David Flynn

Signed Gassan, It would have to go to Shinsa for verification. Probably mid to late Muromachi. Alex, definitely not Bizen.

I don't have a photo or oshigata, but I have seen this sword first hand. The sword in question is a Utushi of a Sadamune. It was on exhibition at the NBTHK a few years ago.

You need to post better photos. The Nakago (Tang) is upside down and difficult to read.

Bryce, the funny thing about Daisaku Daimei is, that unless the Shinsa team say so, it's always classed as Shoshin. Saying that, to directly say that a sword is Daisaku Daimei without a shinsa team saying so is sort of a Faux Pas. What one should say is, I Believe this is a Daisaku Daimei. Unless one has definitive proof, one must take the sword as Shoshin. An example of this is Shigetsugu. According to Chris Bowen, all Shigetsugu swords signed with Soshu script are Daisaku. However, the Sword Socs. paper them as Shoshin. The purpose of regaling this is because, even though we know that many swords are Daisaku Daimei, they must be accepted as Shoshin if papered such. I believe Chris Bowen has done a great disservice, in that these Soshu Script swords are now mentioned by Markus Sesko and have turned some people off from buying Shigetsugu swords with Soshu mei. As said, Daisaku Daimei have been done since Adam wore knickers. It's something that is known but not Directly said. It's accepted that All members of the Gassan Family did this but again, unless papered as such, must be accepted as genuine. One may state though, that So and So did Daisaku Daimei, again though, unless papered as such, we don't definitively say So and So made this sword as Daisaku Daimei.

If you check various sources, you'll find that the Gassan School has a lot of Daisaku Daimei. Sadakazu did it for Sadayoshi, Sadakatsu did it for Sadakazu and Sadamitsu (Sadakazu 2) did it for Sadakatsu, etc. Sadakatsu died in 1943 and I'm lead to believe that Sadakatsu swords dated from 1940- 1943 a Daisaku Daimei. Again, I'm lead to believe Sadakatsu was very unwell during this period.

Ron, very hard to judge with the photo's you've supplied.

Personally, I wouldn't send this sword to Japan. I agree about sending it to Shinsa, but, I would only send it to an American Shinsa. I don't believe the quality of this sword, warrants it being sent to Japan. Another point of American Shinsa. The examiners are on a time limit and don't put the time into Mumei Swords as they probably would in Japan. However, saying that, it would receive a better opinion than it would receive here.

Special Honour Seat, is the equivalent of Mukansa.

Alex, Hamon continuing into the Boshi, can be found on all periods. Did you take the Yakidashi, into consideration?

It doesn't look like a Kanemoto. The Hamon is Togarigunome, which is a Seki style hamon. It also has a Yakidashi, which to me would place it, late 1600s.

I like Ayasugi, however, I find that the swords with this Jihada , have rather weak Hamon. Again, this is personal.

Somewhere, (no) Ju Masahiro.

I have a Kofu School sword, with the same name and NBTHK Hozon paper. I'm led to believe this was popular to put on swords in the early Muromachi Period.

I don't want to go to Calvary

A large part also depends on the mounting. So a Shingunto with a blade signed Tachi Mei, is still a Shingunto.

First giveaway, is the Nakago. Totally wrong shape for Muramasa. Also, the Hamon looks very "Mino".

Looks like O Suriage Kambun Shinto. C.1670

Khalid, these photo's don't show that your swords a Gendaito. The bottom photo, appears to be a very straight blade, which could be Kambun Shinto, or Shinshinto. Even unsigned, you need to show photo's of the Nakago.

Tanba (no) Kami Kanemichi. The other side with the Chrysanthemum, would be better posted in the Translation Section.

Naotane is the no1. Shinshinto smith. Although lists, usually claim Masahide as No1, Naotane, was actually a better smith.

Sue Yamato.

I was one of the founding members and committee member of the now defunct, Japanese Swprd Soc. of Australia. Unfortunately, the society dissolved for many reasons, probably more so, the tyranny of distance. Australia has a relatively small population compared with the distances one must travel. What I also determined that led to the downfall was, Committee members who were only there for what I would call selfish motives. Instead of education, these members were only concerned I believe, with how they could profit. Sword collecting in Oz, is very fractured. There are Sydney Collectors, Melbourne Collectors, Brisbane Collectors etc. What I have found is that, these groups tend to be clickie. Except for a couple of people who don't mind sharing their knowledge, most clicks, keep to themselves.

I have the Boston Museum book, if anyone is interested.

That's the first time I've heard Camelia oil mixed with Choji? Why?

Yoshiharu.