CurtisR

For those wondering on the follow-up to the "Is the Tsuba Silver?" question...I was able to re-examine it today. We re-examined it and it IS solid silver. Non-magnetic, and not chrome or zink. The Menuki, however, are ferrous which surprised me due to their patina. As is the end-cap of the saya and the Kashira. The Fuchi was non-magnettic. Thought you'd be interested. I didn't have my gram scale, but estimate the tsuba to be approx 5 ounces (US). Perhaps it was kept to "trade" in case of capture? Paint if black, then when in dire need, it becomes very useful. Just a theory..... Curtis R.

The second Tsuba my friend purchased with the Dragon Tsuba....to my eye it is also original, nice patina and very simple desig, with fairly fine inlay work. There is one scratch however, just above the nakago ana ---not deep but there. No signs of it being a casting either. My guess o age would be late 1700's to mid 1800's... Any thoughts are appreciated! Curtis R.

Thank you Alan - I looked at it pretty well under a loupe and no signs of casting it's pretty. Any idea of age on it? My guess by the work would be mid to late Edo, although I'm not great with that method (guessing, I mean). And Pete, Florida has all the good stuff and less snow, so glad I saved you a flight :D . Curtis R.

And @ Pete, I WISH! PC's giving me fits today.....sorry lol C.

A friend recently purchased two Tsuba - below are pics the one in Dragon Sukashi style, My guess is lete edo preiod, but not familiar with this work. The second (will post pater) I think is a much nicer although more reserved tsuba but would love opinions or extimates here, it you'd be so kind? Cheers, Curtis R.

A gentlemena told me he'd purchased two tsuba recently; this ins exampmle #1. Doesn't appear cast, and if you notice, this dragon's "whisker" floats over to attach to a wave, which I've not seen before. It's unsigned, umetada adn I'm guessing late Edo perhaps? Mimim is 3cm, by the way... Before I tell you what he paid for it, I'd also appreciate any estimates (mostly to see if my estimate is correct :D ). Cheers, Curtis R.

I know it's a long-shot but a friend who is related by bloodline to the Yamana (first line) then to the Genji clans (under Tokugawa) is searching for the Nihonto her family sold - while in Japan - to persons unknown. She has no photos of it, or on a possible smith. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any blade related directly to these families? I told her it is very unlikely but thought I'd ask..... Cheers, Curtis R.

That's a beauty George, and I think you've nailed it...electroplated, blackened and worn away makes perfect sense based on it's look (although the seppa do appear solid, with more patina); Now I'll do the magnet test (which I should have remembered) when I view it again on the Tsuba. Regardless, it seems they are not common with the customization from the comments here. Thanks to everyone for their kind assistance and sharing of knowledge. I will also mention that the samegawa is very pretty stuff - huge "Emperor Node" and I can imagine it was not inexpensive at the time. Even though it isn't mine, I'm happy to see how well it was taken care of vs. some others I've seen. Once I take an overall phto or three, I'll post them here for follow-up showing the nagasa & length, etc. Never hurts to build the data bank :D . Curtis R.

Thanks all! I wish this one was mine but does belong to a good friend. I completely agree that the mounting on this type 3 feels very solid and the texture of the saya much nicer than the metal variety. The Tauba is actually silver we believe, as are the seppa and f/k --- the owner deals with metals frequently but perhaps may be plated (but original). Photos of the nakagoana & Mei can be found in the "Translation assistance" section here, if anyone is interested. Cheers! Curtis R. Colorado, USA

Thanks Joe ~ I suspected an Officer's sword but wasn't sure. And Daniel, I'm glad I could brighten your day...it's a beauty to hold! Curtis R.

And a few more.... C.

Greetings, As promised, here are pics of the Gunto blade we've been discussing in the "Translation Assistance" section . Comments or input are always welcome, of course...the blade is in almost full polish. Not sure if it was an NCO sword, or Officer's sword but the fittings are silver and family mon menuki, which indicate to me that perhaps the owner had some "horsepower" & was able to keep them? Just my theory... Curtis R.

