VIPER

Thanks John and others.......I was wondering if there were any sources of info on my swordsmith that I may have overlooked. Were there any details on My Kanemichi I missed such as maybe a timeframe when he worked or his birth/death dates....Thanks Jimmy

So all this info refers too Plate III ie the left hand sword in the picture...Jimmy Did this smith ever go by the alternate name of Naomichi as I keep running into that name as I cross reference the old posts and other sites..Thanks again Jimmy

KANEMICHI TANGO NO KAMI NIDAI [TENNA 1681 SETTSU] SHINTÔ CHÛJÔSAKU He is called Mishina Zenpeiji, and he went down to Tôbu during the Genroku era. His style follows that of the shodai Kanemichi tradition. Signatures: TANGO NO KAMI KANEMICHI INARIMARU KANEMICHI Plate III: TANGO NO KAMI KANEMICHI John So all this info refers too Plate III ie the left hand sword in the picture...Jimmy

OK......I Think I get it......I guess Japanese texts read from right too left. I guess thats what was throwing me. The extreme left sword ie my sword is referred too as plate III.............Jimmy

In the below picture of page 69, I believe, Are all of the three signatures variations of the one smith ie Kanemichi/Naomichi. Or are they all different. The first one on the left is a match for my sword. Any additional info on that left hand mei you guys could point me too would be much appreciated............Thanks in advance Jimmy

I am looking to enlarging my reference library to include Nihonto. Would the Nihonnto Koza series be the way to go. I am looking initialy for info on the Mishina and Mihara schools. Which volumes are they in. Thanks Jimmy

The first Naval sword above is now in my collection. Alf is very pleasant too deal with and he is willing too dicker on the price if he has any room....Regards Jimmy

Does anyone have an idea what the ratio of Army vs Naval surviving swords are out there. Being as so many IJN ships ended up on the bottom of the pacific...............Regards Jimmy

Hey.....That's my sword. Alf was willing too deal so I think I did real good price wise especially considering it's condition. Just need a minty naval tassel too top it off.........Best Jimmy

Was there a smith named Fujiwara Akimitsu working around 1940. I have a Kai Gunto with his mei. I think the blade is stainless but I am not sure. Any info would be great...........Thanks Jimmy

I have a Wak made by Kanemichi/Naomichi of the Michina school. I was wondering if any body out there had samples of his mei so that I can narrow down what his mei looked like at various times in his life. When did he start using the the crysanthamum in his mei. Also how does he rate as far as swordsmiths go. Any other details on him would be very helpfull..........Thanks for any help in advance.......Jimmy

Thanks....I find these swords the most interesting of all Gendaito..I am looking for one in its Naval Mounts.......Jimmy

Just trying too get a feel for the market. What is the price range for a nice textbook Minatogawa Naval sword.........Thanks Jimmy.

What kind of price range are you looking at for a nice excellent condition mon marked Minotagawa sword. Just trying to get a feel for the market.............Thanks Jimmy

Were all of the handmade Naval Swords at Miinotagawa marked with Mum on the waves marking. I have seen some that claimed too be made there but they did not have the Mum....Thanks Jimmy

It appears to be identical to the LEFT picture in Fujishiro pg 69. Is this the origional Kanemichi who first went too Osaka founding the Osaka branch of the Mishina school......Thanks Jimmy

Thanks Guys. Does any books have examples of the various meis used by the several generations of Kanemichi so I can make sure I have the right one ie Kanemichi the 4th.....Thanks again Jimmy

Does anyone have any information about this smith. A sample of his mei. Anything at all. I have a Wak in higo mounts that I am researching. I will try and post some pictures when I get some decent light.....Thanks as always Jimmy

My apologys Brian, as I have seen many such inquests on this as well as other forums, I presumed it was ok......The sword is a private owner purchase. And believe it or not your reply helped confirm my feelings on this particular blade as you were very close too the actual asking price on this sword. I have been leaning away from it but it always helps to have validation too your thinking. It is alot like Buckfever sometimes you get blinded by your desire too purchase other examples ounce you make that first purchase. Thanks again Jimmy............................

Hi Guys....Have a chance too pick up this sword. Any information at all would help me make up my mind............Thanks as always Jimmy

Thanks Koichi............Makes me wonder why a Sergeant Major would have an officers Gunto. Unless I am misunderstanding the purpose of the tag.......Best Jimmy

Here are a few pictures of the blade/fittings.

Thanks Brian...I had thougt I was doing something wrong. Now anyone got a clue what that tag says. The sword is not in my collection yet but I am considering it. It does have one heck of a nice tsuba and was captured or surrendered in Tarawa by a Marine LtColonel......Jimmy

Hi guys..need a little translation help on this one.....Thanks Jimmy