SteveM

Dug around and found other examples. First one is the middle part of a triptych by an artist called Ginkō (c.1887) https://www.yamada-shoten.com/onlinestore/detail.php?item_id=59177 2nd and 3rd are, as Chris says, by an artist named Kōgyō. https://www.harashobo.com/ukiyoe/ukiyoe_detail.php?print_id=24027 https://www.yamada-shoten.com/onlinestore/detail.php?item_id=60732 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kōgyo_Tsukioka

I don't see anything under the signature. The reverse side has painted markings on it - we usually call them assembly numbers, probably used to help match the sword with its intended furnishings. In this sword it looks like it says 白八 (white 8).

Yes I would like to have a better photo of the whole mei too. I was looking around for an example of a Hiramatsu Masatomo mei on the internet, but couldn't find anything. If this is Masatomo, it will be nice to have a good picture of the mei. I do agree that it is a horribly executed 昭 for Shōwa. Was it an attempt at an obscure variation?Or, did it look better at one point, but became somehow scratched and garbled? Anyway, no doubt it is intended to be the "Shō" for Shōwa.

村上正忠作 Murakami Masatada saku The opposite side is a dedication to Sasaki Shigesuke 佐々木重輔

Sukidashi 鋤出

I agree - its information that best comes from Seikōdō, rather than us try to guess at what is going on in a low-res photo. The sword already received a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate (not to mention a sayagaki from Honma Kunzan), so it isn't a fatal flaw. Or, to be more precise, it wasn't a fatal flaw at the time it received the TH appraisal. Now it could be that the sword was sent for polishing after it received TH, and that polish revealed a fatal flaw, but somehow I don't think that's likely. https://markussesko.com/2016/08/25/honma-junjis-kun-in-kunzan/

The above is a strong possibility. Or, one crest could be the fief crest, and the other is the personal crest of the owner. The 5-7-5 Paulownia crest became the crest of the government sometime in Meiji, so it could represent a connection to the government or imperial family.

Same sword as was on the Aoi site (below). I don't get it either. https://sword-auction.com/en/product/5813/as21112-刀行平作於天満宮六十日極精進鍛之/

清道作　Kiyomichi saku Another one here https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31494-short-kai-gunto-mei/

The paper (I think a brochure or magazine from the seller, right?) indicates the dealer authenticated it to Ōei (1394-1428). They mention they base this judgment on the signature, and scrutinizing the sword against another one in their inventory. They don't mention a specific smith.

I thought the description must be mistaken. It doesn't look like a squid (more like a mussel). But it is actually the cuttlebone and the beak of the squid. Very unusual theme, I think. I can't quite make out who did the hakogaki. Anyway, if you are looking for a Natsuo piece and you don't jump at this one, you may be waiting a long time for another opportunity like this to arise. (↑Said without any consideration of price...but if you are in the market for a Natsuo item you probably already have an idea that you will be paying a lot of money.)

Wakayama lists him on page 17 of the Japanese edition. Apprentice of Ikkin. Late Edo. Resident of Dewa-no-kuni. It doesn't clarify if the name is pronouned Kazuharu or Ichiharu (I guess maybe Ichiharu if he is an apprentice of Ikkin). Anyway, I would also suggest to proceed on the basis that the mei is suspicious.

Hello Kirill, this sentence caught my eye. The sword you linked to is ubu. Am I misunderstanding your comment?

It's not a million-dollar sword. But as an authentic WW2 sword, it may be worth $1000-$2000. The better the condition, the higher the value. Swords in complete vintage scabbards, and not assembled post-war from various parts, also increase the value. Looks like the smith's name is Kanekado. 兼門

Its a flag from a mountain hiking expedition up Mt. Fuji. Not a WW2 flag.

Looks good. 興亜一心　満鐵作　Kōa Isshin Mantetsu Saku 昭和癸未春　Shōwa mizunoto-hitsuji haru Kōa Isshin Mantetsu sword (Japanese-made, in occupied Manchuria) 1943, Spring. There is a mountain of information on these types of swords here at this site. Very collectible, especially if they are in good condition, as yours is. Stay tuned...the Mantetsu guys will surely be interested in this.

The Admiral above has a different spelling 勝木源次郎 香月 could be read several different ways (Katsuki, Kagetsu, Kōzuki, etc.). First name looks like Kameo 香月亀男君 Katsuki Kameo, Kōzuki Kameo, Kagetsu Kameo, and others are possible. 城蘓岳 = Maybe refers to Suzhou, China? (城 can also mean city, in addition to castle).

I think this might better be called a sunnobi tantō rather than a wakizashi. It's right on the borderline of classification, but I think at this size and with this construction (hirazukuri) it's more appropriate to call it a tantō. Your mileage may vary.

It doesn't tell which generation, but it suggests a date of sometime during the Manji era (c.1658-1661).

Yes 1942. Actually this one says "Kigen 2602" (basically means the same thing as Kōki). 紀元二千六百二年

As in the other thread, the tantō is 義弘 Yoshihiro, using a variant of 弘.

Last one is Yoshihiro (義弘) using a variant of 弘. Consider it gimei for now.

Hello Josh, Browse the dealer section of this very site and you can find all the answers to your questions. I think all of the dealers here are respected and would be keen to answer any queries you have. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/88-dealer-showcase/

The label on the side describes the kind of thread used: モール製 (made with gold thread). The label on the front would be a kind of identifying number/series/class of tassel (I think).

Hi @Ontario_Archaeology Matt, can you give us close-up of the tassel box label? I think its 准銀台(臺), but I'm not quite sure what it means. And, it might be い號 ?