CurtisR

Might help if I posted the mei, yes? Apologies ~~

Hello all ~ This mei is giving me problems...I know the last character is "this", and am guessing the next (from bottom) is "Made by" but cannot see enough definition. Any possible guesses? It is in Gunto mounts, but appears to be a reasonably older blade. Also, has anyone experienced this type of "fading" to mei? Many thanks in advance, Curtis R.

Many thanks to all = In looking at the Swordsmith Index' , he was quite a good smith. I will post photos of the entire blade in a few days, just for those who might like to see it, as well as measurements, etc. Again, thanks for everyone's help (it was driving me nuts but now I can see it in the mei), Curtis R.

Wow - thanks Jaques...I will now have ammo to convince the owner to either get it papered or perhaps market it to one who will. I also was vey sad to see the 130 scraTched into the Tsuba--they are not deep So could possibly be removed, but yes it's beautiful soft metal with matching f/k. And forgive my novice question....nidai = 2nd generation, correct? Cheers, Curtis R.

Thanks guys! I did compare the ebay blade...it's nicely restored to be sure. The blade here is not in nearly as nice condition, but seems to be possibly worth having done. I'll do more research on the smith, now that I can see the similarity in mei and know his name . Wishing all a happy weekend~ Curtis R.

Greetings all ! I've pounded my head looking though my "Radicals" lists to try to break this one down, with no success. Any hinst would be helpful...I can't even find a period/date in the scrip so am coming here as a last effort. Thanks in advance! Curtis R.

Wow - I was way off. Thank you Kunitaro-san! I need more practice, obviously...... Curtis R.

Apologies...here is the Nakago image ~~ Curtis R.

Greetings all, Looked at a Gunto mount blade yesterday...pretty Tsukamaki and standard fittings, but the mei seems very 'sloppy' and hurried - as well as vague? What I've been able to find from breaking down the Radicals is "10th", "Samurai", "Made"....possibly "hand" for the last kanji? I'm guessing oil-quenched Gunto but thought I'd see if I'm close in my translation...thanks in advance for any feedback. If I am WAY off, please feel free to send me back to the drawing-board . Cheers, Curtis R.

Greetings all, My question pertains to whether - when a blade is submitted for Shinsa - must it be in "good to excellent" polish, or is it acceptable to submit blades with, for example, rust and scratches etc.? I'm attempting to convince a friend to submit a couple of his Nihonto but have never been through the process and don't wish to offend by submitting (on his behalf) blades that would elicit an immediate rejection. Those (so far) worth submitting (IMHO) have clear mei, but are in far less than perfect polish. Some have chips on the mimi - not cracks from forging issues to my eye - but nothing too severe. I do not want to give bad advice, and appreciate anyone's input or experiences with this ~~ Cheers, Curtis R.

Thanks to you all VERY much for the information on this one....it wold make sense with the inscription/writing on the kozuka that it would have a Hindu connection or "theme". To Grey" Yes - and it made me sick to see it. I know it was acquired in that condition and the current owner didn't do it, but yes, some complete fool actually scratched the numbers in. fortunately he/she didn't use an electric etching gun, etc - they're pretty shallow - but still sad!! In addition, (probably) the same "Garage Smith" tried to sharpen the blade. It can be saved I think, but still pretty disgusting/amazing. Would I be close to the mark that this might be shinshinto or Edo work? Still searching for the smith...work in progress.... Best, Curt

Greetings all, This Tsuba and Kozuka were found accompanied by their Wakizashi....the work in-hand is beautiful, and under a loupe it appears a very skilled artisan made them. The f/k are of that same quality, but all are unsigned - (althought the kosuka has it's entire blade inscripted with kanji and what appear to be writing similar to sanskrit. I once I get my macro lens, I will be able to provide much better photographs of the kozuka writing. The blade is signed and does not appear gimei. I'd also be very curious if anyone recognizes the Kami on the Omote side...seems very familiar but can't find in my ref. books.Ah, and the thickness is 3mm, by the way. I would humbly appreciate any comments or thoughts... Cheers! Curt R.

Greetings all, I'll be using the great Kanji Pages in an attempt to translate this one next....I'm suspecting there is a date and cutting test, as well as the Smith name. Wish me luck and thought I'd share - you all are far better at this than I and thought you might find it interesting .

