Ron M

Good day again to everyone. Please help me with some info about this menuki pair. They came from a yard sale. Thank you in advance for the knowledge

Grey, thank you for replying, kind Sir. I definitely wasn’t thinking this was Japanese but I do think that it is vintage and does appear so. The fella I bought it from said it was his fathers who was stationed in HK. I also believe that the ornaments were recycled older pieces and applied to this. I believe the blade is something like a tsunagi and although it may have been meant to “fool a G.I.” it is definitely a heavy piece and has considerable dust and dirt. I fully understand everyone may not like this type of thing but I am appreciating it for what it is…a cool old junk souvenir from an age gone by. Regards

Good day everyone, was out shopping some yard sales and came across this piece. Seems like a lot of work out into it as a souvenir but really nicely presented, imo. Any thoughts or opinion would be welcome. I’m enjoying looking at it and the craftsmanship of the little appliqués that appear to be menuki-type of pieces. Regards

Modern and monosteel. Not an antique

KaneShige?

Hi you all I am wondering why these type of oil quenched Showato tanto are made. What purpose are they for, mainly. Some are really crappy made but this one is signed and the nakago is finished with yasurimei. V

Yes I would be interested to see what you’re offering. Thank you

Hello again, where is this shipping from? Is it in Japan? Thank you

This item has been recovered and delivered, well received in good order. Thankful 🙏

If it’s in Japan, why doesn’t it have papers? Can it get papers while it’s there if you get it?? These are the questions to ask before a purchase of a sword that’s still in Japan.

Hi, is this available and where is it located or shipped from? Thanks

I would interested to see the hamachi area where the hamon starts…this deep sori is usually a result of saiha(?) maybe

Yes sir i understand you. My initial start with this was through these same pictures sent to Ray Singer. He said to look toward Kashu Kagemitsu, that this may also, as an alternative to the Mino thinkers, that it may be the earlier possible 1st Gen. Kagemitsu based on his, Ray’s, understanding of these two snippets of info I have attached. He wasn’t disputing anything. Just giving me a direction to work. This is what I am seeking to find out why and how it isn’t just a 1560’s Mino and may be this other. This is just something I have been pursuing as a hobby. Thank you for the info and all in advance.

Okay thank you for that. I would very much appreciate what easily described features make that opinion. This ofc would be another vote for Mino so I want to investigate for my own forward appreciation of it. thank you!

I have attached more of the Sugata and hada/hamon as requested. I have more if desired. regards and thank you

Good morning to any who see this, I have been studying this nijimei for a couple of years now. It has been returned to me twice as gimei for Kagemitsu from nbthk and nthk. I am no expert but I have seen and read where Tanobe-Sensei states that the age of tagane in a mei is seen through a loop and look like many dots as it has aged and cannot be faked. if you look at these pics you can see “newer chisel marks” all around the mei itself but I cannot help but feel this mei chiseling is much older than 1560’s Mino ( which is what the experts stated). I have many of this era and they look much cleaner. I’m studying Heian Juyo blades I see this same type of dot marking on the very old nakago. If this nijimei was legit for Kashu Kagemitsu then it would be 1270-1320 era. I am not trying to dispute the experts, just looking at what I see in studies and research by other experts. any thoughts are excellent regardless. thank you

Hi, excellent place to study. Pop out the little wooden peg (Mekugi) that’s at the “front” of the handle and slide it off so we can see the tang (Nakago) and get you more info. It appears to be legit so far

Good morning, I have this wakizashi that is suriage (maybe even O-) with a leaning gunome hamon. Any possible info would be great. I am definitely planning on sending to Shinsa for a possible outcome. Nice fitting koshirae however the saya was painted blue (not pictured) but the tsuba is in the pic. I appreciate any move forward. Regards Ron

I have two Kane- signed blade, one wak and one tanto. both have Higaki yasurimei. one is KaneNori, one is KaneNobu. Are they from the same lineage? my Kanenori has hozon paper regards for info Ron

Thank you gentlemen. See below

Greetings to you all, please take a look at this katana I have. The nengo has been filed (probably to fit a habaki but?) and it’s signed nijimei (I believe) Yasu Kuni. I can find some like that but please give opinion. Regards and respect

Hello again, I am looking at this katana, mei is obviously Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka. Echizen Ju on reverse. So far it does appear to show the basic “up sweep” in the atari points. Also, it looks as though it is written well and comfortably with nice shaping. please share your thoughts and thank you

Good day to you all, please give me opinions on this mei and nengo from a wakizashi I have. I can read it but wanting the opinions of more knowledgeable folks. Thank you for taking a moment for this. Respectfully Ron

Excellent pictures! However, Both of these show a kurigata on the outer side of the saya so I understand the proper position, but the ones I have seen in a combat cover don’t have a kurigata and only an ashi hanger on the mune side, clearly, it would hang upside down. Good stuff!

I cannot imagine as a 50 year karate student/instructor, that with all of the sublime “rules of etiquette” that the Japanese have in their lives, that they would allow a sword to be worn clearly mounted upside down. then again, as a retired combat veteran, war is hell and you use what you use. thank you gents