hddennis

Thomas, Thank You Appreciate the help. Howard Dennis

Waiting for this latest purchase to arrive and wonder if they represent specific Samurai from history or are they just generic examples? Also would like to know approximate age and if they have anything to do with Boy's Day? Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis

Scott, I just took another close look at the nakago and even though the patina seems uniform all over the taper seems a tiny bit flatter on the side with the mystery marks suggesting you may have found the answer. Thanks for taking the time to post. Howard Dennis

Scott, now thats an angle I hadn't considered. I'll take another look. Thanks, Howard Dennis

My first post used the sellers picture so that was all I had to go by. I now have the tanto in hand and there are only two marks on the nakago the one pointed out by Bruce in the mekugi-ana and the one in front of that I originally asked about. The other ones Bruce pointed out are just wood dust on rust. There are no vise marks. The mark was filled with dust and when cleaned out appears to be the same color as the rust on the rest of the nakago. Howard Dennis

Thanks, I understand your meaning but with all the hundreds of swords I've handled since 1985 you would think I'd have seen at least one other??

Not even 1 single opinion????

Just got a new tanto I bought for the fittings. The blade may not be restorable but I wonder about a mark on the nakago. Does it mean anything? Seems like it was intentional. Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis

Thanks for your response. Any hidden meaning or reference to a legend? I couldn't find anything online and wondered why the artist chose this theme? Howard Dennis

Waiting for latest purchase to arrive and wonder what does this depict? Sorry for poor pictures but they were taken by seller. Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis

Matsunoki, Thank you for that response. The woman who owned this, Fujiko Matsumoto, was desended from Samurai hierarchy and I always thought that had something to do with her love of this but I also know she lost her mother at a very early age and this may have been one of her last connections with her mother. Oh how I wish I had asked more about it's past. Howard Dennis

SteveM, Thanks for your response and very informative link. Howard Dennis

ROKUJURO, Thanks so much for the response. Yes, those are the correct measurements.

Inherited this lacquer box from an elderly Japanese woman years ago. I know she always cherished it and her father was one of the first dealers in the West to sell Japanese antiques so I've always thought this was something special. It measures 2 5/8 inches by 1 1/2 inches. Am I correct in my thought that these are representations of Mons? Any idea of age and possible usage? Thanks in advance for any ideas or thoughts. Howard Dennis

Bought this at local antique mall and would like any information as to age origin what is depicted and anything else I can learn, It measures 12 3/4 inches tall. Thanks in advance for any help, Howard Dennis