Grey Doffin

Hi Kelly, Here you will find care and cleaning, including how to remove the handle: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ But don't force anything. If the handle comes off easy, fine. If not, wait till you can get someone who knows Japanese swords to help. Your sword is a dagger: tanto in Japanese. The small knife and fancy handle are called kogatana and kotsuka. The signature on the small knife is almost certainly not a true signature; they almost never are. If the tanto is signed it will be under the handle and should be more meaningful. Best of luck and don't be in a hurry for anything, including selling it to one of the sharks who likely will contact you. Grey

Hi David, The Art of the Japanese Sword covers everything in The Craft of the Japanese Sword in greater detail and with better illustrations. Read The Art and don't bother with The Craft. Welcome, Grey

Hi folks, A while ago someone asked me to let him know if I got in a sword by the Ishido School smiths. I have nno idea who that was. Any case - in case he hangs out here and is paying attention - I just listed a sweet wakizashi by Tsushima no Kami Ippo: https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/q886-signed-papered-wakizashi-edo-ishido-tsushima-kami-ippo/ This follows a recently listed jumonji yari and there are more to come in the near future. Cheers, Grey

Hi Russell, The person from whom you bought the sword should have supplied this information and more. You, and other beginning collectors, need to find more helpful dealers. Grey

Hi J, Here you will find a care and cleaning brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Please read it carefully. It will help you remove and replace the handle and give you the basics of proper handling. Resist every urge to fix anything; well meaning amateurs have done serious damage. Cheers, Grey

The books are back to their original prices. Grey

Hi Willi, Don't be in a hurry to buy; good swords will always be available and the more you know before you buy the happier you will be when you do. If you insist on purchasing a sword as a beginner you need an unusually honest dealer. Grey

Hi Rick, Nice find. Likely dates to the end of the 16th century. Here you will find a link to Care and Cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ As hinted at above: don't try to fix anything. Amateur repairs often lead to damage/loss of value. Grey

Hi folks, A consignor to my site has asked for temporary discounts on 2 great books: Kanzan Oshigata https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b978-kanzan-oshigata/ and Token Oshigata Taikan https://japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/book/sword-books/b866-token-oshigata-taikan/ These are serious bargains; they shouldn't last long. If interested, please contact me by email through my site. Thanks for looking, Grey

Possibly Kanbun Shinto. Grey

The number 326 painted over a Showa period date and Seki no Ju Kanenori Saku. Grey

Thanks guys; I think this one is fixed. Grey

Hi folks, I learned recently that my customers who use MS Edge or Google Chrome as browsers we're unable to see any of the photos on my site. I think my tech support guy has this corrected but I'm not sure. If you have a minute please logon, open any of the individual product pages, and if you see no pictures let me know. Thanks, Grey japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com gdoffin at gmail.com

Hi Crews, Scroll down for a brochure on care and cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey

I believe masame in the shinogi ji points to Shinto or later. Grey

If you want to have the mei (signatures) of your sword or tsuba translated, you'll have to post pictures. See below for 2 pictures of a sword mei and 2 of a tsuba mei. All 4 pictures were taken at the same time, with the same camera, in the same light, in the same orientation and, other than cropping the pictures to reduce their size, I have not altered them. The only difference is the color of the background. Ask yourself, if you could read the characters, which background would make the task easier? Please take your pictures of mei on a dark background. Also, the pictures are oriented properly to be read. The top of a mei on a sword is closest to the start of the cutting edge and on a tsuba, as it would sit if the edge of the sword were facing up. BTW, pictures on a white background are good for showing the true color of the nakago (tang of sword) or tsuba; they don't work well for translation. Grey

It is signed Mitsunga but probably not as old as advertised. I think beginners would be smart to buy only from trusted sellers. Grey

It is true. Order from Markus as before. markus.sesko at gmail.com Grey

Hi folks, Sad to tell you that Skip Holbrook has left us. Skip was a long time, knowledgeable and generous,with his knowledge collector/student of kodogu. I learned a lot from him. He will be missed. Grey

I think this is a piece of a broken sword made to look like a tanto, kinda. Nothing worth collecting. Grey

I drive to the Chicago show and can bring with me more than my usual show merchandise. If there is a book on my site that you'd like to pickup - save on post - let me know. Glad to lug it along. Grey

Hi Henry, Unless your shirasaya has been messed with it probably needs nothing and you should leave it alone. Post a picture if you're not sure. Grey

Hi Zachery, There will be no need to register a koshirae on tsunagi and you will be able to take it home with you, mo problem. What you propose with parts and a new bladeless tsuka is possible buy why bother? You'll get more bang for your buck - better quality pieces for the same money or same quality for less - if you buy an existing koshirae rather than go to the expense of having the tsuka made to fit your parts. Grey

Smith is Kanenao and date is Showa 16 year 2 month day (a day in February of 1941) Grey

The nakago is way too long. Possibly a remnant of a broken longer sword. Study first; buy later. Or, at least, buy only from a trusted source. Grey