Bas

Thank you very much Piers D for your effort. The artist's information from index is very helpfull and interesting.

Thanks Steve. Hope someone will recognize he artwork or knows some more to tell about it. It should be mid 19th Century. Enclosed one other picture showing a Daruma.

Dear members, Can anyone translate the mei on this wooden saya. This should be the name of the artist. The saya is inlaid with ebony, bone and semi precious stones..See enclosed some images of the decorations. Thanks, Bas

Many thanks !!

Thank you Ray for the translation of the maker and reference to Sesko. So i can conclude the mei translation I posted (received from owner) was not correct?! Can you please translate what is written on both sides. Many thanks.

Dear members, I came across this tanto made by Hisahiro, as mei indicates: resident of Akikuni, Hiroshima. Made Keio2, 5th month: May 1867. Hisahiro seems to be from Hizen school. I wonder if anyone has any reference about ranking and rarity as i can't find any other example under his name. In meantime i heard he is descended from the 8th gen (hachidai) of the famous swordmaker Hizen Tadayoshi. See images

Thank you very much for the translation. Not sure this is better to discuss in another topic but to my understanding the Seki stamp indicates it's a showato and not made in traditional way. To me this feels a bit contradicting, a skilled traditional smith putting his signature on a non traditionally made. So i wonder in which steps in the making process the skilled smith was involved exactly. The hamon is beautiful in my view. See pics enclosed. Many thanks.

Hello, any assistance please with the translation would be very appreciated. Thank you in advance for the assistance. Bas

Dear Ray Singer, Thank you very much for the translation. Kind regards, Bas

Hello all, I am wondering if anyone is able to help in translating the Kanji on this Katana tang. I have inherited this katana recently together with various Japanese items of art. Any translation assistance very appreciated. Thanks and kind regards, Bas

Dear Steve M, Thank you for the info and the effort in translating. Bas

Dear Geraint Thank you so much for this info. I had my doubts and happy this is confimed. I will carefully deliver the message as the man is much older than the sword. Bas

Noticed the kanji is reversed on pics, enclosed right view pics

Hello, Some help wanted in translation of the mei on what looks like a Kai-Gunto. Sorry for the poor quality pics, (two different lights) these are as sent by the owner who is in his 80's. Thank you for any info.

Correct, it sits in the tsuka by friction. Probably a marriage. Is there a way to lock it in a good way without damaging the nakago?

Thanks for your expertise Luis.

Hello Members, Could anyone help identifying this tanto please. Period/school ? The kashira/fuchi and stuba seem to have silver dots on the iron. Any info on this? The specs: Mune type: Ihori Nagasa: 21.1 cm Nakago: 8.6cm Moto-Haba: 2.68mm Moto-Kasane: 4.7mm Thanks and regards, Bas

Many thanks John. Now I hope someone can tell me where and when this tsuba was made or where I can find some more info about this type. I suppose the kanji is a factory mark?! Bas

Dear members, Could anyone help me out on translating this kanji on a WWII tsuba?! I have been going through the kanji pages and most close I get is Kore Kichi ?! (this Lucky), not sure if anything is right. Where can I find some more info on this particular tsuba/type ? I suppose it's a standard tsuba as it is part of a shin gunto WWII sword, but couldn't find this back so far.. Any help appreciated ! Thanks, Bas

Enclosed the pics. Kind regards, Bas

ROKUJURO, Thank you so much for the translation so far. I will do some more effort to translate myself a next time, this is a new skill to me. I will be able to make better pics from Monday, so will post them when made for follow up discussion. Have a nice weekend, Bas

Hello, Can anyone please translate the karacters on (2 sides) of the tang of this katana. Many thanks, Bas

Thank you Brian. Enclosed some additional pics of the tsuba...

Dear all, I am Bas, new on the forum. For some time I am puzzled about an iron tsuba which seems to have Kanji on both sides. I would like to know if it is writing or decorative engravings. It's not casted. If needed I will post more pics. I also wonder in about which period this tsuba has been made, any info is welcome as I am not an expert on this subject. The tsuba belongs to a WWII officer katana. I recently found out that inside the leather sheet is the family?! name written in Kanji. It's translated as "Tokuyama". Will post a picture if someone is interested. Thanks