rebcannonshooter

Hi folks, just for clarification, The Kiku-sui mon was a popular symbol in Japan and was not exclusive to the Minatogawa Jinja. Both Gassan Sadakazu and Gassan Sadakatsu engraved this on numerous swords as did other smiths. It is possible that this was a WW2 engraving, although not of great quality.. Tom M.

Hi Scott, As Ray said your sword is signed Tenshozan which is the name of a forge. The sword is stainless steel, and is in WW2 Naval officer's mounts. The sword is missing its Tsuba (sword guard) and two Daiseppa (large decorative washers that look like sun rays, on each side of the Tsuba). The Saya (scabbard) is wrapped in shark skin with black lacquer applied to it. Tom

Bruce, are you asking for yourself? If so, I have a couple that I could make available! Tom

Good Morning, Your sword appears to be a WW2 sword. The signature Is KANE TOSHI. There were several swordsmiths that used this name during the war, not sure which one. Tom M.

Hi Vincent, Your sword appears to be a legitimate Nihonto. The mei reads KATSU SHIGE. There were a number of smiths with this name, who worked from Shinto to Shin-Shinto. My guess from nakago shape is Bizen, but just a guess. Hard to tell much from the blade. Tom

Hawley's lists a "Hirokuni" with this "Hiro" kanji. He was the second generation and signed "Bushu ju Hirokuni saku", worked circa 1688. Hope this helps. Tom M.

Absolutely beautiful work! Please show us the completed sword when done, it looks like it will be a stunner. Tom

The butterfly appears to be an AGEHA-CHO mon of the TAIRA clan. I've seen several slight variations of this mon, but I don't know the significance of it landing on a fan. Tom

Good morning Ed, My guess is SEKI JU NIN SA-TO KANE-ZUMI SAKU KORE. hope this helps, Tom

Hi Aaron, your sword is signed "FUJI-WARA SHIGE-YUKI". While there were a number of smiths that signed "shige yuki " most of the ones that incorporated the clan name of "fuji-wara" into their signature were from the Bungo Takada school. But, I haven't found one that only signed Fuji-Wara Shige-Yuki. The silver habaki is a good sign! Hope this helps, Tom

Hey Noah, the "patina" on the tang is consistent with a Showa date, so no worries there. If Jimmy Hayashi did the polish you can rest assured that it is PERFECT! I've seen several of his polishes, and have a sword polished by him. So I'm sure its beautiful. I think what Jean is saying is that the photos are not very good to make a determination of how nice it is. Given the cost of one of his polishes and a new shirasaya the price of this sword is quite good. Tom M.

Hi Nick, your sword appears to be signed HOSHIYA YOSHINAGA, with a SEKI STAMP. It is a WW2 sword, the small stamp is the Seki inspection mark, indicating a non-traditionally made sword. Seki City was a major sword producing location during the war. Hope this helps, Tom

Thanks Mal, I never even thought to look in Slough's book! Absolutely the same guy as in F& G, Tom M.

Hi Mark, Your sword is signed KANE-UJI, with a "SHO" stamp, The date is Oct. 1941. Fuller and Gregory has an oshigata (#123) of one of his swords dated 1942 with the same hot-stamp/ personal seal, which is his name incorporated into the stamp. Tom M.

Hi Mike, your sword is signed NO SHU SEKI MAYE GAWA KANE TSUGU SAKU KORE, NOSHU (the province) SEKI (city) MAYEGAWA (his family name) KANETSUGU (the swordsmith's art name) SAKU KORE (made this). The sword is in shin gunto mounts with a company grade tassel. The sword appears to be a non-traditionally made blade, but a nice sword. Tom M.