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dwmc

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Everything posted by dwmc

  1. http://japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/yoshmasa.jpg Showa Oshigata Database ~ (Yoshimasa) ~Japanese Sword index/Guide ?
  2. Hello Earl, Your sword inscription reads "Noshu Seki Ju Kojima Yoshimasa saku". Made by Kojima Yosimasa in the city of Seki. Sword is in Naval sword mounts (Kai-gunto) most likely made 1930's/40's. The stamp on the tang/nakago is a Seki stamp indicating it was made non-traditionaly in the city of Seki. Your sword appears to be in fairly good condition. I would highly suggest visiting the "Japanese sword index" for further information.
  3. Much clearer photo. Will be interesting if someone can translate. Is there a story along with the sword you're willing to share and more pictures of blade, etc...??
  4. I agree John, with internet knowledge available, suddenly everyone is an expert. I submitted a mumei wakizashi for shinsa that I've had in my possession for many years. I had taken it to several sword and gun shows previously and had many "quasi" nihonto experts bloviate on and on as to origin. The accumulative opinion over the years was most likely early shinto. I too bought in to this opinion due to the considerable reduction of metal from the nakago to blade. I assumed several polishes through many years indicated increased age... Finally, a shinsa team was visiting as sword show near me in California, I could hardly wait to to sign up. I eventually arrived at the sword show and signed my sword into area where the shinsa was taking place. I tagged my blade and followed all the appropriate procedures. As I laid my sword on a table next to many others, I took the opportunity to glance behind a barrier and noticed several very professional, quite serious looking shinsa panel members evaluating blades. The next day, I arrived in the shinsa area in great anticipation of results. There where two gentlemen in the area acting as intermediaries answering questions for those who where getting their returned swords. I made eye contact with one of the gentleman, and received a look as though he was operating on his last nerve... My sword had past shinsa with a Shinteisho score in the 60's. However, I was suprised it was judged 1850's shinshinto period Jumyo. Even though I would liked to had a bit more information, the intermediaries where quite overwhelmed, and really what more could they add.. Initially, I was a bit disappointed in the results, but as I returned to the main sword show room, I began hearing as many as 50 to 60 percent of swords had not passed shinsa. I sensed the overall mood was not good to say the least. I had my sword in hand, and as I passed the table of a dealer I know to be well respected and knowledgeable, he inquired about my wakizashi. I told him the sword had past shinsa but was suprised at the period attribution. I'm not going to repeat his response, but I was quite stunned, he mentioned he had submitted several sword most of which did not pass. Needless to say he was not happy.. I've personally witnessed the "going against" trend.
  5. Unfortunately, I'm afraid a bit of "going against" shinsa results is a trend which may continue or even increase. Many years ago the average nihonto enthusiast was limited to practically zero knowledge into the study of the subject beyond John Yumoto's book "The Samurai Sword" and maybe a couple of others at the local library. The other reference material available in translated text was extremely expensive and unavailable to most. Today, with sites such as the NMB, and other online study and reference material, many with the interest to do so, can become very competent in nihonto evaluation indeed. (Of which several are members of the NMB, and I suspect could easily qualify to sit on a shinsa panel). Basically, even the average sword enthusiasts knowledge of nihonto has increased greatly due to amount of study material available. However, this increase in knowledge does not mean (most) of us are qualified to make an accurate shinsa evaluation beyond a highly expert shinsa team, but shinsa teams most likely still are, and need to remain on top of their game... Nihonto enthusiast are quickly gaining knowledge.
  6. Ahh, Good point Brian. Do you suspect the smith/togishi simply discarded the carved out metal?
  7. Among all other factors, would not a deep wide Hi save a substantial amount of valuable tamahagane.
  8. I agree, the one signed Kane(Sada) appears to be quite real. More pics of this one as Brian mentioned would help. Dave
  9. As the days go by we (Nihonto enthusiast) must face the increasing inevitability we are alone, in a hostile, uninhabited, and meaningless universe. Yet, still we have to laugh...
  10. dwmc

