Peter Bleed

I checked and came to the same conclusion, Jon. P

Isn't that the Japanese Post Office Crest? Peter

I went to look at the swords and... The koshirae are certainly original WWII era IJN fittings, but the blade is certainly Chinese "damascus". It was an easy assessment and certainly not collectible. This sword was a lot better than most of the Chinese fakes I have seen suggesting that they are getting better. The take away lesson is that we have to be careful out there! I thank you all. Peter

Thank you all. The NMB is working. We are all looking at the same sword. , but I may be a bit too suspicious. The whole rig looks a little fresh and maybe tarted up. Peter

Thank you, Steve. Indeed, I can't agree with you about the hi. It seems weak to me, but interesting. . . . Peter

Sorry for being ham handed, but this is the image I have. Fittings look goof but the wrap is clearly compromised. And do I see a number on the habaki. Peter

I am scheduled to see what looks like a Japanese Kaigunto that seems to have red saya. Has anyone ever seen such a thing - or might this be a post-War production?, mebbe even Chinese??? Peer

Hoshu Takada ju Fujiwara Masayuki. A mid 17th century line. This sword has little to do with either an 1860 cavalry sabre or WW1. Peter

This thread convinces me that 150 years from now serious sword collectors will have lots to look at and lots to debate. People today are getting good at figuring out what matters, how it came to be, .. and how to replicate it. Peter

I am never the first guy and when I am it turns out to be a hard one. I think it is a KANEHIDE, but the second kanji is a puzzle .Saya looks fine to me. Seems like a legit gunto IMHO Peter

I am not sure that I would be terribly bothered by a spotted envelope. I like idea of using paper napkins. Certainly that would be an easy start, the but - especially since it was just on the envelop - I'd try Fuller's Earth. I have used it to remove other oil stains on paper and found it effective. Peter

Please let me add my congratulations! Peter Bleed

I follow this thread with interest. Indeed, I do NOT think anything we have looked at is "Japanese" BUT, I am sure that it MAY be relevant to the origins and development of Japanese swords. Japanese swords were not developed in isolation. They were developed in the context of East Asian Iron working. I am not surprised that swords made on the northern border of "China" would look like the blades we call "Chokoto." I am also sure that Russia is full of amazing materials - including archaeological swords. PLEASE show them to us!. We also need access to publications on these items. Peter Я с интересом слежу за этой веткой. Действительно, я НЕ думаю, что все, что мы смотрели, это «японский», но я уверен, что МОЖЕТ быть уместным по происхождению и развитию японских мечей. Японские мечи не были разработаны изолированно. Они были разработаны в контексте восточноазиатских железных работ. Я не удивлен, что мечи, сделанные на северной границе «Китая», будут похожи на лезвия, которые мы называем «Чокото». Я также уверен, что Россия полна удивительных материалов, в том числе археологических мечей. ПОЖАЛУЙСТА, покажите их нам !. Нам также необходим доступ к публикациям по этим вопросам.

Yep. for what its worth . . . . it is Kunitoshi - - and its gimei Peter

What am I missing? The obvious question IMHO is, "Why would anybody buy this sword?" Peter

Steven, Indeed you are right. Just after I punched the "post" button I decided to do some goggling and found a whole bunch of great information. I apologize and appreciate your response In fact, this whole adventure makes me aware - yet again - of how wonderful the NMB is. Sometimes lazy people (like me) use it instead of doing their own research. But other times posting on the NMB is like dancing in front of a cave to draw out Amatarazu. (read your Kojiki if you need to). That is certainly how I feel when a naive inquiry gets a quick and generous response from real experts. Thank you, Ford! Peter

In conversation with some folks at the local art museum, I mentioned the use of eggshells embedded in lacquer on some Japanese saya. They are interested in this technique, but I have no pictures of the work. Can anyone on the NMB point me to information and images of Japanese eggshell embellished lacquer? Peter

Pcay is a fine guy. I've both bought and sold with Pierre. Peter.

I can't either, but it sure looks like Sato Kanzan's signature and does it start by saying a "Round shaped" item. P

We gee. This one seems easy enough that a non-tsuba guy like me can read it. Bushu ju Masamitsu I'll leave the second part of your question to experts. Peter

A fun thread! I was betting on Tomo, but once again we have to say, "If only the Romans had gotten there before the Chinese..." Peter

What an interesting paper! I am not sure I undertand it or its implications completely. But it suggests to me that many of the wonderfully crafted "things" we like were produced as they are because people had to work cheap. Thanks Peter. Arnold???

Well, gee. Mantetsu blades are NOT all that uncommon and for a cleaned up pieces from an vendor like Aoi-sama. This price seems pretty reasonable. What I find interesting is the appearance of this sword on a "Japanese" site. Tsuruta-san periodically also offers Nagamitsu and Emura blades as well as other Gendai-to. I strongly suspect that that he has been drawn in this direction by Non-Japanese collectors. That is to say, I think the American interest in War time swords has generated an interest in Japan.Japanese sword collecting is becoming "international"! Peter

Masahide must have been a very busy guy. This is a fabulous piece. I would like to know its history. David, where did you discover it. Has it any papers? Peter