Thank you very much Franco! Have not viewed them entirely but that is exactly what I was searching for. Sincere Regards, Curt

Greetings all - I'm wondering if anyone has a good site on making one's own Oshigata? Mine needs a nice polish first of course,but afterward.... Many thanks! Curt

I apologize for the poor quality pics but hope they give enough detail...I found two possibilities based on the hamon - Rai School or Ayanokoji School, but the Nagako seems to either have been shortened, or the smith tried to copy the hamon style. The fittings are very nice, but I'm guessing Meiji period? I had to look closely to be sure it wasn't 'machined hamon' and it doesn't appear to be. Any thoughts are appreciated - it's an odd one .

Because Jean, the damn book is $450.00 U.S. and though I might find some info. here among those who can *afford* them or have them already. I'm evaluating (with the genuine help of those here - both positive & negative ) what falls into my hands. I learn slowly - perhaps - but am certainly not out buying books at that cost for friends wishing to sell them with my only "end" being knowledge. I suppose eventually I'll make a 'finder's fee' but can't unless I can provide solid, **expert** advice on he items he has. I didn't think my question to Sebastien was out-of-line, as he seemed to have a hint of why it was brass & not gold. Oh, and P.S. Jean, My Grandfather is buried above Omaha Beach (Por Vous), so cut me a little slack, eh? Killed in Hour #1 of the invasion, 3rd wave. He was a Medic. Need I go on? Because in his memory, I would - and gladly. (At least I'm not posting pics of sh@tty Chinese copies). Regardless, I'm just trying to help a friend out. I WISH I owned the many that he does. Some will be for sale I suspect, soon on NMB. Fine' Curtis

Thank you Ron & Sebastien - I'm open to any info. you may have. And I imagine this could have been mumei, but under a glass it looked carved although I do see a bit of a "break" in the flow of kanji. I'll be posting the pics of the blade/hamon in the morning and perhaps we can figure this bit of mystery out. I'm learning that evaluating swords is much like detective work....following (and finding) those little clues .

Why do you think Brass, Sebastien? In-hand it seemed to be gold, but is there a trick to tell the difference? I see the small tarnished ends but thought they were perhaps the plating worn off of the wire... The feathers seem to be gold leaf as well - if not, this would lead me to think it's either been cleaned or is Gendai/fake? Curtis

Perhaps Shin shinto then, but when you put it that way, I'd guess early to mid Edo. I'll post the blade in the Nihonto section - it's hamon is very interesting...possibly from the Ayanokoji school. Curtis

Jean, my apologies...I was rushed to make the post and am a bit dyslexic I suppose - thank you for clarifying. The owner just sort of "sprung it on me" so didn't have a magnet in my kit (fixing that now!) but it could possibly be iron ....I may have been fooled by the smoothness and heaviness of it. Ahhhh - learning all the time. My guess is late Shinto or early Edo but will report any progress I make with the translation which hay help. Please keep any thoughts coming! Cheers, Curtis

Ahhhhh - I understand now Mr. Stiles and thank you for the great information & link to the discussion. I am thinking of offering the owner $300 U.S. for it, and based on it's traceable history (in the pattern) I think this might be a good offer. He diesn't know much about it and is a friend, so want to be fair to us both. Regardless, I am learning a LOT about this one from yours! Many thanks for your time, and please feel free if any other thoughts come to mind. The write up is fascinating and well done - kudos! Curtis

Greetings All, I also came to have this one in my paws the other day....it's very heavy (I suspect Shakudo?), about 3.5cm thick at the outer rim. I will be trying to translate the mei, but would appreciate other thoughts on it as well. I apologize for the lack of angles...rushed for time. I've included an image of the blade it was with, which has a "shark-tooth" hamon (believe I've found it's maker in a ref. book). Nagako is unsigned. I'm thinking Shinto era? The Hitsu ana is filled with what seems shakudo on the surface but patina like copper underneath. It's very weighty in the hand. As for the theme, all I'm seeing is 'rabbit ears' in the corner but...... Anyway, enjoy . Curtis

Once I looked closer at the chisel marks on both David, I can see a very similar pattern...I've heard of Tsubashi using specific ways of chiseling to fit the blade, essentially 'signing' it. And I also found it strange about the lack of yose-tagane in the Nagako ana. If I understand you correctly, Daimyo did not allow their Tsuba to be signed? Perhaps it was due to them (& their retainer/associates) to only allow the influence of the Daimyo upon the sword's fittings? "Curtious-er and Curious-er" :D Curtis

Ahhhhh - clematis! Never occurred to me....thank you gentlemen! I'll research heianjo style as well. Although missing some of it's gold overlay, in the hand it's very nice....might try to get this one. Best, Curtis