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John, thanks for taking the time to reply and I would agree that to " no " is not written in mei but the reverse is true in cutting tests, the attached is " ichi no do kiri otoshi " , the "no " is just below the ichi. Paul

Uwe, thanks for the reply, do you think that they are two different tests or one and the same?

Evening gents, the mei , adjacent to the date on the attached picture I am reading as Ichi do otoshi , cannot find a reference for this mei that excludes the " no " kangi so assume that I may be reading it incorrectly, the secod picture , where the gold has been picked out / lost , I am reading as kesa otoshi, these mei are on the same blade so struggling to understand the context, any help would be greatly appreciated. Paul

Have a sword from USA stuck in Coventry customs since 25 th November but back in August had two swords from Japan in 7 Days but hey did not go through Coventry

Bruce, as requested, struggling a little to find out anything abut this character so if you have anything it would be helpful. Paul

Ray, thanks for the response it is most helpful, I wonder if I can impose on your goodwill a little further and ask what it means in the context of the mei

Hi,can anyone help with the translation of the highlighted kanji in this cutting test, I believe the inscription starts with ichi no do kiri otoshi x x x masa yoshi x x any help would be appreciated

Thanks to all for your help with the translation it was much appreciated, unfortunately John I have deleted the pictures of the blade as I dithered over purchasing it and by the time I got back to the seller he had sold it. Paul

Many thanks John much appreciated Paul

Hi, all looking for some help with the translation of this Mei have got Ju and Kuni but that is about it. Thank in advance Paul

few more book links both swords and armour, some titles not really translated as skills in this area not up to it, enjoy. SWORDS Chokyo Mei - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2539344 Koto oshigata 5 vols - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2552933?tocOpened=1 koto oshigata - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2533524 koto oshigata 3 scrolls - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2609925 fujishiro - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1116200 Imamura Oshikata. Volume 3 - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1186830 Imamura Oshikata. Volume 2 - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1186827 Imamura Oshikata. Volume 1 - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1186820 Shinto oshigata - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2533692 ARMOUR Akinomaki - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2539276 Shimizu - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1145544 Allegory. ? - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1246487 Allegory.??????? - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1246485 - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/771882 unsure of title,armour - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2539259 Gun'yoki "Military Manual" - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2551761?tocOpened=1 how to wear armour - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1087048

Many thanks

Brian, link you have posted is correct is it possible to delete link from original post ? Paul

a few links to books on oshigata Kajihei shingi Oshigata - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1144559 Tsuchiya Oshigata - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1266644 Umetada Meikan - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1183661 Meizukushi (Kanchi'in-bon) - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1288371?itemId=info%3Andljp%2Fpid%2F1288371&__lang=en Ôsekishô - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2483063 Imamura Oshikata. Volume 2 -http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1186827 Imamura Oshikata. Volume 1 - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1186820 Shinto Bengi Kamada Gyomyô - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2563722?tocOpened=1 Motoya Kotoku Dokkan - http://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1190999

Geraint, thanks for a very informative post, not something that I have heard of previously so will try to look into a little further Jeremiah , may thanks for posting the link, a fine looking blade, at least in my eyes. Paul