    Sword Blog

    Sword information combined with relevant history. Excellent!!!
  11. dwmc

    Miniature Tachi

    As I mentioned previously, I saw miniature tachi at a Japanese sword auction. There were probably 75 swords or more from Showa to Koto, Yari, etc.. up for auction. During the pre-auction inspection, I noticed 4 or 5 small swords in koshire, in the past I've seen cheap miniature tourist trade tachi, letter openers, and so on. However, these were quite different, they weren't the cheap quality as I had seen before. They were quite well made. Although, as with yourself Jussi, I basically brushed them aside, and eventually purchased a Shinto Sukekuni, a 2nd Gen. Shinto Tadayuki with Shiso-tetsu inscription, and a very nice Shobu Wakizashi. Bigger fish.... Having said this, even though it has now been quite some time, I could never quite get over the curiosity of these small well made Tachi. Hopefully, someone with definitive information regarding these small Tachi will share their knowledge.
  12. dwmc

    Miniature Tachi

    Alex, I think it is possible these are relatively "rare" very good quality miniature Tachi to match Boy's Day Armor. Possibly Shinshinto or Meiji period. http://www.jcollector.com/Japanese-Boys-Day-Yoroi-Samurai-Armor-p/jn9j428.htm
  13. dwmc

    Miniature Tachi

    The inscription ( I think ) is Sadamune. I first came across miniature Tachi at a sword auction many years ago, and now regret not purchasing one of several up for auction. I didn't bid due to the fact I was unsure of exactly what they were. I was however, impressed by the excellent quality and craftsmanship of these small swords. I vote Boy's Day Tachi also... Looking forward to further opinions.
  14. I think the term (FATAL} is what should be used for the "Heart Attack" the unfortunate individual has when learning his $20,000 sword is now reduced to $2,000 due to a previous unseen hagire...
  15. That's interesting Rayhan, I think most collector's would agree with you !
  16. It seems Nihonto are held to the same high standards today as they were 500 years ago when the Samurai's life absolutely depended on the swords integrity. Particularly Hagire, I wouldn't suggest the use of older Nihonto for anything beyond simply admiring it as a archaeological artifact. I often read of Hagire rendering the sword as being little or no value. (FATAL) Are we still judging the value of Nihonto on it's ability to be pressed in to service at a moments notice?? Is a known Masumune with a fatal Hagire of no value... Please, I'm not trying to anger anyone, I'm seriously curious?
  17. Most likely a Seki factory gunto. I agree with Stephen, a nice clean example...
  18. Definitely agree Chris! Window suggestion would only be an relatively inexpensive look in to the past as to what the blade once was...
  19. I think the assessment is unfortunately quite evident. However, an excellent candidate for window polish.
  20. Yes, that's quite true Grey. The majority where occupation surrender swords. My Father managed to return home with four. However, I see many, many post battle theater photo's with GI's holding captured swords. Some how they managed (I suspect) to return home with them. It would be an interesting topic to learn just how they accomplished this... The damage on the Ebay sword looks very much to me like blunt impact, yet as you suggest, it could have happen in any number of ways. We could speculate into eternity..
  21. I definitely agree with the above comments as to how ridiculous many ebay sellers can get while trying to sell their items. However, having said this, and looking beyond the sellers comments, I have to say, I actually find the sword rather interesting. This is a sword that has literally been there...the officer obviously lost or damaged beyond repair the gunto saya, and most likely had a native craftsman construct a wooden replacement. The habaki is rather nice and could indicate an older family blade set in gunto koshirae. The tsuba appears a thicker upper end pierced type. Whats left of the same may also have been a upgrade. The damage could easily suggest this sword's last battle was a result of striking a blow blocked by a gun barrel. Would look great as an example of a potentially real wwll battle damaged sword in some ones collection. I love a pristine Nagamitsu or Sadakatsu in a nice type 3 or 98 Gunto koshirae. Possibly with nothing more the a bit of ito discoloration from minimal handling. However, outside of being in almost pristine condition, they really don't offer much as to actual battle conditions...
  22. I agree with Grey. Moved the nakago up (hastily) to press sword into service. Not sure why they would have kept this blade with this sort of flaw. Possibly war time urgency...
  23. Whole different look and opinion with the close up photo's...Showato! Dave
  24. Mis-matched parts, hmmm, seen that somewhere before. No shortage of Kanenaga smiths, nice looking sword, shallow sori, maybe even Shinto era Kanbun... Dave
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