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MarkGee

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Everything posted by MarkGee

  1. Surfson, that sounds great, Chicago is closer. I appreciate the help. The saya is a big unknown, it would be nice to have the original fixed, if possible.
  2. Hello Roju, thank you for the information. I was really hoping it was text inside the fuchi was more than just a construction notes. The translation on the mei came out to be Kanemoto. The added marks on the nakago "looked" a little like writing, just a coincidence then. I've rotated the pics on the tsuba.... Geraint - thank you as well.
  3. Sufrson - unfortunately it is missing its menuki. Roku - missing the top seppa, how can I get another one? (also appears to be some kind of marking at the narrow point end???). Please let me know how to measure, maybe do a tracing too??? OK!!! I took the tsuba all the way off and found some more hidden writing, this time on the inside of the fuchi!!! This is exciting, will need help translating again (see pic). Since it was all apart, another measurement of the blade for accuracy....27 1/4" (69.215 cm). Also new pics of the tang, bare. Looking at pics now, there appears what could be two marking mostly "worn off(?) that was hiding under the habaki. This might just be a coincidence that some differential metals next to each other for many a year. Please let me know what you think of these pics!
  4. Thanks for the info again, Roku, will have to take apart and see but it doesn't appear to have a second serrated washer on the top side. Will have to learn how to properly dismantle to remove the tsuba.
  5. Surfson, I would like to get shinsa on it, perhaps one of the big shows in San Francisco or if they have one on the east coast. In the meantime, I think it is important to get the main parts restored and wait on the blade. What would you estimate cost for restoring all the parts besides the blade? Are there certified restorers in the USA? The condition of the tsuka and saya need help the most. The sword has been in the family since the 40s, I don't know if there were fakes or copies made in Japan but I do remember sometime in the 80s(?) that these took off in popularity in the USA. I don't know when the fakes/copies started here. I am basically a novice in this realm. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. With the history of it here though, I am pretty certain it is real. Of course, I could be wrong.
  6. Hello Surfson, thank you for the response and nice compliments. I don't know if it is missing the seppa, I thought that was the piece that the maker of the tsuba had his name engraved on. I need to take it apart and separate the tsuba to confirm this. It is loose though, from age and wear. Would you have it in shinsa before being restored or does that matter before/after?
  7. Thank you Nobody for the translation. That makes the story of Tanabata complete (for the tsuba). The "strips of paper" on the top side have "Orihime" and a "haiku" talking about Tanabata and then a third tag that says "Tanabata". Next step that is needed is repair/restore....
  8. OK! The Q-tip idea worked, now need help translating the text. The other side has a small plate with text too. Both pics here...
  9. Ill give a try with the Q-tip. If the dry Q-tip doesn't work, I'll try dipping the Q-tip in Evapo Rust and wiping it.
  10. Thank you Geraint for that information, it is extremely helpful. Looking at your link, it appears the hamon continues in an irregular shape that follows similarly down the blade. I will assume then it is the later dates, 1800-1860s (matching the info provided for the dating of the tsuba). You could be right about the misuse. I hope that an expert would be able to address the blade. It might be worth the money to then have it polished. A quick measurement, without removing the tsuba, puts the blade just about 28" from the tip to where the top part of the tsuba sits against the blade. I hope that is the same measuring point you mentioned. I do look forward for advice on restoring the sword and replacing missing items to make it whole again. New question! On the bottom of the tsuba, there are more markings, one of which is covered with some corrosion. Is there a safe way to remove the corrosion? For car parts, I usually soak them in "Evapo Rust", which doesn't harm the metal. I don't want to use anything abrasive on it. Here is a picture of it....
  11. Thank you for all the informative replies. I had to find a site that names all the parts so I know which parts have been talked about! The saya is not in the greatest shape either. It has started to separate into two pieces and is missing the koiguchi. It is also missing shitodome. As for the tsuka: yes, missing the ito, sageo (don't think that is original) and the menuki. It does have its mekugi and the same (if it looks like pieces of rice?) is failing. The blade edge has many tiny pieces missing, as if it was used to defend other sword strikes. Is it possible to have these small nicks ground out in the polishing process or are they there to stay? As for the age of the blade, I am doing some online research with the info provided. If I am understanding what I am reading, you say it was made after the second generation of Kanemoto, the zokumei, Magoroku? Or would it be the second gerneration (magoruko, since the hamon does not have a uniform pattern and does have rounded edges, three cedar style? The paragraph that talks about this is hard to understand for the beginner in the link below)? I am using this site for help.. https://www.nihonto.com/magoroku-kanemoto-孫六兼元/ So with my confusion for the periods of Kanemoto, I am still at a loss for the date range for the blade. I would definitely think it would be best to leave the blade repair for last (since it is said most expensive, hardest part) and have the other parts restored first. These are things I wouldn't do myself as this is such a wonderful piece of history, I wouldn't want to damage it. Getting the tsuka and saya back in great shape would be the way to go. How would one go about having these items restored? Can missing ornamental pieces be replaced (menuki, shitodome, koiguchi, sageo, and the small ornamental piece under the ito) with something that matches the rest of the theme of the sword? I assume I will not be able to find anything of the same period but maybe reproductions of some sort.
  12. Hello, Jean, thanks for the help. Can you tell me what NÔSHU means? Here are more pics of the kashira
  13. The handle end cap is very nice as well, not sure of the correct name for it...
  14. Thank you Geraint, here is a better picture of the fuchi....
  15. Thank you Uwe, I will grab some more pics of the blade. Would it safe to assume tsuba was made around the same time as the rest of the sword? I am curious about when it was made and if I can find out more of its history.
  16. A relative has had this sword. It has been in "hibernation" for a long time and it is time to learn more about it. I've got some info on it but there is much more to learn. I was hoping some experts here could help me date it and learn more about the markings. I've learned it was made by a Kanemoto and has a theme of the Tanabata. I've got some pictures of the inscriptions but am receiving errors went trying to attach them. It is in need of restoration (which I hope to have done in the future at some point). Thank you for all the help
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