Babu

I've requested this Bruce. It stated on the page shot this Smith was showato and Gendaito I'm attaching some me images that might help as I was told he had no allocation of tamahagane.

Thank you gentlemen. You have been a great help. As always I'm humbled by your collective skills. Thank you so much Adam

Ray I've removed the thumb print. And oiled the blade again. Approximately what date are we at? I'm curious.

When a drop of water hits an iron object, two things begin to happen almost immediately. First, the water, a good electrolyte, combines with carbon dioxide in the air to form a weak carbonic acid, an even better electrolyte. As the acid is formed and the iron dissolved, some of the water will begin to break down into its component pieces -- hydrogen and oxygen. The free oxygen and dissolved iron bond into iron oxide, in the process freeing electrons. The electrons liberated from the anode portion of the iron flow to the cathode, which may be a piece of a metal less electrically reactive than iron, or another point on the piece of iron itself. So what you see as rust is not an amorphous growth it's the steel surface in essence flaking away at different rates depending on the ease of above chemical reaction. still with the removal of enough steel and hopefully no pitting you will get a decent finish . But invisible flaws is another matter altogether. In many people's minds it's worth the polish but then they are not paying for it. this is betting on the favourite at the Horse races at 2:30 at Newmarket.He should win,he could win... but he might not win. Steve go in with a level head and eyes wide open here. Save up £3000?? for the Japanese polish. Good luck and I mean that. Adam

I saw the blade from one adapted into a sword stick due to its relative straightness. I guess many were.

Yes just about, very bottom left

Probably lost in translation then Steve as Google's translation stated.... this sword is a sword made in 1960 to commemorate the 2600th year of the imperial era, as indicated by the year number of the 260th year. I was told this was an obscure Smith who was never allocated tamahagane but I'm not sure how reliable the source though I'm assuming he is right.

Do we know if he was allocated tamahagane? No stamp. Blade looks water quenched but still might not be gendaito.

I've already got a 7 year old wanting all my tosogu. Imagine if the missus wanted it too!

Hi I've been offered a sword by the Smith now identified as 一刀斎安綱作 -smith Ittōsai Yasutsuna. He was born 1924 and died 1990. its in civilian mounts but I have seen reference to swords he made during WWII Albeit he must have been very young. i only have one reference that shows a sword constructed in 1960 to commemorate the 2600th year of the empire. It's in WWII mounts http://kako.nipponto.co.jp/swords2/KT215546.htm there are remarkable similarities. does anyone know anything about this Smith? thank you Adam

Gentlemen thank you that helps a lot. The mei is a bit different though. And that reference sword Jussi has a seki type stamp on it . Still looks traditional made though. This one is in it's original civilian mounts.

It's a bit dull for my taste to be honest. Yes it's in good condition and polish and we all know that's a plus. Family Mon Gunto mounts also a plus But it's Suguba ....... Thank you all for your help.

Updated images with hada. Also added dimensions. The blade is as far as I can tell in great polish with no flaws I can see. its 24.5" nagasa with a solid silver scratched rain habaki. 29mm ha to mune at the Machi. 19mm sori. Tip point to yokote line 28mm Width at yokote from ha to mune 18mm 6mm kasane at habaki ,was 7.5 originally before Machi okuri. 5mm along the blade Nakago 21cm from mune to cut. 32 3/4 inch total blade and nakago. If this is Osuriage then sword was over 1metre in length. So nagasa may have been 33 inches. Itame/masame with midare based on Suguba and a boshi that does not really turn back. I've studied the nakago and it looks all old blade. It's even super thin at the ha side running into the nakago and down to the tip. You could almost re sharpen it. Much thinner than I would expect of an ubu finished nakago.

Gendaito Smith Chi Fan? The yasureme is consistent.

I was also leaning this way ergo the post. I'll take some detailed images and help the kantei in a little bit.

Thank you Paul. It's pretty tight itame with some masame in the shinogi ji . I'll try to capture more detail. If it's early I'm keen if it's later I'm not so as I prefer the more flamboyant hamon. What are your gut instincts on what you can see ?

Any reference you know of JP? That name gets a zero on a web search.

Hi I've got a katana with this mei I'm struggling to find any reference to a Smith of the late 19th C to early 20th at all. Can anyone help? Thank you

Thank you all, this is a very interesting discussion and clearly shows the multitude of different levels of enjoyment we all get. You know my wife thinks people that collect swords are weirdos. I don't know why and I don't think she does either, she just says "it not a normal hobby" I reply "define normal." Clearly there are very subjective ideas of what is normal. Sorry it's a bit off topic....or is it?

I've got it on approval for a few days and as it's mumei Osuriage I'm wondering if it's Kamakura,nanbokucho or Muromachi or perhaps even later... Itame hada,masame in the ji ,ko midare based on Suguba. I'm at my worst with sword kantei on mumei Osuriage blades. Thank you. Adam

I'm not sure the mei conforms to that threads examples though. I doubt this is a Smith to copy or Gimei so perhaps another Smith, same name ?

Apologies if course it is. Autocorrecting again. I've edited the post.

Can anyone hazard a guess on period more specifically. It's got no signature and looks osuriage. I'm not great at kantei I'll admit. Do you think it's early? I respect it will be just an opinion.

I Was just kidding Grev. It's still called Yanagi-ba in that style also known as the willow leaf Ya-none. They whistle when released. The curved or Y shaped ones, Karimata ,we often see (people think are rope cutters) are actually for battle or hunting large game. They are designed to rotate either left or right as they fly through the air. Termed Haya and Otoya. Haya rotates clockwise. Otoya Counter.

Hi, Ive picked up a shin shinto Yoroi Doshi. Blades thick n flawless. Signed Suishinshi Masayuki a student of Masahide. Fittings are a bit blah! Yellow Horn or antler everything. I've never seen a whole set in horn. Is this because it's more practical in many ways or is it cost related.? I'm thinking if swapping it all out for some better items. I'd keep the menuki. Thank you