DTM72

Seller agreed to my offer so I guess I am the new owner of this Plimpton Collection Murata Kyu Gunto! Next question...is this the correct knot for a field grade Kyu Gunto?

I am clueless on that one. This is shaping-up to be a somewhat rare beast. Seller messaged me that he got it from the Plimpton collection.

I have a chance to purchase a nice kyu, but want a little more info before I pull the trigger. Seller thinks it is a Murata but the nakago is not signed. There is one small stamp that I am not familiar with. in addition, I have not seen a Murata with 2 thin bohi. I have requested better pics of the blade itself, but I can't tell if it is an etched hamon. In one of the pics, there appears to be a nioi-guchi bordering the hamon. as always, thank you to everyone who responds! @Bruce Pennington @PNSSHOGUN @IJASWORDS

@Bruce Pennington Not sure if anyone answered your question on this. There is a tiny "W" in the polishers stripes, near the mune in the shinogi-ji. Can't say I've seen the W in that location before.

Message sent

With my upcoming work schedule, I don't think I can make this show. <-- That being said, I have 2 items I would like to submit to shinsa. Are there any "agents" I can send the items to that will submit for me? A couple people offered their services on facebook, but I can't recall who. Might have been David Easley.

Out of curiousity, where in the USA are you located? I'm in Charleston, SC

For comparison http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/okimitsu.jpg

@Jaron This seems to be the ONLY place i can find it now. I would call them directly to ensure they actually have it in stock. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/563685/the-connoisseurs-book-of-Japanese-swords-by-kokan-nagayama/9781568365817

@YOJIMBO The person above may be able to help you.

Congrats on your purchase! First, it can take up to 1 month to turn in the registration card and get clearance to ship. Next, shipping is getting better out of Japan, no that COVID restrictions are reducing. I would guess that shipping would be about 1 week...once they get clearance to ship. Personally, I would plan for about 4-5 weeks. I know it's like a kid waiting on a Christmas gift...just can't wait!!!!! Congrats again. Dan

If you have Facebook, reach out to Raymond Yan. He has lots of Nihonto parts for sale, and occasionally complete swords. He is also an avid collector of ancient Chinese swords and parts. He may be able to help you in your Chinese sword interests. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007267728197

GAKU MEI - 額銘 - original signature inlaid in a cut-off (o-suriage) tang

Diagram of cuts, for those who may not have seen it before.

440 monme? Wow, that is like cannonball size, right?

What the funk is that!?!?!?!?

My Emura

looks like a variation of this one http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/kanenor2.jpg another example https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/modern-Japanese-sword-shirasaya-katana-gendaitosigned-by-noshu-seki-jyu-kanenori/ 関 = Seki 住 = Ju 藤 = Fuji 原 = Wara 兼 = Kane 則 = Nori Is there additional stamping abouve the mekugi-ana (peg hole)? Possibly 濃州?

Many thanks Jonathan and Steve! The link Steve posted is facinating. To my old friend, he feels that he has a treasure, with a name. Not sure where he got it or how, but whatever makes him happy. Thanks again guys!

I was unable to get any translation returns on 贞道 or 源贞道. I even tried 贞 just by itself, but it comes back as a chinese character. Makes me think even more about possible Chinese origins of this blade.

I would 110% agree you have the correct kanji. What is its translation? I have limited search abilities on my phone in a metal building with no wireless and VERY low signal strength.

I'm setting-up for a gun show in Charleston, and a gun dealer brings me a slightly fuzzy picture of a mei to translate. From what little I can see in the pics, I am guessing a kimonjo. I already informed him that it does not appear to be old but I need to see it in hand for proper evaluation. The dealer says it is at home and he is going to keep it and not sell it. He's a very elderly gentlemen and I have a soft spot for helping the elderly. He deals in mainly early 1900's guns and always points people with swords my direction. I do the same for him with older guns passing by. I'll stop my yapping now. Thanks in advance! 源 = Minamoto 完 = Sada? 道 = Michi

Since they are saying Around Eishō. 永正 your smith may be... https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TAD129 or this guy https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TAD136 or if you are lucky, it is... https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TAD133 Blade has to be judged on its own merits. Simple hamon with everyday itame hada with little to no activity in the jihada or is it a WOW when you see the hamon and the hada? That would be the simple difference between the two smiths and the third smith above. Post good quality pics and some of the great people of this board may be able to help you figure where your smith falls...then again, it is still a big list of Bizen Tadamitsu's https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=tadamitsu&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=52&start_era=All&school_nid=All

Was curious as to if there were ever anysmiths in Okinawa. Was there even a need for them there? Prior to WWII I never read of any great samurai battles there. My mind wanders to odd places sometimes.

I will definately have 2, but possibly 3 items.