john weeks

Thanks guys....but what kind of script is the showa-to if not "grass konji" or shoshu??

Sorry if I'm not doing this correctly, but I can't find my topic/photos that I posted a while back. They were photos of; A-shoshu script on a nakago and two accompanying sword photos, B- a photo of a mei on a Yumi (Japanese longbow), and C- a mei on a Japanese kitchen knife.( I am not to savvy with computers so I may be at fault!?) Thanks, John

Here I am, seemingly replying "to myself"? I know this isn't where I probably should be doing this, but...I was trying to "edit" my profile/user name and I don't have a clue what I'm doing or if it worked!?? Any help out there? Also, I note that nobody has replied to my "Grass Konji" post...and I had such high hopes !!!? Thank you, John

Hi guys, I'm back again with some photos. First the previously mentioned "Shoshu" script sword signature, and then a photo of a signature on an old (1940s or earlier) Yumi (Japanese longbow), and finally a photo of the signature on a Japanese kitchen knife I picked up this past summer. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated !! Thank you in advance, John

Thanks guys...I'll get some pics and post them! John

In a "trade deal" this spring, I got a "nihonto?" that is signed in what I guess is called "Grass Konji".I believe it is either shin shinto or showa. Anyone out there have any info or anything else to add to my quandry....is there anyone who can read grass konji and would this sword be considered true "nihonto"? I've only seen one other sword signed in this manner in an antique shop, but steered clear at the time..$!! I do believe that this sword is better than the one I traded away, but mostly it remains a mystery. Thanks in advance, John :?

Who is Lulu? Couldn't find in "books" section?

Hi, this is my third entry so I thought I should introduce myself. I've been following NMB for over a year now, trying to learn as much as possible. I have a dozen or more books on Nihonto specifically, and many more on samurai, etc. Been interested in "samurai swords" since at least the 70s and most forms of weapons much longer. I practiced Hakka-ryu ju-jitsu in the 70s and Shorin-ryu (Siebukan) karate in the 80s, hence my interest in Japanese weapons, etc. I was fortunate to be introduced to a Nihonto collector by another friend of mine several years ago. He has a great collection...Muramasa,Masamune,Nagamitsu,...and many others I can't remember!(100-150?) He has polished professionally in the past and has been teaching me to finger polish w/hazyu & jizyu stones. I'm really "just learning", on a few mumei I've picked up the last couple years! Very slow and time consuming!!! I plan to continue learning and hope to contribute to the MB if possible. John Weeks

Sorry it took so long...my sword is katana mei. Will TRY to send photos if I can figure out how or get help from someone more computer savvy than me...(which wouldn't take to much!)

Longtime "listener", first time on MB. Noticed the content and thought I'd comment: recently purchased my first signed nihonto and I believe it may fit here. Has a short nakago for one hand use, 23 3/4 in. nagasa. Signed Unshu Kiyanori, Izumo province, 1530. Any thoughts/comments?