dwmc

Jesse, Please take the time to read forum guidelines, all posts require a signature. NMB members are normally extremely generous with information but sometimes quite intolerant with disjointed request. The two swords you request information on the are intermixed, the kanji characters are sideways or upside down. Please separate the two swords, possibly move the unsigned Shin Gunto to the Military sword section. Do an online search of the Ohara Sanemori (Lots of Info) take proper photos and repost. Take the time to see how others have properly presented sword pictures for review... Good Luck, Dave M.

Your Ohara Sanemori could be a excellent sword indeed. Those more expert will hopefully respond! Dave M.

Keep an eye open as your time permits Adam, I personally have never bought a sword off Ebay, but it appears you've done fine. I only search estate sales, antique stores , pawn shops, attend antique auctions, etc...I don't have patience for most basic "garage sales". You'll find a decent Kai Gunto eventually. Good Luck, Dave M.

Hi Adam, You did a whole lot better than terrible. You know more about Japanese swords than you give your self credit for. Newbie's generally don't stumble on to the type swords you have purchased at those prices. You can do my sword shopping any day. Did you purchase them locally in Wisconsin? There's still a few deals out there if you spend the time to search. I'll share one I purchased in a package deal along with several other WW II items for a total of $700. Again, great job! Dave M.

I'm with 16K, I took a closer look at Dean's sword and still unable to see discernible Hada. Very nice looking though! Dave M.

Hi John, Didn't mean to drag the thread off topic which I suspect could have easily been explained as modern steel folded, modern steel not folded. Basically, I read the term "Sunobe" as usually meaning all swords made using modern steel, and the exact term meaning block steel without folding. I'll take a closer look at Dean's sword, it is a rather nice sword and your list does appear quite logical. Also, off topic, but I really like that "V" stitch tassel you came in possession of. Just a word of warning with that variation. One little snag and apart it goes... Appreciate your explanation, Dave M.

Bruce, I think in the strict sense of the terms your exactly right! Dave M.

Quite true John, No doubt Sunobe and Han-tanren are different types of construction. One folded the other not. I'm just curious as to the term Han as possibly implying Semi rather than Half. As was explained to me at the San Francisco sword show Han-tanto-to was a sword which had received only a partial level of forging. There's no doubt Neil's sword has some sort of folding. The other's (Dean's) , I struggle to see grain. My sword definitely has no grain. My train of thought is more along the line of semantics as opposed to construction as I feel the exposition clearly indicates also. My sincere condolences to all of those devastated by fire in Australia... Dave M.

Good point Bruce! This whole topic of Sunobe ( at least to me ) is still a bit confusing. The way I read the exposition is the word "Sunobe" is used for all swords made of modern steel. This is why I think Han-tan-to is simply a variation of sunobe. The Japanese definition of Han is (half or semi). I feel the term Han may be used in a rather "loose" sense of the word. Taren-to is described as fold welding, how do you manage to half fold a sword considering the strict definition of the term Han-Tanen-to? The beat up example of Seki showato I showed above could very well be Sunobe in that it could be a single bar of homogeneous steel. I see characteristics which could indicate either... Dave M.

Bruce, I'm normally 99% wrong with all shin gunto opinions and have to lean heavily on others in fear of going a complete 100%. However, after reading Dave R's exposition in post 10 ( a couple of times) hopefully I/we can have a little better understanding of showato terms. I'm getting the han-tan-to may be just a variation of sunobe-to. Dave M.

This is a Showa 17 Seki showato. I'm not sure whether it will contribute to the topic or not. I've shown it to many knowledgeable individuals at gun and sword shows over the years. It has more often than not, (even though likely a misnomer), been classified a Han-tan-to gunto. In Dave R's post # 10, the exposition does an excellent job of describing mis-used terms and explanations of such. For example, what exactly would be a half folded blade.. Han-tanren-to??? As explained to me, Han-tan-to would be considered a non-folded blade, oil quenched, with a certain level of swordsmith work applied...Seki showato.