Thanks George, that's a great example of the "flair" I was referring to...I'm enjoying learning the subtleties of script. I'll post some more pics of the blade directly after this reply in the Gunto section...it is a very pretty blade. Due to difficulties, I wasn't able to take an overall shot but will do so this weekend, hopefully. Thanks to everyone for their great info! Curtis

Thanks all, and Chris, I think you've nailed it. It is absolutely carved and not stamped. The Mei has a "flair" to the script and is very bold compared to more linear mei I've seen...the second Kanji looked very much like sanscrit, which was confusing. Brian, it's in a friend's collection but I believe he's going to start selling them soon (including some others I've posted here before) as we talked about his putting them on the market last Friday. I'm hoping he will, as they'd be best with collectors who appreciate them and will perhaps invest to keep them in good shape. Most will be out of my price-range .With permission of the Board leaders, I'd be happy to post some pics of the blade & koshirae, but perhaps it would be better in the Gunto section? As for the silver Tsuba - it's no joke. Simple, but well made. I *believe* it's solid silver, as does it's owner who deals metals every day. Time to put the examples into my database! Curtis R.

Thanks Tobias, I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't get it :D . And absolutely - I'll post pics in the a.m. under the "Gunto" section of the board.... Curtis R.

Greetings all, I recently found a Katana in Gunto mountings (silver Tsuba, seppa and menuki with the Naito Mon). when worn in Tachi fashion, the omote mei I believe. reads as follows: "Showa era, 19th year, 2nd day" - did I get this correct? On the ura side, there are two lone kanji that , no matter where I've looked , I can't find. My guess is it is the smith's mei, as the blade looks to be traditionally forged and in almost new polish. Even my iPhone Kanji app had no idea of these two. Any opinions (or changes to my translation) would be welcomed. I'd also be happy to post more pics or the sword in the Gunto section if requested.... Many thanks, and looking forward to new knowledge! Curtis R.

Hello All, Apologies for the time it's taken to get/post this image of the arsenal stamp...and yes, after re-examining it, it looks to be stamped vs. hand-carved. In any event, here is the image - I could not find the "arsenal Stamp database" to put it there, so if someone could do so, or direct me there? Best Regards, Curtis R.

Thanks Brian - I understand now...and not yet on the photo. I'm going to borrow a friend's macro lens this weekend and will post for everyone. Sorry for the delay, and for the knowledge! Curtis R.

I'm confused now Mr. Bowen... If I've translated properly, the first kanji in the mei says "seki"? Then would the arsenal also engrave a second "seki" stamp in tiny kanji above? (or perhaps the order was reversed....tiny stamp in the nakago and then the mei after completion perhaps? I love a good mystery :D . Many thanks, Curtis R.

For Mr. Trotter and all, I attempted to get a good clear photo of the kanji (and re-confirmed it's engraved, not stamped as I can see the "tap marks" under magnification) just above the mei, but without a macro lens it didn't work out well. Here is an accurate hand-drawn copy of it, and hope this will help for the Arsenal Stamp database? Once I get a good Nikon macro I'll attempt another photo. Happy weekend to all ~ Curtis R.

BTW Denis, yours is a beauty! Curtis

Thanks Denis! When I looked @ the saya closely I saw a slight indentation exactly where those in your photo are. And George, I will post a pic asap for the stamp library if I can get in that close (man, I need a macro lens!). I did a hand-drawing of it under a magnifying glass, just in case. I'll also pass on the positioning information as I'd hate to see them scrape up the saya. When I asked it he'd like to sell, he said he thought he'd keep it a while. Hopefully not a long while though Curtis R.

Thanks folks! And wayyyyy under $100 so don't feel bad at all. It was just to unusual to pass up lol. I like the idea of having a knife made from it as well! AND I'm proud that I spotted it as gimei before I bought it based on....the grinder, in the library Curtis R.

Thanks Keith - I, with my limited but growing knowledge, tend to agree. Never thought of a leaf-spring :D ! And believe me, it was just next to nothing $-wise, in a group of blades @ a gun show. Figured "meh, what the heck" lol. Curtis R.

I recently picked up this blade for 'next to nothing' - which is probably going to be a good thing :D . I'm very confused/intrigued by it's form, as it seems to have been re-shaped and has two fatal flaws in the forging, mid-length of the blade. I'm ALSO very confused as to why a smith would sign it, then drill a mekugiana through part of the signature (obviously meaning that the signature came first)? No visible hamon, but the steel seems to be of decent quality. I'm still working on the mei (slowly but surely) so I apologize for the lack of attribution as yet. Of all the blades I've seen here and in person, this one is a puzzler to me. I considered that perhaps during the re-shaping (an assumption on my part of course), the flaws were exposed - I'm betting that those here (Mr. Bowen, Jean, and others) with much more experience have seen this before but perhaps I'm bringing something new to the board . Looking forward to the verdict(s)! Curtis R.