Kwakernaak

Thanks all for your help. Seems that the box was meant for a sword, and likely this one. Kind regards, Peter Jan.

Hi collectors, Was hoping I could get someone to translate the writing on a sword box lid. I have already posted a post about this sword and box in the military sword section. Would love to know the full translation of the text. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance, Peter Jan.

Hi fellow collectors, Just wanted to share and maybe learn more about this sword. I just picked this one up locally. At first I wanted to pass as the sabre looked to good to be true. I decided to make the drive and was happy I did. It's a army parade sabre with belt, buckle and hangers in lovely condition. It also came in a what seems a pine box with lettering on the lid. The yellow cloth inside is not original. The box is what the sabre came in, but might as well be an "anything else" category. It sure does look period. Can anybody tell me what the box lid says?? Are there any other examples of boxes in which the parade sabres came in or where shipped in? Enjoy. Kind regards, Peter Jan.

I have no more comments guys. I get the picture. Thanks for the advice. Kind regards, Peter Jan

Yes indeed I thought I would open a can of worms...hope nobody takes offence. But on one side it is suggested that the value of the blade will never be worth the cost of the accepted way of getting it polished. So what does one do with such a blade. Leave it rotting away??? I fully agree that a national treasure or a very significant blade (if it can be recognised as such through the rust) should not be touched by an amateurs (like myself). But the fact of the matter is that this will inevitably happen when polishing costs are in price range of 2 - 3 K$.... One needs to start somewhere. In any case I appreciate your comments. I'll be quite and start reading a bit more...

Thanks for your comments guys. My initial reason would be to save this blade and restore it. I have become interested in the science behind polishing and would like to make such a blade like this my first ginny pig... In addition my other hobbies include woodworking and would also love to make a Saya for it. Obviously you would not attempt such traineeship on an extremely valuable blade, but on the other hand you would not spend all that effort on something which is not authentic Japanese with somewhat quality. I am sure some of you would frown at me attempting a polish.....

Hi Gents, Spotted this rusty blade (wakizashi) for sale on a local auction site. Just started collecting Japanese swords and have MUCH to learn. Could anybody give advice on the maker, age and reasonable value for this blade? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Kind regards, Peter Jan.

Hi fellow collectors. I am trying to translate the makers mark on a shin gunto. Strange on this sword is that there is no arsenal mark on the tang. Can anybody help me find the maker of this blade? Your help is appreciated. I managed o find .....MICHI...SAKU, but the other letters I am not able to find clear reference for. Thanks in advance, Peter Jan Kwakernaak

David, I was referring to the name Wada Momura on top of the tang. I assume this is not the maker. That should be Kanemichi right? I am assuming the second name would be of the owner, or would this assumption not be reasonable?

Gentlemen, Thank you all very much for your comments. Highly appreciate the feedback and translations. Nice to see the blade is marked with name. I assume its the name of the former owner. Makes the sword just a bit more personal.. Thanks again, Peter Jan

Hi fellow collectors. Got this sword in today. One of those with that "been to war" feel to it. Just love that. It also came with the leather cover for the Tsuka. I think the maker is Kanemichi, as I found the signature on page 47 in the book of John Scott Slough. Not so sure if its more valuable because of this?? The blade is original polish, but the hamon can still be seen as is quite nice. A couple of things I noticed that I did not see before (but might be common??). On the tang there is a painted mark. I found exactly the same mark inside the mounth of the Saya, and in the month of the Tsuka. I assume that the bades were sent to saya makers to get outfitted, and they marked each item with their own number/mark to keep things together?? More unusual to me is the mark on the tang under the Habaki. Can anybody tell me what the mark means, or why it is there?? I have never seen this before.. On last question: Can somebody translate the reverse inscription on the tang? Is there a year and place of manufacture?? Any help appreciated. Hope you like the pics. Thanks in advance, Peter Jan.

Hi Gents, I recently purchased this shin Gunto. It shows its age, and the blade has some graying, but still sharp as a razor. Also a very nice hamoon which is difficult to capture on camera. I just started collecting so I am trying to learn as fast as I can. I thought I would be able to find some reference in the sword smith book of John Slough, but I cannot make head nor tales of this signature. I recognize some letters, but that is where it stops. I asked a Japanese friend to look at it, but she was not able to read it as she said this is an old style text??? Inside of the leather cover it is marked Tanigawa..this is likely to be the original owner. Can anybody help me identify the maker? Must be one of the showa makers.. Thanks in advance, Peter Jan Kwakernaak

Very nice sword! Thanks for sharing.

Paul helped me out getting the book. Thanks Paul. Kind regards, Peter Jan.

Dear Members, I am looking for the book: An Oshigata Book of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945 by John Scott Slough. Can somebody advise me were I could purchase a one? If you have one and willing to let it go, please let me know. Thanks in advance, Peter Jan Kwakernaak