There you go Stephen. The fuchi width is close to perfect. We knew the the length was going to be long by approx. 6 mm. The depth is fine. I think after seeing the fuchi on the tsuka it would be hard not to agree the menuki should be a pair of Paulownia of some type. After I locate a set of menuki I'll send it to David McDonald and hopefully he can make it all work. Thank you NMB members for your input, and a special thanks to Mr. Schiller for the fuchi. Dave M.

Will do...

Guido, I double checked my fuchi measurements hoping I was in error. It remained at approx. 32.25 mm, quite small. However, I like your fuchi and wouldn't mind having it in my assorted parts collection. I'll PM you for address and details. Thanks again, Dave M.

Hey, I'm willing to give it go Stephen. I'm planning to send the tsuka to David McDonald when I get everything sorted out. I guess a slightly larger fuchi would be much better potential than a smaller. I'll PM Guido for purchase and shipping details. Thanks, Dave M.

Guido Sir, I can't express how appreciative I am with your offer. The fuchi would be a perfect match for the kashira. My initial excitement, unfortunately, was quickly deflated by the tape measure. outside: 32.25 mm x 19.55 mm x 6.35 mm inside : 31.39 mm x 18.79 mm x 5.82 mm My measurements, I think are fairly accurate, or at least close enough to see it probably wouldn't fit properly. But I sincerely Thank You. I've have always admired your knowledge and enjoy reading your NMB comments. Best regards, Dave M.

Peter, All advice is welcome. As I mentioned in response to Grey, all be it not what would be considered a match, the fuchi does fit as though it were meant for the tsuka . I some how feel the F/K combination are possibly as they were meant to be. Yes, I'll be looking for some age appropriate kiri-mon menuki. Thanks, Dave M.

Thanks Ian, Yes, I'm sure you and Grey are most certainly correct about mismatching F/K. I've had the sword for quite some time and have to admit I've been curious as to why they are not matching. I guess the only thing somewhat similar is the black and gold color. I appreciate your opinion... Dave M.

Hi Grey, I honestly can't say if the F/K are a match. You would think fuchi would also have Kiri-mon of some sort. However, the black and gold are very similar in color, and it seems to fit the tsuka as it should. So I just don't know, but if I do decide to have the work done, the fuchi will probably need to remain as is. I feel a bit like you concerning the dragon menuki, I'm sure they are old, but they are not particularly exceptional by any means. I didn't know David McDonald lives in Montana, I'm sure he would do an excellent job! Thanks Grey for taking time to offer an opinion! Dave M.

Thank you also Tom, Oh yes, only a properly skilled individual will do the wrap and will make sure the menuki are properly placed! Dave M.

Thanks Austus, Sure, I'll post a few.

Ok, Thanks Dwain, appreciate the opinion. Dave M.

Hi Dave, Yes I agree, strong black and gold no matter the style. I'm not sure the age of the dragon menuki, I would guess early/mid Edo... Thanks, Dave M.

Hello members, I need a little advice with a fairly nice wakizashi I've owned for a few years. I bought it at a antique store liquidation sale. Unfortunately, as with many swords you find, it is of course, not with out a bit of damage. At some point the menuki was removed from the tsuka. I have a set of Edo era dragon menuki which in (color) at least seem to match, but I've hesitated to send it off for re-wrap using the dragon menuki because I can't seem to convince myself dragon menuki are appropriate. I feel as though, (with out ever really knowing obviously) the original menuki were most likely Kiri-mon type. I would appreciate a few additional thoughts from anyone interested as to how they would proceed. Would the more appropriate option be to purchase a Kiri-mon type menuki? If anyone happens to have a set of reasonable priced Paulowania type menuki, please contact me... Thanks in advance, Dave M.

I agree with Hamfish, sell it with the preponderance of what it appears to be. To my eyes, there is quite a lot that has occurred with your sword. The tsuka appears to have partial same' replacement. The mune and shinogi look rounded by age or mechanical buffing. The patina of the nakago looks simply weird, chemical aging? The blade itself looks as though it has been sanded as well as chemically cleaned. Other than that , it's fine... Does it show past polishing, does it drop in thickness (Kasane) from nakago to blade, is it ubu-ha ?? Simply sell it truthfully for what it may possibly be, this is the fun, as well as frustration of Japanese sword collecting! Good luck, Dave M.