ROKUJURO

Stefano, a nice OSORAKU blade! They were often made in SHIN-SHINTO era as revival pieces. Could we see the NAKAGO please (not Nagako !)? How do you want to determine if it is made from TAMAHAGANE unless you can see a clear HADA (which is not a guarantee but a greater likelihood)? There are spectroscopic methods to get a precise steel analysis.

Thank you! Could one say if it is found more in KOTO than in SHINTO times?

I have a WAKIZASHI with solid ICHIMAI BOSHI, and I wonder if this feature could be related to a specific school or tradition? Or is it frequently encountered here and there?

Ah, thank you! I didn't get that!

The cited part of the article contains some mistakes: To make cast iron malleable or workable to an extent, it has to be decarburized, not carburized. The idea that tools like modern saw blades could have been available to the TSUBAKO is not realistic. We have to research what actually was available and cannot go from what we have now. Chasing with fine TAGANE and filing was the main work in earlier times, but, following to Ford Hallam, in later EDO JIDAI, they had fine jewellers saws. These did not have a cutting saw blade as we know them today, but a fine wire. With a bit of oil on it and fine diamond powder, very narrow cuts could be executed with this saw. Work time was not an issue in those days....

TENBO TSUBA can be a bit larger than other traditions. This is a comparatively tiny one at 94 x 91 mm:

Artur, you are not giving the dimensions, but I believe it is too small and too thick to fit in the TOSHO or even KO-TOSHO category. My impression is YAMAKICHI BEI style. See attachment for comparison: The SUKASHI symbol is probably indeed related to the fragrance game of GENJI MONOGATARI.

Kai, better images should be well focused and taken on a dark background for good contrast.

Hi Kai, welcome to the forum! I think this was an attractive little TSUBA (no "S" added for the plural) before someone stripped the patina off. I do not believe it to be SHOAMI (not Shaomi). Is is probably a late (= 19th century) TSUBA. The good thing is that it is an authentic TSUBA in my opinion and not a recent imitation. A seasoned collector would have probably hesitated to buy it because of the condition issues. It is difficult to fix a market value on this one, but in a private sale I believe USD 100.-- or around that would be realistic. The photos are not well focused, so I don't see many details (may well be my old eyes). For better ones, please use a dark background for good contrast.

Why did this discussion start under TOSOGU?

Charles, you are correct. I thought of the "official" end of the SAMURAI era in 1876, and the fact that swords (= GUNTO) were more of a symbol in WWII than a standard weapon. They were of course used in short range combat, but that was not decisive in the war.

Marcel, GOOGLE is correct in this case. Japanese KANJI are basically Chinese symbols that are used in Japanese script. However, they are differently pronounced

I think I can read the name ISHIHARA on the plaque if that was of any importance.

Wish you courage! It goes really fast, and you won't feel anything. As the doctor says: Don't be afraid, I've done this exact surgery already 60 times, so it will probably work out this time!

Looks like some kind of SANMAI TSUBA.

This one is in my family for almost 50 years:

Martin, looks like 21st century, and not made in Japan. Compare with real TSUBA!

Well, looking at this specific TSUBA with its crisp SUKASHI cut-outs, the almost 'virgin' NAKAGO-ANA, and the overall 'young' and almost unused appearance, I can understand the SHINSA assessment.

Jeff, there were no SAMURAI (or SAMURAI swords) in WWII.

Marcin, a TOGISHI is a blade sharpener/polisher.

TSUKA are generally items of wear and were replaced when necessary. It might not be impossible to find a fitting TSUKA, but chances are slim. It would not make sense to me buying 20 TSUKA just to find out that none really fits. In Japan, specialized craftsmen can adapt an "almost fitting" handle to an existing NAKAGO, but for security reasons this should not be done DIY by amateurs in case the sword was to be used (as in TAMESHIGIRI or IAIDO).

John, your TSUBA looks fine and authentic to me, but as 'TÔSHÔ' isn't a school but a style, it could have been made even in late EDO JIDAI. Looking only at photos and not at the 'real thing', I have the impression it might be a revival piece from SHINSHINTO era. Have you ever seen a new TSUBA? They are all patinated and never look 'new' in the sense of bare stainless metal. It is Japanese style to prefer a respectfully used (looking) item over a newly looking one. Patination is a kind of artificial corrosion, making an item look old while protecting it from deterioration.

Photo is upside-down. The length of the blade (as far as I can see just about 21 cm) is indeed that of a TANTO, however it is made in SHINOGI-ZUKURI style which is not common. It has nothing to do with military.

Just a guess: YOSHIMITSU? Mike, how long is the blade? It appears to have a SHINOGI so might not be a TANTO but a longer blade.

Not so unusual in my opinion. I think I saw it on HIGO TSUBA, and on TEIMEI (inverted INOME) as well: The surface on yours as well as the SHOAMI sample is not original to these TSUBA I think. There was a lot of corrosion eating away material. I am no expert on NOBUIE, but I don't see this design as typical for that school.