Toryu2020

肥後守秦光代　以古鋼鉄作之　享保三年八月日　信高摩上之 Higo (no) kami Hata Mitsuyo Ko-kotetsu (wo) motte saku kore Kyoho san nen hachi gatsu hi Nobutaka Suriage kore The signature you got. The next bit I am just guessing at - "using old iron, made this" - I expect that better readers than me will correct this. The date records when the blade was cut up by Nobutaka. This is most likely Owari Nobutaka there are two candidates. If this is the shodai Mitsuyo it's pretty special - even if the nidai and the blade is in good shape it's something special. Now off to look for comparison signatures... -t

The "flaw" has been removed but what is left is more of a curiosity and will appeal to only a small number of collectors, -t

Also no dimensions listed - I believe there were museum miniatures sold years ago - this could be no more than a toy... -t

Darius - It's almost as if your teasing us. Tough call from these photos but from the high, wide shinogi and lack of overall taper I move my bid to Showa-to... -t

The Nihonto Meikan also lists references for further study - may we know the name of the smith? -tch

Exceptional!

Shinto or Shinshin-to macho-okuri probably done for the wartime mounts with severe corrosion of the nakago. Pics and dimensions of the blade will help but nothing here screams masterpiece. I would not expect much more than that. -t

I would stick with this being a name, although unusual, Ishitoku Shigeyuki makes sense - "adjusted this" does not. mho -t

Can you provide a close up of the first three or four kanji in the first line? -t

I have to agree, this doesn't look anything like a mamori-gatana. Perhaps two family legends got entwined?

Where are the love letters?

I would think Seki but it boggles the mind that we cannot find any listing for this Kanenaga... -t

Oldest to newest (Left to right) NFS

There is a Kongo-eki in Higo... -t

Someone did a hack job on that nakago - the blade looks tired. Save your money, buy polished and papered blades... -t

Thanks Brian - nice not to lose all that "history" -t

I love sword maker tsuba BUT it needs to be more than just a signature it has to be a good tsuba first... -t

try 筒

The Third day moon is an auspicious symbol. Beyond that you almost have to look at the entirety of Japanese Mythology and Iconography - it comes up in so many legends. The rabbit of Inaba, the moon and it's reflection, Yamanaka Shikanosuke Yukimori, just to name a few... -t

I believe this is a four character idiom - unfortunately the fourth kanji indecipherable to me... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yojijukugo

Gentlemen - There is no difference between a properly trained westerner and a properly trained Japanese employing a Shinsaku-to for Iai or batto. If you visit AOI arts and other websites you will see swords, mostly Shinsaku-to but sometimes antiques specifically outfitted and sold as ready for Iai. While I know of no secret short-cuts used to make shinsaku-to for practice I know that swords made as art swords are made using the best materials and extra effort that is reflected in the selling price. I think Michael has the right attitude, this simply may not be the best place to find what he is looking for. Antiques should not be used for destructive practice and that has not changed. I wish him luck in his search. -tch

Most of us outside of Japan do not have the luxury of seeing good swords in hand month in and month out. Your best bet is to memorize the terminology - try to understand as best you can thru photos - try to do online kantei or shijo kantei. When you do get to see good swords you can connect the terminology to the actual activity. Studying this way takes time but you can get there, ganbatte! -tch

Kanbun swords were made to standard lengths for the period - a sword so long it needed to be cut down would be a rare thing from this time period. More likely it had greater curve before being cut down. I would be looking in Yamato - nagare hada - sunanagashi - hakkikake - chu-suguha - short or no turn back - suggests Yamato to me. This is Koto imho. -t

Notice The Shinsa for 2020 has been cancelled - due to lack of plane flights out of Japan - the To-ken Taikai is still on and we hope to see many of you there! Thomas C Helm NCJSC

Notice The Shinsa for 2020 has been cancelled - due to lack of plane flights out of Japan - the To-ken Taikai is still on and we hope to see many of you there! Thomas C Helm NCJSC