EdWolf

Hi John, If you already have restored the stock of a antique gun than a Tsuka must be not a problem. I think not that you should restore it. It's a fine piece of history. Enjoy it. Regards, Ed

Thanks to all. I wait for more opinions. Regards, Ed

John, The basic shape of a Tsuka may be looks easy to build but I think it is not that easy. The shape and style needs to fit the blade and the wrapping is much more difficult than it looks. Take a look at the following site http://www.tsukamaki.net/index.html Regards, Ed

Hi Erwin, This wakizashi was bought at the militaria show in Houten. Regards, Ed

And one more. Regards, Ed

I just received the pictures. Not the best quality but the seller is using his tablet. Hope this helps

Hi Brian, That's exactly what I wanted to know. I have tried to find as much as possible about this school but there is not much for sale. I'll wait for the pictures. Thanks for your reply.

Hi Ken, I apologize for the fact that I didn't understand you correctly. English is not my native language and writing and reading can sometimes be hard. Sorry for misunderstanding you. I hope to receive the pictures soon and maybe you still want to help me further. Best regards, Ed

Hi Ken, Sorry but I don't expect from Nmb members to say yes or no without pictures. I only want to know if I should proceed. The fact that I can't find unsigned Dewa Gassan blades for sales does not give me a good starting point for reference. I have sent an email to the seller for good pictures and his permission to post them. Regards, Ed

Hi Ken, I don't buy this blade without seeing it. But the problem is if a Shinsa team doesn't detect a problem with the blade how can I detect them as a novice collector. I ask for pictures and hope that the quality is good enough for the needed advice. Regards, Ed

Hi Ken, The blade is in a very nice polished state. Isn't it required to get the NTHK papers? I thought that Dewa Gassan are always Koto blades. I will ask for pictures. Regards, Ed

Hello to all, Until now I only have bought swords which are in the price range of 350 - 650 Euro. I have met an old collector who stopped collecting and he wants to sell his last sword. This sword is a Den Dewa Gassan katana blade of the Koto era. The blade has NTHK papers. The asking price of this blade 1800 Euro. I have searched for Gassan swords from the Koto era but there are not many blades for sale. BTW the tsuba is an old one but the saya is made a year of 30 ago. I can see this blade in person when back from my holiday. Is the asking price a fair price? I know I have little information so far but hope you can give advice what to do. Thanks for all your input on this. Regards, Ed

Hi Mark, Thanks for your reply! I give it a try as soon as I'm back from vacation. I also think it's a nice catch. It's still possible to find nice things for relatively small amount of money. Best regards, Ed

Hi Geraint, I'm currently on vacation. No progress with the Habaki. I will give it a try when I am back. I think you are right about the Tsuba. It looks good and the fit is good. Best regards, Ed

Found this article about martial arts in ww2. I really like the postcard of the Japanese sailors practicing Kendo. I hope this is the right sub forum. If not please move this post. https://chinesemartialstudies.com/2015/10/26/through-a-lens-darkly-34-the-chinese-and-Japanese-martial-arts-in-wwii-era-Japanese-military-postcards/ Regards, Ed

Patton loved fencing and he was quite good. He also joined the Olympic team in 1912. If he collected Japanese swords his collection should be build up in de period between the two great wars. He died in 1945 just before most swords where brought back to the US.

Ray, you have a very nice and well structured website. Also some really beautiful swords! Regards, Ed

Hi John, The Tsuba fits well. It’s just a thought but when the wearing of a sword was no longer aloud there is no need for a good quality Tsuba. When a new Koshirae is made you can reduce the cost by using a cast iron Tsuba instead of a forged iron Tsuba. So, could this be an old, say 100 to 150 years old Tsuba? I haven’t tried to remove the habaki. It was scheduled for yesterday evening but like most scheduled things it needs to be rescheduled :-) In the Netherlands WD40 is a well-known product. Replacing the habaki is not the way I want to go. If it doesn’t come off with help of some oil so be it. Regards, Ed

Maybe a stupid question but is it a good idea to replace the Tsuba? From what I can found about cast iron Tsuba is that they appear somewhere around the mid-19th century. I think the Koshirae is from the same time period. Do you think the the Tsuba is replaced recently or belongs to the Koshirae? The blade is obvious much older.

Hi Ray, Thanks for your reply. Is Gordon Robson also a member? Hi Geraint, You could be right about the Tsuba. I can’t find any trace of a seam but those can be easily removed. Regards, Ed

some more photo's...

Hi to all, Last weekend I found this Wakizashi at a local militaria show. Thanks to this forum I now know that the mei is signed ‘Kanabo Sakon Shōgen Masashige’. The habaki is still stuck but with all the thoughts about how to remove the habaki it will come off. Tonight, a new attempt. The hamon is visible but unfortunately my photographic skill are not great. The tsuba is nice and heavy build. (I think it's nice). The saya is in a good condition and the kozuka and the kogatana gives it a nice touch. Hope you all like the photos and of course the sword . Feel free to command. Regards, Ed

Hi Franco, Thanks for the additional thoughts! Never heard about the soldered habaki. Forewarned is fore armed. Regards, Ed

Thanks all for your opinion. Maybe I'm to careful because I don't want to damage the blade and the habaki. Tonight, after work I will give it another try. Regards, Ed

Thanks guys! So, if I understand well: Kanabo the school Sakon Shōgen the title of the swordsmith Masashige name of the smith Is this smith also mentioned in Marko Sesko’s book? Regards, Ed