NathanLM

I have bought several swords from Brandon. Very easy to deal with. 

Dated 1942. I will have to pull it out to get month. I don’t remember. 
 

This came without fittings. 

A recent purchase and my favorite of my small collection. 
 

https://imgur.com/a/dao2Ocw

Here is a very interesting video discussing swords gifted to Nazi leadership by Imperial Japan. I wonder if anyone on this forum has knowledge of the particulars of these swords? Who forged them? Where are they now? Only one of the swords mentioned in the video is known today, but there were no details given. The sword is pictured in the video and is in Gunto koshirae. 
 

https://youtu.be/KwvO1sOuuoA

I don’t think fake. I think just a very nice Gunto. 

Thank you for the links!

Gentlemen, 

I can’t help but think how helpful a pinned thread containing high resolution examples of activity in polished blades would be for those of us just learning the nuance of nihonto. I imagine, for example, a macro photo labeled with arrows pointing toward the different activities and an explanation below. The japaneseswordindex.com Pic Glossary was a good start for me, but the small

black and white photos leave much to be desired. Maybe such a reference already exists somewhere online.  

Maybe Hizen koku mutsu kami Tadayoshi 

Gentlemen,

May I please get some help with the full translation here? With the help of a friend I’ve gotten to Hizen Tadayoshi so far. 

Esteemed gentlemen, can I get some help with this one?

Here is another. 

Thanks to everyone that offered an opinion on this sword. 

14 minutes ago, DoTanuki yokai said:

I would say it is not random but the Moon over the Sea.

Just some more about it that i found:

 

I like the blade and the style but dont know of pricing.

The condition is not perfect and i think i have seen better executed blades by sukenaga in the same style.

This is just what i can add and is maybe only my personal preference.

 

When you say the condition isn’t perfect, what are you referring to? My novice eye doesn’t see it. 

1 hour ago, Surfson said:

Hi Nathan.  It's an interesting sword, and has much to like about it for collectors of shinshinto makers.  Sukenaga is arguably one of the two best of the Yokoyama Bizen school (there  is an Art and the Sword article about them I think).  The mounts are nice too.  The seppa are interesting thick ones, presumably in gold foil.  The tsuba looks like Umetada to me.  The mounts on the saya and tsuka appear to be en suite; it looks very black like shakudo on the saya, but the tsuka makes me think that they are all silver with some sort of black patina applied.  The activity on the sword is unusual for Sukenaga, including a "jewel" (I guess) near the kissaki, a long stretch of suguha, the typical Sukenaga choji/gonome, and what looks like a rendering of Fujisan.  As Tsuruta san, or his associates, describe the hamon:  "This blade is called Fujimi Saigyo which means Mt Fuji and other mountains and also Miho Matsubara(it is beautiful see side contrast of Matsu trees and seaside). The sentry from the view from the point(Miho Matsubara) Mt Fuji is excellent scenery.

If you were able to find the article in digital form and send me a like i would appreciate that very much. 

I’m interested to get some opinions on this blade. I’m wanting to focus on collecting some swords from the Yokoyama school after recently buying one in Gunto koshirae and being prompted to study their work/history. It has been for sale for quite some time now. 
 

It has a lot of features I like: over 27”, bohi, deep sori, well known shin-Shinto smith, chrysanthemum and ichi, papers, koshirae, shirasaya, and interesting hamon. 
 

However, I wonder if it is overpriced for receiving NBTHK Hozon. It has sat unsold for quite some time. I’m guessing, but I imagine this was submitted for TH and didn’t receive it or perhaps it never was. Is the Koshirae original and of outstanding quality to warrant the price? 
 

This new vector in my collecting will be a substantial financial jump so I’m comparing many Yokoyama blades to find the perfect one for me. Thanks, Nate. 
 

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanayokoyama-kagasuke-fujiwara-ason-sukenaga/

Just barely in what is considered the large category. Overall length just a bit over 40”. 

Thank you, everyone, for the information. Does anyone else have a link to other works by this smith? My google skills must be subpar. 

Can I please get some help with this translation? 

I really enjoy your YouTube videos. I hope you can create some more in 2021. 

Perhaps Toshiharu

What a deal. Sad to have been sleeping when this posted. 

Very Interesting that discussion on war relics. It sold for $500 they say, yet here she has on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193468561294

Any idea in this one?

Thanks Ray. Yeah, I can’t find any information on Abe Hiroaki. I wonder if he often signed by another name. I was told that tateyoriwake is highly associated with Kochi prefecture and that there were other smiths with the family name “Abe” working there. But, I haven’t found anything.

Yeah Bruce, the star stamp is just to the left of the top mekugi Ana.