shakudo

Hi all, Just received NBTHK papers for the Kanewaka. Does the paper show a period/ date at all? School is great but period would really help. Many thanks as always

Hi Piers, Many thanks for your efforts. Dont know if I can tighten the focus or not? Also not sure if NBTHK would give a generation- guessing just school as NTHK but you never know- wishful thinking I suppose. But pleased to hear from you and thanks again.

Hi all, I recieved this pic of a worksheet for my sword that was offered for NBTHK shinsa in March. Am really interested to see what information is available from it? Sword is mumei and attributed to Kanewaka but thats all I have- sword and papers still in Japan. Many thanks in advance.

Hi Ciro, not sure on susudake translation but a bamboo chopstick works when refined. I have about 3 dozen bamboo mekuji pegs- 7mm to 2 mm and about 50mm long so can be adjusted as needed- if thats what your after just postage mate but I'm in Australia- chopstick easier and cheaper- if you cant, find a woodworker. Cheers mate.

Hi Piers, agreed. Had no idea it would be over the 15cm but still mailed out? Hi Brian, hope your well and recovering. Yes I agree with all your comments- prbably a silly purchase but as I had a nice small koshirae I thought a blade would be better than a tsunagi and as it was less than 15cm no drama- would have fitted nicely but hey- is what it is. I was thinking shinshinto. Would love some direction on mei if anyone can direct me. Thank you both for you replies- great forum and great people. Cheers

Hello all. Just received a Japanese purchase and was really surprised. I purchased a small tanto @14.9cm- please look at pics and think on what has happened! Its mei is eithe Ichiju or Ichitoshi- thoughts? Ana is punched and mei is on omote??? Thoughts? Also yasurime is horizontal one side and 30 degrees other. Nice dark colour on nakago and I can see ware in blade. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Finally a big thank you to all who reply and especially Admin ie Brian- cheers mate!

Hi George, yes signed but not dated. Tadayoshi- whats the saying- 11 out out of 10 are gimei? Purchased from USA 15 years ago so no idea on provenance. Thanks all very interesting experience! Cheers

Hi, Im cleaning my drawers and have found this surrender tag and well -curiosity kills the cat- can any one translate please. Only one side seems fresh, the two character side seems messy- smudged characters so not sure if related to other side. Any info greatly appreciated. Katana is civilian mounted, no leather cover and a large edo tsuba. Saya is split and ranky but the koji is an iron dragon with touches of gold on 'whiskers'. I have been able to find a perfectly matching tsuba so am in process of developing a full koshirae. I've had tsuka retied with jinbara and dragon menuki. Sorry I digress! Translation please. Cheers

Will do. Many thanks.

Hi Adam, thanks for looking in. Full mei is in translation section. Under special order sword maybe? Take a look and give me your opinion. Cheers

Thanks JP, I agree with you. I look forward to viewing as much as possible. Many thanks for commenting and Matt , thanks for your detailed information. Cheers Mike.

Hi JP, Just that the nakago seems in such good condition for 320 years old? The mei also seems so fresh- could be possible that the family treasured and protected this blade but thats a big stretch really! Also no Minamoto in signature- Hawleys or Fujishiro dont show the format of mei as on this blade. But as I have said I purchased the blade not the mei- the polish is really pleasing and the forging appears flawless - just seems to young! If we ever get a shinsa in Australia I'll put it up regardless or take it to San Francisco just to confirm my suspicions but regardless I'm very happy with the workmanship. Matt, thank you for that - now I'll try and track down the meaning of this type of hamon but late edo fits. Thank you both, Mike.

Hi JP, Many thanks for comment. Yes the blade is in very good condition and polish. Not that old as you say - Im really interested as to style/ name of hamon? Thanks once again.

Hi , adding to pics as file size must be too high. Really keen to find out what hamon is called? Hada? Many thanks once again. Mike.

Hi Folks, the mei is in translation section so please refer there. Im sure its gimei but I am happy- buy the blade not the name! Nagasa is 71.5mm Motohaba is 35mm Yasurime is Kiri Hada is ko- itame- I think? Boshi is ko- maru Personally I think it is shin- shinto but opinions please? Also would really like some iduea on hamon? Amazingly its totally controlled- 6 crab claw? 3 " hammer head shark" ?etc - also each side is the same - I find that unusual as all my other blades vary from omote to ura? - anyone seen that aswell? Really looking forward to your opinions but please remember not interested on mei- gimei! Many thanks for looking, Regards

Hi Bazza, Id guess its the camera as its photographed in a black box to cut reflections. Did say I thought it was gimei! Will put some pics up later in week to hear everyones opinions but as I said - gimei. Hi Matt , sorry " +2 with no second 2" ? Cheers Michael.

Hi Piers, Thank you so much. All making sense now. Will list blade in General Nihonto now for some learned discussion. My thanks for taking the time. Michael

Hi Matt, Thank you so much great toknow what is there. But can I ask the kanji at the very top? Special order or order or? Many y thanks for your time and thanks for looking in. Cheers Michael

Hi All, On phone so hope pics have loaded fully, fingers crossed. Firstly many thanks to Brian and all involved with this fabulous forum. I'm a regular visitor but rarely post- tech savy -Not! I have been able to purchase this blade and I must admit the old saying purchase the blade not the signature is so true. I'm guessing this is gimei but honestly- every time I draw this blade " I shiver with anticipation". I need the mei translated just so I know what is there! Pretty sure the omote is Bizen kuni ju kawachi no kami Sukesada but the ura-well thats a different story! I've got Fujiwara kuni and kore? Big ask I know but can I please have romanji and the translation as well as I cant find kanji like this anywhere in my small library? Hope thats not to much to ask- especially the kanji at the top- what is that? Now that I know I can list and send pics on phone I will forward some pics of this blades sugata and try to capture the hamon- in General Nihonto section for advice on type and maybe period? Especially like and aware of the tagane use on this mei- thoughts? Once again thank you to all members who spare their time to help fellow members and I assure you it is very much appreciated. Cheers Michael.

Yes cloisonne- not carved and I feel meji or later. Check the white line as Dale mentioned its not dirt- solder my best guess as as it doesnt match the other metal colours. Check the surfaces on all the spaces- no irregularites-carved?- dont think so! Saw it but came up with my conclusions as above.

Hi Dave, just a quick question. Does the full wrap shin- gunto have the " emporer node" as civilian mounted nihonto. I noticed with Lees gunto there was not the central nodes-only saw one view but? Cheers Michael.

Hi Dave, many thanks for the link. Answers lots of questions and surprised the round and a half is not more prevalent. Enjoyed reading the full koshirae link aswell. Many thanks for reply. Michael.

Hi Lee, thanks for your thoughts on the emporer node. I might suggest that the tsuka with multiple pieces has been remounted/ repaired. Hi Ian, yes I thought it must be economic and 18 century seems right with my koshirae. Thank you for your input.

Hi Lee, thanks for reply. Must admit I havent personally seen a 2nd WW with a full wrap- not my area but yes maybe just economics.Youngest I have is a shinto 1720 with a full wrap. Another question - why join the wrap in the centre of the ura side? With ito and the usual slice of wood down each edge, interesting? Thanks again. Michael

Hi all, really interested if its possible to determine when the wrap method for same on tsuka changed to panels? Shinshinto? All guntos seem to be panels and obviously economics was a possible cause for the change? Or have both methods always been used? Many thanks Brian for all your time,hope to see you at DTI but lets make next year? Thumbs up to all the members for your support and answering of stupid questions. All the best, stay safe. Michael.