ROKUJURO

Bill, you have some data in the NBTHK HOZON paper. Detailed information on the artist may only be found in special literature. Considering the colour of the metal, the plate probably isn't SHINCHU (brass), but looks more like YAMAGANE (raw copper), but that may be the photo.

Chris, that does not look like a MEI to me.

Brian, don't tell them that it is probably longer, they could raise the price!

Ray, I can't see YOSHIMASA. Could it be YOSHIKANE?

Dwain, I have the impression that this discussion is going nowhere, but let me add a few subject related points: Your sturdy WAKIZASHI has some minor FUKURE That could mean for the future of the otherwise beautiful blade that another polish could end up in big open FUKURE. It is probably an unsigned SHINTO blade, and swordsmiths of that period normally signed their work unless they didn't feel that it represented their level of quality. So your blade may indeed have some hidden flaws. In my eyes this would be a point to really keep the blade intact. And don't tell us that a sturdy blade cannot be damaged! There are so many report about that! Second: Don't put an oiled blade back in the SAYA! Dust will gather on the blade and cause longitudinal scratches. I have never felt the sensation of a 'bloodthirsty blade'. I like the many sword related myths and stories that are told in Japan, but I think your poetry is carrying you away. Stay on the ground, it is simply the best cutting weapon you can have, but nothing more

Dwain, it is TAMESHIGIRI, and they are not bamboo mats, but should be TATAMI OMOTE. Please refrain from doing it again! I know, it is yours, and you could do with it what you want, but please do not promote it then. This is not the way we understand caring for and preserving an art sword.

It is a common design feature that makes sense in the use.

Dwain, looks quite nice, congrats! It should be positioned cutting edge up on the KATANA-KAKE, the same way it is worn in the OBI.

'Machined steel' is quite different from 'machine steel'. The first is related to a working process, the latter is an industrial material. These two should not be confounded. Any kind of HADA is a result of repeated folding and welding the steel.

Bob, there is no similarity, I am afraid.

Dwain, it is 'Connoisseur', the same word as in French.

Brian, the AKASAKA style TSUBA with moon and grasses has indeed a blinding beauty! A Kevin Adams?

Dwain, you can hang a Rembrandt or an art print on your wall and be happy with it. It is mainly a matter of taste, perhaps personal ambition and expertise, and certainly of budget.

Grev, yours are all nice, but the last one looks like 'Hot chilli pepper', not moon.

Charles, in my view there is nothing wrong with it as long as the adaptation is made carefully and in a professional way and does not damage the TSUBA in any way. I would not consider such an altering except for a high-end IAITO.

"SHO-SHIN" province or mindset?

The MUSASHI TSUBA is fabulous, but I am too anxious to rob a bank!

Ken, we have an expert here on NMB, who has an interesting collection of these items: Piers/BUGYOTSUJI.

Grev, I'm curious. Can we see a picture of the TSUBA you like?

Grev, I can't help with the plant - I don't see bamboo as it is usually depicted in a different way. But I think the ANA have been made at a later date a long while after the initial production.

Eric, the blade has, as you see, some defects, and the signature looks redone to me at a later date. Probably, the blade has been shortened longtime ago and lost the original MEI (signature). . The mountings are not complete (TSUBA, FUCHI and SEPPA are missing), the damaged TSUKA (handle) shows an attempt to make a MENUKI. Market value may be something like € 400.--, but it is not a good purchase if you are interested in real collectibles. This is just my personal opinion; others may see this differently.

Charlie, if that was a question: one MEI - two (ore more) MEI. No plural form in Japanese nouns. Does the KANEZANE have a hot stamp at the end of the NAKAGO?

Bryce, if you compare with real SHINAE, you will see that your sword does not have them. I think it is safe to say that these are forging flaws from insufficient welding in the SHIN-GANE. I don't think it is a technical flaw that would have weakened the blade in combat, but it surely is an aesthetic drawback which might be the reason for the missing MEI in an otherwise beautiful blade.

Patrick, just a guess: first KANJI: KANE, last KANJI of course SAKU.

Crystal, is it magnetic?