shark skin saya. I am not certain of the relative merits of army and navy in Japanese culture except to note that naval power has perhaps a less dominant position than might be the case in England. Naval swords are less often seen and this is usually explained as a result of many going down with the ship. Lots to explore. All the best.

Hi Scott. Why not post some images here and see what comes? Much expertise and at the very least the chance to get some opinions on whether your sword is worth an in hand look. Not sure how much you already know but at least an overall shot and pictures of the nakago plus dimensions. If you are not sure take one of the sword as a whole and let members advise you on what to do next. All the best.

Hi Andy. Your'e doing well. The other side should fall into place for you. As regards the sword in general, the nice habaki fits the mei, same place, and the blade looks good though we can't tell too much from the photos. If you have the blade in hand look carefully. The mounts are a strange mixture and look cobbled together from some gunto parts and perhaps an original saya. On the whole an interesting sword which might be better in shirasaya. Just my thoughts. All the best.

Hi Pete, If you mean the bit in the water by the rock then I think it might be thee reflection of the moon. All the best.

Hi Paul. Saved the image and zoomed in a bit, perhaps it is the image quality but around the mekugi ana? All the best

Hi Mick. You wouldn't call the yasurime higaki then? (Which would point us toward Mino). All the best.

Hi Zhang. The following options are open; make a single seppa to take up the slack in copper, most people will say that this is a give away of a changed tsuba though I do have one sword with an entirely authentic koshirae that has a single o seppa to make the mounting look right. Second and slightly better would be to either make a pair of new seppa to take up the slack, or even a pair of thin seppa to add to theones that already exist.. Then of course you have the cardboard option or a piece of leather, neither very satisfatory. All the best.

I can see it now on all sorts of Ebay offerings, "See where the edge was chipped against samurai armour in battle, an honourable scar!"

Thanks Brian, you are right Andy's site seems to be missing but no dramas. Good to see several new sites added. All the best

Easier this way.

Hi Kory. That's a great result! Time to find a nice pair of menuki and have the tsuka wrapped to complete this lovely package. I don't think anyone has mentioned that the saya appears to be covered in lacquered same polished back and is rather nice. It's going to be very hard to express an opinion about your sword from the photographs. How about you have a go at an oshigata? No need to get carried away, find some thin paper and a selection of ordinary pencils, tricky work but it can show a lot and the process of trying to represent what is in the blade is an education. In any case, as Roy says, enjoy this! The only question now is will you ever recover or have you caught the bug> All the best.

Thank you Klaus. All the best