charlesf

Chandler, I have a two character Emura which I posted many years ago to be told by one of the sites 'experts' that it was a fake because it didn't appear in the Emura oshigata listed on the Japanese Sword Index.However the two character mei was included in the original version but for some reason has been omitted from the current edition,I don't know why. Funnily enough after having my sword slagged off a well respected member offered some swords for sale on behalf of a non-member and one of them was a sleepy niji mei Emura! The 'expert' refrained from commenting! The sugata looks typical Emura,stout base gradually narrowing,mine has distal taper too,nice hamon which should reveal ashi and the mounts look to be of superior quality,all in all a really nice bundle! I'm afraid I can't help with the question about quality/number of characters,unless someone finds reliable source material it can only be guesswork. Thanks for posting,regards, charles

Mick,it depends on what you are looking for,are you looking to buy an antique sword,a WW2 gendaito or a WW2 military sword? Are you looking for papered blades,fully mounted blades or out of polish blades with potential? We've all had buyer's remorse,I get it all the time when my auction purchases arrive and I discover something that the auction house has not noted in the description. The joys of online bidding! Might I suggest going to arms fairs,I used to visit and also take stands at midlands fairs 30+ years ago,the London fair was also good but I've lost track since moving to t'frozen north. Regards, Charles

Please read my post properly,I asked if it was reasonable to suppose the same relationship that Obata had with Kobayashi Yasuhiro which was that of PROFESSIONAL SWORD TESTER. It would also be extremely naive to turn a blind eye to the politics and finances involved in the world of Japanese swords which have existed throughout history,so kindly climb down from the saddle of your high horse. charles.

Thank you very much! charles.

A few questions about Minamoto Yoshichika,would be grateful for any help and comments that members might have,thanks in advance. Shibamishima.Yoshichika is said to be 'from' Shibamishima,a Google search shows no results however there is an area of Tokyo called Shiba and I wondered if two names had been run together i.e. Shiba and Mishima,being Mishima street or district.Can anyone clarify? Yoshichika and Nakayama Hakudo.Would it be reasonable to suppose that they shared the same relationship as Obata/Yasuhiro,Hakudo demonstrating blades in exchange for swords for personal use?The sale of 490 tested swords to members of the Imperial Guard must have been a considerable boost to Yoshichika's bank account. Imperial swordsmith.In 'Samurai Swords for the Material Battle' the author suggests that the Emperor 'called' Yoshichika to Tokyo (from where?) and made him an Imperial Swordsmith,a fact that I cannot find to be corroborated anywhere else. Hakudo's personal swords.I recall reading somewhere about one of Hakudo's personal swords,long blade either 29" or 31" in what I can only describe as toppei koshirae,is anyone familiar with this?I don't mean the YouTube uploader with the shiny hakama. Thanks for any help/links that you are able to provide. charles.

An interesting blade but the 'nagashi' (polisher's marks) are questionable and the patina at the top of the nakago looks a little 'loose'. charles.

Some years ago I bought an Emura in auction at Stamford,I had been sent on a 'mission' by my pal Yorkie who declared his non-interest when I told him about the signature! In type 98 mounts the blade was in good polish and had a really nice choji-gunome hamon,cost about £300 + train fare from York and back,it was a good sword so I'm not sure how the signature thing worked out. One of my current Emura has the 'Chounsai Emura saku' signature which I reckon to be a custom order with slight koshi-zori and a narrow gunome hamon bordering on juzuba in Suya sword shop mounts. charles.

A truly international endeavour . . . . For sale in the UK. Sold in the US. A great addendum provided by an Aussie! Thanks and regards, charles.

Kyu-gunto was 'passed'. Nagamitsu made £1,100 hammer. charles.

A taster . . . . charles.

Whilst not really my thing I was quite impressed by Lot 3564 in Toovey's upcoming sale on 26th November of edged weapons,firearms,medals and militaria. There is also a heap of gunto,one 'Nagamitsu',see; https://www.tooveys.com/online-catalogue/firearms-and-edged-weapons charles

Steven, Tachi-mei is a sword where the signature faces away from the body when the sword is worn with cutting edge down. Katana-mei is when the signature faces out with cutting edge worn up. charles.

Jan is referring to a different sword in another auction ; charles.

This is the 'Toshihide' from the Mike Noel collection sold by Dore & Rees ? regards, charles.

Never mind,you've kept your powder dry for another adventure. Did you see the Cadmore Hideaki has resurfaced? best regards, charles.

I agree,the buyer was obviously convinced that this was Horii Toshihide,I had some doubts . . . . unless it was made just before he passed away when his work was not its best. charles.

Yes,I watched,you made a good call on price,well done! charles.

Thank you for posting the link,while it remains an object that is unattainable I very much enjoyed reading its history and the images of a wonderful blade. charles.

Cadmore Hideaki offered at £2,600 and 'passed'. charles.

I would be interested in knowing the result as I checked this sword out but had a number of reservations about it. There is a sword in kyu-gunto mounts by the same smith when he used 'Minamoto Hideaki' as his mei at Cadmore Auctions,lot 291,10th-12th November. It looks genuine but is almost mu-zori,maybe a custom order,copy of a kinnoto? 30 years ago I owned a 'Hideaki' dated 1933 and bought off my old pal Yorkie for £1,400,he described it as "the best f**king gendaito I've ever seen"!!! Gone now,sold when hard times struck.. . . . best regards, charles.

I doubt that you will get a clear view of the jihada as it looks as though the blade has had a recent polish judging by the very shiny finish. The owner has posted a message about this sale here on the board under 'Auctions and Online Sales',see 'upcoming auction' by Mike Noel,you might contact him for further information on this sword. Regards, charles.

Repurposed for iaido,you're probably correct about it being for a Type 3 although I have seen Type 98's with blades drilled with two holes. charles.

Here's a nice one from Ikedaart,doesn't say how much it sold for but interestingly is signed katana mei,also shows the Emura elongated kissaki whicj I think makes them look sharper and more elegant. charles.

Dear Sam, You won't spoil my mood! I thoroughly enjoy the discussion and interaction on this thread and your input is most valuable,it's always good to have a different perspective on the issue. Thanks and kind regards, charles.

Thanks Pav, Yes,I got quite excited at finding another Emura . . . . . . until I saw the price. The seller did have two,one mounted and the other a bare blade,this would be a couple of years ago,both blades in poor condition with lots of pitting,I did email him for his best price,he replied "Make an offer ....". I thought he might be offended by £300 so didn't respond . . . . Like the No. 10 bus,there'll be another come along shortly! regards, charles.