Winchester

Colin, are there any reputable sellers or shops locally in the UK/Scotland? Along these lines, you might find guidance from a seller /shop, foregoing any sales pitches (), in that you can see and review them in person. I read a lot in this hobby, but still not even at the starting line, so-to-speak. I find it most helpful to network at shows, shops/dealers and review in person. For me, the most important thing is that I enjoy it, find it aesthetically pleasing and the ownership gives me pleasure .

Hi Ray, Thank you for feedback and willingness to help this new collector. I was unable to get more photos in person at no fault of the seller or mine. I was able to get the sellers number though and the plan is to stop out over the next few months to review the collection. I was wondering if the quality was of particular interest or exceptional, relative to the opinions here from more experienced collectors. I know it is not much to work from, photo-wise, but it was elbow to elbow and tons of people/traffic. Seller is a militaria collector and I have about a year to review before he is auctioning/liquidating his estate. Believe he is 80+ years old.

Thank you for the translation. I really appreciate it as well as the additional commentary. The blade is really nice and while there have been many smiths with this name, the signature appears to check out. I was not able to get a lot more information at the time, no fault of seller nor mine. Planning on reviewing the collection in the next month or two and taking lots of photos.

Friends, Thanks in advance. I am interested in purchasing and like it. ID: KAN182 Province: Yamato Era: Kanbun (1661-1673) Active Period:1661-1673 School: Tegai Thoughts on the piece? Blade is near mint, lovely hamon no condition issues. Koshirae in excellent condition. Only a few pictures, sorry.

Friends, I am thinking about buying this tanto, very likely. Just curious what the translation reads. Thanks in advance for your help and sorry my photo skills are not the best--may have to zoom. Thank you

Would love to do the same! Sounds like fun and please share photos if you don't mind. Japan is on our list of vacations but sadly down quite a ways. Safe travels.

Thank you in advance for any help/feedback.

More photos due to file size.....

Here are some more photos........

Hope all is well. I am still a very new collector and came across some pieces recently. Wondering if you may have thoughts to share, feedback or advice. more photos to follow. The tsuba on the wakizashi I believe is brass as the base metal. I think the menuki are dogs but it is wrapped really tight and I can't see 100%.

Thank you all for your help. It was of interest and note that I thought I saw similarities; however, this hobby is purely for my interest. That is, I was not expecting a big pay day. Who knows…maybe this blind squirrel will find a nut one of these days. Best to you and yours; thought I was close.

^^^ Not sure why the last image above shows scratches, think it is just streaks in the remaining oil. There are no scratches in person.

Photos of the reverse side, had challenges with the lighting.

Better pictures of the hamon, trying to capture in the light.

And even more photos......(can only fit two images at a time due to max file size). Please zoom in for more details.

More photos.............

And more photos.....I just used a microfiber cloth to remove the choji oil on it, but some finely remains.

Here are some more photos.

I should know better than to post just one picture and not several showing the overall detail. Sorry. This is at an awkward angle because I had other projects on my bench; which is also why I was holding it with one hand an got choji oil on it all over with a microfiber cloth, but later wiped off the excess. I'll follow up with more pictures soon.

Hope everyone is doing well. Can someone tell me if this is a 1st generation Yoshimichi? I believe it is, but am still a very new collector. I went to use choji oil on it for maintenance and had to use the fiber cloth to hold the tang which is why it appears somewhat shiny, sorry about that. Please zoom in on the photo for reference. His signature is known for being in the shape of a boat sail. I have seen others but they do not state online what generation it is--that I could determine. Really nice hamon, big, beautiful, and looks like clouds. Will be taking it to shinsa next year at the Chicago show; just more or less curious in the mean time. I really like it. Thanks in advance.

Check this out for reference: https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/IYE381

I am a not an expert so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I have two signed Ietsugu katanas; one is by the father first of that name who was active in 1469-1487. Hawley rating of 20. His son was active in 1487-1489, rating of 30. None of the signatures I have which are papered or the ones I found online look like your example; just my observation.

OP, don't be too hard on yourself. This hobby takes a tremendous amount of study in my opinion. I am also a new collector...been collecting for about a year and a half and try to read on the subject daily. I am just barely scratching the surface with an hour or two a day on average. As someone else mentioned, I have found the resources here and on dealers websites to be extremely valuable. I haven't started my book collection on this topic yet--which I admit is a flaw in my approach--and that is likely where you and I will get a lot of mileage. Good luck and enjoy each moment.

I appreciate it Ray and will buy from you, just waiting for the one that talks to. me. What range on the year? I think its 1400's..........

I apologize in advance, I forgot what these papers stated and cannot find my notes. Please reference the attached; paid $6K USD for the blade. I will make a donation to the forum in August, upon receiving advice as a way to pay it forward as the saying goes.