pt1093

Shinsa evaluation result: False signature, Kanbun Period (1661 to 1673)

Does anyone have a blade by this swordsmith with the same mei? I see one in the research area for him, but it is different. Most of what I am finding on the internet is second generation Yoshimasa. The blade appears to be Makuri construction as there is a barely noticeable seam on the Mune.

John, My guess is the dark areas seen are either early stress cracks that corroded over time, or they are the weld joint between the soft/ hard layers. There is a noticeable seam on the spine that could indicate the later. I too thought excessive heat, a point is harder to control.

Due to poor packaging and handling, my newly purchased naginata was received missing approx. 1/8" of the tip. After the initial bout of swearing, I decided to make the best of it and get some up close photos of the grain structure, see attached. I was surprised to see a globular type grain.

Hello, I just received my new purchase today, a naginata. Help would be appreciated with the mei and general thoughts on this item.

I recently purchased this 15" long ivory sword for it's artistic appeal. I am currently trying to decipher the symbols which appear to be seal script. Opposite the symbols is the back and forth circle pattern. The grip has a three toed dragon chasing the flaming pearl on both sides, which leads me to believe the artisan was Japanese. I have been able to decipher what I think is "gate"(top left) "tree" (second down left), "leg or legs" (second down right), and "sun or day" (bottom right) using Markus Sesko's book on seal script, but am having trouble making out the radicals and characters. Would anyone have an idea what this was used for? My first thought was a hair pin or kanzashi Paul

The length is 20.5" looped to the tsuba. Alas, I bought this tassel a few years ago at a gun show. It does compliment the sword well and you are correct about the rental program. I did not realize it was due to lack of supply.

Jesse, see attached. It was slightly altered for combat I am guessing due to the extra screw Bruce, I was actually looking at the one currently on Ebay. It looks lighter than most examples I have seen, but also shows some wear. The green kanji writing on the inside has me wondering. Paul

Hi all, I am looking to compliment my copper handled type 95 with an original sword knot. Can anyone offer hints on how to tell a replica from an original? Thanks, Paul

I did some more research. I made a few replacement pieces out of the hinge area of a clam. They were a good visual match until I tried a UV light on them. The new pieces had a blueish glow compared to a yellowish glow from the original pieces, which would make them either bone or ivory. When compared to both an older bone and ivory gripped swords under UV light, it is closer to the ivory grip. Paul T.

See attached photo of everything. I do not see any trace of iridescence in the material, and it is too hard to be egg shell. The koshirae appear to be a matched set. The tsuba and kojiri are shippo, I would estimate from the mid 19th century. I made and attached the green kurigata to match the shippo colors. The blade itself is also intriguing since it is one of the more what I call "optically flat" ones I have looked at. I will be trying a few different shells readily available, clam and oyster. Would either of these have a significant place in early/mid 1800 Japan? Paul T .

Grey, See attached close up photo. It does efferves in vinegar, so some type of shell? Paul

I recently purchased this wakizashi and am looking for information on the saya materials used so I can hopefully restore. From what I can figure out so far, the white pieces are some type of fish bone. Does anyone know what this material is for sure, and where I may be able to get my hands on some? Thanks, Paul T.

I am still looking through the documentation, but I thought I might try here to see if anyone else has delved into rules / laws regarding protected species.