DTM72

Sorry, these are the pics he sent to me, after the fact.

If it's a copy of a Murata, they did well.

Best I have so far is the first kanji Ko 小

Any guess on the mei itself?

Meiji Ju Ju Ichi so Meiji 21 The Ju Ju 十十 together threw me off too.

I have been chatting with Bruce Pennington on the stamps and the mei. All of these have me stumped. I have looked through my Dawson and the Fuller & Gregory books and cannot identify these stamps.

August of Meiji 21 What is interesting about this one, the nakago was turned down at the end and threaded. I am guessing that it was in Kyu-Gunto fittings, then later put into Army Gunto fittings. The blade is also in the kogarasu-maru configuration...very interesting.

Much appreciated Piers!

This one has me stumped. A person local to me asked me to translate his WWII katana. It is in gunto mounts, but dated with a Meiji date. It also has what appear to be arsonal marks that None of my Fuller & Gregory books show. The signature is throwing me off too. First symbol looks like Ko. Since this is a military type sword I did not post in the translation section. Help me with this one, please! Thanks in advance to everyone.

I am having trouble figuring out the kanji after the Meiji kanji 明 治 十十 <- What am I seeing here? Is this Ju Ju = 20? 一 年 八 月

Chris, When I lived up there, I was member of the OVMS (Ohio Valley Military Society) They hold a huge show in Louisville called the Show of Shows (SOS) and also a bigger show in Pittsburgh called the Military Antiques Extravaganza (MAX). Those would be great places to scout Japanese sword sellers/collectors to join your group.

I started in this "Deep Hole" about 25 years ago...got into a motorcycle racing habit around 2009-2010 and sold all my swords...2 years ago, I got back into it bigger than I ever was before. Wishing you all the best. Dan

As best I can tell, Todai 東大 = Tokyo Collage or a school o Shin/Jin 王神 = King, God, Emperor Masamitsu Saku 正光作 = Masmitsu make As mentioned above, the kanji does not appear to be inscribed with a chisel, it looks to be done with a single stamp for each kanji.

The end of the nakago looks to be re-shaped and the patina is missing....like it was hit with a grinder or sander. Agree with Mark...pass on this one.

For a polisher in the US, the prices are $95-$120 per inch to polish. Shira-saya for a katana is $850. Shinsa with NBTHK is in Japan only. You will have shipping/insurance costs there and back, fee to Paul Martin or Bob Benson (agents that actually take your sword to the NBTHK about $250-$300), shinsa fee (about $250 if it passes). Shinsa with NTHK, if they ever return to the US can be done by you, if you attend the event they are at. $100 submission fee plus $150 for the papers if it passes. So...for a 28" katana polish (Yes they charge all the way to the file marks on the nakago) = roughly $3000. Shira-saya = $850, shinsa with NBTHK with agent fees, shipping, etc.= $700. Altogether you are looking at about $4500...roughly. All the best, Dan

After reading your posts, you have helped me prove a point to myself. (I had all these points in my head as I was reading the listing) Why on earth would a Rai Kunimune (son of the famed Kunitoshi) be on eBay from a sword dealer for a measly $999? Ain't no way this is a "Diamond in the rough" that he just overlooked and didn't realize what he had. Last point to myself, if it were half of a decent blade...putting the signature to the side, why is it not papered by NBTHK? I would think that is a small investment for a dealer in Japan to obtain papers to boost confidence in your product. Many thanks to all who responded. Your input is greatly appreciated!

I noticed that statement in every item he is selling. Even tsuba say that too. lol

I can't quite make out the first kanji, but this tanto appears to be signed Rai Kunimune. I'm trying to make a point to myself, and looking for other input on this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353547612192?hash=item5251147020:g:EUsAAOSwma5g1XFS

関 = Seki (City) 住 = Ju (Lives in) 藤井 = Fujii (First name) 兼音 = Kaneoto (Art Name) 作 = Saku (Make)

BTW your date is 昭 = Sho 和 = Wa 十 = Ju (10) 九 = Ku (9) 年 = Nen (Year) 五 = Go (5) 月 = Gatsu (Month)

Fàilte Ray. I based my opinion on the size of the burr on the top side of the hole. Look at the shadow. Drilling generally will not leave that large of a burr. Your opinion of Showa is a reasonable opinion based on the cleanliness of the nakago and absence of any darker colors that would indicate an older blade. We can probably agree that we need more info than just the nakago picture to really give an accurate assessment of it. Have a pint of Strongbow for us both...I could really use one right about now.

MUMEI - 無銘 - no signature (unsigned blade)

I grew-up in Indianapolis, and left 18 years ago. Tired of the snow and the cold. Still have family up there and visit occasionally. Wishing you all the best with this group. I would like to start one here in South Carolina.

壽命 = Jumyo The mekugi-ana (hole on the tang) appears to be punched, not drilled. This usually indicates an older blade, but we all need to see the complete blade and tip of the blade to give you a better assessment. So far, I would say it is NOT a cheap tourist item.

I am still intrigued by the ashi (hanger) being upside down on the saya (scabbard). Katana are thrust through the obi or belt, with sharpened edge up. Not that it has never been done, but I have not seen a katana with an ashi, as a tachi would have.