hddennis

Malcolm, thanks for that, it has a lot of details about cloisonné I didn't know. Still would like to find information pertaining to my mark. Howard Dennis

The mark couldn't be any simpler. An upside-down V over a straight line. If the v was to fall on the line it would form a perfect triangle. Howard Dennis

I'm traveling and don't have any way to post pictures but maybe someone can help me anyway. Just acquired 2 miniature vases with the most incredible micro detail I've ever seen. The bottoms have bright red marks that I can't tell if it is red lacquer brush strokes or wireless. I can best describe the mark as Mt. Fuji or an inverted V with a line or Ichi stroke underneath. I spent the night online but all traces of makers marks seems to have been pulled off the net?? Maybe someone has books or copies of the marks that were online last year? Thanks for any help, Howard Dennis Also can anyone suggest the best book on Japanese Cloisonné to add to my library?

Fellows, I just submitted this blade to the 2016 Tampa Shinsa where it got 75 points and a kantei: Tenbun 1532-1555 Kiyomitsu . Can anyone tell me how to find out more? I'm trying Signature Search online but haven't turned up this signature nor a match for the time period. Strange thing is I also submitted another blade for a friend and his paper reads the same so I really like to know how to pin these guys down. Howard Dennis

Guys, Thanks for your help on this translation and research. I really appreciate the additional information. Howard Dennis

I've had this beautiful kogatana for years and have never known what it says. Someone said something about a retired priest? Howard Dennis

Thanks for the translation. I must admit I was really surprised to find this plain iron disc signed. Apparently this is from a good school of fittings makers that made mostly sukashi or open tsuba. Any idea why this would be signed? I've never seen a plain tsuba like this signed before has anyone else? Howard Dennis

Just noticed the rather plain tsuba on my sword has a signature. Can anyone tell me what it says? Howard Dennis

Just got this from the owner showing what I believe to be an incomplete acceptance or arsenal stamp. Anyone recognize it? Howard Dennis

SteveM and Stephen, thanks so much for the assistance,. I'll pass this on to the owner so he can learn more about his sword and it's maker. Howard Dennis

Inquired about an advertised sword and was sent this to see if I knew what it said. Any help appreciated. Howard Dennis

May sound crazy to some but does anyone know if there is a way to reproduce the leather saya cover this had during WWII? Probably most would choose to restore this as buke zukuri mounts but it's WWII usage history would be lost and I'd like to preserve it's last true usage as a weapon. Howard Dennis

Sorry for the poor photos but I'm not home to use my digital camera, all I've got is a cellphone which doesn't do very well. Howard Dennis

Thanks Stephen, no I posted all of the signature, the other side is blank. Howard Dennis

Thanks Guys. So what exactly is an uchigatana? Does it pin this down to a certain time period or style? If the signature is good how does this smith rank? Howard Dennis

Sure hope this is clear enough for someone to read for me, Please? Howard Dennis

Hope someone can read this for me please? Howard Dennis

I only have a large tape measure now but it is just a tick short of 23 5/8 inches. Howard Dennis

Just looking to further my education here and learn more about my latest addition. Definitely an amateur I still have been dabbling in swords for almost 30 years and this is the first one I've seen push the accepted measurements so closely. Why would a sword purchaser pay for better than average mounts , a signed blade, tsuka almost 9 inches long and not pay for that last 1/2". I'm 6' 3" tall and this sword feels perfect in a two handed grip although I'm no expert in what is proper technique. Just wondering if there is more to this seldom seen size than a purchaser who ran out of money? When I first started reading about Japanese swords I seem to remember something about short katanas meant for quick draw or fighting in close quarters. Was that just legends passed on as fact? Thanks for your responses, Howard Dennis

Just picked up a buke zukuri mounted sword. Either late koto or early Shinto. Scabbard was leather wrapped at on time and it has a WWII metal ring hanger and remnants of a leather snap so it was carried in WWII but everything about it is several hundred years older. It has a 23 1/2" blade but looks exactly like a katana but just a hair shorter. Since it appears to be all original and never shortened what is it called? Pictures and tang rubbing to follow after I get home from the holidays Thanks, Howard Dennis

What Family is this Mons from? Howard Dennis

I've had this kogatana for ages but all I know is something about a retired smith? Can anyone give me more information about who and age and significance of "retired" part of signature? Howard Dennis

Where can I buy the decorative rivets that hold the shikoro to the kabuto? Howard Dennis