Peter Birmingham

Thank you, yes I saw the show about a decade ago and enjoyed it very much. Perhaps the sponsors will push it back to the last half of the year so more people will be immunized and can go.

Thanks to all of you that responded; very helpful! Do any of you know a tsukamaki service provider in the Chicago area? I don't want to mail any part of the sword if I can avoid it; I'd rather drop off the tsuka. I'd consider a new handle or just a new wrapping. Thanks and happy holidays!

Hello: I bought this katana advertised as a hand-made WW2 era naval officer's sword on E-bay and would like to know more about it and perhaps authenticate it. 1. What is the translation of the mei (signature) on the nakago (tang)? 2. The tsuba (guard) and two seppa (washers) are marked "12". What does that mean? 3. Does this look like a machine-made or hand-made blade? 4. Was this scabbard type wood with lacquer on the outside, or is the outer layer typically plastic? The blade does react strongly to magnets. Thank you for your help.