DRDave

Indeed, thanks Ben. I'm learning.

Bob, I'm reluctant to categorize anything as a loser. I think it's likely a genuine, WW II era sword that is non-traditionally made. The file marks in the area I have circled cause me to suspect that an arsenal stamp has been removed; but having it in-hand, you are better able to judge.

The detail on the back, the bird, etc. is nice; but the scale bothers me. The size of the bird just seems exaggerated. Curious if anyone has seen other tsuba similar to this.

Can't help you with the tassel, but would like to see some additional photos of the pistol belt.

Like Patrick, I'm thinking the mei is on the wrong side. No wear anywhere; it looks brand new. And why the difference in the rim and surface texture front to back?

Pick 6. Hmmm... 1a, 3, 4a, 13, 19 and 22.

I like it. Short, but to the point. Congratulations!

Illuminating. Thanks, Ford.

I've seen similar Kashira, but don't recall seeing one with the features incised as deeply as yours. Nice one.

And another... https://www.aoijapan.com/tsubamumei/

Chris, I presume you've seen this site? Nothing about competition, but perhaps gives an idea of who the participants may have been.

Bill, The photos blur some detail. Compare them with the Goto fittings on Darcy's site. Regardless of the maker/shinsa, I think they're terrific.

I think this is the maker, but can't help with the characters on the cloth. Is there anything on the other side of the tang?

Wish he had shown the entire nakago mune.

George, The Inari Shrine is mentioned in The Yasukuni Swords by Tom Kishida on page 135 (click on the page icon at the top to see the full page).

Maybe the persons who can provide a definitive answer have been busy enjoying the DTI? I did see one 1998 with the perforations and a 1993 and 1994 without; so I wouldn't expect the 1990 that Dalton asked about to have them. For whatever reason, there are far fewer origami from the 1990's on dealer websites than there are from 2000 to present. Edit: Found papers for '97, '96 and '95 that have the perfs; and having previously seen '94 papers without, it appears they started in '95. Need to find some more '95 papers. Don't know if it started first of '95 or was a mid-year change.

I had a similar origami question to ask, and thought it might be good to keep it in the same thread (Thanks again, Dalton!). Does anyone know when the torokusho number and date were added to the origami? As best I can tell, it started in 2013, but I'm not certain. Attachment 1. Portion of an origami from 2013. I've not found any earlier years that have the registration info. Note the small seal to the left of the registration date line. Attachment 2. This one is from 2017. Note the Showa and Heisei dates, with the seal next to the latter. These first two attachments are the only two I found with the additional seal. Also note the registration number and date appear to be hand written on both examples. Attachment 3. Starting in 2018, the registration number and date no longer look handwritten. Either that, or the person doing it now has very precise handwriting. Also note the different characters on the left side of the first line. I've not yet figured out what they say.

And maybe another with just the kissaki?

It appears to be carved, but I'm not certain. Is there a name for this type of work? I think it's attractive. https://www.samurai-nippon.net/SHOP/M-083.html

I'd love to see a mokume display redo.

Franco, The info you're looking for is linked in this thread. I don't have any firsthand experience with submitting to shinsa.

The search for a '45 Mantetsu continues...

I thought I had another day left; not that it would have helped any. Thanks for the write-up, Jussi, and congrats to Rayhan and Dwain!

I wonder what the starting price would be if it weren't for the former gakumei.

I think the blades of 1945 are interesting, knowing the adversity the Japanese were having to endure; yet even though the hope of victory had vanished, the people were determined to persevere.